Finding the Right Fit for Individuals With Tall & Large Frames
Duncan MacIntyre
Do you work in an office where everyone has the same office chair?
Are you taller than 6'?
If so, you've probably experienced how awkward it can be trying to fit into the same desk and chair as your shorter, more petite colleagues.
Why are some office chairs a problem for larger statures?
For someone with longer than average legs, the wrong chair can be a real hassle. Even sitting right back into the seat frequently leaves the user’s legs sticking out or crammed underneath their desk. Having to sit in this unnatural posture soon becomes uncomfortable.
Reclining in the chair poses an additional problem. Fixed tension chairs are not strong enough for to provide the right support. Consequently, when leaning back, the chair offers little resistance and just shoots straight back.
To resolve these two common problems it’s necessary to consider some vital options.
What essential features do big and tall people need?
The first problem can usually be taken care of by making sure that your chair is fitted with a seat slide adjuster. That way you can set the depth to suit your legs and get rid of the overhang issue.
The second problem can be easily fixed by making sure your chair has tilt tension adjustment. This enables heavier built users to increase the spring tension in the back. Now when you recline you don’t feel unstable in the chair because it supports you comfortably.
So, is that all you need to take care of?
What other features should you be aware of?
Apart from the 2 vital functions we just covered, what other features are desirable?
You should always go for adjustable arms. Even no arms would be a better option than fixed arms.
Fixed arms rarely end up in the right position for comfortable support. They often place your shoulders at an abnormal angle and the outcome is always the same – neck and shoulder pain.
Also, check the seat’s dimensions and make sure it will allow you a clearance of an inch on each side when you're seated. There’s nothing worse than feeling shoehorned in your seat as it restricts movement and causes discomfort.
You will probably be best to go for a medium or high chair back to make sure your back gets proper support. So avoid small chair backs unless they have a high degree of adjustability.
Won’t all this work out pretty expensive?
Unfortunately, there’s no getting away from it, you just won’t find the features you need on $100 chairs. Realistically you’re going to need to budget between $450 and $750 and maybe more to get the kind of chair you need. You need to look at it as an investment. When you spend long hours sitting to work the added comfort you’ll gain will help you become more productive. Instead of being distracted by aching muscles you will get more work done. This is particularly true as the day wears on.
Look at the payback you'll get. Let’s say you value your time at $30 an hour and you gain just 10 minutes a day in increased productivity. That’s $5 a day, so even if you shell out $600 you'll see your investment paid off in less than 6 months. A pretty healthy return. Let us consider which models are likely to be most suitable.
Which chairs are good for big and tall people?
Because office chairs are mostly made to fit average sized people, you'll need to look beyond many popular models. Fortunately, some manufacturers produce chair ideally suited for big and tall users.
Ergostop's Big and Tall Series features chairs and accessories with the necessary adjustments for taller people. This series offers a wide range of choices that can be tailored to the individual through the ‘made to measure’ options on our website. Customer favorites include:
Let us run through a checklist of the key points:
- Everyday chairs rarely work for big and tall users
- You need to be able to adjust the seat depth
- A tilt tension control is vital for smooth reclining
- Choose adjustable arms, fixed arms cause discomfort
- Make sure the seat and back are big enough
- Look to invest between $450 and $750, or more
- Stick to specialist manufacturers who understand your needs
Make sure you avoid chairs with fixed driving positions. For proper comfort, you need to look to for seating designed to fit you.
Call or email us to schedule an appointment to find your perfect fit!
SUPPORT@ARCERGO.COM | 1-800-875-7001
 |
Comments
Post a Comment