By: Chelsea on December 3rd, 2010
Evolution Ball Chair
Office chairs are becoming a thing of the past, as more offices and home users are making the switch to exercise ball chairs. While the idea of using an exercise ball as a chair may seem unconventional, many have already took a leap of faith and have thrown out their old office chairs and replaced it with a ball chair. Whether you use your office chair 8 hours a day at work, an hour a day while studying for a test, or for browsing the internet at home, a ball chair can easily substitute an office chair in any of these circumstances. If you haven’t already seen a ball chair in your office or other offices, you may begin to see them soon as more and more people become familiarized with the benefits of using an exercise ball as a chair.
- Better Posture – Most ball chairs come without a back rest which at first may feel a little unnatural, especially if you have spent years sitting in a traditional office chair. Although it may seem like sitting in a backless chair may be more harmful than beneficial, this actually helps remind the user to sit with proper posture and slouching or slumping over becomes more apparent. Sitting on a ball chair also requires some level of balance forcing your spine into proper alignment because coincidentally, sitting with perfect spinal positioning is the easiest way to balance oneself. Sitting with proper posture not only helps decrease your level of back pain but also improves your health.
Improves Balance – Sitting on a surface that is unstable requires balance, especially when you are accustomed to consistently sitting on an office chair that stays in one place. Most ball chairs come with a sturdy base which allows for more stability over just using a regular exercise ball, however, some degree of balance is still required. After sitting for a few weeks on a ball chair you will start to see your improved balance, even outside of the office.- Movability – Sitting on a ball chair naturally causes you to frequently change positions in order to keep balance. Moving around frequently creates a healthy work environment that usually can’t be achieved in a standard office chair. These constant small adjustments build the endurance and strength of the postural muscles which facilitate optimal posture. With this dynamic sitting experience you are taking away the stress of sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time which tends to happen when sitting on a traditional office chair.
- Get Fit While You Sit – What most do not realize is that when you are sitting on a ball chair, you are working to stay balanced. Staying balanced and in an upright position requires your core muscles to work overtime, therefor giving you a low-key abdominal work out while you are working. Despite the low intensity abdominal work out, if you consider all the hours you spend sitting everyday at work those hours are going to eventually add up , resulting in strengthened ab muscles.
Work Out While You Work – A great benefit of owning a ball chair, whether it has a stability base or not, is that you can easily transform your chair into a work out instrument. If your ball chair comes with a base, simply take it off its platform and it is as easy as that to perform a wide range of exercises and stretches. Your breaks and time spent waiting can be transformed into a productive work out and your equipment of choice is conveniently sitting right beneath you.- Burn Calories While You Work – Moving around is the easiest way to burn calories, and with the continuous movement you will experience from sitting on a ball chair, it is possible to burn up to 350 calories in one day of working. This is a clear advantage over sitting in an office chair that forces you to sit in one position throughout the day. If you use your ball chair for multiple hours at a time on a regular basis, you may find yourself feeling and looking more fit.
- Inexpensive – A good ergonomic chair will cost about $200 and up depending on the desired quality and level of adjustability. Ball chairs are an inexpensive means of sitting with most averaging around $139 for a ball chair with a sturdy base or as little as $15 if you are just looking for an exercise ball.
- Make Work Fun – Use your imagination to see why a ball chair can be a fun and exciting alternative to an office chair. What kind of office chair allows you to bounce sporadically throughout the day while relieving your back aches and pains at the same time?
New users are recommended to make a gradual transition into sitting on a ball chair full-time to give your body time to adapt to this new way of sitting. Start off by sitting on the ball chair for 15 minutes your first day and increase your time by 15 minutes on each subsequent day until you make your way up to 8 hours. Some users have found that they like to use their ball chair in conjunction with their regular office chair, allowing them to switch to the ball chair at their convenience when their back wants a break. Still apprehensive about owning a ball chair? With its unique ergonomic qualities, obvious health benefits, and inexpensive cost you have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain if you make the switch.
To view Sitbetter’s ultra ergonomic Evolution Ball Chair please click here!
By: Chelsea on November 5th, 2010
The lower back is the connection between the upper and lower body and bears most of the body’s weight. With such a burden to bear the lower back can easily be injured and feel strained, especially without proper support and regular exercise. Lower back pain is often caused by strain, injury, or overuse. This can occur when lifting something that is too heavy, getting jolted in a car accident, playing sports, or simply by sitting for multiple hours a day in an office chair that has no lower back support. Aging may also play a part in developing lower back pain; bones and muscles lose strength with age thus leading to an increased risk of injury. The good news about lower back pain is that most cases will go away within a few weeks with some basic self-care. This can include sitting in an office chair that provides good lumbar support and is properly adjusted to meet the needs of the user.
Not all office chairs come with the necessary support to help eliminate and relieve lower back pain, so it is essential to look for the qualities that make a chair “back friendly”. There are numerous different chair designs that will provide lumbar support, some more basic than others. To start, the simplest kind of back support is a “S” shape design back rest. The importance of the “S” shape is that it mimics the actual shape of the spine, molding your spine into proper anatomical alignment. This benefit can not be achieved in “L” shaped chairs that have flat backs and work the other way around, forcing you to fit your back to the shape of the chair.
A chair with a “S” shape curve can be beneficial but can also work against you if not properly aligned with your spine. If an office chair comes with an “S” shape back rest that is not adjustable, shorter or taller users may not benefit from having the back support positioned on the correct parts of their spine. The next thing you should look for in an office chair after finding one with an “S” shape back is a ratchet back feature. This will allow you to easily move your backrest up or down with a simple knob or lever, allowing you to position the back exactly where you need the support. Not everyone is able to fit into one generic mold, which is why having a chair with adjustable features such as an adjustable back height can be advantageous.
Adjustable Lumbar Support
Another good feature some desk chairs possess is an adjustable lumbar support built into the back rest. If a chair does not have a ratchet back function, an adjustable lumbar support can make up for this and can even be more favorable in some opinions. Most adjustable lumbar supports allow the user to move the support up and down according to where they need it to rest on their lumbar region. More advanced lumbar supports allow for adjustment in and out in addition to movement up and down, allowing the user to determine the amount of pressure needed.
Perhaps the most advanced lumbar support system of all is the self-adjusting lumbar support. This unique support system self positions and moves with the user no matter which position they are sitting in. For example, in almost any chair if the user is leaning forward typing they will have any support on their lower back leading to aches and pains. With self-adjusting support, the lower back support is independent therefor allowing it to move with you whether leaning forward to type or sitting back to relax. This precise support provides exacting comfort and a more comfortable sitting experience.
There are many other different back support options available for office chairs, ranging in price and effectiveness. Some of the most advanced office chairs allow for exact placement of pressure along every spot of the vertebrae allowing for a fully customizable sitting experience, great for chronic back pain sufferers. For those with mild back pain, simply having an “S” shape back rest may suffice. The most important factor in achieving lower back pain relief with the help of an office chair is straightforward, having a chair that is going to provide you with the necessary support for your lumbar region. If you will be spending most of your day sitting might as well have a desk chair that is going to provide relief rather than strain.
To view our complete catalog of chairs for lower back pain please click here.
By: Chelsea on September 27th, 2010
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Lower Backrest
More than half of Americans live with chronic or recurring pain, most of whom say this interferes with their regular activities, lifestyle, mood, relationships, and work productivity. Six out of 10 of those who suffer from pain say that their pain is moderate or worse, and for 2 out of 10 it was considered to be severe. Interestingly enough, 1 out of 4 people who suffer from pain say that their last pain experience was with back pain. Back pain was the number one cause of pain among those surveyed, and peaked with men especially among between the ages 30-49. Sampling, data collection and tabulation for this poll were done by TNS Global. With such a large number of pain sufferers in the United States, many are seeking out ways to relieve, eliminate, or at least alleviate their pain to make their lives more comfortable and enjoyable. Getting back pain relief can be expensive with the never ending medical bills adding up and expensive furniture on the market that most simply can not afford. If continuous trips to the chiropractor are not feasible for your budget, consider investing in a back support pillow to help alleviate your back pain.
Deluxe Molded Lumbar Support
The majority of us spend the greater portion of our work days sitting, whether it is the commute to get to work or the long hours of working in an office chair. If your desk chair or car seat is not providing you with full back support, aches and pains are sure to occur, especially if you are sitting for hours at a time. A properly maintained posture can help relieve and prevent back discomfort. While this concept may seem simple enough, after sitting for hours at a time it is easy to forget to have proper posture and eventually you may find yourself slouching over. Many back posture issues are created when sitting in a slumped position where your spine is not properly aligned. Back support pillows allow you to rest the spine in a position that conforms to the natural spine curvature while providing the support necessary to relieve pain. Their orthopedic design helps reduce back fatigue while sitting or driving.
Full Backrest
Back support pillows come in all different shapes, sizes, and features but all have one common goal in their design: providing back pain relief. Lumbar support pillows are designed to replicate the S shape of your spine and fit right in that S curvature to provide lower back support where most chair and car seat backs do not. There are also full backrests which envelope the entire back and spine, providing both lumbar support and upper back/neck support for moderate cases of back pain. Not only do back support pillows provide the supreme support, but they are a much more viable option for those looking to save money. Most range between $25 for smaller lumbar pillows up to $100 for higher end full back pillows, a more economical approach to take as opposed to purchasing a new ergonomic office chair. In addition to savings and support, back pillows also are easily transportable with their light weight allowing for use when needed whether you are in your car or sitting in your desk chair at work.
Whether you have moderate back pain or just looking for a little extra relief on your spine, a back support pillow is a considerable option to keep in mind. For the best and largest selection of back support pillows online please visit Sitbetter.com.
By: Chelsea on June 18th, 2010
Do you ever find yourself falling asleep at your desk while working even though you got a good full night of rest? Do you find yourself switching positions often while sitting on your office chair, trying to find one that will make you comfortable and productive throughout the day? Ever find yourself coming home from work with nagging back or neck pain that is only relieved while you sleep or during the weekends when you are away from work? While all these issues may not seem to have one simple solution, in this case they do. Most of the time the best way to effectively solve all of these problems, is simply by purchasing an ergonomic office chair that will be tailored to meet your needs and requirements. Some may feel skeptical thinking this is too good to be true, however, many who have experienced the same aforementioned symptoms have gotten quick relief just by getting a new ergonomic chair for their office. If you are sitting in a $30 Ikea chair with no adjustability and are finding yourself experiencing unnecessary pain, consider the following reasons why you should own an ergonomic office chair.
Mesh Task Chair With Leather Seat
1. Proper Circulation: More often than not, people who sit in chairs that are not ergonomically correct find themselves shifting positions frequently trying to find the most comfortable way to sit. With any ergonomic chair, you will be able to adjust the height of your chair so that your feet are laying flat on the floor with knees bent at a 90 degree angle. With proper position, you will allow blood to flow properly through the body thus avoiding fatigue. Sitting correctly gets rid of the tired feeling many experience around 2:00 p.m. even with a full nights sleep the night before.
2. Pain Relief: Ergonomic chairs are designed to meet the needs of the user rather than the user meeting the needs of the chair. A good ergonomic chair also offers support where needed, many come with the option to upgrade to only the features that you specifically might need. For example, if you have a chronic neck pain issue as well as lower back pain, you will want to search for a chair that has a headrest option as well as a chair that offers adequate lumbar support. Ergonomic chairs already come standard with mechanisms and adjustments that all users will need, with the option to upgrade for features not everyone may need which is great because it can save you money over getting a feature that is unnecessary to you.
Leather Ergonomic Task Chair
3. Support: The main components of ergonomic chairs, namely the back and seat, are always designed to provide the user with maximum support. They are designed to fit the unique curves of the body as well as provide extra support for the back, spine, and legs. An S-shaped curve can be found on most ergonomic chairs, as this is the natural shape of the spine and provides needed support. A waterfall seat can also be found on an ergonomic chair, as this helps reduce the amount of pressure on the back of the knees.
4. Concentration: Having a chair that keeps you comfortable throughout the day will in turn lead to increased concentration. When you feel uncomfortable with your sitting situation, you may often find yourself fidgeting and not fully paying attention to the current task at hand. With a chair that provides maximum comfort, you will find that both you and/or your employees will become much more productive throughout the day.
5. Comfort: The best part of having an ergonomic chair is the comfort factor. Ergonomic office chairs are designed to provide the user with the upmost comfort and sometimes offer upgrades such as memory foam seats or gel seats for additional comfort. They also sculpt to fit your body, keeping you comfortable from the time you sit down to the time you stand up to take a break.
With so many benefits for both your body and health, it is difficult to think of any reason not to own an ergonomic chair.
By: Chelsea on April 8th, 2010
Lets face it, having an ergonomic workplace/home office set up is becoming more important than ever and with more people aware of the need for better office furniture, the quest begins to find which is best for you. When ergonomics are concerned, the piece of furniture to focus on finding first is an ergonomic office chair as this is what you will be spending the majority of your day sitting on. Having a chair that is comfortable and will adjust to your body type is of upmost importance especially if you are going to spend hours on end sitting in one.
When it comes to chairs, the old adage of “you get what you pay for” holds true, so if a chair price seems to be outrageously priced at $1,000 remember the chair is going to be more comfortable, adjustable, better made, and will last many years longer than a chair that costs $100. With that being said, not everyone’s budget allows for a $1,000 purchase which is why manufacturers take this into account when developing new chair models to fit every price range. At Sitbetter.com we understand that everyone has different budgets and requirements which is why we made this guide to help you find the best ergonomically correct chair for your budget.
Budget $1-$100
STO-KCW77
The KCW77 is a unique ergonomic office chair the breaks away from the traditional office chair appearance. Instead, this chair forces the user to sit and kneel while working. The knee sit chair puts the back into a more natural position, helping to provide relief for the back. With the absence of a back rest, users are forced to sit with proper posture and many find themselves experiencing less back pain the more they get accustomed to sitting in this style of chair.
It also comes with soft memory foam on both the seat and knee pad to provide an even more comfortable sitting experience. The wooden frame is available in two different finishes, mahogany and espresso, allowing you to easily match your chair with any preexisting furniture.
While it may not be what you are used to sitting in this chair is a customer favorite and for only $99 it is well worth the price. You may view this chair by clicking here.
Budget: $101-$200
EFS-MM4333M
The Milan Ultra Mesh Back Mid Back Task Chair by ErgoFast Chairs is your best bet for those who are looking to save money but also want all the adjustments that you’d usually find on a $500+ chair. This chair features 2:1 synchro tilt control, ratchet back height adjustment, height and width adjustable arms, tilt tension, tilt lock control, and pneumatic seat height adjustment.
The mesh back features built in lumbar support and the foam seat cushion is more comfortable than most chairs that you’d find in a similar price range.
A good, affordable ergonomic chair at $195 that will provide mild back pain sufferers with adequate back support. View this chair by clicking here.
Budget: $201-$300
ALL-78140
A vast amount of unique add on adjustments allow the user to customize this chair to meet their needs!
At an affordable price, the Inertia High-Back Task Chair will give mild back pain sufferers the relief they are seeking. The unique feature of this chair is the ability to tailor the chair to the user’s body and allows the option to add on specific adjustments. The Inertia also provides support whether sitting up straight or leaning back.
With the optional adjustment upgrades and the comfortable foam seat, this chair is a good ergonomic option for a good price of $289.
Budget: $301-$400
EGC-I-MB
The iCentric by ErgoCentric is an ergonomic task chair with a unique backrest specifically engineered to provide exact and focused lumbar support with good mid back support as well. The tapered bottom of the backrest provides point specific support to the lumbar region.
Choose between four different control mechanisms depending on the level of support needed. At the very minimum, this chair features seat height adjustment, a 2.5″ depth adjustable seat slider, infinite lock free float, adjustable spring tension, and a syncro 2:1 recline ratio. Advanced control mechanisms allow for even more adjustments.
A great chair for both lower and mid back pain relief. Available starting at $365. To view this chair please click here.
Budget $401-$500
EGC-MY
The myCentric by ergoCentric is a great customizable ergonomic chair for lower lumbar pain.
The seat is very comfortable but the backrest, with its dual curve wings and built in lumbar support, is made for exceptional back comfort.
Add on inflatable lumbar support is available for even more support. The myCentric also features a ton of options to customize the chair to your exact needs.
A great chair for long hours of pain relief. Available starting at $415.
Budget $501-$600
ALL-503
The Therapod is a premium ergonomic chair with an abundance of available options to go along with standard ergonomic features.
Therapod’s fully-customizable body-specific adjustment system allows you to address the support your body needs in a very precise way. With this patented design, every region of your back is comfortably accommodated thanks to body-specific strap adjustments. The basic control mechanism allows for seat height adjustment, forward seat angle adjustment, tension control, back height adjustment, infinite tilt lock, and back angle adjustment. Additional upgradable items include a memory foam seat, seat slider, arms, a neck pad, and more.
Available starting at $589. To view this chair, please click here.
Budget $601-$700
EUT-LEM4ERG
A very unique chair with a lot of features such as a seat slider, good lumbar support, and most importantly comfort!
Comfortable seat, though a little firm, is the most ergonomically correct version of the Ergohuman series. The seat slider makes the chair work for shorter people and the lumbar support system is one of the best. The lower lumbar support moves with you no matter if you are leaning forward or back, allowing you always to have support no matter how you are sitting.
Available for $649.
Budget $701-$800
HSC-L11
The Liberty features form-sensing mesh technology, unlike any mesh chair you’ve likely seen or experienced. With its tri-panel construction, it has the body-fitting contours that single-panel mesh chairs simply can not achieve. It offers perfect lumbar support for everyone, without external devices or manual adjustments.
Features self-adjusting recline (intelligent counter-balance recline mechanism automatically provides the right amount of support through the full range of recline motion, regardless of user and weight), pivoting backrest, form-sensing mesh back, contoured seat cushion, and “body fit” (size-adjustments fit more than 95% of the population).
Priced at $779. View this chair by clicking here.
Budget $801-$949
6200 CXO
Very comfortable ergonomic chair with lumbar support which allows users to place right where it’s needed.
The CXO is a great chair with soft memory foam in both the seat, lumbar support, advanced armrests and a ratchet back. The headrest version gives even more support especially for those with upper back or neck pain issues. CXO’s adjustable features cater to small, medium, and large body types.
The simplicity of the overall design and functionality of this chair makes it an effective ergonomic performer. Starting at $949. View this chair by clicking here.
Budget $950-$1,000
HSC-FRE-F211
Simply terrific and unique ergonomic details make this possibly the best out there for back pain relief!
The Freedom Chair invites movement. The pivoting back allows one to move while still upright, the counter-balanced recline eliminates spring tension. The high back version for upper back pain or neck pain issues. Also features a spinal cutout, relieving pressure on the spinal column while still supporting it.
Another plus about this chair, is that it is composed of 54%-85% recycled content, which is roughly 50% more recycled content than most competing chairs. Available for $999.
Budget $1,000 and up
RFM-22111
A completely unique and comfortable sitting experience which is far different than anything else out there!
Inspired by the human vertebrae, the Verte combines ergonomics, form , and function to produce the ultimate in seating posture and comfort. This is a revolutionary design which allows the chair to completely adjust to the user’s needs as far as placement of individual points along the back. Need it pressed in harder at the lumbar region? Simply press it in and lock in place. An amazing design and an amazing chair – for those with chronic back issues, this will certainly help.
The Verte retails for $1135 and is worth every penny in the long run.
