What nuances do you need to look at when buying a high-quality chair for working at a computer?
First of all, make sure that the upholstery material is hygroscopic.
It should absorb moisture well and not create the characteristic sensation of clothing sticking to the body after prolonged exposure to the monitor.
If the chair model is equipped with functional armrests that can be adjusted in width and height, then this is a great opportunity to reduce tension in the neck and shoulder region.
With a controlled headrest, the neck muscles will not feel overstrained, but will remain in a relaxed state, which is very important when you need to focus properly.
The range of chairs with the ability to manually adjust the backrest or having a design feature to do it automatically, can effectively reduce the load on the spine and relax the back muscles.
An important element in the complete set of the chair is the orthopedic back with additional thickening elements, which, in contact with the body, form an individual scheme for maintaining posture, especially in the lumbar region.
The characteristic thickening of the elements of the edge of the chair contributes to a more comfortable position of the body, completely eliminating the possibility of sliding forward.
Varieties
Office chairs are classified by purpose: for staff, guests, or management staff. If you choose which chair is suitable for the head of the company, then you should focus on the following features:
- solidity;
- ergonomics;
- high back with headrest;
- big sizes;
- five-beam support;
- soft seat;
- the presence of armrests.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice of office chairs for workers who spend most of their time in a sitting position. In this case, the following distinctive features must be taken into account:
- ergonomics;
- beam support with wheels for fast movement;
- high or medium back with adjustment;
- with or without armrests, depending on the type of activity.
For visitors, the chairs do not have wheels, they can be with or without armrests, the main thing is that the guests feel comfortable
Particular attention should be paid to the design of the chairs - the products should ideally fit into the business environment of the office
For the management team
For staff
For guests
So which chair should you choose?
Orthopedic or ergonomic
This is the first and perhaps the most important thing when choosing a work / computer chair. The back begins to ache due to the fact that we began to spend more time at the computer than in sleep, and our body is not designed for this
To reduce the load on the spine, you need to choose not just a chair where you sit down and start working, but a chair where your spine will take the correct shape.
The task of the orthopedic chair is to adapt to the structure of the spine as correctly as possible. This is influenced by a bunch of factors: weight, height, arm length and other anatomical features. That is why it is better to sit in an armchair before buying, and also customize everything for yourself, asking a professional for advice.
The main difference between orthopedic chairs and ergonomic ones is the shift in the load on the muscles when the position of the tilt of the body changes.
Basic requirements for the chair when choosing
A high-quality comfortable chair is a guarantee of a safe for health and comfortable stay at the computer for a long time. Therefore, when choosing a product, the following factors should be taken into account:
Ergonomic The chair design should be comfortable.It is recommended that you try the product in different positions before purchasing. For maximum comfort, it is recommended to purchase chairs with different types of adjustments or massage seats.
Upholstery. On sale you can find computer chairs, backrest and seat, which are covered with leather or a material that replaces it. Some models are available in durable fabric. When choosing an upholstery, its breathability and the possibility of cleaning with dirt are taken into account. The surface of the back and seat must be semi-soft and non-slip.
Gaslift. This device is available in four quality categories. The high category of gas lift ensures the reliability of the entire structure of the chair and eliminates the likelihood of injury when using it.
Crosspiece. The whole structure is supported on such a basis with legs.
Therefore, when buying a computer chair, you should always pay attention to the strength and quality of the crosspiece.
Rollers. Wheels take most of the load
In this regard, they must be strong enough. The best option for rollers made of polyamide. They are solid and durable. Polyurethane wheels are softer and do not leave scratches on parquet floors.
The casters of the chair must be firm and durable.
When choosing a computer chair, you should always study its technical characteristics, which indicate the material of its manufacture, purpose and maximum load.
What to look for when choosing a chair?
Here are a few things to look out for when choosing an orthopedic or ergonomic chair
Adjustment
I repeat once again that we are all different, so the chair should be adjustable and suit you.
Pay attention to the parameters of the chair and what weight and height it is designed for - these are important parameters, it is better not to "score" on them
Lumbar support
This is not necessary, someone may be uncomfortable with lumbar support, but it is better to take a closer look at the options where this part or the roller can be simply removed - you certainly won't be mistaken. There are also chairs where the lumbar support is made in the form of a bend in the mesh - this is generally a great option, this will suit many.
Armrests
The main thing is that they are. If they are regulated, even better. Often, if the chair is not the cheapest, the armrests can be replaced, that is, buy the ones that suit you the most in the store.
Swing technology
Top Gun technology allows you to fix only the back of the chair - this is one of the most affordable systems, therefore, not the most reliable and effective. "Multiblock" adjusts the backrest and seat tilt, that is, leaning back, your body does not change its position. "Synchromechanism" - improved "Multiblock": the chair automatically changes the angle of inclination of the seat depending on the inclination of the backrest. There are many more swing mechanisms, but I have voiced the most affordable and popular ones.
Material
We immediately throw back the skin, eco-leather, leatherette and any other materials that do not allow moisture to pass through - mate in the summer, it will not be very comfortable. We choose either fabric or durable mesh. Most often they are made from acrylic threads, they have a long service life.
Casters
They come in plastic (better for soft surfaces) and rubberized (great for parquet, tiles and any other hard and smooth surfaces). It all depends on where you plan to use. If you decide to move the chair to another place, the wheels can be purchased separately and replaced on your own - it's not so difficult, and they don't cost very much.
Crosspiece
A steel or aluminum crosspiece will last longer, is designed for more weight and looks better, there is no dispute here, but made of thick plastic is also okay.
Price
A good chair is expensive. Yes, there are options available, but more on them later. Get ready to spend 20-25 thousand rubles, and this is the usual price for good chairs.
Basic computer chair
If your stay at your desk does not exceed a couple of hours a day, for example, in the evening, in order to check your mailbox or go through the bookmarks of social networks, then for this purpose it is absolutely not necessary to buy some unnecessarily specific and functional chair. Pay your attention to any sample of a comfortable chair, the image of which will harmoniously fit into the interior of your apartment. A good purchase can be considered a solid wooden chair with comfortable armrests and a back, or an upholstered chair made in the original design. You can even limit yourself to purchasing a traditional office chair with a basic amount of customization.
In terms of the available mobile settings, the most common are the customizable design elements. Very often, the chair can be adjusted in height, control the height and rotation of the back. Modern stores are ready to offer customers an impressive assortment of models of office and home chairs, made without pretentious design, but meeting the criteria for quality and harmonious perception in any interior.
Manufacturing materials
One of the main structural details of an office chair is the frame, which can be monolithic or collapsible. The first forms a single whole, making the product more durable. In this case, the armrests can be removable. In collapsible models, the armrests act as an element connecting the back and the seat. Also, the connecting piece can be a metal plate.
The frame is made of high quality steel or sturdy plastic. The presence of a high strength frame increases the service life of the product. The seat and backrest are made of plywood. As a base covering, high-quality foam rubber or polyurethane is used, due to which the elasticity of the products is created.
To create a rigid version, no filler is used, the base is immediately covered with an upholstery material. For soft and semi-soft types, polyurethane foam or foam rubber is used - the thicker the layer, the softer the product. Products with an anatomical shape are unique, where there are two bases with cushions. The bifurcated back creates a massage effect and stimulates blood circulation.
Durable, wear-resistant materials are used for the upholstery. These include:
- Leather. The material is strong, elastic, breathable. Disadvantages: expensive, special care needed.
- Artificial leather. It has practicality, durability, UV resistance, but can change shade in direct sunlight, heats up a lot, creating discomfort.
- Synthetic fabric. Differs in durability, unpretentiousness in care, hygroscopicity, air permeability, antistatic properties. The material is beautiful, has many textures and colors. Cons: wears out faster than the first two options, can fade in the sun, and absorbs odors.
Leather
Artificial leather
Synthetic fabric
There are also modern models with hard acrylic mesh upholstery. The material is used for upholstery of backrests and seats of ergonomic products. The mesh allows air to pass well, even in the heat a person feels comfortable. The disadvantage is the insufficiently high level of strength, leading to a decrease in the service life
The upholstery indicates the status of the employee, so it also needs to be paid close attention.
There are office chairs that are used in various professional fields, for example:
- medical (made of polyurethane, must be easy to process, have an antistatic effect);
- hairdressing salons (resistant to disinfection, with footrest, height adjustment in the form of a pedal);
- industrial workers (for workers in warehouses, workshops, conveyor enterprises) - monoblock rigid structures with a special vinyl coating with no texture so as not to accumulate dirt, suitable for processing by any means.
For healthcare professionals
Hairdressing
For production workers
Correctly selected mechanisms contribute to the durability of furniture:
- Permanent contact. Serves to adjust the chair by seat depth, backrest tilt, height.
- Swing mechanism. Reliable, durable spring-screw device provides swing.
- Synchromechanism. Adjusts the angle of inclination of the backrest, its height, seat depth. The device is complex and expensive.
- Asynchronous. Same as synchronous, only adjusts the seat separately from the backrest.
Design features
A chair for working at a computer has a special thoughtful design, which consists of a backrest, a seat, a crosspiece and a gas lift. For convenience, there are also armrests, headrests, rollers and a special device that regulates the seat tilt and height. Each element has its own characteristics and purpose.
Back
This part of the computer chair is essential to support the spine in the correct position. Many models have a backrest adjustment function. The angle of inclination is selected individually for each user.
Computer chairs are available with different types of backs:
- High. The width of such a back can be in the range of 50-60 centimeters. The height of the part of many models reaches 90 centimeters. Due to this size, reliable support is provided for the entire back.
- Short. The dimensions of the spine support element are much smaller. The width is no more than 55 centimeters, and the length is up to 60 centimeters. Therefore, control of the lumbar spine is minimal.
- Orthopedic. The back has a special curvature that allows the spine to assume a natural position. Thanks to this, fatigue is not observed when spending time in a sitting position.
- Backrest for gamers. The product has a height and angle adjuster. A back of this type belongs to the category of the highest class. Its design is fully consistent with the anatomical structure of the body, and is equipped with an element for lateral support of the spine.
Many models have a backrest depth control system. This mechanism can be used to remove and retract the part of the chair that supports the spine.
Sitting
A feature of the seat structure is the rounded, thickened edges. Such a device avoids slipping and provides a comfortable position in the chair.
Many seats have depth adjustment. Also, in most models, you can adjust the height level and angle of inclination, according to individual needs.
The notch in the middle of the seat for the computer chair facilitates a comfortable fit between the back of the spine and the backrest.
Armrests and headrests
With prolonged work at the computer, the area of the cervical vertebra can often become numb. For this purpose, specialized chairs have comfortable headrests that can be conveniently tilted or extended to the required height.
The high backrests have a curved seal instead of a separate piece to support the head
To distribute the weight of the arms, the chairs are equipped with armrests. They should be positioned at the level of the table for optimal support.
Gaslift
Such a device is an indispensable element of a computer chair. The gas lift is a kind of shock absorber that helps to change the seat height. In this case, there is a softening of fluctuations under load.
The device consists of a steel cylinder filled with gas. The maximum load, depending on the model, is 120 kilograms. The safety of using the chair depends on the quality of such a part.
Crosspiece
The crosspiece takes up most of the weight. The device consists of four legs and a base. The strength and stability of the entire structure depends on the quality of such a support. The size is from 50 centimeters and above.
Regulating mechanism
The device is located between the gas lift and the seat. There are many types of regulatory mechanisms. This can be a screw device or a plate with a lever to raise the seat itself.
The main function of such a device is to control the seating position, rotation, height and tilt of the seat. There are models that can swing back and forth, with the ability to fix the desired position.
All computer chairs have casters. With their help, you can easily move in different directions in a sitting position. Also, such an element helps to adjust the distance of the chair from the working surface.