5 Drawbacks of Using Non-Ergonomic Chairs

16 September 2021

In the new work setting, individuals need to spend more than 5 hours working at home. It might sound very convenient because you don't have to combat the hassles of daily commute amidst the crowded metro. You don't also need to drive for more than 1 hour to get to the city. Most of all, you can be safe from the threat of the deadly Covid19 virus, most especially that the new variants like Lambda and Delta surface. On the contrary, you might not have the one-hundred percent assurance that you can be safe from the MSDs or RSIs. These are the conditions that WFH-individuals are facing these days-problems that may have long-term effects on the posture. 

Looking Thoroughly on MSDs and RSIs

MSDs and RSIs

MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) and RSIs (repetitive strain injuries) are the posture problems that workers across the globe experience. These problems come from improper practice, incorrect posture, and wrong device positions that working people encounter in the office. 

The problem reaches homes these days as more people work remotely. Unfortunately, workers encounter MSDs because they don't practice active work pacing. They don't follow the sit-stand rule where a worker should practice standing and sit while working. It could help them avoid the sedentary lifestyle, and they could practice a more active movement. 

These poor health conditions are life-threatening because of injuries and accidents that can permanently damage areas such as the lumbar, cervical spine, and sitting bones-body parts that could impair a person for a long time if they get injured. 

Moreover, MSDs and RSIs can affect the self-esteem and work performance of the individual. Consequently, some cases involve non-deliverance of services on time or unsatisfactory work performance. 

The Effects of Office Equipment and Furniture Use on Posture

Many workers for years have not realized that the equipment and furniture pieces have effects on their posture. Workers have not noticed that these pieces affect how they sit and stand from the desks to the office tables, until these days, most of them experience illnesses such as osteoporosis and tendonitis. Indeed, the incorrect posture practices have impacted the health and wellness of most office workers. 

The Disadvantages of Using Non-Ergonomic Chairs

In particular, non-ergonomic chairs are the leading equipment pieces that affect the posture of the person. The improper design of these products has a severe impact on the workers' health because they cannot follow the proper curves of the spine. 

This situation would worsen without the help of the proper ergonomic solutions, just like the ones that FlexiSpot (the home of the best standing desks, sit-stand desks, stand-up desks, and ergonomic chairs) offers. Only the ergonomic products can give the proper solutions and help amplify the correct posture of the person and alignment of the head, spine, and feet. Hence, when you choose non-ergonomics, then you would put yourself at a higher risk. 

Aside from that, there are other disadvantages when you don't use non-ergonomic chairs. So, one by one, we will discuss each and explain why ergonomic products are way better than ordinary chair products. 

a. Inadequate Parts to Support the Whole Chair Frame

Ergonomic Office Chair 9051

It's one of the disadvantages of a non-ergonomic piece. First, they do not have the good parts. For example, non-ergonomic chairs do not have adjusters that support the chair itself, especially when it comes to its rocking function. Compared to the ergonomic chairs from Flexispot, such as the Ergonomic Office Chair 9051. This product has an adjuster to help you rock on a specific angle with safety and convenience, so if you choose a non-ergonomic chair, you cannot ensure if it is safe to move the frame itself or if it would not cause you to fall off from the chair. 

b. Do Not Follow the Curves of Your Spine

Ergonomic Office Chair OC7

When it comes to designs, ergonomic chairs are the ones that lead the competition. It's because they follow the contours of the person's body. In most of these equipment pieces, you would notice that it does not have the s-shape. It also has a straight backrest and would not give you comfort when you lay your back flat on the backrest, unlike the pieces from FlexiSpot, such as the Ergonomic Office Chair OC7 with the S-shaped backrest and would stimulate blood circulation. 

c. Cannot Protect the Shoulders and Cervical Spine

Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair

When you use the non-ergonomic chair, you may not ensure that your cervical spine and shoulders get the protection they need so they would not get strained. Typically, a non-ergonomic chair does not have a wide backrest and headrest compared to ergonomic products like the Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair and Ergonomic Office Chair OC3B from Flexispot. As a result, you might experience severe neck soreness and shoulder pain. Consequently, the pain may affect the spine. That's why you would feel the tightness when you sit for long hours on the non-ergonomic chair. 

The Chairs that do not have the Ergonomic Design Usually Have Unstable Parts like the Armrests

d. Unstable Parts

If you notice, the non-ergonomic chairs don't have stable parts. Hence they get wobbly most of the time. In particular, their armrests get shaky. When you use this kind of equipment, you put yourself in danger. It's because when the armrests get wobbly while you put your elbows on it, they might slip off and make you lose balance. There is a tendency that the joints on those areas might get strained and sore, giving you the pain that you might bear for a long time. So, an ergonomic piece must be flexible and durable. 

e. The Metal Will Rust

The Steels From the Non-Ergonomic Chairs Can Easily Get Rusty

Non-ergonomic chairs quickly get rusty, mainly because they do not have the high-grade steels that you could see in ergonomic pieces. A steel frame that quickly gets rusty is not for good. Hence, it's essential to choose the ones that most workers trust most, like the ones from FlexiSpot. You might end up having a broken chair if you avail them in the market. 

Final Thoughts

Non-ergonomic chairs might be lesser in terms of the price compared to the ergonomic pieces. Yet, the reality is they would make you spend more in the long run because you cannot ensure their safety, unlike when you choose FlexiSpot. It's because the products from FlexiSpot would ensure your utmost safety and deliver the best ergonomic solutions you need for your everyday work at home or on-site.