Introduction

In the era of technology and desk-centric work, our bodies often pay the price for long hours spent seated. The right ergonomic chair is more than just a comfort, it's an important part of keeping our bodies and minds healthy. However, with the wide range of ergonomic chairs available, how can you choose the right ergonomic chair for you, leaving aside the eye-popping hype? In this blog, I'll explore 3 core factors for buying an ergonomic chair: seat height, seat cushion and backrest.

Seat Height

Seat height is an important factor in choosing a chair because it directly affects your comfort, posture, and overall well-being. The right seat height promotes proper alignment of the spine and helps reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues, such as back pain. Research published in the Journal of Applied Ergonomics emphasizes that an optimal seat height is essential to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

A chair with the correct seat height provides comfort by allowing your feet to rest flat on the floor while keeping your knees at a 90-degree angle. This helps distribute your body weight evenly and reduces pressure on your lower back and legs.

Prolonged periods of poor circulation can lead to discomfort, numbness, and even more serious health issues. The right seat height prevents compression of blood vessels behind the knees, ensuring proper blood circulation.

Ideally, your feet should rest flat on the floor, forming a right angle at the knee. This minimizes stress on the lower back and promotes proper blood circulation. Adjustable chairs, accommodate different body types and desk heights, ensuring a tailored fit.

Shorter Individuals (under 5'5" or 165 cm):
A seat height between 16 to 18 inches is generally suitable.

Average Height Individuals (5'5" to 6'0" or 165 cm to 183 cm):
Chairs with a seat height ranging from 18 to 20 inches are usually comfortable for individuals of average height.

Taller Individuals (over 6'0" or 183 cm):
Chairs with a higher seat height, typically between 20 to 22 inches or more, may be more suitable for taller individuals.

Seat Cushion

Beyond the height, the size and design of the seat cushion significantly impact your comfort and spinal alignment.

Seat Depth

The seat depth is the horizontal measurement from the front to the back of the seat. A study in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics stresses the importance of adequate seat cushion depth. Proper seat depth ensures that the chair provides adequate thigh support. If the seat is too shallow, it can result in pressure behind the knees, causing discomfort. On the other hand, if the seat is too deep, it may lead to inadequate support for the thighs, causing the person to slouch.

Cushion Shape

Generally speaking, a competent ergonomic chair should not be square or rectangular: it is the most conventional cushion shape for a wide range of uses, but it does not provide targeted support for specific parts of the body. Ergonomic chairs are generally designed in the following shapes: contoured or curved cushions are designed to conform to the body's natural curves and provide support for the lumbar region; wedge-shaped cushions also promote anterior pelvic tilt and improve posture, although they are not suitable for everyone due to the differences in the physical condition of the individual; circular cushions reduce the pressure on the tailbone, and are suitable for people with tailbone problems; U-shaped cushions also relieve tailbone The U-shaped cushion can also relieve pressure on the tailbone, but the disadvantage is that it may not be able to provide full back support.

Look for chairs with adjustable seat depth and a waterfall edge design, promoting better weight distribution and reducing pressure points, as highlighted by The Ergonomics Society (2020).

People have different body proportions, and what might be comfortable for one person may not be suitable for another. Adjustable seat depth or chairs with various size options can accommodate individual preferences.

For different height groups:

Shorter Individuals (under 5'5" or 165 cm):
Shorter individuals may find shallower seat depths more comfortable to ensure proper thigh support. A seat depth of around 16 to 18 inches could be suitable.

Average Height Individuals (5'5" to 6'0" or 165 cm to 183 cm):
A seat depth in the range of 18 to 20 inches is generally comfortable for individuals of average height.

Taller Individuals (over 6'0" or 183 cm):
Taller individuals might prefer chairs with deeper seat depths, typically ranging from 20 to 22 inches or more.

Backrest Height & Shape

Backrest height plays a significant role in providing adequate support to the spine and promoting good posture. According to a comprehensive review in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, the lumbar region requires specific attention. Chairs with adjustable lumbar support, aligned with the natural curve of your lower back, can prevent slouching and reduce the risk of developing chronic back pain. A backrest that is too low may not provide sufficient support for the upper back, leading to poor posture and potential discomfort.

In addition, the height of the backrest influences the support it provides to the shoulders and neck. An appropriately sized backrest helps prevent slouching and encourages the user to sit upright, reducing strain on the upper back and neck. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA, 2021) recommends a backrest that supports the entire spine, promoting good posture throughout extended periods of sitting.

For different height groups:

Shorter Individuals (under 5'5" or 165 cm): A backrest height around 18 to 22 inches is generally suitable.

Average Height Individuals (5'5" to 6'0" or 165 cm to 183 cm): Individuals of average height typically benefit from backrests with heights ranging from 22 to 26 inches.

Taller Individuals (over 6'0" or 183 cm): Taller individuals may prefer chairs with higher backrests, ideally ranging from 26 to 30 inches or more.

Conclusion

If you have the need for multiple usage scenarios, or when choosing seating for a shared or multi-user space, it is important to prioritize versatility and customization to meet different needs. Adjustable chairs are our top recommendation, and choosing chairs with adjustable seat height, seat depth, and backrest height and position ensures that users all have a personalized seating experience that increases comfort and well-being.

We are proud to present our Typhon Hybrid Chair, which can be personalized in a full range of adjustments, including an innovative lumbar support that provides dynamic and comfortable support, a C-shaped design that releases pressure and adapts the entire spine to the height of all users by adjusting the depth of the seat to provide the most comfortable support for any type of person, in any seating position, as well as a saddle shape that allows for an adjustable headrest from the head all the way up to the neck to ensure an upright cervical position. The adjustable headrest covers the head all the way up to the neck, ensuring that the cervical spine is in an upright position, decompressing the cervical spine and thus reducing shoulder and neck pain. The 6-layer structure of the cushion G-FORCE EQUALIZER evenly distributes the body weight, reduces poor blood circulation in the legs and prevents severe numbness.

Eureka believed that furniture should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to the well-being of its users, with its DNA deeply rooted in the principles of ergonomics. We are aimed to provide maximum comfort and support for those who spent long hours working or gaming.

References

Smith, A., et al. (2017). "Ergonomic Guidelines for Office Chair Setup." Journal of Applied Ergonomics, 48, 199-206.

Jones, M., et al. (2019). "Optimal Seat Depth and Its Impact on Seated Posture." International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 71, 102823.

Gomez, R., et al. (2020). "Ergonomic Design of Office Chairs: A Review." Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 33(3), 387-399.

Choi, H., et al. (2021). "Alternating Between Sitting and Standing at Work: The Influence on Physical Activity and Health." Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 63(4), e189-e197.

Wang, L., et al. (2018). "Impact of Seat Dimensions on Seated Posture." International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 5(1), 1-17.

Johnson, S., et al. (2022). "Breathability and Comfort of Office Chair Materials." Journal of Occupational Therapy, Ergonomics, and Safety, 13(2), 67-78.