Do you have extended office hours and sit in the same position for most of your work shift?
Does your office have traditional chairs that are causing a slouched posture and back and neck aches?
If yes, you are in serious need of a furniture upgrade because you are at a high risk of joint degeneration and spinal injury.
Ergonomic furniture has taken over offices and set a new benchmark for modern furniture design, promising productive, comfortable, and healthy office spaces.
Before discussing the importance of ergonomic chairs, it is crucial to understand the term ‘Ergonomics’.
What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between workers and their work environments.
It not only encompasses adjusting workstations or introducing futuristic chairs though; in fact, it helps organizations develop their productivity and the capabilities of their employees, as well as aiding in reducing maintenance costs, and avoiding lawsuits.
It works as an interface between people and technology, improving both physical and cognitive performances.
This concept is at the heart of most important company decisions regarding jobs that require attentiveness and constant productivity.
What is an ergonomic chair?
Any chair that has been designed to best support the body in terms of proper posture, health, and comfort is known as an ergonomic chair. There are certain features that certify that a chair is ergonomic. These features include the appropriate height, seat width, lumbar support, backrest, armrest, headrest, wheels, and the material from the chair was designed.
An ergonomic chair should allow you to place your feet flat on the floor and maintain about 2-4 inches of distance between the edge of the chair and the back of your knees.
It should be designed from comfortable yet durable materials that support body movements and repositioning without loud squeaks. It should also provide support for your arm, shoulders, back, and neck by reducing tension and pressure in those parts.
A good ergonomic chair should be highly adjustable and customizable.
This is necessary for easy control especially if you’ll be using it for different purposes that may require varying heights and positions.
Whether you are an individual looking to improve the comfort of your personal workspace or an employer thinking of upgrading your office furniture to increase employee satisfaction, this article can help you understand why replacing your conventional office chair with an ergonomic chair is essential.
1. Improved posture
Traditional chairs offer very little support and often cause bad posture. It is, therefore, no surprise that back pain is the most common complaint among office workers.
In today’s world, employees spend most of their time sitting, often spending prolonged periods of time in positions that cause bodily strain and lead to health issues in the long run.
Ergonomic chairs have played a pivotal role in overcoming workplace-related health problems.
These chairs are designed with human anatomy in mind to provide optimum support to users.
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology shows that prolonged sitting utilizing poor posture can lead to severe consequences such as cancer, kidney diseases, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.
Another study found that people who spend most of their time sitting have a higher risk of strokes, lung diseases, nervous disorders, peptic ulcers, and other disorders.
Ergonomic chairs are built to promote better posture and prevent discomfort caused by long hours of working.
Although there are many advantages to an ergonomic chair, the most important of these remains the health benefits.
By providing spine support, pain relief, and a more natural position for your joints, ergonomic chairs have become a staple in any modern individual’s life.
Ergonomic chairs align your shoulders, spine, and hips, reducing unusual strain on your body and preventing unhealthy positions.
These chairs help you to achieve comfortable postures at your workstation without having to worry about any lower back pain ensuing.
Moreover, the best ergonomic chairs come with adjustable armrests, which allow users to sit back comfortably and allow their bodies to rest.
2. Comfort
Ergonomic chairs are designed for the comfort of its users.
We would suggest trying to test out a new chair for at least a day before committing to a purchase, especially when deciding on a chair to buy in bulk for your employees.
The key to comfort is adjustability.
Ergonomic chairs are made of higher-quality materials than traditional chairs, aiding in their comfort.
Employees who work for long hours and use traditional office chairs waste their time shifting around their workstations, focusing heavily on discomfort instead of work.
With ergonomic chairs, the seat and back are contoured to improve the comfort level of its users.
Therefore, ergonomic chairs are used in most organizations to keep their employees comfortable and productive.
However, you may want to be cautious not to get too comfortable in your new ergonomic chair, as experts still suggest a break from sitting at least every 30 minutes.
3. High productivity and quality work
In offices where employees spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, ergonomic chairs provide a well-designed workspace to improve productivity and quality of work.
Several studies show that the use of ergonomic chairs is helpful in improving goal-achievement and employee satisfaction.
The University of Leicester’s research team for sedentary behavior did global research on sitting, with their team leaders, Doctor Charlotte Edwardson and Professor Thomas Yates, spending a decade examining the health effects of prolonged sitting.
Their research showed that people whose work involved continuous sitting were more likely to develop chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and they were likely to have shorter lifespans than other participants.
Replacing conventional chairs with ergonomic chairs not only improves job performance and work quality, but also overall quality of life, ensuring that your employees can live long and fulfilling lives within your company.
4. Adjustability
One crucial feature of ergonomic chairs is their adjustability.
People of all sizes, weights, shapes, and unique work styles can be found in any organization, making it impossible to implement a “one size fits all” mentality.
Ergonomic chairs are adjustable to desired features to keep everyone comfortable and attentive to their work.
For example, seat height, armrests, backrests, and seat depth are the most common adjustable features in ergonomic chairs.
Seat height allows the employees to keep their feet firmly on the floor, armrest adjustments support the weight of the arms, backrests reduce pressure on the muscles and spine, and seat depth helps support the thighs.
These aspects allow every employee to contribute to the success of a company without distraction.
While working for a prolonged period of time, there are external factors that could lead to an unpleasant experience such as chair limitations.
Any number of unfortunate chair specifications could lead to weaker postures, such as slouching or desk leaning.
Using chairs with the above-mentioned features helps prevent damaging positions and provides essential lumbar support.
Ergonomic chairs also have a tilt adjustability feature that changes the angle of the whole chair relative to the floor.
The reclined ergonomic chair helps transfer the weight of the upper body to the backrest of the chair, taking weight off of the hips and spine.
5. Designed for all body types
The variety of office chairs commercially available for different body shapes and sizes today can be overwhelming.
However, ergonomic chairs come with many customizable features to suit just about any workspace and body type.
An ergonomic chair is designed to adjust to your body type and accommodate different activities you may perform at your desk. Some of the adjustable components of ergonomic chairs are as follows:
- Height adjustment
- Arm width adjustment
- Arm height adjustment
- Seat pan adjustment
- Adjustable headrest
- Tilt tension adjustment
- Tilt lock
All these adjustable features of an ergonomic chair can help alter the chair to your exact body type and working preference.
For instance, if you have a petite body, an armless ergonomic chair with a small seat and high back can help you support a natural position and be close to your desk.
If you are tall and thin, an ergonomic chair with full back support and adjustable seat sizes, back angle tilt, armrests, and seat depth can make a comfortable space for your long legs and promote better posture.
For a heavier person, an ergonomic chair with sturdy arms, a wider seat frame, and a fully adjustable back and seat tilt can create enough space to work comfortably.
6. Durability
Replacing chairs too often can be expensive and inconvenient.
Lengthy office hours can lead to worn-out, unsupportive chairs that take time to replace and can be a burden on the office’s maintenance budget.
So, why not invest in a sturdy and durable office chair to cut down on these extra costs?
The fact that ergonomic chairs are designed for extended office hours means that they are molded to be durable and long-lasting.
If you invest in an ergonomic chair once, you can rest assured that it will be saving you money for years to come.
In contrast to other office chair types, ergonomic chairs have an expensive initial installation, but they ultimately pay off in the long run.
Most ergonomic chairs also come with a warranty, ensuring that you and your company are financially covered in the case of malfunctions.
So, if you prioritize the lifespan of your office furniture, ergonomic chairs are a good option for you.
7. Aesthetic Appeal
Sitting for hours in the typical, dull office setups can be boring, causing workers to lose all motivation for work quite early in their shift.
We’ve talked about how important it is to have comfortable chairs that are good for health, but wouldn’t it be nice to have both comfort and style in one chair?
That’s right! Ergonomic chairs are becoming more popular for their unending list of health benefits and sleek and trendy designs.
A tidy office space furnished with modern apparel adds to the aesthetic and impresses your clients.
It creates a positive image of your company and helps with overall visual brand identity.
Thus, ergonomic chairs are a combination of durability, flexibility, and style; the best option for you to upgrade your workspace.
There is a variety of ergonomic chairs commercially available that you can match with your office’s interior design, color scheme, and budget.
So, if you want to switch to furniture that is pleasing to look at, ergonomic chairs are the way to go.
8. Reduced compensation costs for companies
Many organizations keep some money aside for the medical insurance of their employees.
These companies may benefit from searching for the best ergonomic chairs for their workers by considering their work hours and conditions.
The installation of ergonomic chairs could reduce the costs related to injuries and health issues of employees.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration in the US promotes and supports measures to address ergonomic health issues of all employees.
Scientific evidence suggests that satisfaction and happiness ensure a healthy life.
Once you provide ergonomic chairs to your employees, they will be comfortable, their chances of having neck and back problems will significantly be reduced, and they will be satisfied and happy, improving their overall health.
Besides preventing injuries, ergonomic chairs protect your organization’s finances because the employees perform their job more attentively due to their improved mood.
Workers are also more likely to be willing to work overtime if they feel relaxed and cared for in their work environment.
9. Satisfied employees
According to a study from Kelton Global, more than 50% of Americans are currently or have in the past been displeased with their work surroundings.
Therefore, ensuring a healthy work environment with modern interior design and comfortable furniture is essential for employee satisfaction.
Installing ergonomic chairs provides a comfortable working environment that makes it easier for employees to focus and be productive.
A lively and well-decorated office boosts the spirits of workers, improving their overall performance.
It may come as a surprise; something as ordinary as a chair can make your employees happy and motivated to work.
10. Attract Fresh Talent
Recently, more businesses are adopting ergonomic policies, as it ensures employees are looked after and can help secure your reputation as a model employer in the job market.
The corporate world also agrees that a happy and relaxed ambiance in the office helps boost productivity.
Companies taking care of their employees’ health and comfort prove that they acknowledge their contributions to their company’s success.
Ergonomic chairs send the message that your company is rewarding and caring, which could attract progressive individuals with fresh perspectives.
A recent survey by furniture123 UK revealed that more than 53% of people hunting for jobs would turn down a job opportunity based on the physical appearance of the office. It is, therefore, necessary to create an appealing work environment or risk losing the best talent to a poor first impression.
Conclusion
Ergonomic chairs tick all the boxes for an ideal chair; they are trendy and have sleek and modern designs, they are fit for the physical comfort and well-being of your employees and they are durable and long-lasting. Who wouldn’t want to revamp their office with chairs that have so many benefits?
It is a proven fact that companies that don’t mind spending a little more on their employees have increased productivity and a better quality of work. Employees become happier, healthier, and more engaged in their work when they feel appreciated by their employers.
As traditional office chairs cause back pain and pressure on the hips, ergonomic chairs provide proper posture and seat depth to reduce health issues related to prolonged sitting.
In a nutshell, ergonomic chairs are all-rounders; they are stylish and modern, comfortable, have significant health benefits, and aid in a business’s long-term success.
So, if you and your company are looking for office furniture within your budget without compromising on quality and visual appeal, then ergonomic chairs are your perfect match.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
