Select the correct chair you need in your job
Having the correct chair can have a major impact on...
Read More
- Updated
Selecting a new office chair – a Hit or a Miss?
Mike Karle
Co-founder of Karo
Share the article
How do you go about selecting a new office chair when there are so many options available? With considerations like price, style, ergonomics, overall comfort, and quality, it’s not always a clear-cut choice. There is an overflow of office-chair reviews online – hardly surprising, considering the impact that a chair can have on your muscles, bones, and vascular health.
Making the Choice Usually Comes Down to Price and Style.
Generally, when we’re choosing a new office chair (especially in large corporations), we select a uniform, professional-looking, affordable option. However, we can all attest to the fact that trying to please everyone, is simply not possible. What are the important considerations? Factors that influence the price of an ergonomic office chair in South Africa.
The comprehensive guide on how to select a new office chair
1. Sitting in Style
Looks don’t have to come before comfort. With new manufacturing technologies and sustainable materials, style and elegance shouldn’t impact on comfort or quality. Modern, minimalist office chairs are popular, but how you can tell the difference between one chair and the next? See if you can answer "YES" to these questions:
- Is the chair constructed using quality fabrics and moulded foam padding?
- Is the chair easy to move around?
- Does it support your lower back and allow you to move freely while sitting?
- Does the chair encourage Dynamic Sitting?
- Does the mechanism allow full adjustability of the backrest, seat and height? What chair mechanisms are available?
- Is the chair easily adjustable for comfort, whatever your height and size? Why a fully adjustable office chair is important
- Are the armrests adjustable to suit your work area? What are the best armrests available?
If your selected chair ticks too many “NO” boxes, you may want to rethink your approach to office-chair selection.
2. Selecting an office chair for comfort
Like cars, the best office chairs come with a wide range of ergonomic adjustability options and can retail at anything from R2000 – R15000. Perhaps you don’t need to select a Rolls Royce office chair, but what is critical, recommended and optional?
| Feature | What is it for? | Importance |
|---|---|---|
Adjusts the chair height in relation to your workstation |
Critical | |
Lightweight Build |
Light, strong materials help you to move more freely and change position without straining your body. |
Critical |
Stable 5-Star base |
We all know the pain of sitting in a chair with a wheel that’s fallen off, or a broken support beneath the seat. |
Critical |
Stable movement & easy manoeuvrability |
Reduced rolling resistance allows for freer movement that does not cause strain on any muscle from rolling, pushing, or moving your chair. |
Critical |
Changing the support on your lumbar spine can be the difference between back pain and a productive workday. |
Highly recommended | |
An office chair which permits the backrest and seat to move relative to each other increases the muscular movement in your back and core. This prevents stiffness and pain in the lower back. |
Highly recommended | |
The mesh should mould to your body for better support and allow a free-flow of air for reduced heat-entrapment. Alternatively, a fully upholstered backrest should provide adequate support your back, particularly in the lumbar area. |
Recommended | |
Add to your comfort by ensuring your arms are comfortably supported. |
Recommended | |
Adjustable Headrests |
Adjustable headrests allow you to get better support around your head and neck when you recline in the chair. |
Optional |
3. Quality is critical when you select a new office chair
Materials make up the chair. What are you looking for in terms of quality, sustainability, and longevity?
To ensure the office chairs are still affordable, your selection should strike a delicate balance between these three factors.
Quality
- Top-quality fabrics that are robust and durable
- Solid mouldings on plastic and aluminium parts
- Well-crafted edging and joining
- Firm and durable moulded foam
Sustainability
- Sustainably produced materials and parts (recycle, reuse)
- Long-lasting construction to reduce old chairs ending up in land-fill
- Serviceability and replacement parts available.
Longevity
- Reduced wear-and-tear on materials
- High quality design for reduced chance of failure
- Warranty for a minimum of 2 years.
Now that you know what to look for when selecting the best affordable office chair, you can start looking with confidence that you’ll come out with the best office-chair option available.
RECENT ARTICLES
Office Ergonomics: Why it should be a part of the OHSA in SA!
Sitting is not naturally human, but being forced to sit uncomfortably...
Read MoreWork ergonomics – how to make your work area healthy, comfortable and productive
Ergonomics and human factors at work is the science of...
Read More