Why should you buy office chairs with adjustable armrests?
No one can deny the significance of ergonomic office furniture. Not only do they increase the productivity of office workers but also shape the look and feel of the place. Most ergonomic office furniture features plenty of user-friendly elements that are designed especially to enhance the user experience.
A comfortable office chair is an indispensable part of workspaces, be it at home or in an office building. Armrests are the most important component of the office chair that directly impacts the sitting posture. If they are not adjustable, it would have serious consequences on your health and efficiency.
But do you know why should you buy office chairs with adjustable armrests? This article will tell you all the reasons you need to buy an office chair with adjustable arms.
Why Should You Buy Office Chairs With Adjustable Armrests?
Although an ergonomic adjustable office chair falls in the costly category of furniture, they are worth the high price as they offer myriad features. Otherwise, the money you try to save by buying a cheap non-adjustable chair is balanced by the amount you spend on medication for muscle aches and back pain. Before diving into the benefits of an ergonomic chair that comes with armrest adjustments, it is a good idea to first examine the armrest adjustment options commonly available.
Types of Adjustments for Armrests of an Ergonomic Office Chair
The height adjustment option is the most demanded feature of an adjustable armrest office chair. However, good quality adjustable armrests are not limited to providing height adjustment only, they offer width, depth, and pivot adjustment options as well. This way, these armrests allow the user to customize them according to his/her body type and the task to be performed. Here are the most common adjustment options available in standard adjustable arms.
Height Adjustment
The most important adjustment feature of armrests is the height adjustment. It allows you to easily adjust the height of your armrest so that your wrist stays in a neutral position. A neutral wrist is one in which your hands appear to be a natural extension of the forearm rather than flexing down or extending up to reach the keyboard or mouse.
If the armrest is too high, you have to compromise the shoulder position which increases tension in the muscles there. In the case of lower armrests, there are risks of contact stress at the forearm or wrist. On the contrary, an optimal height, adjusted according to the needs and preferences of the user provides maximum comfort.
Depth Adjustment
Depth adjustment of chair armrests allows you to slide the arm pads forward or backward as per your requirement. It gives you the option to decide whether you want to sit closer to the desk or recline on the chair.
In general, a few chairs come with this feature as not everyone needs this kind of adjustment.
Width Adjustment
Width adjustment allows you to change the distance between the two armrests of your chair. In this way, you can customize the chair according to your body type and the specific task you are performing.
A reasonable width adjustment of armrests is one in which your elbows are right under your shoulders while resting on the armrests.
Pivot Adjustment
Pivot adjustment allows you to rotate the arm pad as per your desire from left to right giving a broader range of choices for arm order. This feature proves to be handy when you want good forearm support while working.
This feature is particularly beneficial for people who have kyphosis, a spinal disorder in which the upper back is rounded in a forward direction. The pivot feature allows you to stretch pec muscles in front while keeping the rhomboids in a contracted position in the back, an exercise recommended by therapists for reversing kyphosis.
Benefits of Office Chairs with Adjustable Armrests
We’ve already written a detailed article on the importance of armrests, their drawbacks, and how to choose them for an office chair. Here we will be talking in detail about the benefits of having office chairs with adjustable armrests.
Supports a Good Posture
Adjustable armrests support natural spine alignment as they allow users to sit in a good posture. An office chair with adjustable arms provides lumbar support to the user. This is tested and verified by different studies, indicating that a properly adjusted armrest decreases the load on the spine by 10%.
If the armrests are not adjustable, your shoulders might round forward or rise towards your ears – a problem frequently faced by people working in an office environment. Adjustable armrests help in fixing this problem as they allow your arms to be straight and shoulders to be aligned and lowered which is a sign of good seating posture. A good posture not only keeps your mood good but promotes self-confidence as well.
Increases Blood Circulation
Adjustable armrests allow the arms to rest in a comfortable and supporting position by customizing the height of the armrest according to the level of your desk or keyboard. With relaxed arms, there is less tension or strain in the shoulders and upper arm muscles, which in turn improves the blood circulation to the arms and hands.
Without adjustable armrests, blood flow to these parts is very slow, making the skin cold and stiff. Adjustable armrests improve blood circulation which in turn regulates the body temperature as well which is beneficial for the overall health of workers.
Promotes Comfort and Relaxation
The reason why we prefer to sit is that we need comfort and relaxation while working. What’s the benefit of having an ergonomic office chair if it does not provide you with the desired level of comfort? Chairs with adjustable armrests help to fill this gap and provide you relaxation and ease while working.
An ergonomic chair form to your body shape and you can even adjust the height, width, depth, and angle of armrests according to your comfort and workability. This feature is specifically essential for gamers as with relaxation and ease, they can play well.
Makes Typing Easy
Adjustable armrests are a real blessing for people who have to do a lot of typing work. Adjustable armrests allow the user to adjust them at the right height according to the typing needs. It allows your fingers to stay closer to the keyboard without putting any strain on your shoulders or elbows.
In addition, adjustable armrests can be adjusted at different settings allowing users to change positions throughout the day. Fingers also stay relaxed which increases the typing speed. Moreover, it helps in decreasing monotonousness, discomfort, or fatigue which most of us feel while typing.
Keeps you Energetic and Productive
An ergonomic office chair with adjustable armrests keeps you productive and energetic all day long. If the armrests are not adjustable, it reduces your mobility as you are limited to using only your wrists.
These armrests allow you to move your joints or limbs through their full range of motion without any inconvenience. Adjustable armrests provide maximum comfort to your wrists, shoulders, and neck and you don’t feel any fatigue or discomfort while working. It is natural that if you are physically feeling relaxed, you are more likely to give your best at work.
Beneficial in Co-Working Spaces
Adjustable armrests are very beneficial in shared workspaces or workspaces at home as they adapt to multiple body types. Every individual in such spaces can adjust the chair according to his/her needs. In addition, these armrests can also be adjusted from task to task whether you are playing games, doing work, or performing some other task.
Ease of mobility
Adjustable armrest allows the user to easily get in and out of the office chair. It is particularly helpful for people with limited mobility. These armrests are adjusted according to the body dimensions of the user, therefore they provide comfortable support to push against when the user tries to get in and out of the chair. In addition, adjustable armrests promote good posture which in turn reduces neck and back pain. In this way, the process of lifting oneself in and out of the chair becomes less stressful for the body.
Support a Good Posture
Adjustable armrests allow the user to sit in a good posture that supports the natural alignment of the spine. An office chair with adjustable arms provides lumbar support to the user. This is tested and verified by different studies, indicating that a properly adjusted armrest decreases the load on the spine by 10%.
If the armrests are not adjustable, your shoulders might round forward or rise towards your ears – a problem frequently faced by people working in an office environment. Adjustable armrests help in fixing this problem as they allow your arms to be straight and shoulders to be aligned and lowered which is a sign of good seating posture. A good posture not only keeps your mood good but promotes self-confidence as well.
Relieve Muscle Aches
Muscle aches are the most common problem faced by office workers. Adjustable armrests form according to your arms and relieve muscle aches that are felt otherwise if you don’t use them. These armrests prevent you from leaning over the keyboard for prolonged periods.
They distribute the body weight evenly on your lower back, hips, and legs. In this way, adjustable armrests prevent any strain on the neck, elbows, and forearms and keep you safe from uncomfortable shoulder pain.
Reduces Back Pain
Adjustable armrests help keep the keyboard close and in front of you so that you can easily work without overstretching your arms or shoulders and this way helps in reducing back pain.
In the absence of adjustable armrests, your arms would be outstretched or extended forward which would cause nothing but fatigue, pain, and discomfort. Similarly, if the armrests are too high or too low, it results in shoulder and upper back pain. You might not feel it while working during the day, but after getting home, there would be potential aches in your arms, shoulders, and wrists.
Beneficial for People with Physical Disabilities
Adjustable armrests are extremely useful for people who are suffering from physical disabilities or injuries. It allows such users to customize the armrests according to their specific requirements and ensure that they sit in a comfortable position. In this way, these armrests help to support them and eliminate risks of further injuries. Using standard ergonomic office chairs that do not offer armrest adjustability proves to be difficult for injured or disabled people.
Last Thoughts!
In a nutshell, you cannot achieve a comfortable workspace without having ergonomic chairs with adjustable armrests. Adjustable armrests help you sit comfortably during long working hours because they can be adjusted according to your body type, workspace, and required task.
Resting your hands on the armrests of an ergonomic desk chair improves your posture which results in the increased circulation of blood to the hands and arms. It keeps your mood good and energetic. Indeed, an adjustable armrest improves the overall sitting experience. Therefore, it must be your top priority to buy an office chair with adjustable armrests or upgrade if you already have one with nonadjustable armrests.