Ergonomic chairs are not a new discovery; in fact, they have been around for quite some time. Back in 1976, the first ergonomic chair, “The Ergon," chair was designed by Bill Strumpf which was built for the "comfort" of the human body and sustain the physical health of a human. Ergonomic chairs have come a long way; those you find today are built with a lot more embedded features.
What Are Ergonomic Chairs?
Ergonomic chairs are designed using the science of ergonomics; they are built to better support the natural body posture when upright. Ergonomics essentially deals with the design/arrangement of objects that better “compliment” their interaction in a system.
This system could be their workplace, their homes, or other places. A great example of ergonomics at work in an office or home could be adjusting chair height and armrests to better support your body. Your elbows should be at a 90-degree angle to your shoulders when typing, and your armrests should be at desk level, so you are not straining upward to reach things on your desk.
Ergonomic chairs are designed while taking into account your posture, your comfort, and your health. They come with adjustable height, armrests, seat depth and width, adjustable headrests, padding and cushioning, and a five-point wheel system at the bottom. They work collectively so you can get the best possible support for your body.
Why Use Ergonomic Chairs?
We spend most of our time sitting, or at least a large chunk of it. Take office, for example, that requires you to work a minimum of 8 hours a day from 9 am-5 pm. Your time spent at offices involves sitting behind a desk typing away while looking at a monitor.
If your office or home office doesn't have an ergonomic chair and instead uses a conventional desk chair, you may experience slouch posture, body aches when you get up, back and neck strain that persists for days. Some even link it to a decrease in productivity and employee morale. If workers are distracted by the pain they are experiencing; it's unlikely they will be able to put forward their best work.
Modern offices have upgraded their furniture to make it more “ergonomic” and accommodating so all workers can work in a comfortable, healthy office space. In the long run, companies can have fewer workers taking off-days due to back pain or general strain, saving costs and time, boosting productivity. The office workers will also be glad that the company considers their well-being, resulting in increased company retention.
That being said, ergonomic chairs aren’t just great for offices or work at home; they can be used in several places and for many purposes.
Where Else Can Ergonomic Chairs Be Used?
In OfficesThe most widespread usage of ergonomic chairs is in offices. Ergonomics deals with influencing system design, so the workers in the system are better accommodated or, in other words: more productive. This is the basic principle most businesses and office spaces tend to follow.
In this case, ergonomic chairs are incredibly popular; their features are meant to accommodate and provide support to workers, so they are at their maximum productivity levels at work.
Since these chairs are designed to keep human anatomy in mind, there are fewer chances of health hazards such as increased heart disease risks, kidney diseases, diabetes, certain cancers, and decreased life expectancy. These problems can all stem from sitting for extended periods, but ergonomic chairs promote better posture and healthy sitting. They help keep your shoulders, spine, and hips aligned to alleviate unnecessary strain on the body.
Remote Work from HomeThe next place ergonomic chairs can be of great use is at home, particularly for those pursuing remote work from home. With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, most workers went into isolation, and many started home-based businesses.
A common misconception says that remote work tends to be a lot easier and less stressful, but it isn't any better for your health if you sit in one spot for hours.
Once again, ergonomic chairs can help in this scenario. Whether working from your office or home, these chairs will help reduce strain on your body, fatigue, and poor posture. This will also eliminate a chain of health issues that stem from sitting for too long.
Gaming Sessions
One of the third most common users of ergonomic chairs is gamers. Gamers tend to sit for prolonged periods during gaming sessions, which can adversely affect their posture.
Typical chairs do not come with the necessary back support. You need to sit straight, and the most they will carry will be mid-back support. On the other hand, ergonomic chairs come with proper back support that takes into consideration the natural curvature of your spine and rises to your shoulders, so your entire body is supported.
The absence of this back and lumbar support can put your entire weight on your spine, which can lead to slouching and curving over time. Your entire posture may get out of shape, and moving back to a healthy posture may take long.
Gamers can purchase ergonomic gaming chairs to make sitting more comfortable and accommodating. Gaming chairs now come specifically in several styles and shapes, but they all comply with the basic principles of ergonomics.
Anywhere You Sit For Longer Periods of Time!
Truth be told, ergonomic chairs can be used anywhere you sit for prolonged periods. Modern-day ergonomic chairs come in various colors, designs, and structures, making them compatible with all types of settings, be it at an office, at a school, at your home, at your gaming sessions, or even at government-level organizations.
These chairs come at a heftier price but are well worth the money invested into them. Most modern furniture adapts to the ergonomics of the design, even conventional chairs come with height adjustment, but that still doesn’t mean they are possible subsidiaries of ergonomic chairs. The benefits an ergonomic chair offers are simply unmatched!
