Selecting an Ergonomic Chair

An ergonomic task chair is the basis for a comfortable, productive workstation. Ergonomic means that the chair has the necessary adjustable functions and standard qualities that make it suitable for the majority of the population. To assist users in identifying a good ergonomic chair, some of the important features to look for are summarized below.

Ergonomic chair features

Seat Height	Adjustability is a must - feet should rest comfortably on the floor without pressure on the back of the thighs. The angle between the thigh and torso should not be less than 90°.
Seat Depth	The seat should have a waterfall edge and be the right depth. Too short, and pressure will result on the back of the thighs, too long and the seat edge will press into the back of the knee. A seat slider is a good option to provide adjustable depth.
Seat pan Angle	Should allow the user to keep the feet flat on floor and should move proportionally to backrest angle.
Lumbar support	The backrest curve should follow the natural curve of the spine, so when purchasing, always look for an adjustable lumbar support.
Backrest Height	The backrest needs to adequately support the back. Mid-back chairs are most popular since they allow for upper torso movement , while high-back chairs support the shoulder blades as well. Low-back chairs (<45 cm tall) are not recommended.
Backrest Angle	A great adjustable feature to allow for the recommended 93°-113° torso-to-thigh angle, plus provide a changing posture throughout the day.
Armrests	Should be height adjustable between 19-24 cm and should naturally support the arms at the elbow and forearm with a padded surface, without the user leaning or elevating the shoulder. They should not interfere with computer work or positioning of the chair, so should be set back from the front edge of the chair 15 cm.

It can be overwhelming to try to choose an appropriate chair that fits both your physical needs, the job that you do, and your budget. In order to assist with this process, below is a list of popular chair manufacturers and models used at UW. The chairs detailed on this page are not University of Waterloo standards and do not represent all available models, however are popular choices appropriate for general office workstations. Many local reps will provide a demo of the chair you are interested in, to ensure that the model you purchase is the right fit.

Manufacturer	Popular Models
ergoCentric www.ergocentric.com	- geoCentric - ErgoIndustrial lab stool
Humanscale www.humanscale.com	- Freedom
Neutral Posture www.neutralposture.com	- 5500 - 8500
Herman Miller www.hermanmiller.com	- Celle - Mirra
Global Seating www.globaltotaloffice.com	- Tritek - Malaga

Contact Procurement & Contract Services to purchase ergonomic furniture or equipment.

If you have a concern or special need, contact
Kate Windsor in the Safety Office.

Choosing an Ergonomic Chair