When was the last time you bought a mattress?
Chances are you spent a fair bit of time researching it. You probably compared different brands, looked at reviews, thought about comfort and support, and maybe even visited a showroom to try a few. Some companies even offer 100-night sleep trials because they know choosing the right mattress is an important decision.
Now think about your office chair.
For something many of us spend six, eight or even ten hours a day sitting in, it is surprising how often it is bought with very little thought. Many people simply order one online based on a few reviews and hope for the best.
The reality is, if you work at a desk for around six hours a day, your office chair could support you for more than 7,200 hours over the next five years.
When you look at it like that, choosing the right chair suddenly feels a lot more important.
As a chiropractor, I have spent over fifteen years helping people with back pain, neck pain and posture-related problems. One thing I have learnt is that the office chair itself is not always the cause of someone’s pain, but it often plays a much bigger role than people realise.
Prefer to watch instead?
If you would rather watch than read, the video below covers everything in this guide and explains what to look for when choosing your next office chair.
1. Find the Right Chair for You
One of the biggest mistakes people make is looking for the best office chair.
The truth is, there is not one.
The best chair for you depends on your height, your build, how long you spend sitting each day and the type of work you do.
I am quite tall with long legs, so I need a chair with plenty of adjustment. Seat depth, backrest height and adjustable armrests all make a difference. Someone shorter may need something completely different.
It is also worth thinking about where you will be using the chair.
Many people now split their time between home and the office. They might have invested in a good ergonomic chair at home but still spend two or three days each week sitting in an uncomfortable chair at work. Those days still matter.
A good office chair should adapt to you, not the other way around.
2. Do Not Just Look at the Price — Look at the Quality
If you get the opportunity, always try to see a chair before you buy it.
Pick it up. Feel the materials. Move the armrests. Adjust the backrest.
You will often notice the difference straight away.
A well-made chair generally feels solid, stable and well engineered. The foam feels supportive, the mechanisms operate smoothly and everything feels as though it has been built to last.
Cheaper chairs can often look surprisingly similar in photographs, but once you see them in person the differences become obvious. Lower-quality foam, lightweight frames and limited adjustment usually mean the chair simply is not designed to cope with years of daily use.
I often demonstrate this in the showroom by comparing one of our ergonomic chairs with a typical budget chair bought online. Most people can feel the difference within a few seconds.
When you are going to spend more than 7,200 hours sitting in something, quality really does matter.
3. Always Try Before You Buy
This is probably my biggest piece of advice.
Just because a chair has excellent reviews or costs over £1,000 does not automatically mean it is the right chair for you.
I have seen people spend a significant amount of money on premium office chairs, only to discover that the lumbar support does not suit them or the backrest is simply the wrong shape for their body.
Reading reviews is helpful, but reviews cannot tell you how a chair will feel after a full day’s work.
If you can, visit a showroom where somebody can explain how the chair works properly.
One thing that surprises me is how many people own highly adjustable ergonomic chairs but only ever use the height adjustment. Features such as seat depth, back angle, armrest position and lumbar support often never get touched because nobody has shown them how to use them.
Sometimes a chair is not uncomfortable because it is the wrong chair. It is uncomfortable because it has never been adjusted properly.
Do Not Let Decision Fatigue Keep You in the Wrong Chair
A lot of people know they need a better office chair but keep putting it off.
They worry about spending several hundred pounds and making the wrong choice, so they continue using the same uncomfortable chair for another year or two.
Unfortunately, your back does not wait.
One thing I have learnt over the years is that back pain rarely comes from one big event. More often, it is the result of lots of small things repeated every day. Sitting in a poorly fitting chair for years is one of those things.
Replacing your chair is not just buying another piece of office furniture.
It is investing in your health, your comfort and your ability to work well for years to come.
Think About Your Office Chair Like You Think About Your Mattress
When you buy a mattress, you are investing in years of good sleep.
When you buy an office chair, you are investing in years of comfortable working.
Both support your body for thousands of hours, and both have a huge influence on how you feel day after day.
So before you buy your next office chair, do not just look at the price or the reviews.
Take the time to find the right chair for your body, choose one that is built to last and, wherever possible, try it before you buy.
Your back will thank you for it.
Need Help Choosing the Right Office Chair?
At Well Adjusted Seating, we help people find office chairs that suit their body, their working day and their budget.
Our advice is led by more than fifteen years of clinical experience, and we can help you compare different chairs, understand the adjustments and avoid buying something that does not suit you.
If you would like advice or want to try a chair before buying, you can get in touch or arrange an appointment at our Emsworth showroom.
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