Benefits of an ergonomic chair at work: what changes in the body and in the team

A well-adjusted ergonomic chair supports the lower back, leaves the feet supported and the shoulders relaxed, and accompanies the body when it changes position. It does not cure ailments or replace breaks: what it does is remove the discomfort that a poorly adjusted chair adds for hours. For the company, the benefit is a position that serves people of different heights, with a chair that lasts for years and is repaired piecemeal.

The following explains which regulation produces each benefit, what the company earns, and how to check before purchasing. If what you are looking for is how to choose a model, it is in our guide.how to choose an ergonomic chair.

What benefit does each adjustment of the chair produce?

Each benefit comes from a specific adjustment. If the chair does not have it, neither will the benefit:

The computer-based job guide from OSHA, the United States workplace safety agency, describes the chair as having the same parts: lumbar support, height-adjustable seat, armrests and a stable base with wheels. There is no magic regulation: it is the well-fitted outfit that is noticeable at the end of the day.

Does an ergonomic chair prevent diseases?

It is not advisable to promise it, and distrust anyone who does. Back, neck and shoulder discomfort when working seated has several causes: hours without breaks, the height of the screen, the desk, stress and the physical condition of each person. The chair solves one part, that of supporting the body well, and it is an important part because it is used all day.

If there is already persistent pain, the consultation is with a health professional, not a furniture store. We write more about the relationship between the chair and back pain inback pain from working sitting.

Why does movement matter more than perfect posture?

No one works eight hours in a single position, and it wouldn't be healthy to try. A person leans forward to write, leans back to read or talk on the phone, and moves closer to the screen to review something. A good chair follows these changes without requiring you to readjust it all the time.

Therein lies the value of the synchronous mechanism: the backrest accompanies you when you recline and the seat tilts less, so your feet remain on the floor. With locking positions, each person chooses whether they want the free or fixed backrest. A chair that only goes up and down forces the body to seek support on its own, and that is what is tiring.

What does the company gain with ergonomic chairs?

For the company, the benefit is practical and is seen in three things:

• Positions that serve anyone.In offices with rotating positions or shifts, the same chair is used by people of very different heights. A chair with adjustable seat depth and lumbar adapts to everyone; one without regulations suits few.
• A standard that is easy to replace.Choosing one model for all equipment simplifies purchasing, replacement and maintenance.
• Prevention within a framework that already exists.In Chile, Law 16,744 establishes insurance against work accidents and occupational diseases, and mutual societies advise companies on prevention. The chair does not replace this advice, but it is part of what should be reviewed with it when looking at the jobs, along with the breaks and the organization of the day.

A public example: in theACHS project, the risk prevention team tested the Axis chair during their actual work day and chose to keep it.

How long does a good ergonomic chair last?

A well-made office chair is purchased for several years, and the warranty is a sign of how many years the manufacturer expects. Our chairs have a 3-year warranty, with a maximum use weight of 120 kg; The legal guarantee runs separately.

What extends the life of a chair is being able to repair it. We maintain spare parts for the chairs that we assemble in Chile with imported components: armrests, mechanisms, backrests with mesh, star bases, wheels and pistons, for example for Axis, Grace, Cooper and Aquila. After the warranty, only the damaged part is replaced, without replacing the entire chair.

Another useful clue is ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 certification, the safety and durability testing standard for office chairs. Axis, Amara, Aquila, Eros, Grace, Midas and Cooper declare it in their technical sheet. When comparing chairs from any supplier, it is a good idea to ask about certification, warranty, maximum weight, and whether replacement parts are available.

How to check the benefits before buying?

The only reliable way is to sit down, regulate it and work on it for a while:

1. Adjust the height until your feet are flat and your thighs are parallel to the floor.
2. Regulate the depth: there should be a space of a few fingers between the edge of the seat and the knee.
3. Place the lumbar support at waist level.
4. Lean back and return to the writing position. If your feet rise or your back lifts when you recline, the chair does not support you.

The chairs can be tested in our showroom at Av. Vitacura 6577, Vitacura, Santiago, where models such as Axis, Grace, Cooper, Aquila and Eros are exhibited. For a business purchase, the advisor can arrange to borrow a chair to evaluate it on the actual day, as ACHS did. It is advisable for more than one person to try it: what looks good on the average person may look bad on someone who is taller or shorter.

How much does a chair cost with these regulations?

In our list, operational chairs start from $100,000 + VAT ($120,000 with VAT), executive chairs from $180,000 + VAT ($210,000 with VAT) and managerial chairs from $230,000 + VAT ($270,000 with VAT). The adjustable lumbar and seat depth begin in the executive section, with the Axis. Business orders are quoted with an advisor.

What are the benefits of using an ergonomic chair at work?

It supports the lower back, leaves the feet supported and the shoulders relaxed, and accompanies changes in posture without losing support. For the company, it serves people of different heights and lasts for years with spare parts.

Does an ergonomic chair cure back pain?

No. It eliminates the discomfort that an ill-fitting chair adds, but the pain has several causes. If it is persistent, you should consult a health professional.

Which regulation is the most important?

The adjustable lumbar support and seat depth, because they are what adapt the chair to each body. On our list they start at the Axis.

What is the synchronous mechanism?

A mechanism that tilts the backrest and seat together, in different proportions, to recline without the feet rising or the back losing support.

How long does an ergonomic chair last?

Our chairs have a 3-year warranty and a maximum use weight of 120 kg. With spare parts, after the warranty only the damaged part is replaced.

What does BIFMA certification mean?

ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 is the safety and durability testing standard for office chairs. Axis, Amara, Aquila, Eros, Grace, Midas and Cooper declare it in their technical sheet.

Where can I try an ergonomic chair in Santiago?

In our showroom at Av. Vitacura 6577, Vitacura, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The visit is coordinated by WhatsApp at +56 9 8583 5709.