The armchair is the piece of equipment with which an employee has contact for the longest part of the day. It is also the place where savings backfire the fastest, as the effects of poor sitting appear with a delay and affect the entire team. A well-chosen armchair is not a luxury, but a work tool.

Adjustments that matter

The basic element is the seat height adjustment, so that the feet rest flat on the floor and the knees are bent at approximately a right angle. Second is the seat depth adjustment, which ensures that the back has full support, leaving a few centimeters of clearance under the knees. Third is the lumbar support, preferably vertically adjustable, since people vary in height and torso length.

Backrest and mechanism

A good mechanism allows the backrest to tilt with a tension adjustment that corresponds to the user's body weight. Working in a single, rigidly locked position is just as tiring as having no support. Movement is beneficial, so the mechanism should support changing positions, not hinder it. A headrest makes sense where work involves long conversations or leaning back, but it is not necessary at every workstation.

Seat, upholstery and armrests

The seat should distribute pressure evenly and not lose its elasticity after a few months. In offices, it is worth choosing breathable and abrasion-resistant fabrics, as the chair is used daily for many hours. Height-adjustable armrests help relieve the shoulders and keep the forearms close to the desktop, which has a direct impact on neck tension.

Purchasing for the team

With a larger number of workstations, it is worth remembering that one model does not fit everyone perfectly. A sensible solution is to choose a chair with a wide range of adjustments and provide brief training for the team on how to use these adjustments. Very often, chairs are left at their factory settings and no one has ever adjusted them, meaning that even a good product does not fulfill its role.

Summary

When choosing a chair, look successively at: height adjustment, seat depth, lumbar support, and the backrest mechanism. Choose models with a wide range of adjustments, ensure durable upholstery, and make sure to show the team how to adjust the chair for themselves. The latter costs nothing, yet makes the biggest difference.