Buying the Right Chair for Fit and Comfort      © Heavenly Enterprises, LLC

• One size doesn’t fit all
  Owning a good quality ergonomic chair is not enough – it is also necessary to have a chair that is built for the individual’s body type and size. A ‘One Size Fits All’ chair really doesn’t fit anyone. When you sit on the chair the seat pan cushion should be at least one inch wider than your hips on either side. Seat cushion depth is an important factor. Too short and you lose support of the front part of the thighs. Too long and the seat cushion will press against the back of your calves or prevent you from leaning fully against the lumbar support in the back cushion. Don’t settle for anything less than the perfect fit for you.
• Backrests
  The backrest should be separate from the seat. It should be adjustable in height as well as support angle. The chair must provide a locking mechanism of the back cushion position for good support and reduction of back muscle fatigue. The backrest should be able to support the natural curvature of the spine, with special attention to the lumbar region.
• Lumbar Support
  Our Comfy Plus Adjustable Lumbar Support is important for tasks that require a more upright position such as sewing. The lumbar spine has an inward curve and sitting for long periods without support tends to lead to slouching and a risk of chronic lower back pain and strain to the structures of the lower spine. An adjustable lumbar support is also desirable for individuals with a more pronounced curvature of the lower spine.
• Chair Seat Cushion Height
  Seat height should be easily adjustable. A pneumatic adjustment lever is the easiest way to do this. A seat height of 17” to 22” off the floor should work for most people. This allows the user to have his or her feet flat on the floor with thighs level or at a slight up angle from knee to hip for maximum comfort and good circulation. The quality of pneumatic cylinder at the heart of ergonomic chairs can vary widely. Lesser quality pneumatic cylinders soon lose the gas charge and fail to hold the desired seat cushion height. Top quality chairs like every model sold by Heavenly Seating have a lifetime warranty on the pneumatic cylinder. Be sure the range of seat height is sufficient for special purposes. Higher table or desk surfaces require a higher seat cushion both for comfort and good vision of the work area. The best chairs can be adapted to provide a window of height adjustability that works well with the other furniture used in your work.
• Seat Cushion Comfort and Design
  Sitting in your new chair for periods of time of several hours or more will soon reveal a chair with inadequate cushions. Discomfort, hip pain, tingling, and numbness can all become a distraction from your work and may require you to end the session in the chair sooner than desired. Top quality seat cushions are constructed from high density urethane foam. This ensures that the cushion will never ‘bottom out’ causing discomfort and a restriction in blood circulation. An important feature of a good fitting and comfortable chair is one where the front edge of the seat cushion falls off like a waterfall. A chair of this design will eliminate pressure points on the bottom of the legs.
• Back Cushion Adjustability
  This is a very desirable feature for nearly all users, especially for sewers and quilters. Sewing posture requires the machine operator to sit very upright for a better view of the sewing needle. Look for a range of adjustment that will provide for constant support of the entire spine including the lumbar region when leaning slightly forward and leaning backward as well. This adjustment must be able to have a lockdown capability to eliminate unnecessary back muscle fatigue.
• Swivel
  A good chair should easily rotate a full 360˚ so the user can reach different parts of his or her work area without straining. This rotation should take place freely, almost without effort.
• Pedestal Base and Casters
  A five-leg pedestal base is essential for stability and your safety. Top quality chairs have top quality casters with split wheel design for stability and weight distribution. Choose a chair with a choice of casters designed for carpet or hard surfaces. The ease of mobility will be enhanced with the proper casters for your floor surface.
• Arm Rests
  Arm rests should be adjustable in height. They should be contoured, cushioned, and comfortable. Arm rests should be easily removable and easily reattached depending on your sewing project. Arm rests for sewing chairs should also be positioned closer to the back edge of the seat so they don’t restrict your ability to sit close to your sewing machine table or cabinet. The arm rests on many chairs are not removable and extend too far forward.