Sit Better. Work Better.

How to Choose the Right Desk Chair

Sitting – we all do it, some of us more than others. But for those who spend a lot of time working at a desk, sitting can cause a lot of discomfort and pain because, the fact is, most of us sit wrong. The human body is designed to move, but when we sit we’re often sitting in a static position for an extended period of time or adopt unhealthy habits such as slouching and that’s a problem.

Are you looking for a supportive chair that fits your body and your office space? Often, you sit in a chair that is designed to support the work you’re doing or the fit is incorrect. But with so many office chairs to choose from, how do you know which chair is right for you? Here are three questions you should ask yourself when trying to find your perfect seating companion:

1. Do you usually sit for long periods of time?

The more time you spend sitting the more important it becomes to sit in a chair that provides a greater degree of ergonomic support. Whether you’re working in the office or at home, it’s important to sit in a chair that supports a healthy posture, encourages you to move and keeps you in the optimal zone for seeing and reaching your work.

2. Are you sitting at an owned workstation or shared workstation?

Fewer organizations are providing assigned desks to employees so many people who previously had an owned workstation will now be sitting in shared seating that will most likely need to be adjusted. If the chair has not been adjusted properly for you, you’re likely to experience some discomfort and pain. Most people either don’t know how to adjust their chair or simply don’t like to adjust their chair. The vast majority only adjust the height and arms on their chair, but other adjustments such as the seat and back are never adjusted.

3. Do you want to be in full control of your sitting experience? Do you want the ability to dial in the adjustments to your chair or would you prefer to let the chair do it for you?

Our office chairs are designed to be either weight-activated or manually adjusted. It’s important to understand the difference. Weight-activated chairs support you as much as possible with minimal adjustments by responding to your body weight, providing the right amount of back tension as you recline, allowing you to get comfortable quickly. These chairs are great for shared seating where multiple people are using one chair throughout the day (such as conference rooms, shared desks, WFH with multiple users) because the chair naturally responds to the body’s movement to provide the appropriate level of support.

Manually adjusted chairs let you fine-tune your fit. You can control the tension and recline to match your preference. They adjust fully to your body for maximum support. These chairs are ideal for long hours at a dedicated workstation, at home or in the office.

Steelcase has a long history of seating innovation, built on research into how people work. We offer a wide range of ergonomic chairs for different needs, styles, and budgets. All high-performance chairs include LiveBack® technology, which flexes with your spine to support natural movement and healthy posture. Adjustable features like 4D arms, seat depth, back tension, and recline help fit a wide range of body types.

Steelcase Weight-activated Seating Choices

Steelcase Karman

Sit back and let physics do its job. With a proprietary performance textile and impossibly light frame, Steelcase Karman goes beyond leading mesh office chairs to provide effortless comfort. This is the chair for you if you’re seeking comfort and just want to sit and get to work without having to worry about adjusting your chair. Steelcase Karman’s patented hybrid seat is unlike any other. The suspension seat with integrated cushioning provides maximum comfort for as long as you sit. The ultra-light frame flexes to eliminate painful pressure points common in other mesh chairs. An industry-leading color range, with several proprietary Intermix colors and Lux finishes, make infinite aesthetic options possible.

Steelcase Series 2

Steelcase Series 2 features our signature Air LiveBack^® technology, which works through an innovative geometric design that provides sophisticated support. The specially engineered wave pattern provides support for each part of the spine. It allowis it to flex in multiple dimensions to create responsive, personalized comfort and fit. Responsive back tension, 4D adjustable arms and adaptive seat bolstering ensure continuous comfort and ergonomic support. A height-adjustable lumbar is also available when you select microknit or 3D knit back options. Other back options include quilted or standard upholstery.

Steelcase Series 1

If you’re looking for best-in-class ergonomic essentials, quality, lots of choice and a great price, Steelcase Series 1 is the chair for you. LiveBack flexors conform to your spine to provide flexibility and support throughout the day. Several mix-and-match knit, flexor and lumbar colors, and a wide range of shell and finish options, offers an abundance of choice to match your personality, culture or brand.

Steelcase Manually-adjusted Seating Choices

Gesture

 Gesture offers maximum support. After a Steelcase study identified nine new sitting postures, Gesture was designed to support every posture, task, and device. Its 360-degree arms move like human arms and adjust through a full range of motion. All controls are on the right side for quick, easy adjustments. The 3D LiveBack system flexes with your spine as you move, bend, or twist. Add a headrest for extra comfort during long sessions or gaming.

Leap

Leap is the ultimate office chair. It’s known for adjustability. The dialed-in, precise fit for people who need a little extra support and want more control of their adjustments. LiveBack technology supports the spine in its natural S-shape that provides lower back support and lumbar support adjustment. Natural Glide System lets the seat move forward as you recline, keeping your work within easy view and reach. Simple controls are clearly labeled and easy to use.

Amia + Amia Air

Amia offers the best combination of performance and style. With two back options, Amia is a versatile chair that fits any work environment. A hidden advanced LiveLumbar system flexes as you move, providing consistent, dynamic support for your lower back. Amia Air’s back design flexes in two dimensions to encourage movement and posture change. Choose from a variety of Air back colors or warm it up with 3D Microknits for additional choices.