Sitbetter Blog

Classic Knee Chair

Think back to when you got your first desk job. What were you sitting in while you were working? Most likely, your response is an office chair, and this is probably true for about 99% of the United States population. Think of what you are currently sitting in now at your work. My guess is your answer has not changed and you are still sitting in a standard office chair. The same probably holds true for your home office as well. While most of us are still sitting in a traditional office chair, a few have begun to make the switch to kneeling chairs, a revolutionary way of sitting that is making its way into more homes and offices all across the country.

Many are unfamiliar with how to use a kneeling chair and how it can be beneficial to your health. Kneeling chairs were designed upon the ergonomic concept that “a strong back is a healthy back.” While only recently have kneeling chairs become more recognized in the business world, they were actually first designed in Northern Europe during the 1970′s and are recommended by health professionals around the world. By promoting good posture, these  chairs strengthen the lower back muscles helping proper spinal alignment while keeping your back positioned correctly. Kneeling chairs are an alternative form of sitting, that can be used interchangeably with your current office chair if you are looking to give your back some relief. When sitting in a kneeling chair, you will find that you are essentially forced to sit with correct posture and will notice when you begin to slump or hunch over, a bad habit that is easy to miss in a typical office chair.

The first time you use a kneeling chair it may feel uncomfortable and awkward which is only natural after years of sitting in a conventional office chair. Your body will need time to adapt to its new seating experience because your muscles and bones will be accustomed to sitting in one particular position. With this being said, it is perfectly normal to feel awkward when first trying out your kneeling chair and you may even experience some stiffness. It is recommended to start off using your new kneeling chair for thirty minutes the first day, then work your way up in increments of 30 minutes each day the first few weeks until you can comfortably sit in it for eight hours a day. Once you get used to the seating position of a kneeling chair and the many benefits it offers to you, it will become effortless and seem completely natural.

There are various kneeling chair models out there, some come with back rests while others allow for a rocking motion, but all encourage sitting with an open posture. In a conventional office chair you are typically sitting at a 90° or less, however an ergonomic kneeling chair encourages you to sit at a 110° angle. The benefit of sitting in an open angled position is this allows your back to readily form to your natural curvature and relieve compression of your spine and its discs as well as tension in your lower back and leg muscles. Another benefit of adopting the kneeling seating position is that it allows your diaphragm to move efficiently and promote better breathing and blood circulation

It is important not to let the name kneeling chair fool you. You do not want to have most of your pressure on your knees and shins as this will only lead to health problems and soreness. Your bottom should be carrying most of the weight, as it would on an office chair; the knee pads are only there for support for your shins. It is best to begin by sitting on your kneeling chair’s seat pad, followed by sliding your knees into the knee pads forming a kneeling position. It is a good idea to keep your original office chair to begin with when first getting a knee chair to alternate between the two as you get used to your new seating experience. Some people like to continue alternating between the two even after awhile, which is completely normal. Ultimately, it is up to the individual whether they believe a kneeling chair would work for them, but it can not hurt to try especially if you are looking for a way to relieve some back pain or you just want to try a different way of sitting.

If you are interested in kneeling chairs, visit SitBetter.com for all the latest and most ergonomic kneeling chair options.

Think back to that never ending meeting you had to sit through on Monday in your conference room, you know the one where you almost fell asleep five times? While falling asleep is typically not acceptable during meetings, neither should having to fidget around trying to get comfortable in the cheap budget conference chairs that were purchased for your meeting room. Almost every business, no matter the size, has some sort of conference room or a place where meetings take place. All conference rooms require two essentials, a table to meet at and office chairs to sit in. While in most cases, the chairs will only be used for a few hours at a time, you still will want to be sitting in chairs that are going to be supportive and comfortable during those few hours. If anything, you at least want your guests or clients to feel comfortable through the duration of your meetings. With so many different choices for conference chairs out there, it may seem difficult to even know where to begin looking, which is why it is important to keep several things in mind during your search.

1. 

   Value Oriented Conference Chair

   How often will these chairs be used?  The first step in finding new conference chairs is to determine how often yourself and others will be sitting in the chairs. If your employees and guests will only be sitting in the chairs for an hour or two at a time a few days a week you will probably be ok purchasing budget conference seating. These chairs are meant for sitting in only a few hours at a time, have a somewhat sturdy design, generally traditionally styled, and very wallet friendly. Although they are budget friendly, you still want to make sure they have built in lumbar support or at the very least, a contoured back to keep you comfortable even if you are only sitting for a few hours at a time. On the other hand, if you hold meetings regularly or have clients come in frequently you will want to opt for higher end conference chairs. Your conference chairs should be similar to your task chair you use at your desk, in that they will be fully adjustable to the person who is using the chair and keep them sitting comfortably through long meetings.

2. 

   Mahogany Finish Conference Chair

   What does your pre-existing office furniture look like? If you are replacing your current conference chairs for a new set, it is important to determine the style of your pre-existing office furniture. Say you already have mahogany wood desks, mahogany wood reception chairs, and a mahogany conference table, you will probably want to stick with a mahogany theme and find a conference chair with a mahogany wood frame. If your office has a modern flare to it, stick with modern styled conference chairs, which can be easily found on just about any office furniture website. Some offices tend to stick to traditionally styled furniture to maintain a professional appearance. Traditional styled conference chairs are perhaps the easiest to find, and there are many different variations of them out there.

3. 

   Conference Chair Weight Rated up to 350 Lbs.

   Who will be sitting in these chairs? It is important to consider who will be sitting in your conference chairs in order to determine the type of conference seating needed. Keep in mind, whether it is your employees or your guests that will be using the chairs, that everyone comes in different shapes in sizes and not all conference chairs are designed to fit everyone. If only your employees will be using the chairs and most are generally the same height or size, it is probably safe to order just about any conference chair (taking the aforementioned into consideration). If you have petite sized or big and tall employees, it is important to take their needs into consideration when making your purchase. You will want to take the maximum weight capacity the chair can hold into consideration as well as the depth dimensions of the seat to ensure all employees and guests will be able to use the chairs.

4. 

   Mesh Back Conference Chair

   What kind of upholstery should you get? Another factor that needs to be taken into account when purchasing conference chairs is the upholstery of the chair. This is more of a personal preference as some people prefer different upholsteries over others, but also keep in mind you are purchasing these chairs for multiple people. Take a poll around the office to find out which kind of upholstery people prefer. There are many different upholstery options out there from leather to fabric to mesh to a combination of two. Many prefer the traditional leather upholstery for their conference chairs as it gives the impression of class and prestige. Some people that work in states where the temperatures get pretty high may opt for mesh chairs to keep them cool all throughout the year. If you will be using your conference chairs often, make sure to get a high grade fabric or leather to ensure that the seat and back will not wear over time. Chairs that are used consistently and are upholstered with low grade fabric or leather tend to wear quicker.

Still need help finding conference chairs? Call us toll free at 1-866-311-9421 to have one of our knowledgeable chair experts help you or visit our website for all your conferencing needs by clicking here.

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Chair with a 33"H Back Height

When it comes to office chairs, there is no one size fits all solution. The right chair choice for an individual depends on a variety of factors such as height, weight, pre-existing pains or ailments, level of support needed, the height of the desk the chair will be fitting under, and more. As made evident, it can get somewhat difficult figuring out which chair will be the right fit for you, especially if you are on the taller side. If an individual is over six feet tall, even executive high back chairs may not provide the necessary back support which may lead to upper back neck and neck pain. There is also the seat depth that is an area for concern for taller individuals. If the seat is not long enough to fit the users thighs, this will not allow for correct sitting posture and will put more pressure on the knees and thighs. In order to avoid unnecessary pain and better yet, an unnecessary purchase, it is important if you are taller to determine which kind of office chair is going to work best for you. The term used to describe chairs for taller individuals is simply known in the office furniture industry as “tall office chairs”, and it is a good place to start especially if your search will be taking place online.

30.5"H Back Rest

When you first embark on your search for a tall office chair, the first thing you will want to look for is the chair’s back dimensions. If you are looking for a tall office chair online, this can typically be found in the product information section or product specs area. All chair manufacturers take the time to take specific measurements of their chairs before they are released to the public in order to avoid returns being made because a chair did not fit a person properly. If the information is not readily available on the website you are looking at, call to inquire and the sales representative should be able to look up the information. Start by looking at high back or executive office chairs because typically these chairs’ back heights are higher than managers chairs or task chairs. You will want a chair that will provide complete upper back support in order to avoid shoulder or neck pain. Have a friend use a tape measurer to measure your back from the top of your shoulders down to where you would be seated on the office chair. After you have that measurement, look for the back height on the chair of your choice and see if it goes a few inches above your back height. If the back of the chair is shorter than your back height, the chair may not provide the support you will need.

Tall Chair with Seat Slider

After you determine the ideal height for the backrest of your chair, your next concern is making sure your thighs will fit properly on the seat. The average seat depth on any given office chair is typically about 19 inches deep, however, if you are taller most likely this means you have longer legs. Longer legs requires a longer seat to ensure that your thighs will fit properly across the entire length of the seat without a lot of extra room between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat. Some high end chair manufacturers such as ErgoCentric Seating have a special upgrade option that allows the user to choose a longer seat of 21 inches deep. Another great way to solve the problem of having a seat that is too short is to look for chairs that have a seat slider option. A seat slider allows the user to adjust the depth of the chair by pulling up on a lever generally located underneath the front of the seat. When this lever is pulled up, you can then bring the chair forward or back to make the seat either longer or shorter depending on your needs.

Extra High Back and Higher Cylinder Option

The last step to ensure that your tall office chair will be the right choice for you is to determine the height of the cylinder on the chair. The cylinder is simply the device that allows your seat to move up and down. If a cylinder does not allow your seat height to go up high enough you may find yourself sitting at an awkward and uncomfortable angle. Ideally, you would want to sit with your feet firmly planted on the floor with your knees bent at a ninety degree angle. If your current chair you sit in now is at the proper height, measure the length of your leg from your knees to the floor. This will give you a good indication of how high your chairs’ seat should go up to. If you simply can not find a chair with a seat range that does not fall within your height requirements, try opting to look at drafting chair options, as their cylinders are taller for extended height seating. Be wary of the height of your desk if you go for this option, because some drafting chairs will not fit under standard height desks. You may also want to look for chairs that come with different cylinder height options, again, some higher end manufacturers will carry this an upgraded option.

Although it may seem like there is no way that any chair could possibly fit all this criteria, fear not, because many manufacturers specifically design their chairs to meet the needs of taller individuals. Chairs designed for taller users will most likely have all three of the aforementioned features built into the design of the chair, rather than having to search for hours to find a chair that will possess all three. At Sitbetter.com, we are always ready to help our taller customers and have pre-selected chair options ready for you on hand. Just call our toll free number at 1-866-311-9421 or e-mail customerservice@sitbetter.com to have one of our helpful customer service representatives assist you.

Mahogany Finish Desk Chair

There are a large variety of desk chairs out there in all different colors, sizes, upholstery options, and adjustments; but how do you know which one will work best for your office space? A good desk chair, whether it is for your desk at your work office or home office, will provide you with enough support to keep you comfortable throughout your sitting duration. With good support comes less back, neck, and muscle pain that can occur from poorly designed office chairs. While some desk chairs are specifically designed to eliminate pre-existing health issues such as lower back pain, other desk chairs are made to match other office furniture. For example if you have a desk in a mahogany finish, some may want to find a wooden desk chair with a mahogany finished frame to match their desk. Whether you spend much of your day sitting in your desk chair or if your desk chair is more for show, there are certain guidelines that should be followed when choosing a desk chair.

Ergonomic Task Chair

First and foremost, you will need to determine the type of desk chair you need. There are numerous desk chairs out there ranging from high back, ergonomic, mid back, wood, and more; making it important for you to know how much time you will be spending in your desk chair. If you will be spending the majority of the day sitting in your office chair, a high back desk chair might be a good choice for you since higher backrests support the spine which in turn reduces neck and upper back strain. If you have pre-existing health problems such as lower back pain, it might be best for you to choose an ergonomic desk chair that will allow you to make the necessary adjustments to meet your needs. If you do not spend most of your day sitting in your desk chair and do not experience pain from standard task chairs, a mid back chair would suite you just fine. If your desk chair is really more for show and you will be spending minimal time sitting in it, perhaps look for a wooden desk chair to match your furniture in your office or try looking for a modern chair. There are many modern office chairs that look great and fit in nicely to almost any office space, however, be aware that most modern chairs lack the support some people need.

Chair with Stationary Glides

Once you have determined the type of desk chair you need, you will then want to look at the features you will want included in your chair, including the option of casters or glides. Most desk chairs come standard with rolling casters which allow you to move quickly and efficiently from one spot to another. Desk chairs that have glides are stationary, meaning they do not move unless you pick the chair up yourself. A desk chair with glides would be ideal for extended height applications where your work station is higher than a typical desk and you need a steady chair to work on your projects. Many architects, artists, painters, and lab personnel opt for this style of seating as their work requires them to sit still. Some desk chairs also come with the option of having pressure breaking casters, which lock to prevent movement while you work whenever pressure is exerted on the wheels.

Big and Tall Desk Chair

Another important option that must be taken into account when choosing a desk chair is making sure to select a chair that will fit properly underneath your desk. This will require knowing the dimensions of the chair you are interested in which is typically displayed under the product descriptions on most office chair retailer’s websites. You should also know the height of your desk and how much clearance is needed for you to be sitting comfortably underneath your desk. You should be able to sit comfortably with your feet firmly planted on the floor with knees bent at a 90 degree angle. If you need an extended height desk chair, choose a desk chair that has a foot ring. If you are of shorter stature, search for a petite chair that will allow you to have your feet firmly planted on the floor otherwise you may find that you are not able to place your feet on the floor. The same goes for taller users; be sure to look for a big and tall chair that are specifically constructed for people over 6 feet tall and generally have higher weight ratings as well.

Chair With Swing Away Arms

The last key option you will want to take into consideration when choosing your desk chair is the type of armrest you will want. If your desk height is lower than a standard desk and you are not going to have a lot of clearance from the desk to the top of your thighs, consider getting a chair without arms. Armrests are not always necessary features to have, especially if you spend most of your time typing. You may also opt for an armless chair if you have a keyboard tray installed underneath your desk which will add even less room to move around. If you have a standard height desk, it is always safe to get adjustable height armrests as an assurance that they will fit properly under your desk. If you use your armrests often, look for a chair that has upholstered or padded armrests, which are cushioned and more comfortable. If you only want to use your armrests from time to time, look for a chair that has swing away arms which allows you to essentially swing the arms away when not in use.

The last step to take in choosing a desk chair is determining the type of upholstery you would like to have. Personal preferences will vary between individuals, some opt for leather because it has more of a prestigious look to it while others may opt for mesh to keep cool all throughout the year. This decision is ultimately up to you and what you think will be most comfortable for your desk. Some chairs even come in a combination of different upholsteries if you find it difficult to select only one. If you want to match the desk chair to a certain room, choose a color that matches the room.