Ergonomic Chairs: Read This Before You Buy

So you've finally decided to make the jump from a traditional chair to a more ergonomic alternative. Congratulations! You're well on your way to relieving your pain, improving your posture, and strengthening your core.

If you do a search for "ergonomic chair" on Amazon, you may be intimidated by the sheer number of models available. Don't get discouraged! With a little research and the following three tips, you will be able to find the ergonomic chair that is perfect for your needs.

Tip 1: There four primary types of ergonomic chairs

Here are the four types of ergonomic chairs:

1. Ergonomic desk chairs: these chairs have a similar form to standard desk chairs, but with two key differences: (1) they are highly adjustable and (2) they often have better back and lumbar support
2. Ball chairs: these chairs consist of an exercise ball (also known as a "swiss ball" or "balance ball") supported by a chair-like base
3. Kneeling chairs: these chairs consist of a rest for your seat and a rest for your shins, thus allowing you to sit with your thighs dropped to an angle of about 70 degrees from vertical (as opposed to 90 degrees)
4. Saddle chairs: as the name implies, these stool-like chairs are designed to be straddled as you would a saddle for a horse

Tip 2: You don't always get what you pay for

Office chair manufacturers represent a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States alone. Many of these companies are seeking to profit from the growing obsession with ergonomics by charging exorbitant amounts for chairs of this type. An infamous example is the Aeron chair, which costs ~$900 and has become a symbol of fast times of the 1990s dot-com bubble.

The same principle applies for other types of ergonomic chairs as well. For example, exercise ball chairs can cost as much as $150 full-price (see the Aeromat Ball Chair Deluxe), but Amazon customers rate an $80 model significantly higher (see the Giaim Balance Ball Chair).

Tip 3: Know what the experts are saying

Not all ergonomic chairs are created equally - in fact, health benefits can vary a lot between chair models. If you know what the experts are saying, you can separate the truth from the hype.

For example, researchers disagree about alleged health benefits of using a kneeling chair. An early study of the original kneeling chair by Drury and Francher (1985) found that the design was "no better than conventional chairs and could be worse than well-designed conventional office chairs." However, a later study by Bettany-Saltikov, Warren, and Jobson (2008) found that kneeling chairs maintained standing spine alignment better than the traditional computer chair.

The health benefits of the expensive Aeron Chair (mentioned above) have also been questioned. In a 2010 Business Week article titled "Your Office Chair is Killing You", Danish ergonomics expert Dr. A. C. Mandal criticized elements of the chair's design, such as the height adjustment options. In the same article, the original designer of the Aeron chair, Don Chadwick, admits that he was not hired to design the perfect chair for the eight-hour workday, but rather update the design of the company's previous bestseller.

What next?

The first step you should take is choose the type of ergonomic chair you want, keeping in mind the health benefits and price considerations. Once you've settled on a chair type, compare the models in that category by looking at expert opinions and customer reviews.

There are great sources for this type of information on the web. Look for sites that are dedicated to reviewing a particular category of chair - these will often include helpful how-to articles as well. However, beware of spammy sites that might include misleading information. You can identify these sites by their poorly written content, abundance of advertisements, or unattractive design.

As final note, remember that good ergonomics is not just about buying a new chair. There are many other important ways to make your daily routine healthier, including using other ergonomic products or integrating stretches and exercises into your day. Continue to improve your ergonomics and enjoy relief from pain, improved posture, and a stronger core.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com