If you have a desk-based job, whether that’s in the office or at home, you’ll end up spending many hours a day sitting in a chair. But what if you’re taller than average but are squeezed into a chair designed for someone smaller than you?
If you’ve ever noticed aches and pains after a long day at your desk or feel that your posture could be improved, the chances are that your chair is to blame. This means it’s time to investigate office chairs for tall people that give you the support and comfort you deserve.
We’ve made it easy by giving you all the information you need to understand what counts as taller than average, the office chair issues that affect tall people including posture, what to look for in an office chair and where to find the best office chairs for tall people.
Read on to find out everything you need to know to select a supportive chair designed for your unique needs.
What’s Considered Taller Than Average Height?
Let’s start by understanding what counts as tall. The average Australian man is 175.6 cm (5 ft 9 in) while the average Australian woman measures 161.8 cm (5 ft 3 ½ in). So if you measure above these heights, then you’re definitely considered taller than average.
What’s also interesting to know is that a study looking at the average growth of nations across the globe over a 100-year period up to 2014 found that Australian men are the 18th tallest in the world and Australian women 15th.
This means that there are a lot of tall Australians out there. Being taller than average can mean that you may suffer from back and neck pain and are at a higher risk of injury in these areas. It can also mean that if you use equipment such as chairs designed for smaller people, these problems will get worse.
We’ll look at these in more detail in the next section.
Common Office Chair Issues for Tall People
If you’re a tall person using a chair designed for people smaller than you, then it’s inevitable that you will encounter problems. To start, if you are using a chair that is not adjustable, you won’t be sitting at a height that’s comfortable for your taller frame. This will force you to extend your legs or keep your knees flexed to fit. As a result, you will be straining your hips, thighs and lower back and putting pressure on your joints too.
The next important thing to consider is the seat depth – this is the measurement from the back of the seating area to the front. With longer thigh bones, tall people may find that an average chair just doesn’t cater to their larger frame. This exerts pressure on the back of your knees as well as all along your spine.
Finally, chair backrests are designed to support the natural ‘S’ shaped curve of your spine. But if you’re using a chair that has been made with smaller people in mind, your backrest won’t fit properly and you will put stress on both your lower and upper back in addition to your pelvis.
Each one of these scenarios will add up to the same issue: sitting in a chair that simply isn’t designed for your taller-than-average height will lead to pain in your spine, hips and pelvis and may also lead to headaches and strain in the facial area.
Sitting in an awkward position that doesn’t support your body will also encourage poor posture. This becomes a never-ending vicious circle, with no escape from pain and discomfort.
Most Important Office Chair Considerations for Tall People
The key to finding the best tall person’s office chair is to look for one that’s adjustable to fit your unique dimensions. This is what is known as an ergonomic chair – a chair that’s suitable for a variety of different heights and body shapes. An ergonomic office chair for a tall person will be adjustable at several points. Here’s how:
- You will need to customise your seat height first by standing a little in front of the chair and adjusting the height until the seat pan reaches just below your knees.
- Then you should sit in the chair with your back well supported and your feet flat on the floor with your knees at 90 degrees before adjusting the seat cylinder (which moves the seat up and down) to the right height. For tall people, your office chair height should be at least 51 centimetres or 20 inches to be comfortable.
- Being able to adjust the back tilt is also important for comfort, so look for a chair that allows you to tilt the back to a position that supports the natural shape of your spine.
- Some desk chairs for large people come with a headrest, which provides support to your head and neck. It should be adjusted so that your eyes are level with your monitor, which will eliminate strain and make working comfortable.
- For extra comfort, look for a chair with an adjustable seat pan depth so you can slide the pan backwards or forwards. Taller folk will need to adjust the pan further from the back for adequate support and comfort. Leave a gap equivalent to your clenched fist between the front edge of the seat cushion and the back of your knees when you are sitting down.
- Next look for lumbar support right at the small of your back that supports the natural curve of your spine. It’s important to be able to adjust this to your requirements, and you can also look for air lumbar bags that go over and above to offer you the comfort you need.
- Height adjustable armrests are an important consideration when you’re choosing an office chair. You should be able to adjust the height so that your arms are in a comfortable position at your side. This will reduce pressure on your shoulders and upper back. Some ergonomic chairs will also feature depth adjustable armrests or armrests that can be flipped up or down to offer an armrest-free option.
Finally, don’t forget the castors! Look for chairs with a strong base that offers five castors to give you the support you need. The castors will make it easy for you to get the chair at the right distance to your desk and will also offer stability if you are inclined to tip your chair back as you work.
Top 7 Best Office Chairs for Tall People
If you’re looking for office chairs for tall people, find the best selection from our range. Each has its own unique features, giving targeted office chair support to people who are above average height. Let’s take a look at eight of the best office chairs for tall people and find out more about what they have to offer.
1. Synchro Mesh Executive
Our Synchro Mesh Chair is your top choice for a mesh chair that adjusts in numerous ways to fit your frame. With five different chair adjustments – seat height, seat angle, back height, back angle, sliding seat – and Synchro’s mechanism with sliding seat and ratchet back, this chair flexes to fit you like a glove. The castors make it easy to use and the chair is constructed from the most robust, highest quality materials to ensure that it serves you long-term.
Whether you’re based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, the ACT, Darwin, Hobart or Perth, we can deliver your Synchro Mesh Executive straight to your door.
2. KAB Executive
The KAB Executive Chair is a superb choice for anyone who suffers from lower back pain. Wider than usual body contoured cushions make this chair comfortable as well as practical while an ingenious air lumbar bag can be inflated to give extra support to the lower back region. With adjustable headrests, armrests and backrests too, this chair is fully customisable for the most comfortable experience.
3. Sapphire High Back Executive Heavy Duty
For a classic-looking office chair that also delivers when it comes to comfort and support, choose the Sapphire Highback Executive Chair. With four chair adjustments (seat height, seat angle, back height, back angle) it’s ideal for anyone who’s tall and hasn’t yet found that perfectly comfortable chair. The arms are adjustable too, so you’ll be sure to find the best position to support you. The commercial-grade upholstery means this chair looks good and is hardwearing.
4. KAB Controller
The KAB Controller Chair has been specially designed for use in surveillance and control stations where comfort is key and when you’re seated for long periods of time. It’s the ultimate ergonomic office chair for a tall person, featuring a backrest recline, inflatable air lumbar support and body contoured cushions. The chair’s height, tilt and headrest can also be adjusted and the armrests can be pushed up or down according to your preference.
5. Regal Executive High Back Office Chair
For a luxe-looking chair that is ideal for a boardroom, take a look at the Regal Executive High Back Chair. Adjust the seat height and choose from four locking positions to ensure that you are comfortable and perfectly supported. This chair is upholstered in black, tan or chocolate leather, making it the ultimate combination of comfort and style and the best office chair for a tall man or woman who wants to make an impact.
6. Sterling High Back Executive Chair
The Sterling Highback Executive Chair is smart enough for the boardroom and practical enough for everyday use in the office, making a superb choice for a tall person’s desk chair. Adjust the seat height, tilt and angle for a comfortable experience and enjoy the feel of the black leather upholstery that adds a touch of luxury to the everyday.
7. Filo A1 Mesh Office Chair
A modern-looking chair that will suit any office or home study, the Filo A1 chair offers a mesh backrest that’s supportive but feels light and flexible against your spine. You can also adjust the seat height and angle and slide the seat for maximum, targeted support. A polished aluminium base, PU castors and quality materials mean that this chair is a stylish addition to any office.
How Office Chairs Affect Your Posture If You Are Tall
Office chairs that don’t offer adequate support are a leading cause of poor posture. With many of us spending eight hours or more per day sitting at a desk, this can be a real problem. It’s a particular issue for those of us who are taller than average and have to put up with using a chair designed for smaller people!
A too-small chair will mean that you end up hunched over your desk, with your spine bent forward, your shoulders up to your ears and your knees, hips, pelvis and legs in awkward positions. Sitting in this uncomfortable and unhealthy way becomes a habit and will affect your posture when you get up and move around.
A habit of sitting in positions that have an adverse effect on your posture is hard to break. The most efficient way to change this habit is to source an ergonomic chair. The best office chairs for tall people will be fully adjustable at multiple points.
This includes the headrest, armrests and height, as well as the seat and back angles, as we’ve seen earlier. Your ergonomic chair may also offer a sliding seat for the ultimate in comfort and adjustability.
Find Out More About Our Range of Office Chairs for Tall People
Learning about finding the best office chair for big people has been quite a journey! By reading this article, you will now have the knowledge to select an office chair that suits your individual requirements. The key points to remember are that:
- We are all individuals with unique needs.
- Using an office chair designed for smaller people will lead to aches, pains and poor posture.
- Ergonomic chairs that are adjustable at several points make the best desk chairs for large people.
For an unrivalled range of office chairs for tall men and women, check out the full Arteil range. Established in 1977, we are a leading manufacturer of ergonomic chairs for tall people and take pride in our quality products and customer service.
We’re flexible and responsive too, so we can even custom build a chair to your unique requirements.
Reach out to us to find out more about our custom-designed chairs and our range of ready-made office chairs designed with any height in mind.