What to Look For in a Task Chair

 

6. Comfortable armrests - For many people armrests can be a more of an issue than you would expect, but if armrests are not set up properly it can lead to discomfort and circulatory problems, and it can compound problems associated with improper arm/shoulder positions.

7. Lumbar support - Supporting your lower back is one of the more important duties of a chair. Proper support will reduce strain on the vertebrae and prevent back pain. Lumbar support is more important for people with existing back pains, but it is something everyone should keep an eye one.

8. Cervical support - This is the part of the chair that will support your head, neck, and upper back. This is often overlooked because many chairs stop and the mid-back and others go higher, but they don't have a headrest. A headrest is not necessary on every chair, and it is often only found on "executive" models, but if you need one, it is well worth investing in.

9. Style - This may seem frivolous, but if you are going to spend a lot on a chair you should make sure you like how it looks. Aesthetics are not that important, in a big picture sense, but if you are going to make a serious investment you should have happy with the result. If the chair is not presentable or it looks like it should be owned by a robot, then you may not be happy with it over the long time. A little bit of brushed aluminun, instead of plastic, and a little color, instead of black fabric, can be all it takes to turn a practical purchase into your dream chair.

10. Great Tilting - Tilting back is a very important way to change position when you are seated and to relieve stress on your back. If you don't like the way a chair tilts you should forget about it. Putting your chair at a 100-115 degree can allow the chair to help support some of the weight of your upper back and shoulders.

11. Seat - The seat should be soft enough to be comfortable, but not so soft that you sink into it or that it is not good for sitting in for extended amounts of time. You also need to make sure that it is wide and deep enough for you. The right shaped seat can help as well, but this has more to do with individual preference than it does anything else.

12. Base - The main thing you want from your base is stability. Look for it to have five legs so that no matter what you do it will be stable. Bases with four legs can lead to instability if you lean back too far and they are not in the right position. Some people also prefer bases with flat tops so that you can rest your feet on them, but it is better to keep your feet flat on the floor.