Whether for the office or your own home workstation, it’s crucial to source an office chair that is comfortable.  Equally, it should fulfil your own specific needs.  Add into the mix: available space; layout and colour schemes, alongside options offering integral lumbar support and breathable mesh backs and all of a sudden, something that seemed a simple purchase becomes much more complex!  Here are 5 popular types of chairs for your consideration.

Saddle Chair

The purpose of a saddle chair design is to reduce pressure on your lower back and spine.  As such, you sit on a saddle chair as you would sit on a horse’s saddle and it is a good option if you regularly move between standing and sitting during your working day.  Some saddle chairs come with a backrest, however in most cases, they have no back.

Kneeling Chair

In the same way as most saddle chairs, kneeling chairs have no back rest and are specifically designed to promote good posture by building your core and back strength.  Furthermore, using a kneeling chair means your knees are positioned below your waist which also aids better posture and reduces back pressure.

Ergonomic Chair

There are many options considered to be ergonomic.  However, what they all have in common is that they are designed to improve your posture and reduce back problems.  Whilst most ergonomic chairs will offer you built in lumbar support and are height adjustable, those with a tilting seat also aid the correct positioning of your pelvis.

Mesh Office Chair

The main purpose of a mesh office chair is that it has a breathable back.  In addition, the flexible nature of the chair’s mesh back allows the chair to adapt to the shape of your body.  Although a mesh office chair may not be quite so cushioned as a standard office chair, some have the means to tighten the back to control the firmness of the support.

Executive Office Chair

There are many options of executive office chairs.  Although they may be a little large for small office spaces, the comfort is undeniable.  Moreover, this wheeled chair choice is designed for sitting on for long periods of time.  A good quality, sophisticated option, an executive office chair typically has a tall back.  Additionally, it provides support across your entire upper body.

So, what exactly is ergonomics?  The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition explains ergonomics as – ‘An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.’

In any office environment, efficiency and safety are major areas of focus so if you get your office ergonomics right, you’ll keep your staff safe and well – and productive too.

Wherever a workstation is based and whatever the set-up, there are usually three main areas of concern, as follows:

1. Seating 

Recent research suggests that office workers spend 75% of their waking hours sitting down!  Given that most of that will be sitting at their desk, it’s no surprise that using an old or badly designed office chair can cause many different issues.  For example, a very common problem which keeps many signed off sick is lower back pain but a poorly designed chair can also contribute to abdominal cramps and more seriously, even lead to deep vein thrombosis in the legs.

An office chair can be a real investment.  Alongside the aesthetic advantages a modern and comfortable chair offers, one which facilitates good support with height and width adjustments is crucial to staff wellbeing and will allow the user to tailor their chair to their own needs. Have a look at some of our Ergonomic Seating options

2. Desking

For those who use their keyboard most of their day, it’s extremely important that their workstation is set at the right height.  Muscles, nerves and tendons in the fingers, hands and wrists can be adversely affected if the keyboard user is not sitting comfortably.  Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a consequential, common complaint in the workplace which can lead to lengthy periods of sick leave.

Whilst an ergonomic keyboard and mouse can help, a desk with integral keyboard shelf is a useful addition to a workstation, giving plenty of workspace.  In addition, height adjustable desks which allow for sitting and standing are an amazing way to allow staff to work comfortably and safely and even dispense with sitting down for periods of time if they wish.

3. Lighting

In a smaller office, lighting is fairly easy to organise efficiently.  It is likely to be easier to position workstations suitably around artificial lighting and windows if there are fewer of them.  However, in a larger office, lighting can prove an issue for some.  On a dull day, artificial lighting can sometimes be too dim and conversely, can often be too bright.  Equally, the glare from computer screens can also be an issue.  Too few breaks can perpetuate issues brought on by lighting issues such as eye strain, headaches and even nausea.

Whilst it’s impossible to control the seasons or weather, well thought out office design and screen adjustments, together with the use of blinds and anti-glare screens can help with individual workstation issues and therefore reduce the potential for any problems arising.

APS Therapy is a pleasant treatment method that supports the body with recovery problems.

Watch the The Nomi story UK Video

Nomi High Chair Video 1

Nomi was developed from an ambition to create the world’s best highchair for children, in terms of both form and function.