The office chair you’re sitting on makes a big difference in how comfortable and happy you feel, especially if you spend your day on a computer. A well-designed ergonomic chair helps you sit comfortably while minimising the chances of back, neck, and shoulder aches. With so many chairs out there, how do you find the perfect one for your needs? What key features should you keep an eye out for when picking a comfortable computer chair for work or gaming?
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R13718 – R13926 incl VATBest Chair for Computer Use: 8 Must-Have Features
According to an article in IOL, the average office worker spends a whopping 17 hours a day sitting or lying down. That’s a lot of time! Medical researchers have been sounding the alarm on the dangers of prolonged sitting, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, muscle, and joint problems. Check out these 5 amazing benefits of having the best office chair!
Whether you’re hard at work or emersed in a gaming adventure, a comfortable and ergonomically designed chair can really help minimise health-related problems caused by excessive sitting.
Here are the 8 essential features you’ll want to look for when choosing a comfortable computer chair for work or gaming. Is a Gaming chair better than an Office chair for computer work?
1. Height Adjustment
You should be able to adjust the height of your chair to suit your own height and workstation. What is the correct height for my desk, computer monitor and office chair?
2. Computer Chair Backrest Angle Adjustment
Adjusting the backrest of your chair is important for comfort. Being able to change the angle between the backrest and seat is an essential feature of a good computer chair.
Shifting this angle from sitting upright to a more relaxed position, like when chatting on the phone or playing a game, engages your lower back, core and leg muscles, which stimulates the blood flowing through them. This prevents muscle fatigue and provides lower back pain relief.
While it’s not a must-have, having a backrest that moves up and down can be a great bonus! Curious about how much a fully adjustable office chair matters?
3. Adjustable Lumbar Support
We all have unique backs, and it’s important that your chair caters to our individual support needs. Why is an adjustable lumbar support essential for my computer chair?
The backrest should be contoured and provide overall back comfort and support. Having great lumbar support is key to reducing strain and keeping your lumbar discs healthy!
A correctly adjusted lumbar support will make your lower back feel just right.
See our Knowledge article on what happens when you sit and how it effects your body.
4. Seat Depth Adjustment on a Computer Chair
The chair seat should be wide and deep enough to let you sit comfortably. Look for a deeper seat if you are taller, and a shallower one if you are not so tall. Office Chair Seat Depth Adjustment – What You Need To Know
When you sit properly in the chair, there should be a gap of 2-3 fingers between the front edge of the seat and the inside of your knees.
If you are not of average height, the best option is a chair that has a seat depth adjustment. This feature allows you to make the seat shorter or longer so that you have sufficient support under your thighs. These chairs have a seat-slider that allows you to adjust the depth of the seat.
5. A Computer Chair Should Have a Breathable Mesh Backrest and Moulded Foam Seat
Whether you’re hard at work or diving into your favourite game, one of the most important parts of a comfortable computer chair is the backrest!
A real crowd-pleaser is a computer chair with a mesh backrest that moulds itself to the shape of your back. The breathable mesh keeps you cool and comfortable, even during those long hours of sitting. Check out this article on why a mesh office chair is a great choice. If you find yourself in a warm climate, upholstered backrests can feel a bit stuffy, so mesh is definitely the way to go! Don’t forget to explore our range of mesh computer chairs!
Your chair’s seat should have High-Density injection moulded foam for that extra support you need. It lasts longer and won’t sag after a little bit of use. Just like in your car, the seat foam should be firm because a seat that’s too soft can quickly create pressure-point and become uncomfortable.
6. Adjustable Armrests
Because the arms and hands comprise of about 12% of your overall body’s mass, a 2017 study found that forearm support from well-configured armrests can reduce discomfort or pain in the neck and shoulders. Properly configured armrests can reduce the weight on the spine which helps prevent fatigue and discomfort.
Height adjustable armrests on a computer gaming chair are a definite ‘must-have’ as they take some of the strain off your neck and shoulders.
Additional adjustments on the armrests, like width and depth, allow you to position them in a way that suits your body and improves your comfort, while making you less likely to slouch. Office Chair Armrests Explained
7. Easy-to-Operate Controls are Essential
Finding the perfect computer chair is all about making sure it fits you just right! Check that all the adjustment controls are easy to reach while you’re sitting comfortably; you shouldn’t have to stretch or struggle to get to them. Learn how to adjust your computer chair to keep back pain at bay.
Whether you’re working or gaming, it’s important that you can effortlessly tweak the backrest tilt and locking feature, the lumbar support, the seat height, and the armrest adjustments – all without leaving your seat. It’s much easier to dial in those settings ‘just right’ when you’re already settled in the chair!
8. Maneuverability of Computer Chairs
Being able to move around in your chair adds to the overall comfort and makes your experience so much better! It’s really important to be able to swivel and adjust yourself easily so you can reach your documents and files without any hassle.
Chair castors make moving around a breeze but be sure to choose the right type for your floor. Nylon castors work perfectly on carpet, while rubber or soft castors are ideal for hard surfaces like tiles, wood, and concrete.
Conclusion
If you’re on the hunt for a computer chair in South Africa, you’re in luck – there are lots of options out there! A comfy chair can make such a difference in how you feel and how much work you get done. We all know that sitting in a chair that’s not quite right can lead to those pesky aches in your back, neck, and shoulders. If left untreated, such pain can result in long-term health issues.
Check out these 10 fun ideas for creating an awesome gaming room setup that can help keep you comfy while you game!
