As you plan for the start of another school year, consider the chair your child will be using at the computer. Most standard desk chairs are not designed for anyone under five feet tall. If your middle-schooler sits down in the family computer chair and his feet dangle at the lowest chair setting, you should consider investing in a smaller-scaled chair, as feet should always touch the floor. Many full-size chairs can’t adjust low enough for children or shorter adults to use comfortably, which can cause posture problems and strain on arms, legs or backs. “The most important thing in a chair is adjustability,” says Karen Jacobs, an occupational therapist and clinical professor in occupational therapy at Boston University. “It would be nice to get a chair that is completely adjustable for all family members,” Jacobs says. But that isn’t always possible. She recommends that there be an inch or two of space between the end of the chair and the back of the knee: Make sure your child can bend his knee.
The angle of the back of the chair should open to 90 degrees or more. “You should sit so the back of the chair is on your back, because you need that extra support,” says Jacobs, co-creator of Stretch Break for Kids a free download for computers that periodically pops up to remind children to take a break from technology by doing a series of simple stretches or making ergonomic adjustments to their workstations. At Bizchair, which specializes in office furniture, there are about 100 different styles and colors of kid-size chairs. Bizchair’s president, Sean Belnick, says the smaller chairs are meant for shorter people who weigh under 200 pounds. Some models adjust to 16 inches off the ground, while a standard chair might be 18 to 20 inches from the floor. If you don’t want to invest in a second chair, you can compromise by getting a footrest, Jacobs says. A popular style for children is a footrest that has a plate that kids can put their feet on and move back and forth, encouraging circulation and stretching.
Everyone knows that sitting for hours in the office is bad for the back, but we rarely do anything about it. Backcare Awareness Week, which runs from 6 to 12 October, is a good time to change your usual office chair for one that offers better ergonomic support. But there are a lot to choose from, so to help you out, here’s our pick. 1. Humanscale Freedom Office Chair, £999, John Lewis With a backrest that automatically adapts to your body shape and headrest that moves according to how far you recline, the Humanscale Freedom Office Chair offers the latest in ergonomic technology. Plus, the snug cushions mould to the shape of your body. At nearly a thousand pounds, it’s a lot to cough up for a chair, but worthwhile if you want one of the best on the market. 2. Herman Miller Aeron Office Chair, £925, John Lewis If you are a design buff, this is the one for you. The Museum of Modern Art in New York has an Aeron in its permanent collection, so its design credentials are well established.
But this chair is not just pretty to look at – its cushions are made from Pellicle, a high tech material which avoids heat build-ups, helping prevent muscular discomfort. 3. Comfort Operator Chair, £49, Office Furniture Online It’s not a thing of beauty, but the Comfort Operator Chair is good value for its specification. The three levers allow you to vary the height of the chair and tilt the back rest and seat. Also, the curved foam provides good ergonomic support. This is the reliable Volkswagen – rather than the flashy Ferrari – of the office chair world. Available with or without arms. 4. HÅG Capisco Saddle Chair, £291, Wellworking If you find yourself fidgeting in your usual seat, try the Saddle Chair. The unique design, modelled on a horse rider’s saddle, allows you to sit equally comfortably whether facing forward or turned to the side. Free movement does not have to cost the planet though – this product is made from recycled car bumpers. 5. Classic Balance Ball Chair, £80, amazon
You are sure to be greeted with a few raised eyebrows when you bring this into the office, but bemusement could soon turn into envy. Not only is the Classic Balance Ball Chair comfortable, but the act of balancing on it also gives you a powerful core-strengthening workout. 6. Herman Miller Sayl Office Chair, £383, Wellworking Effective spine and neck support needn’t result in a sweaty back. Inspired by the design principles of suspension bridges and modelled on a ship’s sail, the webbed chair back allows good air circulation, keeping you cool. Comes in four colours. 7. Markus Swivel Chair, £130, Ikea This is one of the cheapest executive style office chairs on the market. Offering easy height adjustment and a lockable tilt function – plus a headrest for good neck support – you get all the basics for a reasonable price. Also, this product comes with a 10 year guarantee, so it won’t risk your hard earned cash. 8. Back App Ergonomic Stool, £556, Back2
When you sit on the Back App your feet are placed on the footboard rather than the floor. This allows the chair to rotate around as you move, allowing a greater freedom of movement than that offered by conventional office chairs. At first this can make your lower back feel tired, but after a week or so this should go away. For wacky style with green credentials, go for the HÅG Capisco Saddle Chair. If you are on more of a budget, the Comfort Operator or the Markus Swivel Chairs are your best bet. Office chair technophiles with money to spend should consider the Humanscale Freedom. But for sheer workmanship and iconic design, the Aeron is my top pick. IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing chat for bulk discountThe Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like.
Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase. Spending long hours in front of a computer can leave you fatigued, your back hurting, and your body sweating, if you are sitting in the wrong chair. Do yourself a favor and check out these five durable and comfortable options and choose one of our best desk chair picks to replace whatever is currently at your desk. Best for your budget This AmazonBasics office chair compared favorably to many more expensive, ergonomic chairs in Top Ten Best Pro's testing. It has an easy seat height adjustment and simple modern style, along with a comfortable padded seat and mesh back for breathability. This chair has a maximum weight capacity of 225 pounds and rolls on double wheel casters for smoothness and durability; it also allows easy tilting for that long stretch, but keeps you firmly upright and comfortable, if that's what you prefer.Pros: Low cost for a good quality chair, great back support and encourages good posture, breathabilityCons: Assembly required, armrests are not adjustableAmazonBasics Mid-Back Mesh Chair, $54.99, available at Amazon.
Best for comfort under $200 For modern style and surprising comfort, the Euro Style Flat Bungie Mid Back chair is hard to beat, according to the review and rating at A Great Office. Crafted of high-quality materials to last for years, this chair is available in many color options. Designed for comfort with maximum adjustability, the seat can also easily be moved to your perfect height. The chair rolls smoothly on heavy-duty caster wheels that won't mar wood floors, and it swivels and tilts as well. It supports up to 450 pounds comfortably.Pros: Extremely comfortable and supports backs well, well-made and durable, natural ventilation means less sweatingCons: Arms are too high for some desks, bands have a strong odor at firstEurø Style Flat Bungie Mid Back, $180.99, available at Wayfair. Best for gamers and long days at the office Originally designed for the long-term commitment of gamers, Gamer Pros touts the DXRacer Formula Series chairs as perfect for gamers or professionals, because they are ultra-comfortable.
Advertised as bucket seat office chairs/gaming chairs/ergonomic computer chairs, they fit all of those bills nicely. These chairs feature high backs, adjustable armrests and even lumbar pillows to soothe your head and neck after long periods in the chair. There is a 360-degree swivel and its rolls smoothly on dual caster wheels. Plus, you can't beat its coolness factor.Pros: High back and support for neck and head, lifetime frame warranty, lumbar cushionsCons: Not as comfortable for large or tall people, seat is shorter than other chairs reviewedDXRacer Formula Series, $349, available at Amazon. Best for eco-friendliness and a unique design Herman Miller calls this its "life unframed" chair. Sophisticated and totally modern, with good ergonomics that promise comfort and seated freedom, it is pricey, but CNN Money calls it savvy spending. It incorporates open meshing on the back for breathability and great back support, and a padded seat for comfort, even while sitting all day.
An eco-friendly option, it uses fewer materials and packaging is half the size of standard office chair cartons. The SAYL rolls smoothly on its casters and will stand up to years of almost constant use. It's available in a range of colors.Pros: Comfortable seating positions and adjustability, ideal for people who sit all day, sleek, modern lookCons: Webbing sometimes grabs buttons, can be squeaky after some time, no adjustable armrests, priceySAYL Chair by Herman Miller, $499, available at Amazon. If money is no object, the Steelcase Leap Chair is an option for your short list. This chair is one of the best-selling chairs in the US, for a number of reasons: It is comfortable for long stretches, with ample support in both the seat and back. It even includes what Steelcase calls LiveBack, which shapes to your spine and supports your movements; according to a Tech Report review, it is comfortable and corrects your posture. Arms and height are adjustable for the right fit and it rolls and pivots smoothly.