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At Modul, We're More Than Just Chairs!
We are here to help you choose the most suitable, healthy, and right chair for you.
How to Choose Office Chairs for Optimal Work
What is the most important part of your workstation?
Your office workstation should allow you to sit and perform your tasks comfortably while making minimal movements. There are three points of contact in the workspace that affect posture and proper working position: the chair, the work surface, and the floor. To ensure a correct and comfortable posture, you can adjust two out of the three. Purchasing an adjustable desk might be too expensive and impractical, so the remaining option is to purchase an adjustable chair.
What Should Be Considered When Choosing an Office Chair?
The basic rule is that there is no average person, but at the same time, it is not possible to design and manufacture a chair for each individual. The only solution is to provide the employee with a highly adjustable chair. Such a chair meets the needs of 90% of the population.
Choose a chair with the following features:
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A seat that can tilt and adjust in height.
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A seat that does not put pressure on the back of the thighs and knees.
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A seat with a front edge that slopes downward.
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Breathable and non-slip padding.
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A backrest designed to support the lower back.
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A five-arm chair base.
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Wheels suitable for the type of floor.
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A swivel mechanism.
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Adjustable armrests for height and width.
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Armrests that do not interfere with the chair's free movement at the workstation.
Armrests: Yes or No?
It is generally recommended not to purchase armrests because they prevent the user from getting as close as possible to the desk. However, nowadays, armrests that do not exceed 25 cm from the backrest are available. Employees using chairs with these armrests can get much closer to the desk. Armrests allow the user to rest their arms, reducing some of the pressure and load from the shoulders and neck.
How to Adjust the Chair to Your Height
Stand in front of the chair and adjust the height so that the highest point of the seat is just below your kneecap.
Sit on the chair and ensure your feet are flat on the floor. Make sure the gap between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees is no more than the size of a fist.
Tilt the backrest forward and backward, and up and down, to fit the curve of your lower back.
Sit upright with your arms free at your sides. Bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle and adjust the armrest height so that they just touch your elbows. If the armrests cannot be adjusted this way, remove them.
Different tasks require different setups and equipment, but an adjustable chair remains the heart of the workstation.
What Adjustments Are Needed When the Workstation (Desk) Height Is Fixed?
After adjusting the chair to your height, check if you can sit at the desk with your legs crossed. If you cannot sit this way or move freely, the desk is too low and should not be used regularly. If you sit comfortably but need to raise your arms to rest them on the desk, the desk is too high. Adjust the chair height so that your arms are level with the desk surface. If you cannot place your feet flat on the floor, use a footrest. Ensure your feet are flat and fully touching the footrest.