Popular Ergonomic Chair Features of 2014

Shopping for office chairs? Then you've probably encountered some of the terms listed below and thought "what the heck does that mean?" Everyone knows the best way to go for the office is with ergonomic furniture, but sometimes the features listed underneath the products sound more like a foreign language than helpful information. Don't worry, though. Lucky for you, the struggle is over as today's article will define all the major ergonomic features every great chair should have in 2014!

Pneumatic Seat Height Cylinder

This is basically just a fancy word for "the seat goes up and down," but it is fancy for a reason. In the past, many users had to manually adjust their chair if they wanted properly situated. They often had to get out of the chair and underneath it to find the height adjustment feature as though they were working on an automobile. Today, this is not the case. Pneumatic height cylinders and gas lifts have made all this obsolete. Now users can adjust their seat height at the flip of a switch or the touch of a lever. Almost all truly ergonomic chairs possess this feature, so be sure to get your money's worth when shopping.

Adjustable Arms

In the office furniture world (and the world of chairs in general) armrests really aren't anything new. You sit down, they're there, and you may or may not rest your elbows on them. But did you know that today's articulating chair arms actually provide tremendous health benefits? That's right! Ergonomic furniture is all about staying healthy and keeping users comfortable. Any well-designed ergonomic chair should have some form of adjustable armrests to improve blood circulation throughout the arms, wrists, and hands. For computer users and those with joint pain, this feature is a must have!

Tablet Attachment

Speaking of computer users, the next ergonomic feature on our list is just for them! Well okay, so tablets are good features for just about anyone, but computer users are their biggest fans. These nifty little devices are excellent for digital artists, graphic designers, drafters, and laptop users alike. They serve as tiny tables attached to the chair so users can set devices or papers closer to their bodies for a more comfortable work experience. Forget the days of leaning over the office desk. Tablet arms are here to stay!

Lumbar Support

Anyone with back pain knows the value of lumbar support. For those that have been living in a cave for the past hundred years, this is the cushy pillow-like structure in the bottom half of an office chair that supports the lower back. Because ergonomic furniture is focused on achieving the ultimate in office comfort, no chair in 2014 worth your money should be without some sort of lumbar supporting feature.

Head Rest

This one is pretty self explanatory, however it is a fairly new trend in the office furniture world. In the olden days, the only chairs that ever seemed to include head rests were car seats, and that was for safety purposes. Chances are, unless you've got some really crazy co-workers, you probably won't be experiencing whiplash at the office anytime soon, so why the change? Well, it turns out headrests are highly beneficial. Not only do they save people in car wrecks, but they're also great relievers of neck pain for those that have it in the workplace!

Tilt Tension

Tilt tension control is a big feature in affordable ergonomic chairs for office use. In fact, if your chair doesn't appear to offer some version of this feature, it's probably ill-advertised and not ergonomic at all. As usual, tilt tension control is all about the user's comfort. Everyone has different needs, which is part of why adjustable furniture has become such a hit in the workspace. This feature allows individuals to alter the tilt of the back of their chair, molding it to their specific needs. It's a feature no self-respecting ergonomic chair should ever be without.

Tilt Locks

Tilt locks are ergonomic another feature commonly paired with tilt tension control. Most users love the versatility offered by tilt tension control, however, if the chair is only used by one person, it doesn't make much sense for the user to adjust the chair every day. That's why tilt locks serve by locking the back tilt in a fixed position, so the chair will only rock back so far with a certain amount of give. It's a favorite feature of many ergonomic office chairs with modern design that's sure to impress.

Knee Tilt

The popularity of tilt mechanisms among high tech contemporary task chairs for office use has made the knee tilt feature a big winner in the showroom. Knee tilts are especially loved by deskercisers and yoga enthusiasts as it takes the strain off the legs when a user stretches. Knee tilts work by relying on ergonomic design to adjust and move the front end of the seat up or down. With this, chairs like the 11690B Mesh Executive Chair by Offices To Go can better ensure that the user's feet are always on the floor for correct posture and improved circulation over time.

Vertebral Design

As far as ergonomic studies go, nothing seems to showcase the validity of the science better than vertebral design. Not all ergonomic chairs offer this feature, but they certainly should. If you are searching for the best ergonomic design has to offer, be sure to purchase a chair that supports the spine. Chairs like the 22011 Verte Ergonomic Chair by RFM and the Arti Series 6670-2 Polypropylene Chair  by Global both rely on high end vertebral designs backed by years of scientific study and engineering. The Verte alone was a decade in the making, but it has been heralded as the best possible office chair for anyone with tremendous back pain. Both models work by using sophisticated technology such as steel cables or, in the case of the Verte, spring loaded joints that take an exact impression of the occupant's spine for astounding support. Vertebral chairs can range widely in price and quality, but believe us when we say that it is money well spent!

Waterfall Seat

And finally, we leave you with the humble waterfall seat. As simple as this design is, it does wonders for anyone with leg problems. Arthritis, aches, joint pain, and poor circulation don't stand a chance against a chair with a waterfall seat. Exploding in popularity, this feature relies on a discreet sloping design at the front of the seat, which doesn't cut off blood circulation in the way common office task chairs do. The backs of the knees experience reduced pressure, resulting reduced pain, a healthier body, and improved posture. It just goes to show that whether you go with fabric, leather, or mesh office chairs with quality design, ergonomic furniture can improve lifestyle in ways you may have never imagined!