Chair Ergonomics

August 10, 2023

What makes my ergonomic office chair ergonomic?

Do you find yourself hunching over your keyboard or getting distracted mid-meeting by lower back pain? You’re probably overdue for an ergonomic chair. What is an ergonomic chair? Read on to uncover all the details.

If your computer is the heart of your work from home setup, your chair is the backbone. Especially since many of us are entering year four of working remotely. It’s a great time to make your work from home setup kinder to your physical and mental health. Enter: The ergonomic chair—the key to making your hips, back, and whole body feel a lot better.

But what exactly makes a chair ergonomic? Keep reading to learn about ergonomic chair features, why they can make a world of difference in your day to day, and a list of the best ergonomic office and computer chairs, so you can start working (and feeling) better.

Love at first sit: What is an ergonomic Chair? What makes a chair ergonomic?

Wondering what makes a chair ergonomic? Ergonomic chairs are specifically designed to a.) enable concentration, b.) minimize distractions that come from being uncomfortable, and c.) maximize efficiency, creativity, and comfort. In other words, it should be so comfortable that you forget it’s even there.

Of course, every person is different with a unique range of preferences and sitting styles. That’s why ergonomic chairs generally have adjustable features that make the chair feel customized, just for you.

But what features make your office chair a good ergonomic chair? From a design perspective, here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind while shopping for an ergonomic chair:

Can you adjust the seat height and other features to best fit you?
Can you adjust and reach the chair controls while sitting?
When you adjust the controls, are they easy to operate?

If the answer is “yes” to those three questions, that’s a sign you have a good ergonomic chair. From there, it’s a matter of finding the right ergonomic chair for your body and preferred aesthetic.

Fern Digital Knit in Baltic Blue

The anatomy of an ergonomic chair: supportive ergonomic chair features, adjustability & more

Unlike regular chairs, ergonomic chair features are designed to reduce pressure, conform to your body, and help you maintain better posture for long periods of time. Our chairs are designed with research-backed technology that offers total back support — from the neck and thoracic spine to the pelvis.

The anatomy of an ergonomic chair is rooted in key adjustable features that make ergonomic chairs ideal for your overall comfort and alignment.

Anatomy of an Ergonomic Chair:

Lumbar & Pelvic Support

When you’re sitting for a long time, like, say an 8-hour work day, it’s critical to have lumbar and pelvic support. Why? Beyond feeling a lot better, it will also help your lower back muscles feel less strain, which will help you avoid slumping and instead maintain a healthy sitting position for your spine’s natural curvature.

Headrest

Your neck, shoulders, and back will benefit from a comfortable, adjustable headrest. We designed our headrests to be adjustable to fit the curvature of your neck so they will support your head without disrupting your body’s natural movements.

Armrests with Padding

Adjustable armrests will support your arms (10.2 percent of your total body weight) and ultimately relieve the muscles of the upper back, shoulders, and neck. Plus, the padding provides a little extra comfort while typing, which is always a nice thing.

Adjustable Seat Depths

Have you ever felt like the seat of a chair is a little too deep or too small? Besides being uncomfortable, this will likely cause you to shift positions a lot, get distracted easily, and often leads to improper alignment. Adjustable seat depth helps you prevent strain on your body by not sitting too far forward (or too far back) in your seat, so you can distribute your weight more evenly and support your upper legs. It’s a win-win!

Other features of ergonomic chairs often include “forward tilt” which supports sitting styles for people who tend to sit at the front of their chairs, and high-quality wheels and swivel rotation that allows for extra mobility and ease.

Zody Leather Office Chair

Very Digital Knit Office Chair

Why are ergonomic chairs important? Pros & cons

We know it’s not always easy to find a chair that you love for how it looks and feels, particularly one that feels good for hours at a time. But fear not! At Haworth, our team has spent over 20 years thinking about how we can make our office chairs and other products the best of the best.

Pros of Our Ergonomic Chairs:

- Linked to Fewer Injuries

In 2020, there were about 2.7 million non-fatal workplace injuries reported by employers, and 21 percent were musculoskeletal disorders. Luckily, the right ergonomic chairs can help reduce that number by helping keep you comfy, aligned, and supported.

- Science-Backed Support Features

Designed to be comfortable for prolonged sitting, our ergonomic chairs provide support for your body from head to toe — head, neck, shoulders, back, and arms. At Haworth, we’ve spent decades researching and creating thoughtfully designed office products to make your office life better wherever you are, a dedicated office space or corner of a kitchen! Read more about our story.

- Boosts Creativity & Productivity

When your body is aligned properly, you’ll experience less fatigue and more focus throughout your day. Unsurprisingly, when you’re more focused, you’re setting yourself up to make better decisions, create more creative work, and potentially have a longer attention span.

- Long-Lasting, Durable Design

Our team prides ourselves on creating chairs that you’ll use for years and years. Rather than swapping out your chairs that get worn with time, our chairs are designed to last. Take a look at our warranty policy for more details.

- Customizable For You

If you want a chair that feels like it was made for you, a quality ergonomic chair is a must-have. If you have particular injuries, chronic back pain, stressors, or areas where you hold pressure, an array of adjustable features will help you find your perfect fit that will leave you thinking, why didn’t I do this sooner?

- Intentional, Sustainable Materials

We prioritize using eco-conscious materials to minimize our carbon footprint as much as possible. Our Fern chair is 95 percent recyclable and GREENGUARD Gold Certified (it is independently tested to be free from over 10,000 chemicals to help contribute to cleaner air in your home). Our Zody chair is also upholstered in our Hobson fabric that is made from 80 percent ocean-bound plastic and recycled polyester.

Cons of Ergonomic Chairs:

- Bigger Investment

It’s true: ergonomic chairs are often pricey. But when you’re using something nearly every day for hours at a time, we consider it a worthy investment for your productivity, body, and mind.

- Not a Cure All

While our chairs will make the hours you sit gentler on your mind and body, don’t forget that one of the best things you can do for yourself is: sit less. Take breaks, go for daily walks, and consider investing in a sit-to-stand desk. Trust us, your future self will thank you!

The best ergonomic chairs - computer & office chair ergonomics

Fern Office Chair - Best Overall for Comfort & Total Back Support

Researched and certified by experts, this is our best-selling chair for total back support. With built-in lumbar support and an optional adjustment that moves in the 4” range, the flexible fern chair will cradle your lower back.

Zody Office Chair - Best For Working on a Computer, Sit-To-Stand Desks

One of the first chairs of its kind, this chair supports sitting down and the in-between “perch” that’s half sitting/half standing (a common posture with a sit-to-stand desk). It’s built on over two decades of independent field studies and knowledge, so it’s one of the most researched chairs on the market--making it the best lumbar and pelvic support for those who have low back pain.

Zody Office Chair

Soji Mesh Office Chair

Haworth x Halo: Fern Gaming Chair

- Soji Mesh Office Chair - Best For Breathable, Effortless Comfort

If you tend to run hot, this chair is a gamechanger. It’s made with airy mesh that’ll help naturally regulate your body temperature while providing support and comfort.

- Haworth x Halo Fern Gaming Chair - Best for Gaming

This exclusive design will level up your gaming. It’s ultra-responsive to react to every move you make as you play and is made to provide cloud-like comfort so you can play with less fatigue and more focus.

- Assure Office Chair - Best Versatile, Budget-Friendly Computer Ergonomic Chair

Built with a seat cushion and generous lumbar support, the Assure Office Chair offers comfort to the core for a range of body types.

Overall: Ergonomic Office Chairs are important for your health

We hope this guide helped you better understand what makes a chair ergonomic and why the details make a difference. Whether you’re a part of a hybrid set up or work from home every day, your office chair plays a huge role in your life.

Why are ergonomic chairs important? If you work eight hours a day, that’s about a third of your life on work days! So what you’re sitting on shouldn’t be an afterthought. Investing in a good ergonomic chair will support a more productive work day and a happier and healthier you.

Upgrade your work-from-home setup and take a look at our complete collection of ergonomic office seating, including chairs, performance seating, stools, and more.

Very Mesh Office Chair

Zody Upholstered Office Chair