Sizing Up the Right Petite Chair for Smaller Users Just as with those individuals who are taller or heavier than the average body, petite people have a difficult time finding a chair that fits properly. Most chairs, even when adjustable, are designed to fit the 5th – 95th percentile. A 5’2″ female is technically right at the 5th percentile, but will still find that most chairs are really not scaled properly. An improperly sized chair can present genuine health risks. A seat that is too deep can create circulatory problems for the lower legs. A properly fitting seat has two to four fingers’ width of space between the front of the seat edge and the back of the knee. Too high a seat can also cut off circulation to the lower extremities; however if seat height is the only fit problem, a foot rest is a quick and inexpensive fix. Many chairs have a seated height that starts anywhere from 16″ to 19″ or more. Given that the correct seated height for a 5’ tall person is 14″ and only 15.5″ at 5’4″, too high a seat is a common problem.
Arms that are too far apart limit support for the shoulders and arms. Proper support of the arms is part of the solution to prevent hand, arm, thoracic, and neck problems, so improperly placed chairs arms can rule out an otherwise great chair. In addition to these fit issues, the lumbar may hit in the wrong place and the headrest miss the head if the chair back cannot be adjusted to fit the smaller person. Note to heavier people: a heavier, short person might not need as shallow or narrow a seat as their hips will require a larger space to fit comfortably and may be perfectly suited for a standard sized chair, provided it is equipped with a shorter cylinder to offer a lower seated height range. Great chair options for petite ladies Three chairs we’ve found that fit an amazing range of bodies are the Steelcase Amia chair, Steelcase Leap chair, and the Steelcase Think chair. In addition to having a generous seat depth range, these seats are narrower than many, and the standard arms can be slid inward, close to the body.
These chairs are especially well suited for corporate environments where one chair may have to fit many users over its lifetime. Neutral Posture, Bodybilt, Ergocentric and Via all offer chairs with the option of a small or even extra small seat. Seating Inc. has several models that offer a petite version that is scaled to fit a smaller body. Thus it is possible to offer an entire office a uniform appearance while fitting different body sizes. All of these companies offer arm options as well, that at a minimum are width adjustable. Some models have arms that will pivot inward or offer a double pivot, allowing the user to bring them closer to the body. Some of our favorites In addition to the Steelcase chairs named above, The Ergocentric GeoCentric chair is comfortable, well built and an excellent value. The Neutral Posture XSM Petite chair is designed for the ultra-petite, under 5’ tall person and can work well even for an extremely petite person – as short as three feet tall.
I’m 5’1″ and bought a Neutral Posture NPS8500 chair for my personal use (without the headrest) and absolutely love it. A great home office chair at a budget price is the ErgoCentric Saffron Apt chair, which starts just above the $200 mark. The Bodybilt J2406 chair or Bodybilt J3406 chair are the ultimate in comfort and are highly customizable, making them the best choice for those with serious pain issues. All of these can be customized into a drafting stool with height adjustable foot rings for leg support to accommodate a taller desk or a sit to stand workstation. In summary, just as with any other body size, getting a chair that fits the body correctly is the key factor to all day comfort and injury prevention. While it is more challenging for the petite person to find a good chair, there are excellent options out there. Ergonomic Chairs for Petite People Your Complete Guide to Ergonomic ChairsFrom hard-backed task chairs, to gaming chairs, to executive chairs and ergonomic ones, shop a wide selection of seating to complete your home office.
Find the right office or ergonomic chair to fit your home office, choosing from a wide selection at Best Buy to suit various needs. From high-backed, cushioned leather executive chairs, to task chairs for your guests, and ones that provide additional lumbar support for your extra-long work days, there’s something for everyone. Opt for a larger, upholstered executive chair for a professional-looking home office, a simple task chair, or find a good middle ground with a mesh chair that adds the advantage of better air circulation. If you have back problems or tend to be seated for long periods of time, there are ergonomic chairs that can help improve posture, offer additional lumbar support, and can tilt and/or have adjustable arms. Grab a few guest chairs so clients have somewhere to sit when they visit for short meetings, too.Consider features like material, swivel capability, and a footrest. If you have young kids at home, you might also want to consider a material that is easy to clean in the event of an accidental spill.
Most office chairs also have adjustable heights and backs to help ensure your feet are resting flat on the ground, thus reducing strain. There are a number of questions you need to ask before purchasing the right office chair. How much room do you have in the office? Do you tend to get an achy back, or are you prone to carpal tunnel syndrome? If so, ergonomic features will be important. Do you work for long periods of time at your desk, or do you often move around?How important are features like the ability for the chair to swivel or tilt? If you like to sit back while going over documents, you’ll appreciate tiltability. And if you’re often moving around, looking at multiple screens, turning to access a printer, shredder, or other device, a chair that can swivel would come in handy. Lastly, if you want a unique look and feel, consider choosing a gaming chair: it’s built for comfort and mobility, making it ideal for office duties.Make sure to measure a chair before choosing to ensure it fits nicely with your desk, and try out the chair for comfort and adjustability.