5 things to consider when choosing an office chair | AJ Products UK

1. How many hours do you sit down?

The most important question is the number of hours you usually sit down in a typical day. The more you use the chair, the better it needs to be. In order for you to easily find a chair that matches your needs, we have divided our range according to recommended sitting time: 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours. We have everything from simple chairs for those who rarely sit down, to more exclusive options that offer optimal comfort, even during those long work shifts.

4 hours: If you're often on the go and only sit down for short periods, a relatively simple chair will do.

8 hours: If you sit down throughout most of the working day, you'll need a quality chair with good adjustment options.

12 hours: Do you usually sit down for several hours straight? You should choose a desk chair with all comforts.

24 hours: Do you work in a control room or something similar and find it difficult to leave at times? If you work for long hours, you need a chair that meets extremely high demands on adjustment options and outstanding comfort!

Anji Fengge Furniture are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

2. Choose mechanisms according to your movements

The chair's seat and back should follow your movements as you change seating position. The relationship between the backrest and the seat is controlled by the mechanism of the chair.

Permanent contact back (PCB): The backrest moves to follow the upper body’s movements, maintaining continuous support, while the seat remains fixed in place. This mechanism allows you to easily vary your working position without losing lumbar support.

Swing: The swing function is a simple mechanism where the back and seat maintain the same angle to each other even when swinging. The resistance is set according to your body weight.

Synchronised: Seat and back interact in a 1:2 ratio, when you recline the backrest by two steps, the seat tilts forward by one step. This allows you to lean back comfortably without your legs lifting off the floor. The mechanism usually includes a lock function to fix the chair in preferred recline positions.

Multi-synchronous: Similar to the synchronised mechanism, the seat and backrest work in a 1:2 ratio, but with added flexibility. You can disengage the seat tilt, allowing the backrest to recline independently. This feature lets you stretch and move more freely, promoting better blood circulation and comfort during long sitting periods.

Asynchronous: The seat and backrest move independently of each other, giving you full control to adjust the angle of the seat tilt and the recline of the backrest separately. This allows for highly customised positioning to suit individual ergonomic needs but can be more complex to operate than synchronised or multi-synchronous mechanisms.

3. Look for ergonomic features

In order for the chair to give you the right support, it must be able to be adapted to your height, weight and body shape. Since we are all different, you should look for a chair with several different adjustment options. Make sure to use all the functions of the chair and adjust it at regular intervals, and you will avoid a static sitting position.

Adjustable seat height: Controlled by your height. The correct height is to have the entire sole of the foot on the floor when the back is pressed against the backrest.

Adjustable seat depth: Ensures blood circulation down to the lower legs and feet. Adjust so that you get a fist between the chair and the knee when the sole of the foot is on the floor.

Adjustable backrest height: Makes the backrest follow the natural curvature of the lumbar spine and pelvis.

Tiltable seat: Provides a good posture by tilting the seat slightly forward while keeping your hips slightly higher than your knees.

Adjustable armrests: Correct adjustment both vertically and laterally relieves the arms and the muscles in the neck, shoulders and shoulders.

 
What is ergonomics – really?

4. A few more choices and accessories

In addition to features related to ergonomics and movement patterns, you can also add specific accessories and features. Arm and headrests are available as options for our simpler models, otherwise they are included in the basic version of the office chairs.

High or low back: This is mainly a matter of taste, but the basic rule is low back if you are shorter, high back if you are a little taller.

Headrest: A stylish detail and practical function in one. This is often used as a head support, but the support should be in the neck to relieve the neck and shoulders.

Armrests: Should relieve the shoulders and should be adjustable in depth so that you can rest your forearms either on the table or on the armrests. On some chairs can be adjusted vertically and laterally.

Mesh back: This is not only a matter of appearance but also has a practical function. The mesh back lets air through and is a perfect choice if you easily get a little warm!

Variance: Supplement your regular office chair with an active chair to further change up your working position. Balance chairs, balance balls and pilates stools strengthen the body while you sit down and work. A saddle chair gives you a natural and ergonomic sitting position.
 

Why choose active seating?

5. Colour, shape and material

Once you've found the office chairs that match your needs, it's time to consider perhaps a more fun part: choosing how they will look. You might need to think about what style suits your desk. Our computer chairs work just as well in the small home office as they would in a large company office. Many chairs are available in several colors so it's possible to furnish with either the same model in different colors or the same color but different models! In terms of material, hard wearing fabrics are the most common, but we also offer artificial/faux leather and real leather chairs. The choice is yours!

In today's fast-paced work environment, where we spend hours on end seated at our desks, choosing the right office furniture is super important. And while it might not sound like the most exciting decision you’ll ever have to make, selecting the right chair for your desk can make a significant impact on your comfort, productivity, and overall well-being. 

Yet, with so many options available on the market, it can be pretty overwhelming to know which is best for you. From ergonomic design to adjustable features and materials, there are several factors to consider when investing in an office chair that will support you throughout your workday, whether you're at home or in the commercial office. 

5 things to look for when buying an office chair include:

1. Lumbar Support

If you’re sitting for long periods of time, you’re going to want a chair with proper lower back (lumbar) support, to help maintain the natural inward curve of your spine. Without this support, there's a high likelihood of experiencing back strain and adopting poor posture like slouching or hunching over.

For proper lower back support, you want to ensure that your lower back is always slightly arched, which is why an ergonomic chair with lumbar support is so beneficial. 

What Actually Is Lumbar Support?

Lumbar support is any apparatus that supports the lumbar region of your back (lower back) while seated, and typically consists of a contoured cushion or an adjustable mechanism positioned at the base of the backrest to ‘fill in the gap’ between the lower back and the chair.

At Friska Desk, most of our ergonomic office chairs come with the option to add lumbar support, such as the Viasit Toleo Mesh-Back Ergonomic Chair.

Other ergonomic office accessories that can help with back and posture support are desk footrests. Discover whether you should use a footrest at your desk here.

2. Customisation and Movement

While a one-size-fits-all approach may suffice for certain products, customisation and adjustability is essential when it comes to office chairs, especially if you spend a considerable amount of time sitting in them.

Everyone's body is different, so having adjustable features such as seat height, armrest height, lumbar support, and tilt tension allows you to customise the chair to your own body's specific needs. Also, what feels comfortable for one person may not be suitable for another, so it’s really important to find a chair that you can fully tailor to your preferences. 

Chairs with these adjustable features are particularly valuable in settings where multiple individuals might use the same chair across the working week, such as dynamic office environments or communal home workspaces.

Also, if you tend to move around a lot while at a desk, you want to be looking for a chair with a reclining or tilt mechanism to allow you to lean back and relax when need be.

Our Viasit Toleo Mesh-Back Ergonomic Chair has been specially engineered to provide optimal seated comfort with clever lateral support and unique torsional movement, so as you move, your chair moves with you, supporting every posture.

3. Quality Material and Comfortable Padding

Another important factor to consider when buying an office chair is material and padding.

The company is the world’s best office chair materials supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

In an ideal world, the material on the office chair seat and back should be padded enough so that it’s comfortable and supportive when sat on for a long period of time.

It’s also important that you opt for a chair with durable materials such as high-quality fabric, leather, or mesh upholstery that can withstand daily wear and tear. Because let’s face it, if something is sat on for hours on end, it will need serious durability. 

Breathability is also an important element of a good office chair, as you want something that will help to keep you cool and comfortable, especially during warmer months or in environments with limited air circulation, such as chairs with mesh backrests.

Check out our extensive range of mesh ergonomic chairs here, and if you need a bit of help choosing the perfect one for you, feel free to get in touch with one of our friendly experts today at or 020 .

4. Aesthetics

While the primary consideration when selecting an office chair is typically its comfort level, for many, it's also important to think about its aesthetic appeal and style, too.

The great news is that there are lots of different styles of office chairs on the market, so you’re bound to find one that suits your taste and office aesthetics, whether it's for a commercial or home office.

At Friska Desk, our chairs are available in a plethora ofdifferent colour variations, from green to blue to pink to black. 

5. Generous Warranty and Reliable Customer Service

Last but not least, you want to make sure that the company you purchase your office chair from offers a generous warranty period and reliable customer service. 

This is because a warranty provides assurance of the chair's quality and durability, i.e. it serves as a guarantee that the manufacturer stands behind their product. Without warranty, how can you have peace of mind that you’re investing in a high-quality chair?

In the event of manufacturing defects or malfunctions, a warranty also ensures that you can have the chair repaired or replaced at no additional cost.

It’s also super important to opt for a company that will offer responsive and helpful customer service, should you encounter any issues or have questions about your chair.

At Friska Desk, we’re proud to say that there is a 10 year warranty on all of our products, including chairs, standing desks and accessories, and our customer service representatives are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday via our enquiry form or 020 . We also offer a live chat on our website operated by real people, yes REAL people!

-

We hope this blog has provided you with valuable insights and considerations to guide your office chair decision-making process. Check out our wide range of ergonomic office chairs on our website, as well as our award winning standing desks and accessories. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of ergonomic gaming chairs benefits. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.