Armed Vs. Armless Desk Chair: Which is Better?

 

When you’re shopping for an office chair, you’ll have a choice to make. Are you in search of a chair that has armrests or an armless desk chair? Because there are advantages and disadvantages to both options, but know that there’s no right decision. However, we’re here to help you choose the right solution so you can work with comfort and be more productive at your workplace. Let’s dive right into it without any delay!

The Benefits of Armless Office Chairs

Firstly, let’s discuss some potential benefits of an armless office chair.

More Comfortable

Unlike armed office chairs, armless desk chairs are more comfortable for some people. No one can really tell which one will be more comfortable for you until you’ve given them both a try. Fortunately, you can do that without any problem. However, an imperative thing to consider is that some factors can go into the overall comfort of a chair, be it armed or armless. Besides, back support, the lumbar support, seat tilt, and back tilt modifications are significant.

Use of Space and Versatility

If you prefer to sit close to your desk, then an armless desk chair is perfect for you. Armless chairs offer a freewheeling seating design, while chairs with armrests often get in the way. Not only do these office chairs accommodate various different seating styles, but they also offer easy movement both in and out of the chair.

Easy to Sit and Get Out of The Chair

It highly depends on how you use a chair and your office space; an armless desk chair might be easier to get into and out of. Bigger people, who prefer to turn and rotate to get out of a chair, and who need to slide back away from their desks might pick an armless chair.

However, the way you get in and out of an office chair is something you improve over time, and a lot of it has to do with your health. If you have knee or hip issues, the arms in the chair might make it problematic to get in and out of the chair. To a certain extent, you’ll just have to try different types of chairs and see how they work for you.

More Active Than an Armed Chair

An armless desk chair is not a better option than a stool for active sitting, but it is better than an armed chair in terms of keeping your back and spine in continuous motion. You need to repetitively adjust the way your body sits when you move your arms, and those frequent adjustments prevent muscles from locking up and causing harm to your back.

The Benefits of Armed Chair

Now that you know the benefits of an armless desk chair let’s discuss the pros of having an armed office chair. There are a few of them, and while some people may not feel how important they are, they can be deal-breakers for others.

Improved Ergonomics at Your Work Station

For many office chairs, the armrests’ position is determined by the chair’s height and any adjustment in the armrests themselves. However, they are usually engineered to rest at about the same height as the surface of the average desk. This way, your forearms and elbows can rest on the arms while working without putting strain on your body, holding your arms up to work.

Chair Arms Strain

Unquestionably, this generally only works if you’re of average build and height. If you’re unusually tall or short, outside of the average that an office chair is designed to cater to, you’ll need to find something different. It may or may not be helpful depending on your work tasks; some tasks are focused in a small area, while others involve a more free range of movement.

Easy to Sit and Get Out of The Chair

If you’re a naturally taller individual, or if your work desk is placed in a certain way, you may need to stand up more or less vertically rather than relying on your legs and sliding to the side. You might be able to use your desk for a bit of support, but the last thing you want is your chair sliding out from under you when you are halfway to your feet.

Lessened Temptation to Sit Crossed-Legged

When you have an armed chair, it decreases the amount of room you have side to side on the chair. When you have more space, the temptation exists to sit with a leg crossed over your other leg or underneath your thigh. While this can seem more comfortable at first, the pelvic twist it adds to your spine can cascade up through your back muscles and lead to backache, migraines, and even herniated discs.

To Conclude,

All of the above is merely a long-winded way to say, ‘get the chair that suits best for you.’ Some people will find an armed chair more comfortable than an armless desk chair. Others believe that armrests get in the way of the work they require to do at the chair and choose a chair without them.

Finally, buy something that allows you to sit actively and gives you enough flexibility in your range of positions and postures while working. Ultimately, of course, the choice is yours.