Why Using an Ergonomic Chair for Teaching Online is Important
Online ESL teachers spend anywhere from a few to several hours per week sitting at their desks while teaching. That does not include the time they sit at their desk while not teaching. While most online ESL teachers place a high priority on the computer and headset they use to teach online, they often overlook the importance of the chair they are sitting in. If you think about it logically, the chair you sit in while teaching online and for other tasks you do at your desk should in fact be one of the most important pieces of equipment in your work space.
The challenge of choosing an ergonomic chair is that there is no particular chair that will be the right fit for everyone. We all have different body types, and our workstations are set up differently. A chair only becomes ergonomic when that chair supports your body, your work environment, the specific tasks you perform while working at your desk, and how you perform these tasks.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS):
Injuries resulting from sitting for long periods are a serious occupational health and safety problem. Sitting jobs require less muscular effort, but that does not exempt people from the injury risks usually associated with more physically demanding tasks. For example, clerks, electronic assembly-line employees, and data entry operators who work in a sitting position also suffer back pain, muscle tenderness, and aches. In fact, reports of varicose veins, stiff necks, and numbness in the legs are more common among seated employees than among those doing heavier tasks. In addition, sedentary time has been found to be associated with health effects such as metabolic syndrome (including diabetes), heart disease, and poor mental health. These effects are not related to how active a person is physically.
What Features does an Ergonomic Chair Have?
CCOH suggests that an ergonomic chair have the following features:
Adjustability
- Seat height: the seat can be raised and lowered to suit the user’s height, allowing their feet to comfortably reach the floor while also being able to comfortably perform their work
- Backseat: the backseat can be raised or lowered horizontally, and is adjustable vertically
- Seat: the seat angle is adjustable to fit the user’s height and reach
- Armrests: the armrests are adjustable for both height and width to provide comfort and support to the user’s arms
Support
- Lumbar Support: the backseat should provide adequate lumbar support without creating too much pressure
- Backseat Height and Width: the backseat should be high and wide enough to support the user without restricting movement
- Seat Depth: the seat should support the user’s height without causing pressure at the back of the knees, with the back supported by the backrest, and support through the buttocks and thighs
- Seat Width: the seat should be wide enough to provide comfort and even pressure across the seat
- Seat Surface: the seat surface should be comfortable, and made from breathable materials that minimize heat and moisture buildup
- Chair Base: the chair base should provide adequate stability, preferably having a 5-point base
Thus, in your search for an ergonomic chair for online teaching, the only person who can decide which one is best for you – is you. What we can do is recommend ergonomic chairs that are affordable for online ESL teachers and offer these features.
Best Ergonomic Chairs for Online Teachers
Here are the ergonomic chairs we recommend for online teachers from least to most expensive:
- Assembly of 1 customer-supplied chair per product instructions
- Product should be in the room where it is to be assembled before provider arrives. Moving product after assembly is not included
- Cleanup work area. Take packaging to customer's bins unless customer declines
- This service does not include haul-away of products or trash
- Doctor recommended
- A Squatty Potty Toilet stool helps you mimic a natural squat to properly align your colon
- More complete & easier elimination
- Life-changing health benefits. Great for preventative care
- The Squatty Potty Toilet stool is the ideal bathroom accessory for anyone who wants to poop better.
- ✿【Easy to Set up】 - Office chair comes with all hardware & necessary tools. Follow the desk chair instruction, you'll found easy to assemble, and computer chair estimated assembly time in about 10-15mins.
- ✿【Soft & Comfort Seat】 - Desk chair using high-density sponge cushion, more flexible, office chair with a middle back design, rectangular ornament not only as a decoration, it can provide good lumbar support makes you feel comfortable.
- ✿【Quality Material】 - All the accessories of our office chair have passed the test of BIFMA, which is a guarantee for your personal safety. The mesh chair can bear the weight of 250lbs.
- ✿【With Armrest】 - It is a good choice to add one of our computer chair in your office or put a desk chair in your home/activity room. The seat height can be adjusted from 17.1"-20.3" and the seat measures 18.5"(W)*18"(D)
- ✿【Ergonomic & New Patent】- The cushion of office chair, armrest accord with human body engineering design, let your body and mesh chair perfect fit, suit long time use, give you creative design!
- GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Portable Folding Rocking Chair
- Outdoor Rocking Chair: Portable folding chair quickly and easily folds flat for simple storage and transportation
- Sturdy powder-coated steel frame supports up to 250 pounds includes padded arm rests and built-in beverage holder
- Quality Construction: Constructed from sturdy powder-coated steel, foldable chair frame supports up to 250 pounds and includes padded armrests, a mesh backrest, and beverage holder
- Patented Spring-Action Rocking Technology delivers smooth rocking motion anywhere outdoors – lawn, patio, camping or tailgating
- Office desk chair upholstered in durable Puresoft PU; ideal for home office, work station or conference room use
- Height-adjustable padded seat with adjustable seat angle, tilt control and padded armrests
- KD metal base with durable caster wheels for smooth-rolling mobility
- Supports up to 275 pounds; BIFMA certified; assembly instructions included
- Components including casters/base/arms/seat mechanism/hardware kit are packed in back cushion
- Chair dimensions: 23.75 x 26 x 38.25-42 inches (WxDxH); seat width: 19.5 inches; seat depth: 17.75 inches; arm height: 26.25-30 inches
Improve Sitting Comfort with Seat Cushions
As we’ve mentioned, everyone will have unique needs, so finding a one-size-fits-all ergonomic chair isn’t realistic. For some people, adding a seat cushion can add much needed comfort, especially if you are sitting for hours while teaching online. What’s also great about seat cushions is that you can place them on any chair – not just on your ergonomic chair for online teaching, but also on dining chairs, arm chairs, and car seats.
Here are some of the bestselling seat cushions we recommend:
- SQUARE PILLOW PACK - Pack of 4 decorative square pillows for your couches or bedroom; they are neither too big nor too small and they give off a homely vibe
- PACKAGING - Pillows are compressed in vacuum packaging because of shipping purpose, they might appear as one large pillow.
- DIMENSIONS - Each square pillow measures 18 by 18 inches
- FIBER FILLING – Soft outer shell and siliconised fiber filling will never make them look hollow
- SOFT AND DURABLE - The pillows are designed to give a delicate feel while retaining long term durability
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS - It is recommended to spot clean the pillow or hand wash the fabric
- Most Comfortable Gel Memory Foam Cushion On The Market - ComfiLife's all-in-one features are unrivaled: Non-slip rubber bottom, built-in handle for easy transport and machine-washable zippered velour cover for easy cleaning. The ComfiLife Coccyx Cushion is the best gel memory foam seat cushion on the market made of premium quality durable memory foam with cool off gel layer on top for superior comfort
- Supports Tailbone and Relieves Pressure - Ergonomically designed seat cushion provides maximum support and comfort while reducing pressure on the coccyx / tailbone and promotes healthy posture
- Provides Lower Back Pain & Sciatica Relief, Great for Office Use, Driving & Traveling - Supports recovery from lower back problems, herniated discs, tailbone injuries, sciatica and other spinal issues. Great for office, home, travel, car seat or wheelchair use. Machine-washable zippered velour cover for easy cleaning and built-in handle for easy transport
- Our Customers Love ComfiLife Cushion - "I have already recommended this to all my office mates that sit all day, as well. I love it, and some advice...Lock it up after you use it, or I guarantee one of your sneaky cube mates will swipe it!" "This has saved my life as one with lower back pain due to pinched nerve roots" "I have herniated discs and sciatica for many years, this cushion allowed me to drive cross state with little to no pain"
- RECTANGLE PILLOW PACK - Pack of 2 decorative rectangle pillows for your couches or bedroom; they are neither too big nor too small and they give off a homely vibe
- PACKAGING - Pillows are compressed in vacuum packaging because of shipping purpose, they might appear as one large pillow.
- DIMENSIONS - Each rectangle pillow measures 12 by 20 inches
- FIBER FILLING – Soft outer shell and siliconised fiber filling will never make them look hollow
- SOFT AND DURABLE - The pillows are designed to give a delicate feel while retaining long term durability.
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS - It is recommended to spot clean the pillow or hand wash the fabric
Wrapping Up
As an online ESL teacher, it’s easy to neglect the importance of having a good, comfortable chair to sit on while teaching. Online ESL teachers tend to focus more on the tools of the trade, such as computers, headsets, lighting, props and teaching aids. But your health matters, too, and while these are important aspects to being a good online ESL teacher, they should take a back seat to your back health and posture. Some online ESL teachers also find standing more comfortable and liberating while teaching online, and use standing desks. Decide what’s best for you, but whatever you decide, do yourself a favor and put your back health and posture on the top of your priority list.