We spend a significant portion of our day seated, whether in the office or elsewhere engaging in activities that require long periods of sitting. This comfort can pose health risks if we don't properly choose the seating on which we work. Here's how to choose the ideal office chair and avoid these risks.
Postural risks in the workplace often arise for two main reasons: adopting poor postures and maintaining the same position for long periods. These problems can be related to various factors, such as office furniture, the layout of the workspace, and the nature of our work.
It's essential to recognize that postural problems can be partly caused by the choices we make in office furniture and its configuration. For this reason, more and more people are demanding ergonomically designed furniture to minimize poor postures and the risks they entail.
It's important to note that these problems are wider than just the traditional work environment. They also affect those who work from home, in coworking spaces, conference rooms, training classrooms, among other places where we spend long hours sitting.
Choosing the right office chair is crucial for preventing problems resulting from poor posture habits. Often, when acquiring office furniture, we overlook the importance of choosing the right chair. However, it's essential to consider that the usability and ergonomics are practically the same for all types of office chairs, whether armchairs, lounge chairs, waiting chairs, and community chairs, among others.
The market offers a wide range of options, but regardless of the choice, it's fundamental that the chair conforms to the user's shape and allows for maintaining a comfortable and healthy posture for long periods of time.
When choosing an office chair, it's important to consider a series of features that contribute to maintaining proper posture and preventing health problems:
- Height adjustment and armrests to adapt to the user's height and adjustable lumbar support to maintain the natural curvature of the spine: The chair should be adjusted so that the lumbar support is properly placed in the "S" shape of our spine, and the arms rest parallel to the desk, forming a right angle with the elbow. Additionally, ensure that your feet touch the ground fully, and your knees form a 90-degree angle.
- Adequate resistance and consistency in the material and structure of the chair: Make sure your chair allows for dynamic postures (reclining, upright, and tilting); the best office furniture will allow for postural variations through adequate systems with which you can lock the position according to our sitting needs.
- Seat mobility to adjust the depth according to the user's needs: Don't forget to ensure that you can occupy the entire seat surface to lean properly against the backrest without your feet leaving the ground or footrest; if not, look for a chair that has an adjustable seat.
- Seat and backrest tilt mechanism to allow for dynamic postures and a five-point base for stability and mobility: The tilt mechanism allows adjusting the chair's position according to the user's preferences, facilitating the adoption of different and comfortable postures for long periods, reducing muscle fatigue.
On the other hand, the five-point base ensures the stability and mobility of the chair, providing a solid foundation on which the user can sit safely. This is essential for preventing accidents and injuries related to tipping over or sliding of the chair.
Choosing the right office chair is essential for maintaining a healthy posture and preventing problems resulting from poor posture habits. We can ensure an ergonomic work environment that promotes long-term health and well-being by considering individual characteristics and needs. At Gebesa, we offer a wide range of executive chairs designed to provide comfort, ergonomics, and style in any work environment. With our high-quality options, you can guarantee comfort and productivity in your workplace.