Computer Chairs for Overweight People

If you weigh over the 200 lbs that most office chairs are rated for, you are going to need to really take a look at the construction of the sturdy office chair you choose. There are several things to consider here:

• Armrests. Is the chair wide enough to allow you to sit comfortably, without feeling squashed by the arm rests?


• Back. Does the back feel comfortable or is it wobbly?


• Wheels. Are the wheels well made and do they roll easily even when your full weight is in the chair?


• Materials. Plastic tends to crack easily. If the chair is made of metal, make sure the important parts are, too. This means the legs and back support should be metal.


• Padding. Heavier people compress the seat more, so is it going to be comfortable for hours at a time?


• Adjustments. A good office chair should be able to be adjusted as needed and it should NOT be a hassle to do this.

Choose your chair very carefully. Those made for larger people are going to be more expensive in general, because they are better built. Consider it a worthy investment, since you will save on buying cheaper chairs several times a year!

No, I'm not going to preach about losing weight . . . I'm hardly the person to do that since I spend around 12-18 hours sitting at my desk every day! BUT, there are a few things you can do to make sure you stay healthy while working in your new sturdy office chair.

Get up and walk. Even if you just move around the room, go to the bathroom, etc. you will be the better for it. Studies have shown that death and illness due to strokes caused by blood clots can be caused by sitting too long. This isn't just for us heavy folks, even if you're at your ideal weight, you shouldn't sit for more than an hour. Even the best computer chair in the world can't help you with that! And, since I recently lost a friend to a blood clot, I know just how dangerous they can be . . . so just get up and move once in a while!

Drink some water. Oh, that coffee (in my case, diet Coke) is SO tempting, especially when you spend long hours in your office chair staring at a computer screen. But, our bodies need normal water in order to function properly and trust me, you do NOT want to experience the kidney infection that can be brought on by ingesting too many sodas! To make sure you keep your water intake up, invest in a nice water bottle to have on your desk, full, at all times. Oh, and it will also help you get up more often, to go to the bathroom!

Look away from the screen. Ever feel like your eyes are stinging and full of sand after a long day at the computer? That's not good. But much of the damage that we do to our eyes by staring at a fixed distance is done without any symptoms at all! Make a point of looking away and focusing your gaze on objects both near and far every 15-20 minutes. If you have kids, they are perfect for making sure your eyes get the exercise they need as your little one hurls past at breakneck speed.

Take care of yourself . . . don't just buy the new computer chair for overweight people and expect it to solve everything!