We spend an average of 6 to 7 hours of our day sitting today. Sitting for long hours has become common among people of all ages. Whether you're a student or you're a professional, you spend a lot of time sitting. Thanks to the computerization of nearly all tasks in all fields, what once required people to move around and get involved physically can now be done with a mere click while sitting comfortably.
With so much sitting involved, the chair you use becomes the most important piece of furniture that you must choose very wisely. After all, it's your chair that you're sitting on for long hours every day.
If you've been observing that your body hurts after sitting all day, your shoulders feel stiff, or your feet are swollen, it might indicate that the chair you're using isn't the best, and you need to replace it with a safer, ergonomic chair.
An ergonomic chair is unlike the conventional chair that you use. You can adjust an ergonomic chair to suit your comfort and preferences to ensure that you're comfortable while seated. From being able to adjust the chair's height to the recline of the backrest to the seat depth, you can adjust the chair to the extent that it would feel that the chair has been made exclusively for you!
However, choosing the right ergonomic chair is crucial. If you end up choosing the wrong chair, you won't be able to reap the maximum benefit.
If it's your first time buying an ergonomic chair, you may not know what to look for, and you may end up making mistakes that will cost you money and your health and well-being. To help you through the process, we've put together a list of some things you should do when buying an ergonomic chair.
Signs That You Need an Ergonomic Chair
If your chair has been making a lot of squeaking sounds or it doesn't feel as comfortable now, you may consider replacing it. Now, you've got 2 options; you can either buy a new regular chair or opt for an ergonomic chair. Ergonomic chairs are superior to regular chairs, but they're also costlier, often making people think twice.
To help you decide, we've listed down some signs that indicate that you need an ergonomic chair. If you experience any or all of these signs, it's absolutely clear where your money should go.
If you've been experiencing discomfort and pain in your shoulders, neck, and back and nothing seems to be helping, your chair is probably the culprit.
Pain or numbness in the fingers is another sign that indicates that it's high time to make the switch to an ergonomic chair.
Stiffness in the joints and swelling in the feet can also occur due to sitting on the wrong chair for long hours.
Overall weakness or muscle fatigue after sitting for long hours.
These are just a few of the many signs of sitting on the wrong chair. A wrong chair, in general, would tire you out sooner and you'll feel pain in discomfort in various parts of your body. Not only this, your muscle strength will get affected, and you may also experience a loss of coordination.
Any or all of these signs are a clear indication that you need to bid goodbye to your existing chair and invest in an ergonomic chair.
How Not to End Up with the Wrong Ergonomic Chair
Now comes the most difficult part of the ordeal; buying the right ergonomic chair. For a first-timer, it's common to not know how to ensure they're buying the right chair, and as a result, they end up making mistakes.
Since you'll be buying your first ergonomic chair soon, here's a list of some practices that will help you bring back the perfect ergonomic chair that aligns with your preferences and needs.
Try Sitting on it Before Buying
Just because an ergonomic chair looks good and comfortable doesn't mean it'll be comfortable for you. Buying a chair based on its appearance is one of the biggest mistakes you should avoid. When you visit a store to buy an ergonomic chair, sit on various chairs and see how sitting on them feels. Choose the chair that feels most comfortable to you. An ergonomic chair should make you feel as if you're sitting on a chair that's made just for you. If it doesn't, know that it's not the right one for you.
Don't Choose a Cheap Chair
Many people make the mistake of buying a cheap ergonomic chair. They assume that all ergonomic chairs are the same. All chairs have got a backrest and armrest, and spending a lot of money on a chair is useless when you can get an ergonomic chair with a backrest and armrest for a lesser price. We hate to break it to you, but you get what you pay for in the case of ergonomic chairs.
The price of ergonomic chairs varies with quality, durability, and features. A cheap ergonomic chair is nowhere as good as a costlier one, so don't waste your money to save some.
Do Your Homework Right
Let's say you're totally sold that an ergonomic chair is what you need, and you head out to the store and purchase an ergonomic chair. Impulse buying in the case of ergonomic chairs is just not right. Not all ergonomic chairs are equal in comfort level, durability, and adjustability. Buying an ergonomic chair without doing homework will result in you putting your money in a chair that's not meant for you. Let's say you bought an ergonomic chair that had a backrest and adjustable height option only to realize later that you also needed an adjustable seat depth option because of your physique. So, before investing in an ergonomic chair, ensure you're doing your research well and buying the chair that meets all your needs.
Take Fabric Into Consideration
Not many people consider how the fabric of the chair they're purchasing affect their body. They usually purchase an ergonomic chair based on its features and price. Most chairs are made of synthetic fabric that can result in allergies and reactions. Some may even cause irritation when you sweat. If you want to ensure that your ergonomic chair doesn't cause any trouble, especially if you're allergic or have sensitive skin, invest in an ergonomic chair made of hypoallergenic material and has a breathable mesh backrest.
Don't Just Buy Any Color
You like the design, comfort, and price, and you decide that you'll buy the chair. All seems good until you bring the chair to your office and realize that the color of the new chair is an absolute mismatch from the rest of your office furniture. Now, that's a bummer!
When buying an ergonomic chair, make sure you consider the color. The color of the chair should be aligned with the rest of the furniture. Not only this, research suggests that some colors tend to make you feel dull and fatigued while others uplift your mood and boost productivity. So, this is another reason to consider the color before you buy an ergonomic chair. You wouldn't want your new chair to make you any less productive, would you?
Measure Your Workstation Before Buying the Chair
Some ergonomic chairs are bulkier than others, and they can make your office space look congested if the space is limited. This is something not many people consider when buying ergonomic chairs. You should always measure your workstation so that you don't end up buying a chair that's too small or too big for the space available. A chair that's either too big or too small will be an aesthetic turn-off.
Always Ask About Return and Exchange Policies
An ergonomic chair may feel comfortable when you first sit on it to check at the store, but it's possible that the chair isn't really that comfortable when you sit on it for many hours at a stretch. For this reason, you should always enquire about return and exchange policies when buying an ergonomic chair so that you can return or exchange it for another one. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with the wrong ergonomic chair.
Buy a Chair That Comes with Warranty
An office chair is used roughly, and it may get damaged sooner than later, especially if people of multiple shifts use it. You should invest in an ergonomic chair with a warranty so that if the chair gets damaged or presents a problem, you can get it fixed directly from the manufacturer free of cost.
Closing Word
An ergonomic chair will only offer benefits if you choose the right one, and that's only possible when you do your homework right. Knowing how not to end up with the wrong ergonomic chair can ensure that the chair you're investing in is the best in all aspects!
