Remember, it’s not just about chairs
There are many different factors that must be considered in order to achieve the correct ergonomic sitting position at a desk. The height of the chair should match the height of the desk and keyboard, and the height of the monitor should be adjusted to avoid spraining the neck. If something goes wrong, your workstation – and your entire body – is not aligned properly. While the process may seem simple, figuring out how to sit in a chair after a few hours without breaking your back can be very difficult.
The biggest problem is that most office furniture is advertised as multifunctional when in fact it is designed for tall people. For example, an average table that is 29 inches tall is for a person who is 6 feet tall. Likewise, many of the office chairs we’ve tested aren’t low enough for people under six feet to rest their feet comfortably flat on the floor. After years of testing and interviews with ergonomic experts, we have found that solving such problems can be very simple and cost-effective.
Adjust your sitting position.
To get started, use the built-in seat adjuster (if available) to lower or raise the seat so your feet are on the ground and your knees are at hip level or otherwise. A little lower and you can sit comfortably. behind the chair. If you can’t find the perfect sitting position, there are a few adjustments you can try:
Set the legs:
If your legs are dangling even at the lowest seat height, a footrest will work wonders. Anything will do, including foam rollers or cardboard boxes, but it’s worth investing $30 to $40 in something that’s soft, stable, and designed to keep your feet moving.
If you find that your knees are higher than your hips, even in the highest seating position, a seat cushion can help by raising your hips a few inches. Some of my long-legged friends put their legs under the table because many chairs are too small for them, but it’s not the best position to sit for hours on end.
If you can’t sit comfortably on the back of a chair, buy a pillow to support your lower back. I’m six feet tall and most seats are too deep for me, so I usually sit on the edge of the seat. The lumbar support gently encouraged me to lean back in the chair and take correct keyboard posture.
In addition to a better fit, pillows can make sitting in an inexpensive chair more pleasant. For example, an ergonomic seat cushion can not only elevate your height, but also compensate for a sagging or too stiff chair.
Cushions don’t make cheap office chairs any less soft, wobbly, or uncomfortable — and they don’t solve major flaws like the inability to recline — but they’re an inexpensive option for making just the right cheap office chair. A pillow is your body’s best friend.
Then look at your keyboard and table
For many people who use fixed-height tables, this is impossible if you try to keep your feet on the floor.
If your keyboard is too high, the solution is to raise the chair again and install a footrest. The keyboard stand under the desk also lowers the keyboard so you don’t strain your arms and shoulders.
I’ve never seen a table so low that people have to type hard. But if you find yourself in this situation, it’s not your chair’s fault. All you need is a long table. Finally, check the screen height of your monitor or laptop.
