Office Chair / Desk Chair Buying Guide
This Office Chair and Desk Chair Buying Guide will help you select the perfect office chair or desk chair for your needs.
How to find a seat that fits your needs
People come in all shapes and sizes. To find an office chair that fits you need to ask yourself a few questions. For true comfort, start by determining how you will be using the office chair. Office Chairs come with a variety of mechanisms that control the tilt angle, tension tightness and a variety of other office chair controls as well. Depending on how much time you are in your chair, and what you are doing while seated at your desk chair, these features can make a huge difference on whether you are sitting in comfort or not.
Office Chair Type General Overview
Heavy Use Chair
These chairs are for people who are glued to their desk for long hours (computer programmers, receptionists, etc.). If this is you, then look for a chair with a synchro tilt mechanism, a fatigue reducing device on the under side of the desk chair seat. Thanks to this device, whether you lean forward or back, the chair moves with you to provide support. The effect is that your back is supported at all times.
Moderate Use Chair
If you are a typical middle manager, you are running back and forth between your desk and other areas of the office. Consider a desk chair with a knee-tilt mechanism. This will allow you to lean back in the chair but still keep your feet planted flat on the ground. In chairs without this, your feet typically are lifted when you lean back and can lead to discomfort over time. These type of chairs are also usually more stylish than your typical task chair.
Executive Office Chair
These office chairs have the same mechanical features as the moderate use chairs, but they are typically larger, more comfortable and stylish for the executive. It is designed for the busy executive who is running between conference rooms and spends a good deal of time on the phone and on the computer. Style, comfort and status are key features.
General Office Chair Rules
1) Your feet should rest comfortably on the floor, and your thighs should be fully supported and square with the floor.
2) Your back should be comfortably supported. The angle formed by your upper legs and torso should be between 90 and 105 degrees.
3) Tilting back should be easy, but not too easy.
4) The desk chair should permit frequent posture changes.
