Idea Network - February/March 2005

Buying Guide: Office Chairs

Take a Seat: How to Shop for a Chair

If you're like many people, you splurged on the wrong piece of furniture for your office.

"Typically, people tend to shop for a really special desk, then go cheap on the chair," says April Vance, ergonomics expert and owner of a Relax the Back (www.relaxtheback.com) franchise in Nashville, Tenn. "Reverse this thinking and get a special chair. This is where you make your living. The chair is just as much of an investment as your computer."

Next time you're shopping for a chair, make sure the chair you're interested in has the following characteristics:

Size: The right chair for your body will allow you to sit comfortably for longer periods of time, says Vance. "The back should come up to at least the middle of your shoulder blades for adequate upper back support, but top of the shoulder blades is better," she recommends. Also, for the most comfortable fit, the seat should be long enough so that the edge of the chair comes about two or three finger lengths from the bend of your knee.

Adjustments: A good chair has at least five adjustments, says Vance, while a great chair has anywhere from nine to 14 adjustments. Key adjustments you should look for include lumbar support, arm width and height, seat back width and height, seat and back angle, and tension control.

Cushion: You can't get comfort without a good cushion. Look for chairs that have cushions made of memory foam, which conforms to your body's exact shape and weight. If you're not in the market for a new chair, consider investing in some new cushions. Cheap cushions bottom out in about a year, says Vance. "A new cushion in an older chair can buy you some more time."

Allsteel Sum
Who will love it: Gadget gurus
Need a chair with a brain? Look no further. The intuitive functionality of this chair makes many standard chair adjustments obsolete. With Allsteel's advanced technology, when you make a move, the chair reacts automatically to provide support where it's needed, never requiring a manual adjustment.
Price: $800
Buying info: http://www.allsteeloffice.com/sum

Ikea Joakim Swivel Chair
Who will love it: Penny-pinchers
Sleek, comfortable and well within your budget, this chair sports just enough adjustments to conjure up comfort. Plus, lean against the backrest and the seat slides forward, offering support for your thighs and legs.
Price: $149
Buying info: http://www.ikea-usa.com

Neutral Posture 8000 Series
Who will love it: Ergo enthusiasts
Whether you're short or tall, this chair promises to fit you well. With 10 adjustments and memory foam for your back and seat, you can make this chair completely ergonomically sound, comfortable and uniquely yours.
Price: $1,300 and up
Buying info: http://www.neutralposture.com

Steelcase Think
Who will love it: Tree-huggers
Created with environment-friendly materials, not only is this chair good for your back, it's also good for Mother Earth. The Think Chair is 99 percent recyclable and can be disassembled easily for recycling in about five minutes.
Price: $560
Buying info: http://www.steelcase.com

*All prices based on MSRP.