Orthopedic chairs: features and rating of the best models

Orthopedic chairs, which are sometimes called ergonomic ones, are a special category of furniture, although in a purely utilitarian sense they can be considered furniture rather conditionally, because this achievement of a technogenic civilization is sold not in furniture stores, but in computer equipment departments.

This is a high-tech device, the main task of which is to make the process of working at a computer as convenient as possible with a minimum of harm to health.

A feature of the orthopedic chair is the ability to adjust it to the anatomical structure and parameters of a particular user. This process is carried out by adjusting various characteristics of the chair: tilt, length and height of the seat and backrest, and so on. No other furniture is capable of such individual settings. If, for any reason, a regular chair or armchair turned out to be uncomfortable, they had to be replaced. The orthopedic chair can be adjusted to suit you.

This significantly increases labor productivity, reduces fatigue and saves from a number of troubles caused by a long stay in a sitting position, which is not anatomically characteristic of humans. However, modern civilization cannot do without it yet.

The variety of orthopedic chairs is huge. They differ in the degree of comfort, materials of manufacture, functionality. These differences also affect the price.

All chairs of this type can be divided into categories:

• office;

• for the leader;

• gaming;

• children.

As a rule, office chairs are considered to be the simplest in the device. This is a work chair, which most often has a simplified device diagram with a minimum of adjustments. Often in its design there is no such detail as armrests, since it is assumed that the worker rests his forearms on the table while working with the keyboard. The whole structure is supported by a classic adjustable crosspiece with castors. Such chairs do not have a headrest.

One of the varieties of office chairs are the so-called knee chairs. Sitting down in them, the user rests his knees on a special structural element that reduces the load on the spine. A feature of this rather exotic type can be considered the absence of a back.

The version of an office chair for the home has a minimum of adjustments, but it is necessarily equipped with armrests and often a headrest. Chairs, intended, in addition to work, also for rest, can change the user's position up to horizontal. Some of their folding varieties can be used as a sleeping place. This foldable design converts the backrest and footrest into an ergonomic bed.

The executive chair is characterized by increased comfort. Made from expensive materials, it should have a very solid appearance.Designed for desk work, this chair features a high back with headrest, sturdy armrests, padded seat and backrest. Moreover, usually all parameters of such furniture are very finely regulated. The seat can be adjusted not only in length but also in width.

Less luxurious, but no less technological, are the so-called gaming chairs. They are intended for a very long stay of the user in them. Such chairs unload the back and cervical spine as much as possible; thanks to the comfortable armrests, they significantly reduce the tension of the shoulder girdle. There are models with a footrest.

Children's chairs are a special type of orthopedic furniture. They are usually much lighter, because the child must move such furniture himself without much difficulty. The safety of all moving parts is equally important. Such chairs are usually devoid of armrests, and their design does not imply turns. But at the same time, the child seat grows with the child, adjusting in accordance with the change in the parameters of his body

A separate direction in the evolution of orthopedic chairs was the development of the back. Nevertheless, initially such furniture was conceived precisely to relieve the back of people forced to lead a sedentary lifestyle. And of course, at first, the back was straight, but soon adjustments appeared that made it possible to set the slope, height, and then its deflection. The materials for the backrest are usually the same as for the seat. However, chairs with a mesh back are gaining more and more popularity. This design completely eliminates the problem of back sweating, which causes discomfort.

Chairs with a segment back have become a kind of development of the one-piece backrest. It is a movable, adjustable structure consisting of two or three articulated elements. Adjustments allow you to adjust the backrest for any user, suitable for height. As a rule, it is impossible to fit an adult seat to a child. First of all, the deflection of the lumbar spine, the tilt of the back and, in some models, the position of the head are regulated, thus relieving tension not only from the back, but also from the user's neck.

Another line of development for the backs of orthopedic chairs has become movable adjustable rollers. The back of such a chair, which can also be adjusted, is supplied with additional adjustable elements - rollers. They are located in the lumbar and cervical region. The backrest, adjusted to the parameters of the user's body, gets additional opportunities to create more comfortable conditions.

We will consider the top-rating of the best models of orthopedic chairs according to the above classification, since it is pointless to compare models of different classes - their differences are so great that it is impossible to develop a general comparison criterion.

Let's start with the simplest and least expensive office chairs. People who have to spend 7-8 hours daily in such chairs will confirm that in many ways the state with which the working day ends is determined by the conditions in which it had to be spent.

A relatively inexpensive chair of domestic production Metta Samurai S-1 became one of the sales leaders precisely due to the successful combination of low prices and unexpectedly high quality. Segmented backrest with support made of breathable mesh.Despite the price, the cross and armrests are made of metal. This product is produced taking into account the needs of people with a height above average, and it will not be possible to fit it for every user.

Taiwanese model Comfort Seating Ergohuman Plus is characterized by the highest ergonomics. Almost everything is adjustable in it: the height and depth of the seat, the shape of the backrest made of breathable mesh, there is an adjustable headrest. The armrests can be adjusted in three dimensions. The crosspiece and the body of the armrests are made of metal. Some mods even have a clothes hanger. The range of adjustments allows you to adapt the shape of the chair to the anatomical features of any user.

Model Duorest Alpha A30H Is one of the most popular models. The original shape of the backrest perfectly supports the back. It is especially convenient if you have to frequently change your body position without getting up from the chair, for example, to work with all sorts of office equipment. The chair has many adjustments and adjusts to almost any user, including people with large dimensions, weighing up to 120 kg. The only concern is the plastic crosspiece.

Chairs for executives are significantly different from office ones. As a rule, it is impossible to confuse them. With many adjustments, these products are characterized by increased comfort and luxury. The price of such furniture is at least three times higher than the cost of office models.

Italian status model Kulik Sistem Diamond available in two color options: black and brown. The seat is quite comfortable. The wide back is equipped with a lumbar support and a headrest. The backrest tilt is individually adjustable. Despite the high price and very presentable appearance, this model does not adjust the position of the armrests and the height of the back.

Domestic version of the head chair "Bureaucrat T-9999" does not lose in the least to its European counterpart. It can comfortably accommodate even a very respectable leader, the chair is designed for a load of at least 180 kg. The backrest has a comfortable lumbar support and a headrest. The position of the armrests can be adjusted. The chair is available in several color options. The disadvantage is the plastic crosspiece, as well as the lack of backrest height adjustment.

Korean armchair Duorest Cabinet DR-120 - perhaps the best model in its class. The back, like most Korean models, is made of two halves. Headrest and armrests are adjustable. The load for which the chair is designed reaches up to 140 kg, which allows almost any person to comfortably fit on it. The main disadvantage, like the previous model, can be considered a plastic crosspiece. Genuine leather is used as the main material, which, when sitting for a long time in the absence of an air conditioner, can cause unpleasant sensations associated with profuse sweating.

Tesoro Zone Balanse Is a Chinese model of a relatively inexpensive gaming chair. The backrest is equipped with a lumbar support and a headrest. The armrests can be adjusted in all positions. There is a swing mechanism, and the back can be fixed in any position.

Russian model Red square pro moon white has the highest functionality. Many adjustments allow you to relieve the back and neck as much as possible by adjusting the chair to individual parameters.Almost any person weighing up to 130 kg can comfortably fit in this chair. The plastic cross is perhaps the only significant drawback of the model.

Of course, one cannot fail to mention children's orthopedic furniture. Chairs for children have significant differences from models designed for adults. They should be lighter. As a rule, such chairs are designed without armrests, since their function is not only to relieve tension from the spine, but also not to hinder the development of skeletal muscles, one of the tasks of which is to support the spinal column.

Domestic baby seat Gravitonus Up Footrest belongs to the category of "growing" furniture. That is, it can be adjusted to the changing parameters of a growing child, the chair seems to grow with him, from the age of a kindergarten to a teenager up to 18 years old. The model is designed for a maximum load of 90 kg. For better fixation of the back, the back of the chair is made of two halves. The seat is designed in such a way that it was impossible for a child to slide off of it. For this, an adjustable removable footrest is also used, on which the legs are comfortably placed.

Korean armchair Dourest DR-7900 has a typical design adopted by the manufacturers of this country, it has a double adjustable backrest. The adjustable headrest reduces stress on the cervical spine. Height-adjustable armrests are available. Since office chairs for adults became the basis for the development of the model, the structure can easily withstand a load of 120 kg. However, a footrest is not provided, this significantly narrows the age range of the model.

The main criterion for choosing a chair, of course, should be convenience. However, often the first sensations can be deceiving, the real advantages of such furniture are manifested during operation. How to be? After all, spending the whole day in a chair that has not yet been purchased is unlikely to work.

Experts recommend paying attention to several main points.

• Does the model you like have a synchronization mechanism. It allows the adjustment of the seat and backrest adjustment, which significantly reduces the load.
• The most important selection criterion should be the ability to adjust the position of the seat. The correct height allows the soles of the feet to sit comfortably on the floor, which is very important when sitting for a long time. The depth of the seat ensures a secure fit in the seat without slipping.
• For long-term work with a computer or laptop, it is better to choose a chair with adjustable armrests. This structural element relieves stress from the shoulder girdle.
• For long-term work at the table, you will need a chair with a lumbar support or a cushion.
• The headrest is optional, but also very desirable, especially for gamers who have to spend a lot of time sitting in a rather uncomfortable position.

You can learn more about the orthopedic chair from the video below.