How do you choose a desk chair?

Desk chairs are available in all price ranges and versions. The more parts of the desk chair you can adjust, the more ergonomic it is. Whether you need all of those adjustments differs per person. These 4 questions will help you choose a suitable model:

1. Do you want a health and safety-certified desk chair?
2. Which mechanism suits your use?
3. How do you want to adjust the armrests?
4. Are you looking for a special desk chair?

A health and safety-certified desk chair meets strict health and safety standards. A desk chair gets this certification if it promotes your working posture and health. There are 2 health and safety certifications for desk chairs:

• NPR 1813: desk chairs with this standard are suitable for all Belgian and Dutch people. Even people who are taller than 192cm.
• NEN 1335: this standard indicates that the desk chair is suitable for people that are between 151 and 192cm tall.

The mechanism of a desk chair determines the adjustability of the seat and backrest. There's no such thing as a wrong mechanism. It depends on your sitting preferences. The 3 most important mechanisms are:

• Tiltable: the seat of the desk chair tilts along when you change your posture. Some models have a fixed position.
• Permanent contact: the seat has a fixed position, but the backrest moves along. This ensures permanent contact between your back and the backrest.
• Synchronized: with this mechanism, both the seat and the backrest move along with your movements. This provides optimal support.

The armrests of desk chairs can be adjusted in up to 4 ways. Most basic models allow you to change the height only. Just like before, the more options you have to adjust the armrests, the more ergonomic the desk chair. The 4 adjustment options are:

• Height: this allows you to find the right position of your arms relative to the desk and your body.
• Width: you can widen the armrests, so your arms are properly positioned next to your body.
• Depth: you can move the armrests forwards and backwards, so you change their distance to your underarm.
• Rotatability: you can rotate the armrests aside for a different sitting posture.

There are desk chairs that offer a little something extra. This could be specific parts or special versions. There are 4 possible options that could be important to you:

• Desk chairs with tilt tension allow you to adjust the resistance of the backrest to your weight. That way, your back will be better supported.
• With a lumbar support, your lower back will have extra support.
• A backrest made of mesh fabric ventilates heat better, which improves the sitting comfort. This fabric is also known as netweave.
• Independently-moving parts on the backrest that move along with your posture.