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 testingErgonomic chairs are an ideal investment for any company or individual - as well as helping to reduce back pain they can improve well-being and productivity.
The key is balance and movement. The human body isn't designed for sitting down, and while we are specialists in supplying the very things that help you sit down, we make sure the chairs we do sell are designed to keep your body supported and active! If you are searching on Google for an ergonomic chair, posture chair, kneeling chair etc, you will inevitably be bamboozled by the number of different chairs on offer. At Shape we don't expect you to be able to find the solution at your fingertips - and whilst we have designed our site to help guide you through to a few options using our new filter system, we would love to hear from you so that we can discuss your individual requirements and help you make the right choice for you. Whatever your choice, our posture chairs are designed to fit you. If you can't find what you are looking for, please do let us know and we will do all we can to assist you in your search. Our specialist ergonomic office chairs are designed for those in need of more tailored support....
All our ergonomic office chairs are designed for movement! Active sitting is the key to creating... Our Bariatric Chairs are designed to offer full ergonomic support for the larger user, up to 42... Our Guide to Mesh Office Chairs Mesh office chairs can offer both a softness and breath-ability... Our Guide to Control Room Chairs Control room chairs need to be comfortable. This is why we... Our Guide to Ergonomic Kneeling Chairs Shape were the first company in the UK to start... Our Guide to Industrial and Medical Seating Industrial doesn't have to mean 'basic'. If you are considering purchasing one of our custom made chairs we would like to take the time... Our Guide to Saddle Stools and Sit-Stand Stools Sitting on a saddle chair, or sit-stand perching... What is the best chair for my back pain? Try Before You Buy Based in the beautiful Peak District town of Bakewell Click here for directions Good posture is not just about information awareness.
It's about having a good ergonomic chair - Why order an ergonomic chair? The human body evolved over tens of thousands of years, allowing us to become hunter-gatherers and farmers, with our bodies constantly on the move in a variety of tasks. Over the last 30 - 50 years we have tried to make these active, dynamic bodies sit still for longer and longer periods each day - and they do not like it. Today many people experience pain and discomfort at work. Whilst these difficulties can be attributed to a culmination of many factors, e.g. incorrect desk, poor mouse posture, stress etc., one of the greatest contributors is poor seated posture. Good ergonomic seating can reduce the risk of stress and injury to muscles and joints, encouraging movement, variety and flexibility. Ergonomic chair range from Posturite We supply a wide range of ergonomic chairs with specialist features to ensure your health & safety seating needs are properly met. Most of our chairs can be found in the Ergonomic Office Chair category, but you can find ergonomic seating solutions for a range of other specific contexts.