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Seat
Height Adjustment--Flexible seat height adjustment is perhaps most
important in positioning yourself at the optimum height to your
workstation. A foot rest may be in order too if you’re shorter than
average height.
Back Rest Adjustment--Lumbar curve support is critical to your
sitting posture. Some chairs offer back rests that adjust up and down.
Back rests that adjust forward and back can work well for persons with
shorter leg reach.
Seat Depth--Be sure the seat pan is not so big that you can’t
sit all the way back in your chair against your back rest and without
eliminating your blood circulation due to pressure against the back of
your knees. Sliding seat pans allow you to adjust a seat pan forward
and backward.
Armrest Options--Armrests are available that adjust in height
and width. Some move forward and back or even pivot. Swing down arms
may work well so that you can eliminate them when they interfere with
getting your chair close enough to your workstation or keyboard tray.
Casters--These are great for moving around while still seated
to easily reach from your phone to your keyboard and so forth. Some
casters roll better on hard floors than carpeted floors and vice
versa. Perhaps compensate for their lack of versatility by using a
carpet protector mat.
Headrests--This is an optional feature you might find handy if
you lean back while speaking on the phone for long periods of time.
Passive vs. Active Adjustments--A passive chair flexes with you
as you lean back and so forth. An active controlled chair has all the
levers and knobs for you to engage and disengage adjustments and lock
your settings into place.
Back Chair Heights--Experts say back chair height is a personal
choice, which won’t necessarily help or hurt your health. But if you
tense your shoulders a lot, perhaps leaning back against something
solid will help you to relax.
Cushioning--You don’t want to “bottom out” but you also don’t
want to have such firm cushioning that your leg circulation gets
impaired. Ask questions and do the five-minute tush test before you
buy (sit on it). If your butt hurts, don’t buy it.
Upholstery--Aesthetics aside, spills might wipe easily from
leather or vinyl but then again these materials may puncture easily.
Cloth upholstery is common and desirable too.
Durability--Just like with clothing or any other product, look for
a chair that says quality and long-lasting.
Warranties--Ask about the warranty. If an adjustable knob or arm
breaks or works incorrectly, it may not be your fault. So why should
you pay to fix it.
Pricing--You'll
find chairs for every budget--low to high. If you're buying multiple
office seating at once, ask manufacturers or dealers for discounts
(and free trials of a sample chair to test before you buy one for
everyone in the office).
(c) Karen Porter
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