When you are working for eight or more hours continuously at your workspace, you need a comfortable chair. You don’t want to be bothered with neck and back pain, which can disrupt your flow of thought, or get home and have an uncomfortable night or need to take painkillers. That is why it is of paramount importance that you have the right high back office chair.
What do you look for in the right office chair?
The right high back office chair will reduce the incidence of pain, will allow you to work comfortably, and improve your productivity and efficiency. Among the important parameters are:
- Ergonomics – an ergonomic design of the office chair is vital to reduce the problems of musculoskeletal disorders. The risk of neck, shoulders, lower back, and even upper back pain increases with badly designed office chairs as this study shows.
- Kinds of high back office chairs – you can get a variety of high back office chairs. Almost all offer full-back support. Some may come with a built-in headrest, some may have a separate headrest attached to the chair or a paneled lumbar support. They come with armrests, and you need to adjust your posture till you find the right fit in terms of height and incline of the back. The chairs are usually on castors and the seating height is adjustable. You can swivel on the chair as required.
- Upholstery – high back office chairs are usually padded with enough comfortable cushioning, yet firm. You can choose from fabric, leather, faux leather or even meshed back. These options come at different price points, so you may have budgetary constraints. Of these, only faux leather or plastic is non-breathable, which may cause problems, though usually not in a climate-controlled office.
- Design – you can get a variety of design options in these chairs. These may be contemporary modern or classic. They may feature sumptuous cushioning with detailing on the back, or they may have separate lumbar support panels. The kind you buy depends on your requirements and your budget.
- Adjustability – the chairs are usually height adjustable. Adjustable armrests, adjustable head rests and height adjustable seating are features that you need to look for. Check that this feature is available in the chair that you shortlist.
- Basic high back office chairs – you can also get basic high back office chairs with little or no cushioning that can serve as conference chairs. A few models in these are armless as well.
- Durability – since high back office chairs are somewhat pricey, you need to be sure of their durability. You do get a range of chairs costing between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars. Cleaning and maintaining the chair is important to increase its life.
- Warranty – check warranty details before you place an order.
If you check out available high back office chairs, do keep these pointers in mind.
Do high back office chairs have any drawbacks?
High back office chairs can be expensive and seem to be an unnecessary expense at times. However, if your work involves sitting continuously for hours, then this expense may be a worthwhile investment since you will increase your comfort and reduce the incidence of painful issues.
In very small offices, a high back chair can take up a lot of space. This type of chair does require some space; otherwise, the office can feel cramped.
If you move around frequently and your office space is small, then you can consider other types of high back office chairs that are lightweight, but still offer comfort and support.
Conclusion
The high back office chair is the right fit for offices that require continuous sitting work and focusing for long hours. As you can get them in a range of sizes and price points, you can surely find something that will be right for you.
