Ergonomic chairs are fabulous for helping you maintain good posture, as well as providing the best ergonomic adjustability for your specific body.  A good ergonomic chair should let you adjust the height of the seat pan, the back support, the angle of the back support, and the arm rest height.  Each adjustment is essential for proper support and for posture that will keep you pain and injury-free.

So, how do you choose the best ergonomic chair?  Check the following tips for picking the ideal chair for you.

What to look for in an ergonomic chair

• You should be able to comfortably fit your hips in the actual seat with a few inches to spare on each side.  Just like jeans and a good pair of shoes, a little wiggle room is always a good thing.
• In addition, your weight should be spread evenly across the seat and you should still feel comfortable after an hour or more of sitting.  Be intentional about not leaning to one side or the other for longer than a few minutes.
• As you feel out the seat for your comfort, it shouldn’t be too deep for your upper legs, but it should also never catch you behind the knees.
• An adjustable height chair is ideal, as is the ability to adjust its height even when you’re actually sitting in it.
• While seated, both feet should be able to rest comfortably on the floor.  Be Goldilocks and look for the chair that is “just right.”
• As mentioned above, you need good back support, especially for your lower back. It would be great if the back support is adjustable, but that’s not a deal-breaker.
• Another feature to look for is for it to fully recline for different positions.  Sitting slightly angled back (versus ramrod-straight) is best for your back and overall health.
• The more the arm rests adjust, the better off your wrists will be so that they support your arms to keep from straining your wrists.  When you adjust them, they should be low enough to keep your arms at your sides and in a relaxed position.
• Do note that you should not permanently rest on the arm rests during the work day because constant use puts pressure on the nerves in your elbow, which will be uncomfortable.  So, use them as rests for breaks during typing and mousing.

Here’s for sitting in comfort and style with an adjustable ergonomic chair.