Ergonomic office chair: a must



What is an ergonomic office chair?

An ergonomic office chair is defined by the fact that it favors different postures and that it is adapted to the morphology of its user. It is through specific adjustments (seat height, backrest, armrests, etc.) that the ergonomic office chair adjusts to the physical characteristics of its user as well as to the uses of his profession.

Ergonomic office chairs are designed to suit all body types. However, it is important to contextualize the ergonomic chair in a work environment that must be understood globally - from the layout of the workstation to the nature of the activities carried out.

It should also be considered that an ergonomic office chair which is not adjusted correctly (too high, too low, armrests too far apart, etc.) or which does not suit the morphology of a person (small size, small build, etc.) will not be comfortable and will not bring the expected benefits.

From the point of view of characteristics, an ergonomic office chair can be defined according to the following criteria which correspond to specific settings allowing the chair to be adjusted to its user:

• backrest adjustable in height and inclination
• armrests adjustable in height, width and depth
• depth of the seat allowing the lower back to be supported without feeling pressure on the back of the knees
• good support of the seat
• porous coating favoring ventilation
• five-legged base with large articulated wheels

The benefits of an ergonomic office chair

A team's working environment is an essential factor in preserving the health of its employees, promoting well-being at work and maintaining high-level productivity. Opting for an ergonomic office chair rather than a classic chair is making a strategic choice that offers benefits on several levels:

    1. Improve comfort

If the sitting position is so criticized, it is because it is responsible for the biggest scourge associated with office chairs: muscle tension. These tensions, generally in the lower back, are part of the daily life of many workers who carry out their duties in a seated position. Thanks to optimal support and a well-distributed and supported weight, the ergonomic office chair reduces muscle tension associated with prolonged sitting posture. It is a gain in comfort for the user, the benefits of which are felt: reduction of stress, increase in motivation...

2. Preserve health

Pain and injuries caused by prolonged sitting pose a serious occupational health and safety problem. The bad postures generally adopted on classic chairs are a major factor. Choosing an ergonomic office chair that perfectly matches the physical characteristics of its user and the daily reality of their job (tools used, movements, etc.) means helping to prevent and reduce these health problems caused by work in a seated position.

3. Increase productivity

Because we are more concentrated and less tired when we are seated well and our movements are not hindered, the ergonomic office chair goes hand in hand with increasing performance at work. Back problems, in particular low back pain, represent the main cause of work stoppages. Beyond the detrimental aspect for the employee, these absences have a cost for the company. Choosing an ergonomic office chair is therefore an investment in the well-being of employees, at the service of the company's productivity. In the long term, it is a much more winning strategy than wiping out the repeated absences of employees who suffer from back pain.