The Alphabet of Seating: A

A is for…Anthropometry

Anthropometry, like ergonomics, is a term that gets its roots from ancient Greece. The word literally translates as “measurement of humans,” and in physical anthropology, refers to “the measurement of the human individual for the purposes of understanding human physical variation.” (See the Wikipedia entry on the subject.)

Anthropometry is commonly used in industrial design, such as in this study by M.B. Parkinson and M.P. Reed pictured above. Their exploration is unique by using three-dimensional torso models to aid seating designers. Penn State University’s Open Design Lab offers many other interesting glimpses into the world of anthropometry, so check it out!

Obviously, there’s a little science in any good chair, and we at SeatingZone have a lot of good chairs. Check out the whole range of ergonomic seating here, and remember that some anthropometry went into your chair’s design somewhere down the line.

hag futu task chair

Meet the Hag Futu one-size task chair by Izzy Design. A classic Scandinavian design with a clear purpose from the Hag Design Studio. This Hag Futu chair reclines in both forward and rear tilt positions and allows the user to adjust the resistance level. The Futu moves with the user and is at home in just about any office setting including conference and executive suites.

This Hag Futu chair is 97% recyclable and carries a 10 Year Warranty on the three dimensional FutuKnit fabric. The Futu is totally user intuitive and is comfortable from the first sit to the one thousandth!

Classic design that fits even users with petite frames thanks to the unique first of its kind “back slider” that adjusts the seat depth to each individual operators center of gravity thus permitting the user to stay balanced at all times.

Pick from 8 glorious FutuKnit colors including a hard to find but ever popular White!

Equipped with optional arms and a painted silver aluminum base @ $616.85 delivered to you Free from seatingzone.com .

the tudors

We cannot help but wonder how uncomfortable a throne really is! Look at the expression on Jonathan Rhys Meyers face as he performs in the role of Henry VIII in Showtimes mini-series ‘The Tudors’. Ouch.

Frankly we feel that maybe the King might be more at home in this exquisite ergonomic office chair with  adjustable arms, Ilira mesh back and hi-performance synchro-tilt mechanism. Ah, maybe had Henry been holding court in this Hon F3 ergonomic office chair he might have been a bit kinder to his six wives?

If you haven’t caught up with this fabulous Showtime series check it out!

inquiring spines want to know

Many people call in and ask what the hallmark signs of an ergonomic product are, why some are more expensive than others, and which products are best suited for particular injuries.  While we cannot make medical recommendations, we do point out the fact that spinal/lower back support is the reason most people opt for ergonomic seats.  Prominent lumbar support, coupled with contoured seating, allows sitters to properly place their feet flat on the ground and sit with correct posture.

(All Seating 50160 Therapod Therapist High Back Chair)

A fantastic and highly-accessible article detailing the specifics of ergonomic seating can be found on Spine-Health, an informational website chock full o’ wellness, back, neck, and pain resources.  Take a quick read, and you’ll feel better equipped browsing through our selection of ergnomic office chairs and specialty seating options.

Ergonomics, 101

 I hope you’ve enjoyed the crash course on ergonomic office seating I’ve been hosting over the past couple of weeks.  Before I put it to bed, I thought it might be nice to do a bit of an overview of what we learned.

To begin with, ergonomics isn’t about spending the most money or finding that One Perfect Chair — it’s about matching the right chair with the right person.  So if you want to find the perfect chair for you, it helps to ask yourself a few basic questions.

1) How tall are you?  
If you’re under 5’4″, you might want to look into petite chairs or foot rests.  If you’re taller than 6’1, you might consider some Big and Tall options.

2) How will this chair be used?
If you’re only sitting for a couple hours at a time, you might want to try a kneeling or ball chair.  If the chair is being used for multiple shifts, take a look at our 24/7 options.

3)  Do you need a simple, fast option that suits most people?
This post will tell you about the Ergohuman, our most popular chair.

4) Do you have any specialized preferences regarding back angle or seat tilt?
Browse around our multi-function adjustable chairs to find something that will adjust to be whatever you need. 

That pretty much sums it up!  Answer these questions and look through the options given, and you should have no trouble picking out the perfect ergonomic chair…  for you.

Ergonomics, 101

I have one last type of ergonomic chair that I want to talk about today: the multi-function office chair.

You might say that this chair is best suited to people who can’t decide among all the other options I mentioned. It could also be good for people who use one chair at a few different kinds of tasks or workstations.

What’s great about the multi-function chair is that it’s nearly infinitely adjustable — seat height and back height, arms that go up and down, in and out, or even swivel, and every type of tilting you can imagine. This can be ideal if you want to be able to shift your position slightly every couple of hours to keep from getting too stiff or sore.

The Instant Seating 8670 that I’ve pictured here is a great example, but we’ve got many similar chairs… your best guide is to skim the photos for chairs that have at least three levers visible under the seat!

Ergonomics, 101

So far we’ve talked about ergonomic chairs for small people, ergonomic chairs for big people, and ergonomic chairs for around the clock workers.  But what if you’re right in the middle, just plain ordinary with no special needs, but you still want a great ergonomic chair?

For you Average Joes out there, we usually recommend something from Eurotech’s Ergohuman line.  These chairs are remarkable value — great quality, great styling, adjustable without being confusing, and they usually ship out in under 24hrs.  I’m a big fan of the standard mesh version, which gives just the perfect balance of give and support, but it’s also available in leather and fabric versions.

This is just a great, all-around ergonomic office chair that I’m happy to recommend to anyone who is overwhelmed by the array of options on our site.

Ergonomics, 101

Yesterday we talked about Big and Tall specialty chairs.  Today I’d like to discuss a related but distinct option in ergonomic office seating: the 24 hour/Intensive use chair.

What exactly is a 24 hour chair?  These are chairs that have been specially rated by the manufacturer to withstand constant use.  Consider it — most of us work 9-5 jobs, or something close to that, and when we’re not at work, our chairs are empty…  you might even say they’re “resting” as they wait patiently for our return.  

Some jobs, though, don’t stop when the whistle blows.  911 operators, hospital receptionists, security positions…  While individual workers may finish their shifts and go home, the chairs have to be in business around the clock.  

As you might expect, there’s a lot of overlap between this category and the Big and Tall chairs — after all, they both need a heavy duty frame that will stand up to more than ordinary wear and tear.  But where Big and Tall chairs are scaled large to acommodate big people, 24 hour chairs may be average size, but built tough so they won’t fall apart after a few months steady use.

In addition, they’re often built with some extra support or comfort options for workers who may be working double shifts themselves.  Just another example of how ergonomics is all about the right chair for the right person and situation.

Ergonomics, 101

Last week we talked a bit about ergonomic options for small people. Now let’s take a look at specialized chairs for people who are a bit bigger than average.

Even within this specialty category, there are all kinds of options available. Sitcorrect.com’s Big and Tall collection has task chairs and executive chairs, of course, but also guest chairs and even stools. Each of these categories is aimed at users with very specific needs.

A computer chair is necessary if you’ll be working for eight hours or more at a stretch, but if the chair will be used for only a couple of hours at a time, you might be just as comfortable in one of the guest chairs. And of course, if your work station is higher than ordinary, the stool option could be the best choice.

Once again, it’s not a matter of finding the most ergonomic chair, so much as finding the right chair for the right situation.

Ergonomics 101

Let’s start by taking a look at ergonomic designs for smaller people.

If you call up and say you’re under 5’4″, we have a few options we can direct you toward.  First up, we’d recommend you take a look at the chairs in our “petite” section.  These chairs are specially designed with small people in mind — they tend to be lower to the ground, and built on a smaller, narrower frame as well.  

This is great if you have a fair amount of flexibility in your workplace, but one thing you want to avoid is getting a chair so low that you have to reach up to use your keyboard or pick up your phone — that’s definitely bad ergonomics.  Rather than do that, you might want to stick with a regular height chair, and supplement it with a foot rest that will keep your feet from dangling in the air (which is very bad form).

Tomorrow, we’ll look at a third option for smaller-sitters — “specialty” chairs.