Office chair buying advice
We spend 80% of our working day sitting.
One third of absences are due to lack of physical activity.
The right chair helps prevent back problems and reduced performance.
Popular types of office chairs
Executive Chairs
– Comfort and quality for your best decisions
Leadership calls for clarity, focus and determination. Your workspace should reflect these qualities—starting with your chair. A true executive chair offers more than outstanding seating comfort; it also delivers exceptional quality. Precisely adjustable mechanisms, ergonomic support and premium materials such as the finest leather and polished aluminium provide the perfect foundation for your daily decisions.
Tip: Choose certified quality. When buying, look for reputable quality marks such as the GS mark or TÜV certification.
Active sitting
- promotes your health and helps prevent a sedentary lifestyle.
Specially designed office chairs support rather than restrict spinal movement while sitting, keeping muscles and circulation active. Models with active seating concepts are especially recommended, such as the Löffler ERGO TOP mechanism, the Swopper by aeris or the PUREIS3 by Interstuhl.
Tip: Not every ergonomic chair suits every back—so be sure to try it out before you buy!
Stools
– flexible, dynamic and practical
Stools can be divided into three categories:
- Dynamic stools such as the Swopper encourage active sitting and mobility.
- Sit-stand stools such as the muvman by aeris relieve strain during predominantly standing work or complement sit-stand desks.
- Multi-purpose stools such as the UPIS1 by Interstuhl are mobile all-rounders for impromptu meetings or quick tasks around the office.
Tip: Before you buy, consider whether you need an active sitting chair, a standing aid or a versatile all-rounder!
XXL office chairs / heavy-duty chairs
– Comfort and stability for the highest standards
XXL office chairs, also known as heavy-duty chairs, provide especially robust solutions for users with a higher body weight. With reinforced gas lifts, extra-large seats and sturdy construction, they ensure comfort, safety and lasting stability—even under intensive use.
Tip: Check the maximum weight capacity and ergonomic features to ensure comfortable, back-friendly seating, even during extended use.
Desk chairs for open-plan offices
- identical chairs for different users
Desk chairs for open-plan offices are usually identical and must be quick to adapt to different users. To ensure ergonomic benefits, seat height, backrest and armrests should be easy to adjust. To stay within budget, these chairs are often manufactured in large quantities with fewer customisation options—but a limited choice of colours does not affect quality.
Tip: When buying budget office chairs, don’t compromise on key ergonomic features such as height adjustment, armrests and the mechanism. When in doubt, always try before you buy!
Guest Chairs and Conference Chairs
– Comfort for your guests
Visitor and conference chairs are essential for meetings, customer conversations and events. They complement desk setups or are used around meeting tables.
Stackable models (“stacking chairs”) are ideal for seminars and events, while elegant leather-upholstered chairs are often used in high-end conference areas.
Tip: Choose durable, easy-care materials and subtle colours—especially for high-traffic areas.
The dilemma of choice
Seat:
Choosing the right seat has a major impact on your sitting comfort.
Standard chair
The classic molded foam seat is upholstered in fabric and offers a solid basic level of comfort without any special ergonomic features.
Intervertebral disc seat
The front of the seat is shaped to encourage an upright posture. At the same time, the back rises to support your pelvis—ideal for relieving pressure on your spinal discs.
Tailbone relief
A specially shaped cut-out in the seat reduces pressure on the lower back and tailbone and prevents discomfort when sitting for long periods.
Pocket-sprung comfort seat
This technology, familiar from high-quality mattresses, provides point-elastic support and exceptional seating comfort, even when working for hours.
Our tip: Especially if you sit for long periods, look for seating technologies designed to relieve strain on your body.
Mechanism:
The mechanism determines how well your chair adapts to your movements.
Permanent contact mechanism
A simple mechanism in which only the backrest moves. Affordable, but not recommended from an ergonomic standpoint.
Synchronous mechanism
The seat and backrest move in sync. This keeps your spine moving and relieves pressure on your intervertebral discs.
Glide-Tec mechanism
This keeps your distance from the desk and keyboard constant when you lean back. The seat gently follows your forward and backward movements, helping you maintain an ergonomic posture.
Our tip: Look for a synchronous or Glide-Tec mechanism to encourage ergonomic, dynamic working.
Ergonomics Package:
A complete ergonomics package adjusts your office chair perfectly to your body measurements.
Seat depth adjustment
Adjusting the seat to suit different thigh lengths. This improves blood circulation in the legs and prevents pressure points.
Seat tilt adjustment
Allows you to adjust the seat angle to suit your working posture. This helps keep your pelvis and spine in natural alignment.
Lumbar support
Provides targeted support for the lower back and prevents poor posture in the lumbar region.
Our tip: The better your chair is adjusted to your body proportions, the more effectively it will support your wellbeing at work over time.
Office chair gas lift:
The gas lift adjusts your chair’s height—and more.
Standard Gas Springs
Support up to 110–120 kg and are suitable for most users.
Special gas springs
Some manufacturers offer special gas lifts for a perfect seat-height adjustment for particularly tall, short or lightweight people.
Lumbar support
Provides targeted support for the lower back and prevents poor posture in the lumbar region.
Our tip: Choose a gas spring that suits your body weight and height – this ensures comfort and a long service life for your chair.
Headrests, armrests and chair castors: Comfort-enhancing details that make all the difference:
Details such as headrests, armrests and castors play a key role in seating comfort.
Headrests
Especially recommended for neck and shoulder problems. They relieve the cervical spine and encourage an upright posture.
Armrests
Essential for ergonomic working. Properly adjusted armrests relieve strain on the shoulders and neck and help you stand up.
Chair casters
Choose the right castors for your floor: soft castors for hard floors, hard castors for carpets, or universal castors for flexible use.
Our tip: Look for individually adjustable armrests, and try models with headrests if you’re prone to tension.
Accessories:
The right accessories make your workspace even more ergonomic.
Floor protection mats
Effectively protect carpets, parquet and laminate flooring from wear caused by chair casters, while reducing impact noise. Choose a model to suit your floor type—smooth backing for hard floors, gripper studs for carpets.
Footrests
Ideal for workstations with fixed-height desks. They improve sitting posture, promote circulation and prevent cold feet.
Our tip: A footrest can also help prevent tension in your legs and back—especially if you’re shorter.
Try out office chairs at our Wiesbaden showroom and configure them to suit your needs!
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