Do you really need an adjustable height chair? We think so.
As a busy entrepreneur, you’re probably spending more than 8 hours a day sitting staring at a screen. And so you can personally attest to the fact that sitting for long stretches doesn’t do your back any favors.
And along with knowing and implementing some really great productivity hacks, an adjustable height chair is a must have for every entrepreneur.
Sitting for extended periods has been called ‘the new smoking’. Although it’s not quite as dramatic as that. Research published in the American Journal of Public Health shows sitting for more than 8 hours a day increases your risk of premature death and some chronic diseases by as much as 10% to 20%.
We’ve Got Your Back
Suddenly having to work from home during the pandemic, lead to many leassons. I know I learned that while a kitchen bar stool may look uber stylish, it’s fine for grabbing a quick breakfast. But it becomes an instrument of torture if you’re forced to sit in one for 8 hours. And, sitting with your shoulders hunched up around your ears, is it any wonder you find your back, neck and shoulders aching from the strain?
One thing you’re probably not aware of is just how much damage you’re inflicting on your back, when you’re slogging away at your computer for so many hours. And just how debilitating that back pain can be.
The culprit, in so many cases, is the chair you’re sitting in. And more specifically, the height of the chair you’re sitting in.
Adjustable height chairs are a really great way to avoid back pain.
What is an Adjustable Height Chair?
This is pretty self-explanatory, an adjustable height chair is a type of office chair that allows the user to adjust the chair’s height to ensure comfort. Because we come in different heights, shapes and sizes, what feels comfortable and natural to me may feel utterly intolerable to you.
And of course, a comfortable office chair is definitely a priority.
Chiropractors Advise to Maintain A Neutral Posture
Adjustable height chairs are a great way to avoid back pain. Chiropractors advise that you should try creating a 90 degree angle with your knees bent, and your feet flat on the floor. Because your hips, shoulders and ears should line up. This allows you to maintain a comfortable, neutral posture and won’t create tension in your lower back, neck or shoulders.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Adjustable Height Chair.
There is a huge supply of ergonomic office chairs to choose from, in different price ranges and it basically comes down to personal choice. Ultimately you’re the one who needs to be happy with it.
There are a few factors to consider when choosing an adjustable height chair for your office.
The primary factor you should consider is one that will allow you to comfortably maintain a healthy and natural posture while you work.
There are different parts of an adjustable height chair that can be adjusted according to your body and preference. These include:
- Chair height
- Depth of the chair
- Armrests
- The angle of the backrest
The chair’s weight capacity is also an important factor to consider and needs to be able to adequately support your weight. And you also need to ensure the chair provides adequate lumbar support.
If you’re a lot shorter or taller than average, you need to pay special attention to the seat height and depth.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our top two choices when it comes to the best ergonomic office chairs.
The Dot Com Throne
Herman Miller’s beloved Aeron Chair was originally released in 1994 and it quickly became synonymous with the dot com boom – and a must have to every Silicon Valley techpreneur.
So iconic that it was added to MoMA‘s permanent collection.
Designers Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick noticed how office workers were interacting with their chairs and keyboards. From having their keyboards in their laps in a semi-reclining position, to hunching over their desks. This lead to an intuitive user friendly design featuring its iconic molded plastic and mesh design.
The Rerelease of The Herman Miller Aeron Chair
The Herman Miller Aeron Chair was rereleased in 2016 with upgrades including a new leaf spring which is made of strips of glass-reinforced polystyrene resin, to enable the chair to bend more responsively.
This ensures when someone leans back the tilt function is instantaneous and its always in contact with your back. The chair also features better tensile strength and a more nuanced posture support. And its now manufactured with ocean-bound plastic in order to make it more sustainable. Good for your body and good for the ocean.
The Backstrong C1 Adjustable Height Chair
We’re also enamored with the offering from All33.com
Conceptualized by renowned chiropractor Dr. Dennis Colonell, the Backstrong C1 ergonomic chair was designed to allow the human body to move like it does when standing.
With all 33 vertebrae moving. Like a swing, the Sit In Motion® technology relieves crucial pressure points while providing lumbar support
This adjustable height chair was designed to enhance a user’s sense of well-being, by improving posture and reducing pain. This chair comes in fabric or vegan leather options and is favored by celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Tom Hanks, Justin Bieber and John Cleese.
What are The Benefits of Using An Adjustable Height Chair?
Prices of adjustable height chairs vary considerably from anywhere between $150 to more than $1500. It is possible though to find a great chair, with ergonomic benefits, in your price range.
Benefits include:
- Improved Posture
- Reduced Back Pain
- Increase in Productivity
- Blood Circulation improves
- Better comfort
- A reduction in Hip Pressure
The Takeaway
As entrepreneurs, particularly if you’re working from home, we sometimes become so task oriented that we fail to consider our personal needs. This may include neglecting our nutritional needs and subsisting on late nite takeouts. Or trying to work in bed with your laptop balanced on your knees.
It may work for a while, but it’s not sustainable. And it will harm your health in the long term.
The takeaway here is to do more of the things that are good for us. Like drinking more water. Getting enough sleep. Investing in a great adjustable height chair that supports a healthy posture. Engaging a virtual secretary service to assist with routine tasks and free up your time. And of course, to slowly phase out the things that aren’t doing us any favors.
Book a discovery call with us and discover how we can save you hours each day – and some time off will greatly add to your sense of well-being.
