Finding an Office Chair Base that Will Keep You Grounded

Finding the right office chair base is one step in finding the right office chair for your body and your office needs.

Different Chair Bases

If you've looked at any office catalogs lately or even so much as walked into an office, you know there's hundreds of different types of office chairs. So, which one is right for you? Well, there are lots of different components to consider when looking for an office chair. The type of office chair base is just one thing to consider.

An office chair base is at the very bottom of the chair. It holds the chair upright and keeps it from tipping over. Some bases are stationary, meaning the chair will not move while you're sitting on it unless you push it back yourself. Other office chair bases are moveable. These chairs have rollers on them and allow the user to move the chair up, down, sideways or in a circle.

Office chair bases are also made out of different materials. Some are made of plastic while others are made of sturdier aluminum or steel. These materials have different properties and work better in different situations. Older office chairs may have a wooden base, though wooden bases are increasingly becoming rare.

Other Things to Consider

The office chair base is just one of many important chair components. The most important thing to look for in an office chair is comfort and support. It's important to keep in mind that a chair that is comfortable might not also be supportive. The chair should support your back and your neck. Many newer office chairs bow at the lower back to give the lower back support. This in turn forces the chair user to sit up straight, which lengthens the spine. The chair should also support the neck and upper back, which means it extends the length of the person's back.

The "perfect" office chair should also include an adjustable lever. Every desk stands at a different height and every worker is a different height. An adjustable lever allows the chair user to set the chair at height that is comfortable. Someone who spends their days typing should be perched high enough on a chair that their arms are above the chair. This prevents the person from typing with their wrists up or balancing their risk on the desk. This type of leverage will help prevent typing related injuries.

Some office chairs will recline at the base, but this is not a necessary chair feature. If you're concerned that your employees will be lounging in their chairs if they have a reclining option make sure to get them a chair with an office chair base that prevents reclining.