Ergonomic Chairs Information::ergonomic office chairs, ergonomic furniture, herman miller aeron chair

What is an Ergonomic Chair?

In an ergonomic chair, you want something that is highly adjustable. Not only should the chair adjust up and down (you need to be able to sit with your feet comfortably flat on the floor), but the back rest should track your position and adjust accordingly (avoid chairs that lock into position). The seat pad of the chair should be contoured to allow for even distribution of your weight. Good ergonomic chairs come with noticeable but comfortable lumbar (lower back) support. The chair's arm rests should also be adjustable. Good ergonomic chairs won't make you scrunch your shoulders up in order to place your arms on the rest.


How Much Do Ergonomic Chairs Cost?

Good ergonomic office/computer chairs usually start at around $400. However, ergonomic chairs can cost as much as $1000. This may seem like a lot of money, but considering how many hours a day you spend in your chair, it's not unreasonable. Good ergonomic chairs last for years. Think of it as an investment in your health.

Where Can You Buy Ergonomic Chairs?

You usually don't see good ergonomic office chairs at Office Depot or other general supply stores (although, if you check their catalogs, you may find a better selection). Don't be fooled by labels on cheaper chairs that say "ergonomic chair". This is definitely an area where you get what you pay for. Remember, ergonomic chairs should be highly adjustable, have superior contour and padding, and most importantly, be comfortable to sit in for several hours.

Instead of checking the office supply stores, look for stores that specialize in ergonomic office/computer products. If you live in a metropolitan area, odds are good there is at least one shop in your city dedicated to ergonomics. The shops will carry a variety of ergonomic chairs as well as other helpful products. They will also be happy to let you come in and try various chairs.

If you don't have a store that specializes in ergonomics in your area, you can shop online. Although it is nice if you can try the chairs before buying them, many web sites that sell ergonomic chairs offer helpful sizing charts that take into consideration both height and weight.

Renting Ergonomic Chairs

Some web stores will allow you to rent ergonomic chairs and other expensive ergonomics gear. An example is keyalt.com. This way, you can try out the chair for a month before deciding if you want to buy it. Often, if you decide to keep the chair, the stores will apply the rental price toward the total cost.

Recommended Ergonomic Office Chairs:

Some well received ergonomic chairs are the Neutral Posture Ergonomic Chair Series, the Freedom Chairs from Humanscale, the Bodybilt Ergonomic Chairs, and the Herman Miller Aeron Chair. I am sitting in a Herman Miller Aeron Chair as I type this, and I have no regrets about buying it.