Do You Rock? (Your chair)

When you’re choosing seating for yourself or others in your office, the first consideration is how the chair is going to be used and for what tasks. Different staff positions require different adjustability options and comfort levels, usually based on how long they’re going to be sitting.

The chair mechanism under the seat is the main difference between chair types. Below are the usual suspects that we’ll look at.

Task Chairs

As the name implies, a task chair is meant for short-term tasks, usually something that doesn’t last for more than 4 hours. After that time period, the user might start finding themselves sore at their station. They usually only have a couple adjustment options; height and a tilt that is either locked or unlocked. So why use a task chair if it’s so limited? Their light weight, portable, and affordable. So if you only need something for, say, the photocopy room where no one is permanently station, there’s no point in getting a chair with a built-in massager. A simple task-chair will do.

Posture Task

A posture task chair is similar to a task chair, but includes an infinite back angle adjustment and back height adjustment. This means the chair can be locked in any tilt angle. Many posture chairs also offer the ability to set the back to different heights with a tightening knob.

Tilter

A tilter mechanism is nearly identical to a task mechanism, with the exception that you can set the tilt tension. You can increase or decrease how much the chair resists being tilted backwards allowing you to rock comfortably in place. Tilters also usually tilt form the center of the mechanism for a more balanced recline versus other mechanisms that tilt from the rear of the chair. This style is typically used for conference or management seating.

Knee Tilter

Tilters typically have a centre-tilt action, but knee tilters rock from the front of the seat pan. This action allows the user to keep their feet firmly planted on the floor while reclining.

Multi-Tilter

This is where things get interesting (if your mind hasn’t already exploded from all the options so far). A Multi-tilter chair has adjustment for seat height, tilt tension, back angle, separate seat angle adjustment, that same infinite back angle adjustment from the posture and often a sliding seat depth option.

What does all that mean? The multi-tilter chair is the most adjustable category of seating and is best for any longer-term work. Multi-titers can be rated for full-time, 8-hour work, 16-hour ‘overtime’ work, right up to 24-hour, multi-shift work. This usually includes a cushy seat to match for the long sitting times.

As this chair is the most adjustable, it’s also the best option for anyone who is dealing with back or hip issues. You can set it up permanently into a position that’s comfortable for you, or re-adjust it as much as you want depending on how you feel that day. This is why we call these “ergonomic chairs”.

Synchro-Tilter

Like a multi-tilter in many ways, the synchro is a good option for longer-term use. The main difference is that the backrest and seat pan of the chair recline at the same with, but at different rates. Usually a two-to-one ratio. That means your back will lean more than your butt as you recline. There is also a synchro knee-tilter type that includes the benefits of the synchro wile also keeping your feet on the floor.

Operator

The operator mechanism is built specifically for 24-hour use seating. They’re a bit more rugged than the other mechanisms and can withstand intensive use. The seat and back angle are adjusted at the same time with a single lever to simply the mechanism.

That’s a lot of info…

Know what kind of chair you need? Still confused? Either way, Buy Rite’s experienced staff can help you find just the right chair. Give us a call at 604-999-7483, or email us at info@buyrite.com. Even better, come by our showroom and try a few chairs out. No matter how much I list options, it doesn’t match just setting in a chair and knowing if it’s comfortable for you.