Ergonomic Chairs

• Does the seat feel comfortable and fit your shape?
  When you sit in the chair the seat should be at least one inch wider than your hips and thighs on either side. The seat should not be too long for your legs otherwise it will either catch you behind the knees or it will prevent you from leaning fully back against the lumbar support. Most ergonomic chairs have a seat with a front part that prevents the seat from catching you behind the knees. The seat should also be shaped to allow even weight distribution and it should be comfortable to sit on.
  

• Is the chair height adjustable? 
  The chair should be pneumatically adjustable so that you can adjust the seat height while you are sitting on the chair. Some chairs have a mechanical height adjustment (spinning) mechanism that is also ok.
  

• Does the chair have a comfortable lumbar (lower back) back rest?
  Many chairs have cushioned lumbar supports that can be adjusted up and down and forwards and backwards to best fit your shape. If the chair will be used by multiple users then this level of adjustment may be required. If the chair has a fixed height lumbar support and it feels comfortable when you sit back against this, and you will be the primary user of the chair then a fixed lumbar support may be acceptable.

• Is the chair back rest large enough to provide good back support?
  Many chairs have back supports that are large enough to provide mid-back and upper-back support, in addition to good lumbar support. 
  

• When you sit back against the lumbar support is there enough space for hip room?
  Insufficient hip room can make you sit too far forwards on the seat so that you will not have enough thigh support.
  

• Does the seat still feel comfortable after you've been sitting in it for 60 - 120 minutes?
  If the seat is made from cheap foam then continuous use can cause it to become permanently deformed and then it will not provide good cushioned support. Insufficient cushioning and inappropriate shaping can cause discomfort, imbalance and hip and back problems.

• Does the chair backrest recline and support your back in different positions?
  Movement of the back while you are sitting helps to maintain a healthy spine. Look for chairs that allow you to easily recline, and that provide you with good back support in different recline positions.

• Does the chair have a 5 pedestal base?
  If chair mobility is important to help you to do your work then the chair should have at least a 5 pedestal base with casters that glide freely over the floor surface. You may also want to choose a chair that swivels easily. These features are purely related to safety.

• Do you need armrests on your chair?
  If so, are the armrests broad, shaped, cushioned and comfortable? While sitting can you easily adjust the height of the armrests and can you move the armrests closer together or further apart? Can you easily move the arms out of the way if you need to do this?