Understanding Ergonomic Office Chairs for Better Work Environments

You could sit at your desk for 8 hours every day and be in no pain at all.

There’s the rare person who is genetically blessed with strong core muscles that support all those hours in the office. A person who can just sit in a cheap plastic chair with a cushion and be absolutely fine.

Truth is, that’s not going to be you.

Back pain at work is a very real problem.

More than 1 million workers suffer back injuries while on the job each year.

And the worst part?

You don’t have to put up with it.

The right ergonomic office chair makes all the difference. It can stop your back pain in its tracks and help you to stay productive throughout your work day.

Ergonomic chairs matter.

Ergonomic office chairs are a life saver.

Why choose ergonomic office chairs? Because sitting at your desk all day can be bad for you.

In This Post:

Why Ergonomics Matters At Work
What Makes An Office Chair Ergonomic?
Ergonomic Chairs Make You Feel Good
Ergonomic Chairs Make You More Productive
Choosing The Right Ergonomic Chair
Conclusion

Why Ergonomics Matters At Work

You might think it’s no big deal if you have a bad chair. You’ll just take a break here and there to get up and stretch your legs, right?

No.

Back strain is the number one cause of workplace injuries, accounting for 30% of injuries in the office each year. It’s not a new problem either. Carpal tunnel syndrome has been a leading cause of workplace injuries since the early 80s.

But things have been getting steadily worse over time. Office ergonomics are so poor that companies are losing billions of dollars per year on back-related injuries.

And what’s even worse, most of these workplace injuries don’t happen suddenly. They creep up on you over the course of months or years.

So if you sit at your desk all day, day in and day out, you are slowly but surely screwing up your back.

What Makes An Office Chair Ergonomic?

A common mistake people make when they are learning about office ergonomics…

They think if they buy a new office chair, they are automatically buying an ergonomic chair.

Wrong.

A true ergonomic chair is designed to support your back in its natural position. It should encourage good posture and make your work day more productive by reducing strain on your body.

Ergonomic chairs are designed with an understanding of how the human body is built. A good ergonomic chair will support the natural curves in your back. They’ll give you room to stretch out your legs and will have adjustable armrests so that your arms and shoulders are in a natural position when you work.

You’ll notice when you first sit down in a real ergonomic chair. It won’t feel stiff or uncomfortable.

It will support your body in a natural way that feels good, even if you sit for long hours at a time.

Ergonomic Chairs Make You Feel Good

Have you ever used an ergonomic office chair before?

If you haven’t, here’s what you can expect.

Most people notice a difference in how they feel almost immediately after switching to an ergonomic chair.

Within the first week, most people start to feel a lot better. They notice that their back pain is gone. They find themselves sitting up straighter instead of slouching forward in their chairs.

The changes go beyond just comfort either.

Better posture and support from an ergonomic chair will improve your circulation. Better blood flow means more oxygen to your brain and more focus when you are working.

In fact, a lot of people who switch to an ergonomic chair start sleeping better as well. When your body is in pain all day long, it’s going to carry that tension into the rest of your life. Sitting in an ergonomic chair will help relieve that tension and leave you feeling more energized.

Better health at work means more energy at home. More energy at home means a better quality of life all around.

Ergonomic Chairs Make You More Productive

Here’s a stat for you…

Companies with ergonomic workspaces reported a 32% increase in employee satisfaction and a 22% boost in productivity.

Yep. That’s right.

Good ergonomics leads to better work.

How can that be?

Simple. When you’re not in pain or distracted by discomfort, you can focus on your work. You won’t find yourself constantly shifting in your chair or getting up to stretch your back every 20 minutes.

Ergonomic chairs eliminate distractions and let you do your best work. You won’t spend as much time fidgeting or feeling uncomfortable and you’ll be able to get more done in a shorter amount of time.

Good ergonomics lead to a better cycle of work, which leads to better work outcomes and success in your career.

Choosing The Right Ergonomic Chair

There are a lot of different ergonomic chairs out there.

Each one has a different set of features and a different price point.

So how do you know which chair is right for you?

It’s not just about the features and the price.

You have to take into account the way you work. The kind of work you do. And what your own physical needs are.

Someone who is on a video call for 8 hours a day has different ergonomic needs than someone who is doing detailed graphic design work.

You need to think about the issues you are currently having. Do you get lower back pain? Neck aches? Tension in your shoulders? The different ergonomic features will help with different problems.

You also have to think about your entire workspace setup. The best ergonomic chair won’t help if your desk is at the wrong height or if your monitor is not positioned correctly.

Ergonomics is about your whole workspace working together as a system.

Don’t forget that an ergonomic chair is an investment. You want to buy a chair that will last you for years. A cheap chair might be tempting, but it will only lead to more health problems down the line.