By: Chelsea on November 4th, 2009
With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, it is almost time to whip out your credit card and get going on your holiday shopping. While most, like myself, procrastinate until the last minute to get their holiday presents, it is never too early to begin thinking about the perfect gift to get someone. There are always the standard presents such as jewelry and clothes to buy for someone, but why not think a little out of the box this holiday season? Instead of going for cliche presents, try a present that will last for years on end, that someone can use everyday, and can help them be more comfortable throughout the day. Try buying an office chair this holiday season for your friends, co-worker, loved ones, or even yourself.
Quality office chairs, that are not purchased at your nearest office supply store, can last up to 10 years if taken care of properly and maintained. A ten year life span for an office chair is comparable to a car’s life span, and a good one can be purchased at 1/20th the price. Office chairs that are a little more expensive than your average office supply store chair are built to withstand the test of time and are extremely durable. They are also built to provide back support for sitting hours on end with ergonomics in mind. Most presents purchased for the holiday season have less than half that life span and tend to be forgotten about a few months after purchasing. An office chair will stay top of mind even years after purchasing.
The average office worker spends 8 hours of their day sitting in an office chair, meaning that they spend half of their entire day in a chair. In a lifetime that means an average office worker will spend 70,000 hours sitting in an office chair being on the conservative end of the spectrum. With spending such an extraordinary amount of time sitting in an office chair it is a worth investing in purchasing a superior chair for the holiday season. If worrying about whether an office chair that is purchased will work and fit someone you are buying the present for, all ergonomic chairs are made with that consideration in mind. Ergonomic chairs are built with adjustability in mind, meaning a person can adjust and tailor a chair to fit themselves exactly the way they want it to. For people of larger statute or people who are petite, some retailers, such as Sitbetter, offer special chairs just to meet the needs of these kind of people.
With family, friends, and even yourself working long hours everyday it is a priority to work these hours comfortably. While work is pretty much inevitable, being relaxed and healthy does not have to be. A present that would provide that comfort would be viewed as a valuable amenity to have. Many quality office chairs offer memory foam options, as well as options to increase the seat thickness to add extra comfort. Ergonomic office chairs also are built to provide comfort and decrease the risk of back pain and stress injuries that can occur in the future from bad posture or a bad office chair.
This holiday season when shopping for others or even yourself, keep the gift of an office chair in mind. It will be a gift that will be remembered for a lifetime and everyday when your recipient is sitting on it they will be reminded of you. Even if you are on a budget during these hard economic times, there are plenty of options that will provide all the factors aforementioned at an affordable price. Happy Holiday shopping and keep a look out for gift guides coming in the near future only at Sitbetter!
By: Chelsea on October 19th, 2009
It has been argued that almost everyone at some point in their life will experience lower back pain. Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. This pain can vary from being mild to severe. It can be short-lived or long-lasting. However, if it does happen, lower back pain can make everyday activities seem tedious and difficult to do. For some cases back pain resolves on its own within a few weeks naturally. But if back pain becomes too severe, treatment can result in having to use medications, physical medicine, and sometimes even surgery in order to alleviate pain and correct the problem. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent back pain from occurring, and sometimes it comes down to having an ergonomically correct office chair.
Common causes of low back pain include lumbar strain, nerve irritation, lumbar radiculopathy, bony encroachment, and conditions of the bone and joints. Lumbar strain is the most common form of low back pain and typically occurs because of overuse, improper use, or trauma. The condition is characterized by localized discomfort in the low back are with onset after an event that mechanically stressed the lumbar issues. The nerves of the lumbar spine can be irritated by mechanical impingement or disease anywhere from their roots at the spinal cord to the skin surface. Lumbar radiculopathy is nerve irritation that is caused by damage to the discs between the vertebrae. Damage occurs because of degeneration of the outer ring of the disc. Bony encroachment includes any condition that results in movement or growth of the vertebrae of the lumbar spine can limit the space for the adjacent spinal cord and nerves. Bone and joint conditions that lead to low back pain include those existing from birth, those that result from wear and tear or injury, and those that are from inflammation of the joints.
Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics or other non traumatic causes is often preventable. A combination of exercises that don’t jolt or strain the back, maintaining correct posture, and lifting objects properly can help prevent injuries. Most people spend up to 10 hours a day sitting in an office chair and most sit in a chair that was bought because it was cheap and seemingly durable. The best choice for an office chair is one that is ergonomically correct, meaning a chair that is designed to fit the individual, complete with adjustable arms, an adjustable seat, can tilt forward and back, and provides lumbar support. Ergonomic chairs are made with the idea that one chair does not fit everyone and that the users’ body dimensions must be used when selecting a chair so that it does not strain one part of the body while fitting the other. Because the lumbar spine has an inward curve, sitting for long periods of time without support for this curve tends to lead to slouching and strains the structures in the lower spine.
There are many simple ways to get a healthier back. Following any period of prolonged inactivity, begin a program of regular low-impact exercises such as speed walking, swimming, yoga, etc. Do not try to lift objects that are too heavy for you. Lift with your knees, pull in your stomach muscles, and keep your head down and in line with your straight back. Make sure not to slouch when standing or sitting. Sit in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position and height for the task. Keep your shoulders back and switch sitting positions often. Periodically walk around the office or gently stretch muscles to relieve tension. With these simple tips in mind, you will be well on your way to a healthier back, less pain, and happier living.
By: Chelsea on October 6th, 2009
Who would have thought there was a wrong way to sit in an office chair? I guess there is a wrong way to do just about everything, but when it becomes detrimental to your health, that is when a real problem arises. In fact, sitting is harder on your back than standing. Studies have actually proven that sitting in a properly adjusted chair that encourages motion reduces cumulative trauma disorders to nerves, tendons, and the neuromuscular system. I, of all people, am extremely guilty of sitting in my office chair the wrong way, which is a very bad habit I am working on fixing. Over time, I have come up with about 3 strange, bad habit sitting positions I can’t seem to shake.
The first is my favorite, which is sitting cross legged/indian style while sitting in my chair. Overtime, I have learned that knee problems can develop from sitting in this position, as comfortable as it. Especially if one sits like this over the span of many years. Although I am still getting back support from my chair, I’m losing blood flow to my legs which can cause them to cramp up. This tends to happen a lot, forcing me to switch to another bad position.
Normally I then switch to putting my feet on a footrest. Now, I know you are thinking, what is wrong with using a footrest? Normally footrests are very effective…except when you are using another chair as a footrest. Footrests are supposed to make it so that your knees are at about a 90 degree angle because this position promotes the best circulation. My legs are completely straight when I use my chair/footrest which promotes VERy bad circulation!
The last bad position I tend to sit in, is with my back far away from my chair, slumped over on my desk. While this does help me read my computer monitor better, it also is causing cumulative trauma to my back. The best solution for this, is increasing the size of the font on the screen you are reading or getting a larger monitor with a monitor arm that will allow you to adjust how close the computer is to your face.
After reviewing all my bad habits, clearly it is time to break them and start sitting better in my office chair. Some tips I learned to prevent myself from sitting incorrectly are get up and move, keep the body in alignment while sitting in an office chair, choose ergonomic office chairs when sitting, and use posture friendly props. It is best to take a break from sitting in an office chair every half an hour or so for a few minutes in order to stretch, stand, or walk. When sitting in an office chair, take advantage of the chairs features. Also if you are sitting in an ergonomic office chair, you are able to adjust the back for lumbar support. Footrests, portable lumbar back supports, or even a small pillow can be used while sitting in an office chair. And of course, posture is important! The proper way to sit in a chair is to keep both feet on the ground, sitting up straight, with your back firmly rested against the seat. Follow this advice and you will be sitting better in no time 
By: Alec on July 20th, 2009
Humanscale Diffrient World Ergonomic Task Chair – Tested and Tried and Neocon 2009.
Scheduled Release Date: August 2009.
Estimated MSRP: Starting at $750.00
What we thought:
Elegant and simple. Humanscale told us that was the goal with the chair, and it seems they have mostly achieved this. Like true Humanscale fashion, the World Chair, designed by famous Humanscale designer Niels Diffrient, the chair is ridiciously simple to adjust – only height adjustment and a seat slider are available, but for most users, it’s only what is needed.
The Bad:
Before I get into how great of a chair is was, let me go over what I felt was the not so lovely element of the chair – the lumbar. As with the Liberty, the mesh is very nice, and very conforming, however, it does not provide adequate lumbar support for people with lumbar issues. It certainly won’t be causing any lumbar pain for non-sufferers, but it won’t be solving any chronic back problems either. But that is to be expected when a chair, especially a task chair, is designed to fit a large majority of the populace.
The Good:
Despite the lumbar issue for a lower back pain sufferer like myself, I did find the chair overwhelmingly comfortable. It did fit me right, and I’d be able to sit in it comfortable for 8 hours a day (if I committed to interval periods of back stretches, which is not a bad thing). The mesh, as previously mentioned, is the Libery mesh, which is comfortable, soft, and springy. The front egde on the seat takes the waterfall front seat style to a new level – there is no frame on the front edge of the seat, meaning there is absolutely no pressure on the thighs – this is a great thing. The seat can also be upholstered to match the look of the Liberty, as well.
The backrest pivots, meaning that it has motion within the recline motion itself of the chair. This essentially means your back will never be in a static position, a key factor in Humanscale’s treatment of ergonomics, and a nice feature indeed. The armrests are attached to said backrest, so they move with the chair’s recline motion and match the overall style of the frame, which comes with fixed arms, adjustable arms or no arms options.
Speaking of the frame, it comes in black or white, the latter which looks very contemporary yet art deco – stylish and sleek, to say the least.
As an added bonus, the chair weighs a measly 25 punds, and that is a good thing. It is easily movable and adjustable, and wieghs less using 97% recycable content, meaning it is very green. Despite its slim profile, the chair can hold users up to 300 lbs – considering most task chairs only rate up to 250 lbs and weigh twice as much, that is also a very good thing!
Grade:
Overall, the chair is a winner. When judging and reviewing any chair, we take into account the value of said chair, namely, what do you get for what you pay for? After all, that is the most important thing with a chair. The Humanscale Diffrient World Chair, while not cheap, does represent a great value proposition in the high end seating market. Compared with other ergonomic office chairs in its class range, the Diffrient world chair looks to be in a world of its own!
By: Alec on June 8th, 2009
Three Sweet Features:
1. Stylish Mesh colors to go with Fabrics.
2. Thick, plush padded seat.
3. Many additional options available!
The Thorough Review:
The Inertia is a great line of chairs. Within the family of Inertia Mesh Office Chairs, you will find the reviewed high back, the mid back, the executive, and side chairs. Really, the Inertia has a mesh chair for any need, allowing to any user to completely customize their office space to look contemporary and matching with one product line. As a bonus, the Inertia can be upholstered in various different mesh finishes, which greatly enhances the options one can have with the chair, as opposed to the more conventional and not as fun black mesh.
The Inertia Mesh High Back Chair looks simple. It is clean and elegant and modern, but that doesn’t mean it limits itself in comfort or ergonomic capability. The chair features a built in passive lumbar support, meaning the back (which is highly durable polyester mesh wrapped around a steel tubular frame) is contoured at the lumbar region to provide a built in support structure for the lumbar.
The chair also features various add-ons/upgrades that provide for a more ergonomic sit. The chair can be outfitted with a seat slider, and the seat can be created with Memory Foam for extra soft comfort. As well, with 3 different arm options, you can choose the arms that suit your needs best, whether it be standard arms, or fully rotating arms!
Overall, this is a very modern and stylish chair that does not leave comfort behind. It combines all these features in a very nice package as a high quality, mid priced ergonomic office chair!
The Ratings:
Durability:
A very durable chair from a very durable company. Rated for 325 lbs, and with a lifetime warranty.
Adjust-ability:
Nothing flashy. Up, down, seat slider, infinite tilt lock. Just enough for anyone to adjust and everyone to be comfortable.
Style:
One of the nicest looking chairs we’ve seen…Very stylish and modern and the optional mesh colors make the chair customizable to any color scheme!
Overall Rating (Not an average):
Kinda wish it had an adjustable lumbar support, but as far as modern chairs go, it is one of a kind. Perfect for management applications where a common style is necessary – a chair that will have everyone sitting in comfort and style.
Want to know more about how we rate chairs? Check out our Ratings Guide!
