Armrests for office chairs – Benefits and types

Sitting in an office chair at work is almost unavoidable with the growing number of desk jobs and the constant increase in office-related positions. If you will be sitting for the majority of the work day, it is important to be seated in a chair that is adjustable enough to allow you to sit comfortably for hours a day. Although most of us look for chairs with functionality, one area of ​​the chair that is often overlooked is the armrests. Almost all chairs have armrests of some sort or the option to add armrests as an upgrade to the chair. Armrests are an important component of any ergonomic office chair. Proper armrest design allows for a place to rest your arms while you work, relieving upper back and shoulder pressure sometimes experienced when using an armless chair. There are several different types of armrests available, so it’s important to determine which one will work best for your needs and keep you seated comfortably throughout the day.

Fixed Armrests – Fixed armrests are the most economical option available but also the least adjustable. They are fixed in height and not adjustable. While these types of armrests are certainly a budget option, they are not a very ergonomic option. They lack the adjustability needed to position your arms at the correct height for your body and can cause back pain because of this. If the armrests are too high, this will raise the shoulders, causing tension in the shoulder and upper back muscles. Too low and they can cause you to lean forward, which also puts strain on your upper back. While fixed armrests aren’t the best choice for ergonomic chairs, they are a good choice for desk chairs that are only used for a few hours a day, or for conference room chairs.

Height adjustable armrests – At a minimum, armrests must be height adjustable to allow your arms to rest in a comfortable working position for your daily tasks. Height adjustable arms can be found as an option or included in most office chairs and are among the most popular armrests available. If it’s not included in the price of the chair, adjustable armrests are usually reasonably priced to add as an option.

Some height-adjustable armrests are also width-adjustable, allowing the user to move the armrests further away from their seat if they are wider, or closer to the body if they have a smaller frame. If you have adjustable-width armrests, make sure not to place the armrests too close together, as this can interfere with relaxed typing and restrict the ability to rest your hands in your lap when you’re not typing, creating a cramped environment. Armrests that are too far apart can cause your shoulders to overextend, causing upper back strain. Width adjustment is not as common as height adjustment on the armrests and can only be found on certain models from select manufacturers.

multifunction armrest – The multi-function armrests are highly adjustable allowing the arms to be adjusted in height, width and the arm pad has the ability to pivot. These highly adjustable armrests are a great option for shorter or wider individuals who need their arms closer to their body or further away. Independent pivot action helps accommodate side-arm postures commonly found among computer users.

With the wide range of adjustments available on the multi-function arms, it’s important to make sure they don’t interfere with your work surface. Poorly designed armrests can restrict postures, causing users to hunch forward and work with their arms elevated. Specific workstation configurations can interfere with armrests, contributing to poor posture while working. Swivel armrests allow the arm pad to tilt inward to avoid problems with narrow-diameter corner work surfaces that can clog.

Adjustable Side Armrests – Perhaps one of the most advanced armrests to hit the market to date, the adjustable side armrests are an ergonomist’s dream come true, especially in the small market. They are both height and width adjustable and perhaps the best feature of all, they can extend up to 3″ in. They are a great option for smaller users who have a hard time finding an armrest that allows them to rest their arms in the correct position. close enough to your body without having to use a child seat.These advanced armrests are expensive in price, but are also among the most ergonomic/adjustable options available for ergonomic chairs.

Designing good armrests is not an easy task. People don’t just come in a wide range of sizes; they also develop their own ways of sitting over the years. Women tend to sit upright, while men tend to lean back in their chairs and in the living room. Armrests must also accommodate different user workstation configurations, including ergonomic accessories such as keyboard trays and mouse pads. Fortunately, finding the right armrests is not such a difficult task. With research and technology developing in the field of ergonomics, armrests can now accommodate a wider range of users than ever before. When deciding which arms will work best for your work environment, remember that the more adjustable, the better.