If you are below the average height of 5’3” for women and 5’8” for men, you need to carefully consider the office chair you get. There are certain factors that you need to consider based on height that taller people may not consider. There are certain features that are more important for people below average height and you need to know what they are for choosing the best office chair for short people.
The Seat Depth
Most people do not consider seat depth when looking for an office chair. However, when your seat pan is too deep, it can cause circulation problems for shorter people as your legs to not reach the floor. For shorter people, it is recommended that you get a seat depth of 18” or less. Ideally, you should look for a chair that offers depth adjustment for personalization.
You can calculate the best seat depth for your needs by measuring the distance from the end of the buttocks to the end of the inner thigh. This should be done while sitting and you need to have 2” of space between the seat of the chair and the back of your knees. This will reduce the chance of circulation problems while offering back support.
The Seat Height
Most shorter people will focus on seat height as they know their feet should touch the ground while sitting. Ideally, you should look for a chair that can be lowered to 18” or lower. While this can be hard, it is best to note that seat height is not as important as seat depth.
This is due to the various ways that you can overcome seat height issues. If the seat is too high, you can use a footrest to ensure your legs do not dandle. To calculate the ideal seat height for your body, you need to measure the distance from the floor to the back of your knees. The height of your shoes should be included in this.
Back Height And Forward Tilt
The backrest of your office chair should be adjustable to ensure it meets your height needs. It should also be able to tilt forward to prevent you from perching on your seat. This will also help reduce the pressure in your lower back while you work.
If the back height is not correct, the lumbar support built into the chair mas be in the wrong place. This will lead to incorrect sitting posture that results in back and neck pain.
The Armrests
If you are getting a chair with armrests, they need to be fully adjustable. The adjustments should be height and width allowing you to bring them closer to your body. The armrests should also be padded because hard armrests can pinch the nerves in the elbow and result in cubital tunnel syndrome.
Choosing the right office chair can be hard, particularly if you are shorter than the average height, but not if you choose it from right place such as from expert chair review site. Shorter people will need to focus on the seat depth more than the seat height. Back height and forward tilting are also important as is the adjustability of the armrests.