Working 40 hours a week adds up to more than 1,900 hours a year when you might be seated at your desk. That’s why choosing a desk chair that offers great back support is so critical. To help make finding a great desk chair easier, here are a few key components you’ll want to consider. Follow this simple guide to find the desk chair that’s just right for you.
Adequate lumbar (lower back) support is the most essential variable to consider when choosing a chair for your work desk. Without it, you may experience tightness or back pain, and you’ll be forced to take more breaks, which can slow your productivity. Chairs designed to follow the curve of your spine will support your lower back and leave you feeling less fatigued at the end of the day.
Being able to adjust your chair for lumbar support, seat height, armrest height, back angle, and tension on the seat when you lean back, are five critical adjustments to look for. Raise the chair height so your feet are flat to the floor and your arms are even with the top of the desk when you’re seated. (Adding a footrest can help here if you need to raise the chair height up to better position your hands at the desk.) Ideally you want to be able to look directly into the center of your computer screen when seated to prevent neck, back, and eye strain.
Standard seat widths run 17 to 20 inches, (seats should be about an inch wider than your hips), but it’s important that your back be supported by the backrest when seated. Look for chairs that offer good back support while providing two to four inches of space between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat itself. If the model you choose has a cushioned seat, make sure it’s made of high-quality, “memory” foam that won’t compact over time. Solid seat materials will keep you warmer while mesh seats allow more air flow to keep you cooler.
