Computer chair or chair. How to choose a computer chair

Office workers sometimes sit not on carefully selected ergonomic chairs, but on what the budget was enough for. For freelancers, the situation is even worse: everything that comes to hand can act as a work chair, including a rare “hello USSR” chair or, even better, a stool without a back. And as there is no need to comply with office etiquette, a remote worker can work in the most unusual positions: from sitting in Turkish to, roughly speaking, with his foot behind his ear. All this, oh, how badly affects health, and labor productivity. But we want to be healthy, and do our work quickly and efficiently? So run for a chair! But first, a few nuances how to choose a computer chair for work.

The right chair and the right way to sit in a chair

Firstly, the back of the work chair should follow the anatomical curvature of the spine. If it is too concave or convex, with a relief in the wrong places, this can lead to curvature, and in combination with the following factors and pinched nerves. The correct back will support, not strain the spine. It is also good if the seat is not even, but with small thickenings on the sides - this will help not to slip and feel more comfortable.

Secondly, there is the 90-degree rule: you need to sit on a chair so that our joints bend at right angles. This means a straight back at a 90-degree angle to the hips, knees bent so that there are 90-degrees between the shins and hips, and feet flat on the floor or footstool, and still the same right angle at the elbows. It is clear that no one works all day in a rectangle position, but this is the standard of ergonomics, which plus or minus should be strived for. However, this is not possible in every chair, so ....

Fitting and adjustment

Therefore, there are two options for choosing a chair for work:

or try on a chair before buying, and choose a model suitable for height, backrest inclination, armrest height, etc.,
or choose a chair with the maximum number of adjustable parts (this is especially important if you order a chair in online stores).

Otherwise, it can happen like this: the purchased chair does not fit you in height, you can no longer put your legs straight, they are constantly in tension on weight. Or the back does not fit your height, the headrest is not located in the neck area, but in the center of the head, and you are sitting with a wheel on your back. Unpleasant, extremely harmful and money down the drain.

To avoid such troubles, modern models Work chairs can be adjusted as follows:

seat height - so that the legs stand comfortably, and the chair matches the height of the table,
back height - optimally should reach at least the middle of the shoulder blades,
backrest angle - allows you to choose the most convenient position for the spine, and in some models you can practically expand the chair and take a nap,
seat depth - the seat should not rest and press under the knee, it should have a slight bevel,
armrest height - adjustable for height, so that there are no constantly raised shoulders or a hunched back; correctly positioned armrests will relieve tension from the spine,
the distance between the armrests - allows you to comfortably place your hands, depending on the complexion; it is desirable that the armrests are removable,
lumbar cushion - adjustment allows you to adjust it to the curve of a particular back,
a headrest - it is very good if it is available and its position can be changed - this will give the neck a little rest.

Naturally, all together these adjustments are not found in all models. But it is desirable that the chair initially suits you in most parameters, and in what it does not fit, you could adjust it for yourself.

upholstery material

Armchairs for working at a computer are upholstered with natural and artificial leather, various dense tissues, as well as mesh fabric. Leatherette is an outsider on this list - it does not breathe, the back and legs will sweat a lot, and the material will quickly lose its presentable appearance. The most breathable best option matter - grid.

With regard to rigidity, you should adhere to the golden mean: take a chair that is neither super soft nor super hard, so that it is comfortable, but not so much that you cannot get up from it. When working at a computer, breaks are required every hour and a half: get up, warm up, drink coffee or do something else on the move.

Details

The chair must be firmly supported so that it does not tip over if the seated person leans back or leans forward. As a rule, a five-beam cross is enough to keep this furniture upright, but with very light models, it can rattle.
All mechanisms of work chairs are good, but the most versatile is synchronous - allowing you to simultaneously adjust the angle of the backrest and the seat. An additional convenience is the swing mechanism, respectively, which allows you to sway a little in the chair, thus warming up a little.
Pay attention to the plastic of the wheels - it should be strong enough so that they do not have to be replaced soon.
For those who spend a lot of time at the computer, there is one more useful item furniture - a footrest, a chair or an ottoman for legs. But this is optional and necessary.
For those who spend a little time at the computer at home, you can lower the requirements a bit and compromise on beauty. Among the interior chairs there are many that will decorate the room and be comfortable for evening gatherings on the Internet.

A computer chair, or otherwise, a computer chair, is a piece of furniture designed for a person to sit while working at a computer. Home distinctive feature such a chair is considered to be equipped with a mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat and the level of the backrest. Due to its large own weight, such a chair is equipped with wheels for the possibility of movement around the room.

Purpose

The main purpose of a computer chair- provide normal working conditions for office workers who spend most of their working time at the computer monitor. However, along with the rapid introduction into our lives personal computer and home internet, home Office or work at home, have become quite commonplace. At the same time, there was a need the right equipment workplace at home, and therefore computer chair found its place in home interior. But if professionals take care of the choice of furniture for the office, then the choice for the home will have to be made by the computer user himself.

A chair for working at a computer should not only and not so much become an object design solution interior design, style and color scheme. He should, first of all, become an assistant in work and not harm health.

It will not be a revelation that today's children and teenagers spend too much time sitting at the computer. The sitting posture is not natural for a person at all. But the skeleton and the body of a young person quickly adapts to it, does not notice the inconvenience, while the skeleton is bent, internal organs and blood vessels can become constricted. All this is also characteristic of an adult organism, but an adult rather feels uncomfortable and needs to change his posture. This affects labor productivity.

All these shortcomings of a conventional chair should be solved by a special computer chair. In addition, it should be comfortable enough for a short rest: be soft enough and have armrests.

How to choose a computer chair

The main criterion determining the choice of a computer chair, is the time spent at the computer, how many hours a day a person sits at the monitor, working with the keyboard and mouse. The second criterion can be considered the possibility of changing users at the computer: this means that the chair must be adjusted for any user.

Ergonomics

The most important element of any computer chair is mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat and the angle of the backrest. But developments are not limited to this. For example, the distribution of seals in the seat and back of the chair helps to maintain an even load on the muscles of the body, to avoid pinching the blood vessels in the legs.

In armchairs superior comfort a footrest and a headrest are arranged. The back of the chair can be bent in three places under different angle, and the chair itself can be supplemented with a mechanism that creates a rocking effect or a built-in massager. Seat upholstery materials are constantly being improved in the direction of blocking perspiration. So far, these chairs are quite expensive.

Choosing a computer chair for a child

A particularly comfortable chair is needed for a child, since his musculoskeletal system is not yet fully formed. However, the chair must be strong enough to withstand the restlessness inherent in the child. The chair should have a high back, be sure to adjust the height of the armrests. A footrest is highly desirable, since the height of the chair is adjusted in relation not only to the height of the user, but also to the table, and the legs should have an emphasis. The upholstery of the chair should be made of textiles. A prerequisite: when buying a chair, you need to try it out with your child. How easily its main parameters are regulated, how easily a child can get up and sit down from it.

When purchasing a computer chair for the home, you should take care of special rubberized rollers for it, this will help to avoid scratches on the floor.
Seat upholstery is often made of faux leather. This chair looks solid and expensive, but for permanent job preference should be given to natural fabrics.
The softness of the chair matters not only while you are sitting in the chair, but also when you are trying to get up from it, especially if you have to get up often. You should be guided by the "golden mean".
Also, do not forget about the compliance of the design of computer furniture with the overall interior design of the room where the installation is planned. If you furnished the room with Italian furniture, then choose a computer chair and computer desk you should start with an online store of Italian furniture. Of course, you shouldn’t sacrifice functionality and ergonomics for the sake of design, but you shouldn’t choose a clearly “flashy” option either, you should stick to logic and common sense in everything.

Comfortable organization of the place at the computer is important for maintaining your health. And the main role in this is played by ergonomics, functionality and workmanship of the chair on which you sit. Find out how it should be!

Purpose, comfort and appearance

All office furniture, including computer chairs, are divided into three categories according to their purpose:

for visitors;
for staff;
for leaders.

As a rule, the furniture for visitors is the least comfortable and looks the most unassuming. This is not surprising, because many people use it every day, each of whom spends not so much time on it.

Somewhat different requirements are imposed on staff furniture: with its modest appearance, it must be durable and provide maximum comfort to the person sitting in it.

Armchairs for executives should only be comfortable, but also look presentable.

If we talk about the domestic use of this classification, then office chairs from the “personnel” category are suitable for workplace equipment, and for home use it would be nice to get a beautiful, comfortable and ergonomic executive chair.

upholstery material

This characteristic of a computer chair is responsible not only for the appearance, but also for the duration of the service life. The following materials can be distinguished from the modern assortment:

leather (the most expensive and one of the most durable materials);
eco-leather (similar to natural leather in its characteristics, only a little cheaper);
nubuck (wear-resistant material of medium price category);
artificial leather (relative to inexpensive option, but wears out quickly)
acrylic mesh (wear-resistant and plastic material, usually used for the manufacture of furniture for staff);
fabric (the most diverse type, as it can be either cheap burlap or more expensive combinations of woven and non-woven materials).

Naturally, the more durable and prettier material the more expensive it is. Moreover, it is not necessary to use only one option for the manufacture of upholstery of the chair. A combined composition is also possible, for example, the seat upholstery can be made of fabric, and the backrest can be made of acrylic mesh.

Chair width and depth

All computer chairs and armchairs are divided into 3 categories according to the width of the seat and back - narrow (less than 55 cm), medium (55-60 cm) and wide (more than 60 cm). To determine the group of furniture that is comfortable for you, be guided by such a parameter of your body as the semicircumference of the hips - it should be equal to or slightly larger than the expected width of the chair.

If we talk about depth, then according to this parameter, the chairs are divided into small (less than 60 cm), medium (60-70 cm) and deep (more than 70 cm). The easiest way to calculate the depth of a computer chair that is comfortable for you is to simply sit in it. If you buy furniture on the Internet, then be guided by your own parameters - just measure the distance from the base of the kneecap to extreme point buttocks in a sitting position.

In this case, the comfortable depth of the chair is usually equal to the measurement result you received, or about 3-5 cm less. The exception is deep chairs for executives, the design of which suggests the ability to lean back and stretch your legs for a more comfortable stay.

Wheels and armrests

Most computer chairs are equipped with wheels - they provide furniture with mobility and allow you to comfortably sit at the computer. These rollers can be entirely plastic or equipped with soft rubber inserts.

Rigid plastics work great on soft and shaggy surfaces like carpet, and wheels with soft inserts are designed to move on parquet, laminate and other hard and smooth surfaces, as they do not scratch them. In any case, it is advisable to use a special mat for a computer chair, which will protect smooth surfaces from scratches, and fleecy ones from punching.

However, there are models of computer chairs without wheels - with ordinary legs or runners, if you prefer ergonomic classics.

If we talk about the armrests, then they can connect the back and seat of the chair or be independent (attached only to the seat or to the back).

Firstly, they act as an additional reinforcing structural element, so it is undesirable to disconnect them, even if such a possibility is provided by the manufacturer.

The independent armrests can be detached or folded down as needed. In many models of chairs, you can adjust the height, depth and angle of the armrests.

The material of the cross

The crosspiece to which the wheels are attached is one of the most vulnerable parts of any chair. In models of the middle and highest price category, it is made of silumin or aluminum, which significantly increases the service life.

In budget chairs, it is molded from plastic and often breaks. However, for most models, you can replace a broken cross with a new one, and such repairs are not too expensive.

Chair adjustment mechanism

The height of most chairs can be adjusted. This is done with the help of a built-in gas lift (pneumatic cartridge), the power reserve of which depends on the category of a particular model. On average, it allows you to raise the seat by 10-12 cm and fix it at the desired height.

In general, the following types of mechanisms designed to adjust the chair can be distinguished:

piastra;
spring-screw mechanism;
top gun (swing mechanism);
multiblock;
synchronous mechanism.

Piastre is simplest form a mechanism that is installed on budget models and makes it possible to press the gas lift valve and adjust the seat height.

Often such chairs are additionally equipped with a spring-screw mechanism, which is responsible for the angle and rigidity of the backrest and its height.

The top gun allows you to change the angle of the entire chair up to a reclining state, and also adds the function of a rocking chair to it.

This is a very bulky mechanism, and therefore it is usually installed only on expensive director's chairs.

The multiblock and synchronous mechanism are the most expensive and are used in ergonomic chairs.

Their advantage is in autonomous fine-tuning under individual characteristics the body of a seated person. Moreover, in most of these chairs there is a function of remembering the optimal position.

Accessories

Also, many computer chairs are equipped with additional devices - a headrest and a roller under the lower back and hips. Of course, their presence makes a particular model more expensive, but at the same time it becomes much more comfortable and better maintains an anatomically correct body position. This is important for health, as your vision depends on your position in the chair. And it will help to relieve eye strain when working at a computer.

Should I buy an orthopedic chair?

So, you have become familiar with the main characteristics of computer chairs and already have a rough idea of how to choose the right one for you. And here, perhaps, you paid attention to orthopedic computer chairs as an ideal of ergonomics and fine tuning for personal needs.

The cost of such furniture corresponds to their functionality, and if you can purchase such a chair, do it. This is especially true for those people who already have problems with the spine. If you are healthy and you just need an ordinary comfortable chair for a computer, give preference to a simpler model, because buying it will cost you much less.

A little about children's computer chairs

Also, you probably noticed that there are also children's computer chairs. How are they different from furniture for adults?

In principle, the main difference between a child seat is the absence of armrests in most models. In fact, this is an ordinary computer chair, just a little smaller and more cheerful colors. Why no armrests? Because it is assumed that the child's hands will be located on the table, and he himself will not sit at the computer for several hours in a row.

It is also noteworthy that some models of children's computer chairs have more fine tuning the angle of inclination and the rigidity of the backrest compared to similar furniture for adults. If we talk about the cost, then children's computer chairs for the most part can be attributed to the budget and average price category, with rare exceptions.

When choosing a children's computer chair, you should pay attention to the upholstery material and the gas lift stock for height adjustment. Also, please appreciate physical parameters your child, and if you buy a chair for a teenage student, then some models of furniture for adults may suit him.

Also don't forget about proper fit at the computer (you can get to know this information better in my article): take care of having a footrest if your child still cannot reach the floor with his feet. However, some orthopedic child seats differ from the representatives of the class by the presence of armrests and a built-in stand.

We summarize: how to choose a computer chair for home or office

Do you prioritize your own comfort? Choose models with increased comfort and large quantity settings to suit your needs. As an option - get an orthopedic computer chair - this is ideal if you focus on convenience and subtlety of settings.

We need not only convenient, but also stylish item interior? Pay attention to director's chairs, which combine practicality and discreet style.

Need an ergonomic design affordable price? Choose a computer chair from the budget or mid-price category with the best value for money and functionality.

Child seats are basically all the same, the difference is only in the number of additional functions, as well as the quality and durability of the upholstery and crosspiece material.

And which computer chair you would not choose - in any case, it will be better than a complete lack of comfortable furniture as such. For the rest, be guided by the description of the characteristics provided above and your own common sense!