The office environment is, for many people, the place where the majority of your day is spent. This means that the conditions of your working environment can have a significant impact on your overall health.
One of the key factors of a healthy workstation is having an ergonomic task chair that is the correct height. Having the optimal task chair height can help you to maintain a supported and healthy posture throughout your day, avoiding any risks of severe back, neck, shoulder, or eye injuries. Poor ergonomic chair height is proven to increase the risk of several health issues.
Here, we explain the importance of a correct ergonomic task chair height and its benefits, providing a guide on how to ensure your chair is set up correctly.
Click on a link to jump to that section:
Read the importance of ensuring a task chair is the correct height.
Find out how to tell whether your task chair is the right height.
Read how working from an adjustable chair can benefit you.
Find out what makes a task chair ergonomic.
Read some common types of ergonomic equipment.
We answer common queries on correct ergonomic task chair height.
Why is it important to work from the correct computer task chair height?
When working from a computer desk, your task chair must be the correct height, and achieving this will bring a range of benefits. These main benefits include:
- Reduced risk of long-term injury and musculoskeletal disorders: Having a poorly adjusted task chair will cause you to be in unsupported positions for prolonged periods a day. This poor posture can lead to long-term injuries in several parts of your body, and cause musculoskeletal disorders. These disorders cause major damage in the muscles, spine, tendons and nerves, leading to pain, rigid movement, and even paralysis. When your chair height is positioned correctly, your body is constantly in a healthy, supported posture that reduces the chances of these injuries or disorders occurring.
- Reduced risk of back, neck and shoulder pain: Having an ergonomic task chair at the right height can reduce the likelihood of you getting back, neck and shoulder pain. When your chair is positioned at the wrong height, your body must move into an unsafe position to work on the computer monitor, and this puts persistent pressure on the spine which causes nerve constriction and disk degeneration. This will cause severe pain and unsafe movement in your back, neck, and shoulders.
- Avoiding eye strain: Eye strain can occur when you are staring for long periods at a computer monitor that is not in accordance with your chair height. Your eyes can begin to feel pain and turn red, and you may experience blurred vision and severe headaches. When your chair is set at the right height to have your monitor at eye level, your eyes will be in a much safer position to view your screen without looking too far up or down and straining them.
Are you suffering from eye strain? Read our guide to avoiding computer vision syndrome here.
- Improved comfort and productivity: Ergonomic chairs with the right height improve your overall comfort at your workstation at all times. This daily comfort not only reduces injury risks, but also allows you to focus more on your work and productivity without being distracted by discomfort or pain.
How to ensure your task chair is the correct height
Now that you know the importance of having a correct task chair height, here is a guide on how to ensure this is achieved:
1. Make sure your feet are firmly planted on the ground when you are sitting. If you find you are on your toes, or your feet barely touch the ground, this means that your seat is too high and must be lowered.
2. Your knees must be at a 90-degree angle that is parallel to your hips. If your knees come above your waist, this means that your chair is too low and must be raised.
3. Your chair must adequately support your upper and lower back. Your back has a natural curvature, so you must make sure the backrest of your chair is at the right height to support this curve. A chair that’s too high will result in you leaning forward to work, which disrupts the natural back support posture.
Visit our advice centre for further tips on ensuring your workstation is ergonomic.
Benefits of working from an adjustable chair
Adjustable chairs are the perfect way to ensure that every aspect of your body’s positioning is set up in a correct and healthy manner. Firstly, your chair can be adjusted according to your specific height, meaning that you most certainly can find the right position for you. Adjustable chairs are also perfect for comfort and easy use, and with a more comfortable chair, you are primed and ready for a highly productive working day without the hassle of discomfort or pain.
Are you working without an adjustable chair? Shop our ergonomic products to help ensure your setup is ergonomic.
What should an ergonomic task chair consist of?
Along with being set at the correct height, these are a few more things that are essential for a healthy task chair setup:
- Armrest support – Armrests are great for allowing you to use your laptop and keyboard without straining your arms or shoulders. The ideal setup is to have your arms bent at a 90-degree angle and your elbows level with your desk and keyboard.
- Backrest support – Your backrest should be sufficiently set up to avoid any poor posture which can lead to injury. The natural curvature of your back must be supported by an inward curve in the backrest, to ensure a safe and comfortable position for your back, neck and shoulders to rest in.
- Your feet should be supported – If your feet aren’t planted on the ground, you may benefit from a footstool that can make sure your feet achieve this positioning.
What types of ergonomic equipment can be useful in ensuring you don’t strain or sit in an uncomfortable position?
You can also utilise some incredible equipment to guarantee your workstation is fit for comfortable, safe, and efficient use. CMD offers a range of ergonomic equipment, including, but not limited to:
Monitor arms
Investing in monitor arms that can be lowered or raised to your employees’ needs is a great way to prevent neck and back pain. The Reach Plus Monitor Arm is designed to support a combined, total weight range of 6kg – 15kg in either single or dual screen format.
- Fingertip movement
- Integral cable management
- Quick release VESA (Supports VESA 75mm & 100mm)
- Reach Plus supports combined monitor weights between 6kg – 15kg
- Supplied with top mounting universal C clamp fixing
- 180o lockout option as standard
- Folds flat into 80mm of space
- Available in three colours; Silver, Black and White
Sit-stand workstations
The active sit-stand workstation allows you to change from a sitting position to a standing position with the touch of a button. The NHS suggests that sitting for prolonged periods in a day can lead to chronic diseases such as obesity while reducing general energy levels and productivity. With this standing desk, you can instantly switch between positions to ensure a healthy balance of sitting and standing.
Active Electric Sit Stand Workstation
- Instantly converts any desk into a sit-stand workstation.
- 700mm x 400mm solid working surface.
- Quick and easy assembly.
- Comes complete with a single and double supports.
- Power assisted height adjustment.
- Single option supports monitor weights up to 7kg and the double option supports monitor weights up to 14kg.
- VESA Complaint 75mm & 100mm.
- Travel range is 450mm ±5mm.
- Travel time is approx. 11 seconds.
Common queries
What is the standard office chair height?
The standard office chair height is between 16 to 21 inches.
How do you adjust the height of a chair?
Chair height can usually be adjusted by the levers that reside underneath the seat.
What kind of ergonomic office chair is best?
The best ergonomic office chairs have sufficient back support, armrests, and adjustable height options.
What is the best ergonomic chair for a shorter person?
We would recommend an adjustable chair that can reach low enough to ensure your feet are planted correctly on the floor. A footstool should be used if this is not possible.
Should you be using office chair armrests?
Yes, these are great for arm and shoulder support when positioned correctly.
Why do ergonomic chairs have so many adjustments?
Every person’s body measurements are unique, so their ideal healthy position will be different, thus requiring chair adjustments.
Should I lean back or sit up straight?
Sitting up straight provides more support for a healthy sitting position, however an ergonomic task chair should support the spine’s natural “S” curve.
What is the most important part about having a good workstation?
The most important part is that your body is highly protected from any long-term and severe injuries, and your chances of any pain or discomfort are significantly reduced.
