Ergonomic Recliner Guide

I have a recliner chair in my living room, and I love sitting on it all night long watching TV, or reading books, after a hard day's work. I bought my recliner almost a year ago, and I am happy I did. It has become the best place for me to relax and getting rid of all the daytime working pressure. I did quite some research, digging all over the web for information about ergonomic recliner before buying it, and so I want to share the information that I have found useful here on Ergonomic Computing blog. Hopefully this will be helpful for those who are looking for a recliner chair.

Basically, there are 3 types of recliners: 2-position recliner, rocker recliner (also known as wall saver recliner), and push back recliner.

The two-position recliner is cheaper compare to the other types, and normally has less choice in styles and colors. And as you can tell from the name, the two-position recliner has two positions: upright or release the footrest to recline completely. You will need more space for this type of recliner.

The one that I bought is a rocker recliner, which is also known as wall saver recliner. The benefit of this type of recliner is that you can place it close to walls, which is perfect for small spaces. Also, it provides a wider range of reclining angles.

For push-back recliner, as the name suggest, will recline when you lean back. It's normally more costly compare to the other two, but it's also trendier and usually available in leather, making it more suitable for modern home.

There are a few factors that you should consider when buying a recliner: style, fit, fabric, and price.

For me, a recliner is all about comfort. So the first thing I look for, is a recliner that fit my body size. The taller you are, the larger the recliner you should get. Also, the recliner should be ergonomically designed: your feet should be touching the floor when the recliner's back is upright, the headrest should be support your head and neck, and the footrest should be easy to maneuver. The styles of the recliner comes next. Think about where you want to place your recliner, and pick a style and color that match with the surrounding furniture. Typically, the two-position recliner, although being the most affordable, is usually limited in colors, fabrics, and styles. The push back recliner, on the other hand, usually comes in leather with stylish design, but also the most costly. The Rocker Recliner stays in between of the other two. It's the most popular type of recliner and comes in the leather-vinyl combination.

Ready to shop for a perfect recliner? Here are a few websites which you can start your online shopping:

La-Z-Boy.com: One of the most recognized name in recliners. You will find reclina-rockers, reclina-gliders, reclina-way, classic recliners, reclina-rest, power recliners, luxury lifts, airspa massage, La-Z-Touch massage chairs, and many other furniture there.

Reclinersplus.com: Offers leather recliners, fabric recliners, and rocker gliders for purchase online. Check out their top selling products and reviews here.

Berkline.com: Well-known for recliners with great ergonomic support. Check out their website for complete descriptions and photos of all their latest models.

Lanefurniture.com: Offers various home furniture on their website, and they have a good collection of recliners for you to choose from!

I am sure there are much more online stores that you can purchase recliners from.. just search for them on Google. Guys, remember the key for a recliner is comfort. So always look for the most comfortable ergonomic recliner you can afford! You will not regret it!

Good Info About Ergonomic Chairs

As an office worker who sit all days while working, an ergonomic chair is necessary to make one's workstation safer and healthier. Here's a good article about ergonomic chair. It discuss about why we need ergonomic chair, how to select an ergonomic chair, and the good features to look for when selecting an ergonomic chair.

What is an "ergonomic" chair?

Finding the right ergonomic chair is a common problem especially for people who want to purchase new equipment to make workstations safer and healthier places. There are many "ergonomic" chairs available but it can be a mistake to purchase one simply because it is labeled "ergonomic".

Ergonomic chairs are designed to suit a range of people; however, there is no guarantee that they will suit any one person in particular. For example, a chair could be too high and the arm rests too far apart for a short, slim person. In addition, chairs may not suit every task or arrangement at the workstation. A chair becomes ergonomic only when it specifically suits a worker's size (body dimensions), his or her particular workstation, and the tasks that must be performed there. It is possible to find the right chair although it is not always easy.

Why is finding the right chair so important?

Today, in industrialized countries, many people sit for most of the time that they are awake. They sit while having breakfast, while going to work in cars or buses, in school classrooms, in meetings, in offices, during dinner, and at home while watching television. Many people also sit at work operating machines which new technology has developed to replace manual work. Although sitting requires less physical effort than standing or walking it puts a lot of stress on lumbar area. Combined effects of a sedentary lifestyle and a job that requires sitting can lead to many health problems.
What do you need to know about selecting a good "ergonomic" chair?

The selection of a suitable chair is a critical step in preventing health problems in people who work in a sitting position. With the ergonomics approach, sitting is viewed as a specific, specialized activity which is influenced by the way that a sitting person interacts with the working environment.

Several basic concepts should be considered:

• One chair does not fit everyone. The users' body dimensions must be used when selecting a chair so that it does not strain one part of the body while fitting another.
• Collect data about the user's body height. The optimal seat height is about one quarter of the body height. This is only a rule of thumb since the torso-to-leg ratio can vary widely..
• No one chair is suitable for every activity. For example, dentists require a different chair than do industrial workers or computer operators
• Consider maintenance and repair costs. Check with the manufacturer for items to inspect for and how often inspection should be done.
  

What are the features of a "good" chair?

Some features are mandatory for a good chair regardless of how you intend to use it:

• Adjustability - Check to see that seat height is adjustable.
• Seat height range - Check whether the seat height can be adjusted to the height recommended for the worker(s) who will use it. Other chairs may have to be selected for very short or tall workers.
• Backrest - Check to see that the backrest is adjustable both vertically and in the frontward and backward direction.
• Seat depth - Select the seats that suit the tallest and the shortest users
• Stability - Check for the stability of the chair; a five-point base is recommended.
  

Other features to consider

• See if the selected chair has features that will help someone do their job better. Arm rests with adjustable heights are good for computer operators. Wider or narrower arm rests may also be required depending on the worker's dimensions and tasks they do.
• See if the selected chair has features that will make doing a job more difficult. An example may be that someone may be using a chair with casters or wheels when a stable and stationary work position would be better. If chairs with casters are needed, choose ones that match the type of flooring you have (carpeting or hard floors).

Who should pick out the chair?

Personal preference is essential to the process of selecting a chair.

• After some suitable chairs have been identified, allow the person who will use the chair most to try out the chair in a real work situation. It is especially useful to obtain several sample chairs for a trial comparison by those who will be using them.
• Make sure that the chair meets the needs of the workers and their jobs before any final selection is made.
  

Can a chair solve all of the ergonomic problems of working in a sitting position?

A well-designed chair allows the user to sit in a balanced position. Buying an ergonomic chair is a good beginning but it may not bring the benefits expected. The actual sitting position depends on an individual's personal habits; he or she has to learn and practice how to sit properly.

Also, remember that the chair is only one of the components to be considered in workstation design. All the elements such as the chair, footrest (if needed), work surface, document holders, task lighting and so on need to have flexibility and adjustability to be "designed in."

Source: ccohs.ca
More reading: osha.gov