Aug 122014
 
This big & tall chair means business.

This big & tall chair means business.

It might surprise you to find out that the standard office chair is designed to hold a mere 250 lbs. You don’t have to have a few more inches to you, length or width wise to weigh more than what your office chair can handle. Needless to say, you may be (and probably should be) worried about your chair giving weigh underneath you (See what I did there?). Not only is this embarrassing but it can also cause a lot of damage and even more injuries. You can promote workplace safety and production by finally getting a chair made specifically for your big and tall body. Gone are the days of chairs cracking, squeaking, pinching and poking in all the areas that aren’t ideal.

contemporary office chair for big & tall

A contemporary office chair for big & tall.

Why You Need a Big and Tall Office Chair?

Sturdy seating is imperative, regardless of how big or small you are. There is just so much at risk when you are squeezing into a chair that just isn’t fit for your shape. Heavy duty office chairs are made specifically for big and tall people and even more importantly, they are also designed to be used for extended periods of time. Thus, they are built for comfortable support – even if you’re over 250 lbs.

Cushion for the Pushing

The first thing you want to look for when shopping for an office chair for your big and tall body is a little extra cushion for the pushing. Firm padding in a seat is absolutely vital to your comfort because the heavier someone is, the more the cushion get compressed. So, you need to make sure that the padding will be able to handle the additional weight.

Adjustments are Essential

Take a ride in this big & tall chair

Take a ride in this big & tall chair.

You definitely want an office chair that gives you the option to adjust it if needed. Maybe you’re on a diet and plan to slim down a bit, or wear high shoes some days and lower ones another day. Either way, you need this feature. The two mandatory adjustments you want are the height and the armrests. You need to make sure that your feet can be planted flat on the ground in front of you, and that it doesn’t pinch you in your hips when you sit.  In other words, is it wide enough? Take a seat and find out.  Other adjustments you might want to have the option of include tilt, back position and maybe even some massaging features!

Additional Features

In addition, you may want to consider back support, wheels and the materials used within the design of your office chair. Having a little extra back support could never hurt, and although wheels are practical, they may not give you the sturdiness that you desire as a big and tall person.  As for the materials, these can promote comfort and cleanliness. If you tend to sweat a lot, you may want to opt for a mesh fabric chair as it breaths and promotes air flow.

More importantly, you might want to avoid any cheap office chairs and cheap plastic as these certainly won’t promote longevity.