Are you looking for an easy way to adjust your office chair?
You’re in the right place!
In this ChairAdviser.com guide, you’ll learn:
- The differences in changing the height, tilt, recline, and lumbar
- What that knob under your chair is for
- How to adjust an office chair
- And much more!
What’s the most important piece of office equipment in your office or workstation?
You would not be wrong in thinking it’s your computer or printer. However, we’re willing to point to one particular piece of furniture — your office chair.
Having an office chair does not just ensure your comfort at work. It is crucial to maintaining the health of your back and neck while you’re at work.
Ideally suited to your particular proportions, your office chair needs to be nothing shy of ergonomic.
Adjusting your office chair allows you to experience comfort as you go about your nine-to-five.
And, in this article, we’ll teach you how to adjust the different parts of your office chair.
You’ll be one step closer to comfort by the end of this article.
Sit back and read on to learn more about making your office chair more comfortable for your body!
What You Need To Know About Adjusting Your Office Chair?
When it comes to making adjustments to your office chair, you have only one guiding principle — comfort. Indeed, comfort is highly subjective.
Nonetheless, a good rule of thumb would be to adjust your chair in such a way that it:
- Allows your feet to touch the ground
- Is high enough for you to place both your hands on your desk
- Keeps your back in an upright position (most of the time)
- Reclines at an angle you are comfortable with
With these specifications in mind, you need to adjust the following in your office chair:
- Its height
- The tilt
- How it reclines
- The lumbar support
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How To Adjust An Office Chair’s Height (4 Easy Steps)
The height of your office chair will depend on your height.
Here are the steps to making sure your office chair is at the right height:
- Determine the Ideal Height of Your Chair
- Locate the Height Adjustment Lever
- Make The Necessary Adjustments
- Add Cushions For Added Height
Step 1: Determine the Ideal Height of Your Chair
The chair height will vary among individuals. A good place to start would be to raise or lower the chair to the level of your knees when you’re standing.
This height will allow your feet to be on the floor when you sit. It will also likely allow you to be at the level of your desk.
Step 2: Locate The Height Adjustment Lever
Once you’ve figured out how high your office chair needs to be, you can now locate the adjustment lever.
Depending on the type of chair, there can be two areas to manipulate. What you’re looking for is a lever. The lever is likely to be the height adjustment lever.
Step 3: Make The Necessary Adjustments
Pull on the lever until your chair reaches the desired height. You may need to push the chair down if you want to lower the seat height.
Step 4: Add Cushions for Added Height
If your chair still isn’t at the height you desire, a seat cushion can make up for the deficit.
Just be careful not to get one that is too soft. A chair cushion that is too soft can lead to you developing an anterior pelvic tilt.
Adjusting An Office Chair’s Tilt (3 Easy Steps)
To adjust the tilt of your office chair, you need to be sitting on it. Once you do, follow these steps:
- Locate The Tilt Adjustment Knob
- Push Down On The Knob Until You Find The Right Angle
- Tilt The Chair Back Slightly
Step 1: Locate The Tilt Adjustment Knob
The adjustment knob is often not too far from the height adjustment lever. You’ll find it somewhere under the seat pan or the part of your chair you sit on.
Step 2: Push Down On The Knob Until You Find The Right Angle
Once you reach your desired chair tilt, release the knob. Having the right tilt can contribute to your focus, especially if you’re working on a computer.
Step 3: Tilt The Chair Back Slightly
Doing this will allow you to maintain your chair’s tilt while giving your back a chance to rest.
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How To Recline An Office Chair (2 Easy Steps)
Sometimes, you need to relax. Reclining your office chair’s backrest will allow you to put your feet up.
How you recline your office chair will depend on its reclining mechanism.
In the United States, one of the most common types of mechanisms is a swivel-tilt mechanism. A chair with this type of tilting mechanism requires no more than you leaning on your backrest.
For chairs with other types of mechanisms, here is how to lock in your reclined position:
- Lean Back Slightly
- Pull-On The Tilt Lever To Lock Your Position
Step 1: Lean Back Slightly
Lean back on your backrest. As you do this, make sure your feet stay planted on the floor. If not, your chair may not be set at the appropriate height.
Step 2: Pull-On The Tilt Lever To Lock Your Position
Once you feel comfortable, you may want to stay in the position you’re in for a while.
To remain in this position without you exerting force, pull the tilt lever under your chair. This will lock you into your comfortable reclined position.
Adjusting An Office Chair’s Lumbar Support (2 Easy Steps)
The lumbar support of your office chair needs to be adjusted too if you desire peak comfort as you work. The lumbar support needs to follow the natural contour of your spine.
One of the ways you can ensure this is by looking for the right backrest level.
- Locate Your Lumbar Support While You Are Seated
- Adjust To Comfort
Step 1: Locate Your Lumbar Support While You Are Seated
Usually, the lumbar support is behind the backrest of your office chair. It is a small piece of plastic you can move up or down.
It is meant to push the small of your back forward.
Step 2: Adjust To Comfort
Move the lumbar support up or down depending on what’s comfortable for you. You can change the level of your lumbar support over time.
After all, what’s comfortable will change for you as time passes.
Read More >> Best Office Chairs For Lower Back Pain (2021 Review)
Adjustment FAQs
What is the knob on the bottom of the chair for?
This knob is the tilt adjustment knob. It is a knob that allows you to tilt your chair at an angle that feels comfortable.
The knob allows you to keep your office chair’s tilt without adjusting it every time.
How can I unlock my office chair?
A “locked” office chair is in a reclined position and does not go back to its original upright position. To unlock an office chair, all you need to do is lean back at the chair’s maximum recline angle.
Then, hold the position and try to move the adjustment lever below the seat back and forth. After a few attempts, your chair should go back to its original upright position.
Why did my office chair stop leaning back?
One of the most common reasons an office chair stops leaning back is a jammed tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism is the junction between your seat plate and the chair’s legs. It is like a hinge that allows the chair to sway back and forth.
Often, simply greasing the point directly underneath the seat plate helps.
Final Thoughts On Making Chair Adjustments
Adjusting your office chair is a must for creating a comfortable work environment. It is an important step towards a more ergonomic workstation.
By knowing how to adjust an office chair, you can make life a little easier on yourself — particularly your back, shoulders, and productivity!
Was this guide helpful? Let us know by dropping a comment below.
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