There are three main mechanisms that we usually use to adjust the office chair: the lever on the right, the gas piston and the knob that regulates the rigidity of the oscillation according to the weight. In this article we will explain how they work and how to use them to best adjust your office chair.
The lever on the right
All office chairs in general have the control for adjusting the height on the right so to adjust it, lower your right arm, and with your hand, touch the lever that you find under the seat. By pulling it upwards, and lifting its weight from the seat, the seat will be raised; while, while sitting, the same action will lower the armchair.
It is essential to adjust the height in such a way that the soles of the feet rest firmly on the ground and that the knee forms a right angle.
On some types of mechanisms, the same lever can also perform another function, in addition to operating the gas piston, it activates the mechanism that makes the seat oscillate. While on other types of mechanisms this function can be operated by another lever.
The gas piston
Its function is to cushion and adjust the seat height correctly. We also remind you that regardless of the height we choose, it is advisable that the piston can always cushion when we sit down and therefore it should never be kept at the end of its stroke.
The suggestion we give you is to always leave a few centimeters of excursion so that it can perform its task correctly, avoiding continuous maintenance and terrible back pain to those who work.
The knob that regulates the rigidity of the oscillation according to the weight
Although most of us are unaware of its usefulness, this knob has an essential function for the health of our back. As it allows the office chair to adapt to our weight and to follow body movements in a fluid way. This knob is generally placed in the center of the mechanism or on the side.
So, as previously mentioned, when we unlock the mechanism, the armchair becomes oscillating and if we push our weight back with the back, the armchair will tilt according to the force that we will use that for some of us it will be too much and for others too little.
In fact, the swing must not be too free because we could easily lean backwards, but not too slow because we would no longer benefit from the benefits for the back. To adjust the rigidity of the oscillation, then simply turn the knob: screwing it to make it harder or slower; unscrewing it making it softer or stiffer. The knob activates a mechanism allowing therefore a correct lumbar support and a light pressure that forces us to keep the back straight.
