Adjusting an office chair is a time-consuming and hectic task, especially if you are a beginner. There are different styles and models of chairs available in the market and might follow different procedures for modification of various aspects. For example, pneumatic office products can be effortlessly adjusted with the help of the buttons located under the seats.
In contrast, older versions that lack pneumatic adjustment can be modified using thick bolts covered with plastic. This article encapsulates the time-efficient techniques on how to adjust an office chair based on height, angle, backrest, and posture.
How to Adjust Office Chair?
An office chair can be adjusted in a variety of ways depending on its various features. The most common modifications, among which include height changes, angle tuning, backrest rearrangement based on the appropriate sitting posture. Steps and techniques that can be followed for each of these factors are discussed below in detail.
Height Adjustment
The first factor addressed in the article is height. You might want to adjust the height of your chair depending on your own height and sitting position. Wrong bodily posture due to improper height might contribute to back pain and muscle rigidness. Hence, the following steps can be taken to solve the problem.
Step 1
First and foremost, it is important to measure the height of the table with respect to the desk you would be working at, i.e., your workstation. This can be carried out by placing the chair in front of the desk and then measuring them accordingly. Doing so will allow you to modify the equipment according to your height and back requirements. Thereby decreasing the chance of error.
Step 2
Afterward, it is recommended to search for the adjustment controls on your product. The height can be changed with the help of bolts if you are using an old computer model. Similarly, the bolts are replaced with buttons in the new pneumatic models. Hence, making it easier for consumers to control the equipment.
These buttons/bolts are located beneath the seat in most cases and are usually found in the form of a pair. Among which each is used to adjust the height and back support, respectively. However, there are some exceptions as well. Therefore, it is advised to monitor your tool carefully and locate the controls beforehand.
Step 3
Now it is time to modify the height of your unit. For this purpose, you should use the pneumatic lever while standing in front of the item. Pull the lever upward or downward depending on the requirement with one hand and use the other one to lift the seat slowly. Contrarily, you should manually loosen the bolt while lifting the chair in non-pneumatic models. After you have reached the desired position, release the lever or tighten the bolt, and you are good to go.
Step 4
Last but not least, step 4 is crucial and is associated with the testing of the chair’s height. This can be performed by sitting on the chair and observing your body position. You should know that the process was successful when your feet touch the ground comfortably and your knees are bent at a wider than right angle while sitting. If you feel discomfort or are unable to place your feet on the ground, you can re-adjust the item by following the above-mentioned steps.
Angle Adjustment
After the height, the next important factor is the angle. Most ergonomic office chairs allow you to change the angle horizontally depending on your requirements. Setting your chair to a little bit forward position contributes greatly to the improvement in your sitting posture and prevents various health issues.
The angle adjustment can be carried out with the help of a lever located at the backside of your chair. If you change the angle to a horizontal or backward reclining position, it will help you relax during the long-term sitting sessions. Furthermore, a backward leaning position is associated with enhanced comfort and helps in the maintenance of a perfect body posture.
In addition to this, adjusting the angle to the forward position helps in the reduction of pressure that often builds up near thighs after sitting for more than 8 hours a day. Hence, contributing to the reduction in back and thigh pain. So, it is highly recommended to change the angle depending on your convenience.
Backrest Adjustment
Backrest Angle
Backrest adjustment can be further divided into backrest height and backrest angle modification. The lever for changing the backrest angle is also located on the right side of the equipment displaying the backward and forward arrows on both sides. You can use the arrows to rearrange the angle of the backrest.
The best position for working hours is the forward one as it helps to relieve the pressure from your legs and helps maintain good posture contributing to a healthy lifestyle. Contrarily, for a more relaxed approach, you can select the backward position. This feature is characterized by a reduction in back and neck pain. Thereby offering a comfortable experience.
Backrest Height
Apart from this, backrest height can be rearranged with the help of a lever or the nob, which is mostly located under the backrest. However, the procedure varies with the model and should be carefully analyzed before practical implementation. The backrest height rearrangement is associated with changing the position of the back cushioning with respect to your waist.
Modern style chairs allow knob features that are simple and can be used to change the height of the backrest effortlessly. You can make the required changes by pulling the knob upward. It is advised to move one click at a time and then move towards the bottom in a similar position once you have reached the top.
Proper Sitting Posture on an Office Chair
It is important to figure out the correct sitting posture, as inappropriate posture might lead to back pain, rigid muscles, and other health issues. A good posture can contribute greatly to a healthy lifestyle and can help generate a productive outcome. In order to achieve the specified sitting posture, it is advised to adjust your set height in a way that your feet touch the ground properly when you sit on the chair.
Similarly, your knees should be bent and more than 90 degrees apart from each other. You should also sit straight and let your lower back reach the cushioned area located in the backrest. The reclining feature should be ket at around 100 degrees so that you can easily access the desk.
In addition to this, your eyes should be in a straight line with the monitor screen to prevent neck issues. Your shoulders should also be kept relaxed to prevent sore muscles or sprains. Lastly, it is recommended to walk for 2-3 minutes in between the sitting session to relax your body and prevent rigidity of muscles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the knob located on the bottom of my chair?
The knob located on the bottom of the chair is known as the tilt adjustment knob and is used for tilt tension modification. This allows you to move the chair forward or backward by either increasing or decreasing the tilt tension of the unit. The item is mostly present under the seat on the front side and can be pulled manually for adjusting the tension.
Why does my office chair leans to one side?
There might be a variety of reasons for your office chair to lean on only one side. The most common among which include the broken caster, which might prevent the chair from leaning forward. Besides this, a bent seat plate might also be another reason for the poor performance of the unit. Therefore, it is important to regularly maintain and monitor the apparatus for efficient results.
How do I adjust my office chair back support?
The back support of your office chair can be adjusted with the help of a knob located on the back of the chair. This allows you to move the backrest in a forward or backward position by moving the knob. It is often easier to lower the backrest rather than raising it. Hence, it is recommended to begin with raising it, especially if you are a beginner.
Wrapping Up
It takes a lot of effort and time to adjust various features of an office chair. Adjusting the height can be carried out with the help of a button on a pneumatic chair and using bolt-on older computer versions. Apart from height adjustment, angle and backrest rearrangement can be carried out via the knob located at the back of the chair.
Setting the angle towards the forward direction can help in the reduction of neck pain and allows easy access to nearby materials. In contrast, the backward reclining feature is associated with a reduction in pressure over thighs and legs and contributes to a healthy sitting posture. Thereby leading to a reduction in body aches and rigid muscles.
