Back pain is a pain that affects many people who work in the office, more than you might think.
There are a series of precautions that would be good to adopt in order to avoid running into this problem. The most important is certainly the use of a chair designed for intensive use.
Today there are many ergonomic office chairs. Some of them have a padded and covered backrest, others have a mesh backrest.
There is obviously no right or wrong choice. Very often this decision is made according to one’s tastes. In this article we want to discuss both types, listing their respective advantages.
Office chairs with padded backrest
Chairs with padded and upholstered backrests have historically been very common in all offices.
Over the years they have evolved, renewing their shapes, mechanics and use of more cutting-edge materials.
Just think of the evolution of padding; we have gone from using a simple sponge to using polyurethane foams, which are much more high-performance and long-lasting.
An essential element of every ergonomic backrest, however, is the lumbar support and this will be the main topic of this article.
a) Internal lumbar support
In many padded chairs, the lumbar support is an element integrated into the backrest. It is given by the ergonomic curvature of the material used as internal support and by the foam used as padding.
An example of this type of support can be found in our Juke 50 model, where the element is fixed and its adjustment occurs by adjusting the height of the backrest.
b) External lumbar support
Another solution, however, is the external lumbar support. Typical of chairs with a mesh backrest, we can also find it in our Dynamic Plus 310 ergonomic padded armchair.
In this chair, unlike the previously mentioned model, the backrest is fixed. Since it is an external element, the lumbar support is adjusted as desired by the user, by sliding it inside its lane located on the rear side of the backrest.
Office chairs with mesh backrest
In recent years, however, ergonomic chairs with mesh backrests have become increasingly popular. This type of backrest gives the chair a sense of extreme lightness both to the eye, as it slims the chair and makes it less bulky, and from the point of view of use, as it greatly increases the degree of breathability. This solution is even more appreciated in the warm months of the year.
In our chairs with mesh backrests, the lumbar support is always an element that is adjustable in height and always external to the backrest, but it differs in the material used. We can find it in these three different finishes:
- Polypropylene lumbar support
- Polyurethane lumbar support
- Padded and covered lumbar support
1. Polypropylene lumbar support
The polypropylene lumbar support is found, for example, in Like 700 task chair, a model that we sell a lot.
Among the 3 types of material, it is certainly the cheapest and the one that, to the touch, is the least soft. The degree of pressure and support it exerts on the lumbar level make it an excellent solution, very pleasant during use.
2. Polyurethane lumbar support
Polyurethane, unlike polypropylene, makes the lumbar support softer and, therefore, even more pleasant when the back rests on the backrest.
This type can be found, for example, in our model Dynamic 210, a high-end ergonomic operational chair equipped with a wide and spacious backrest.
3. Padded and covered lumbar support
The last type of lumbar support present in our chairs is the padded and covered one.
We find it in our mod. Omega 600. This model has a lumbar support, inside which we find a polypropylene insert padded with a small sponge. The whole thing is then covered with a black fabric, which recalls the black mesh of the backrest.
How to choose the right backrest for me?
It is incredible to think that such a small and, at first glance, marginal element is so important for the well-being of our back.
Yet it has the very important function of maintaining the spine in its natural “S” shape.
As previously mentioned, there is no right or wrong choice between a chair with a padded backrest or one with a mesh backrest.
If you are considering purchasing an ergonomic chair and do not know which choice to make, do not hesitate to contact us by phone or via the contact form on our website. Our staff will make sure to provide you with advice, in order to accompany you during this important choice.