People look for desk jobs, thinking their lives will become accessible after this. However, they overlook that a sedentary working environment involves many health challenges due to sitting in a chair in a static posture for a long, hampering spinal alignment. Of course, there are ways to reduce risks and enhance performance. One of them includes the proper selection of office chairs. Chairs are generally made for people of average height. Due to this, taller or shorter people often suffer. Shorter people sit with dangling feet, while taller individuals struggle to squeeze into seats designed for others smaller than them. Are you tall or short?
If you surpass your peers in height, you can blame your tallness for all the tiredness and pain your spine, muscles, and joints experience during the day. But that’s a mistake. The real culprit is the regular office chair that doesn’t suit your physique. It would be best to have an office chair for tall person. Because it’s a unique requirement, delving deeper into this area is essential to understand the chair choice better. So, let’s gather a few insights.
Who is considered tall?
The average height for Australian men and women is 5 ft 9 in and 5 ft 3 ½ in, respectively. You fall under the taller category if you are more than these measurements. Interestingly, Australian men occupy 18th and women 15th position in the global average tallest height ranking. Hence, it’s easy to presume that many tall people are in Australia. While such stats make you feel proud, there are some harsh realities that every taller person faces. These include injury risks and neck and back pain. At the same time, your condition can worsen if you use chairs for smaller people.
What problems do taller people face when sitting in smaller chairs?
Sitting on a chair that fails to adjust to your body frame means putting unwanted pressure on your knees and legs to fit in it. Due to this, you often strain your hip and thigh muscles. Your lower back and joints also bear the brunt. Smaller chairs also come with lesser depth that doesn’t serve the more extensive body frame. At the same time, it pressurizes the knee’s back region and the spine.
Backrests are an integral feature of office chairs as they support the spinal structure. However, smaller designs lack the curve to align the upper and lower back and pelvis well.
Therefore, it’s evident that using a smaller chair can prove costly for your hips, pelvis, and spine. You can also experience discomfort in the neck and facial areas. Furthermore, sitting posture can be affected, leading to a vicious cycle of pain and physical distress.
How do you select the proper office chairs for tall folks?
While browsing through the ergonomic chair range, you must focus on one that allows you to adjust the seat height to the level where your knees get sufficient support from the seat pan. Knees should be at a 90-degree angle with feet firmly on the ground.
It should not interfere with the back backing. Twenty inches of seat height can be suitable for taller individuals. Other than this, the back tilt feature also matters. It facilitates the chair to accommodate your spine shape. If you need one with a headrest, the structure should fit your neck and head properly. It should also let your eyes align with the monitor, eliminating the risks of strain.
Those who prefer added comfort can find seat depth adjustability a favourable feature. It helps move the seat pan forward or backward per the back support requirement, increasing the comfort quotient. However, ensure a gap of about the size of a closed fist between your knee’s back area and the seat’s front edge when you sit.
Another thing worth considering is the lumbar support of the chair. Anyone needing extra comfort for their spine can use lumbar bags. Likewise, armrest height is crucial. Adjustable armrests give adequate room for resting your arms well on the chair, decreasing pressure from the upper back and shoulders. Sites like valueofficefurniture.com.au offer great options. You can sift through them to find one that meets all your demands.
Tall people can quickly get a comfortable office chair with little research. Typically, designs with high backs are deemed more structurally supportive for them. If you sit in one such chair, you can work tirelessly without any uneasiness. Mid-back chairs are suitable when you sit only for a short time. Many options can also provide adjustable headrests for maximum comfort.
Those who like the plush feel of the chairs can opt for leather material. However, mesh is also a great deal in durability and maintenance. To be precise, analyse your demands and compare the chair’s ergonomics against them. When features match your needs, you can select that specific chair for your office environment. Sometimes, it takes time to adapt to a new piece of furniture. Nevertheless, a sense of comfort will be apparent.
