A Question About Your Workspace

[Calamity Kris]

I sew a lot.  I am at my machine every weekend and some week nights for several hours at a time.  I am experiencing back pain because my folding chair is not the correct height for my work table. 

 

I am looking at replacing my chair for something on the idea of an office style adjustable chair.  My question is, arms or no arms?  In my case, I think arms would just get in the way of my mobility, impeding me from moving the chair forward enough to reach beyond the machine.  Also, my hands are always moving and never at rest so they would be useless.  Is there something I am missing?

 

Thanks,

[Alpo]

Back when people still used typewriters, the EXECUTIVE - the guy in the big office - had arms on his chair, but the secretary/typist did not.

 

I don't know if it was because, as a flunky, she got a cheaper chair, or whether arms were in the way. But her chair was armless.

[Tyrel Cody]

I'd say get one with arms as they should be removable if they get in your way.

[The Bearded Wonder]

I was able to come across an office style adjustable chair at an auction dirt cheap. It has arms, they are absolutely useless. I've often contemplated cutting them off..

 

I use my chair for reloading, love the wheels on it as I have three machines setup permanently mounted to the benches.

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

No arms.

Try looking at an office furniture store for a task chair, 5 leg base (a must!) with a hydraulic lift, (make it go up and down once a day to keep it lubricated)

Look also at the seat pan and the back rest to be ergonomically suitable to your body.

It may cost a little more than an ordinary chair, but you back and hips will thank you over the long haul.

  

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

Unless you plan to use the chair for resting, arms are really unnecessary.  I had one old chair on rollers that had arms.  The rollers allowed easy movement, but the arms constantly banged into the desk.

 

If you're going to be sitting for any length of time sewing, the arms on the chair are just going to be in the way. 

[Sedalia Dave]

Find a chair where the seat and back rest move independently. They are not as common but are WAY more comfortable than a chair where the seat and back either tilt together of the seat is fixed and the back tilts. Be sure the arms can be removed.  More expensive that the standard office chair but 10,000% cheaper than back surgery. I have one in my home office and love it. Paid a lot more than the example below but it was worth every penny.

 

Shop around as prices vary widely between stores. They are easy to spot as they will usually have 3 or more adjustment levers.

 

Office Depot  Realspace® MFTC 200 Multifunction Ergonomic Super Task Chair, Black

 

 

[Pat Riot]

If arms get in your way but the chairs you are looking at have arms ask to remove them them try sitting down and standing numerous times to see if you can without the chair rolling out from under you as you transition from standing to sitting and vice versa.

 

Also, it may not be the arms that are the issue but the width of the arms in relation to the seat. Arms can be very good for taking pressure off the very area you are having pain with. I look for chairs that I can widen the arms so that when I am moving up and fown slot the arms aren’t catching on me or my clothing.

 

Chairs that have “floppy” arms annoy the hell out of me. Floppy arms are are that move side to side or point inward or outward and cannot be locked in place. Avoid them for better blood pressure.

 

Look at the material of the chair arms. Rubbery material will grab your material as you are working and will cause you issues...refer to the blood pressure comment above. 

 

I tried to find an image showing how a chair should be set up that wasn’t focused on computer work but I couldn’t. This graphic is about the best one I could find for explaining how a chair should be set up for extended work and for relieving tension on the body.

 

[J-BAR #18287]

Once you find a chair that is a better fit, set your cell phone timer to go off every 15-20 minutes as a reminder to get up and stretch for a minute.  You can cramp up in a comfortable chair if you sit in it long enough.

[Calamity Kris]

Thanks for the great info.  I may also check with my LQS (Local Quilt Shop) to see if she caries chairs or can recommend some that would work well.

[Pat Riot]

Calamity Kris, What part of your back is aching? No answer needed but you need to look at that aspect of your discomfort when selecting a chair. I have pasted some sites to review. None of them really address what you do but they may give you ideas or info that might help.

 

https://www.uclahealth.org/spinecenter/ergonomics-prolonged-sitting

 

https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/office-chair-how-reduce-back-pain

 

https://www.btod.com/blog/2017/03/23/5-reasons-ergonomic-chairs-will-improve-your-back-pain/

 

As you might guess, I have a little experience with this as I used to have lots of back pain and had to learn to alleviate it in different ways. One way was the chairs I use at work. Most “Ergonomic Specialists” (Grrrrrr) just parrot the crap someone selling chairs has manipulated them into thinking. I hate to say it but “trial and error” are the best ways to figure out what your body needs. Go to a store that sells office chairs and try them all and try them all often. Go try them out. Pick the ones you like then go home. Come back s couple days later and try ALL of them again. This will help narrow down a favorite. Oh, and tell the salesperson to take a powder while you look. Oh, and if all their chairs aren’t available to actually sit in go elsewhere. 

 

I have done 5 light rail system start ups and on top of that I have outfitted multiple shops with offices. I know a little about office furniture selection and ergonomics. 

 

One thing I have found that really helps me is stand up desk adapters. Perhaps there is a way to elevate your table so that you can stand for part of your time working / sewing? Just a thought.

 

Some ideas for adjustable height work tables.

https://www.amazon.com/Merge-Works-Adjustable-Desk-Expanded-Adjustment/dp/B01M0IHDCU/ref=asc_df_B01M0IHDCU/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167128379919&hvpos=1o7&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2484751632793909502&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031542&hvtargid=pla-331113041004&psc=1

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-46-in-Adjustable-Height-Work-Table-HOLT46XDB12/301809931?cm_mmc=Shopping|Other|G|PB|Multi|HUSKY|NA|71700000047749483|58700004777205824|92700040827637209&gclid=CjwKCAiAv9riBRANEiwA9Dqv1ZnXOxmMZoryRQoRKnEJWS7IH27EUQDSIKY0Kq69Yce7SoIsM59uwhoCwbUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

 

I hope you find what you need to help your back. Having back pain takes the fun out of working real quick. 

 

 

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Ima sez to see if you can also lower the table some.

I did this for her, and it helped.

OLG

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

When I had an injury, I found the arms handy to make sure the chair was actually there before I sat down.

[Utah Bob #35998]

My chair has arms that fold out of the way.

[Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795]

My desk chair has removable arms. Executive type, gotten at Home Buys for about $99. Five legs, adjustable up and down

[G W Wade]

I use a bar stool.  Figured it was something I was used to sitting in.      GW

[Finagler 6853 Life]

Quote

 

All of the chairs our people use to sew don't have arms.  The chairs are height adjustable, 5 point base, adjustable back height.  Arms get in the way.  Don't skimp on cheap.  Get a quality chair from a quality source.

[Calamity Kris]

Thank you all for your kindness and advice.  I really appreciate it. 

 

6 hours ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said:

Calamity Kris, What part of your back is aching?

 

Anywhere between the middle of my back up to the base of my neck.  It depends on how much reaching I have had to do.

 

5 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

Ima sez to see if you can also lower the table some.

I did this for her, and it helped.

OLG

I'm currently using a folding table.  There is no safe way to adjust it.  I am saving for a nice utility table for the future.  I thought the chair was the first order of business. 

 

3 hours ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

When I had an injury, I found the arms handy to make sure the chair was actually there before I sat down.

That was my thought too.

 

Quote

Once you find a chair that is a better fit, set your cell phone timer to go off every 15-20 minutes as a reminder to get up and stretch for a minute.  You can cramp up in a comfortable chair if you sit in it long enough.

Actually, my sewing room is off limits to any food or drink.  Period.  I must get up and leave the room to take a sip of water.  That forces me to get up and stretch as well as protects my computerized gear.

 

[Yul Lose]

Here is what I use in my shop. I have a number of them spread out around the shop so that I can utilize them as needed, you’ll probably just need the one. I don’t like armrests when I’m working as they get in the way and you may feel the same way with sewing. They are called sit/stand stools and the seat height and positions are adjustable very easily. I buy them on Amazon and they are very easy to assemble. The first one that I bought is 24 years old and still going strong.

[Tyrel Cody]

2 minutes ago, Yul Lose said:

Here is what I use in my shop. I have a number of them spread out around the shop so that I can utilize them as needed, you’ll probably just need the one. I don’t like armrests when I’m working as they get in the way and you may feel the same way with sewing. They are called sit/stand stools and the seat height and positions are adjustable very easily. I buy them on Amazon and they are very easy to assemble. The first one that I bought is 24 years old and still going strong.

Link?

 

 

You should design one of those into a gun cart.

[Yul Lose]

4 minutes ago, Tyrel Cody said:

Link?

 

 

You should design one of those into a gun cart.

Try this. A little false advertising on their part, it doesn’t have rollers for easy moving, it doesn’t need them. It’s easy to move without them.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Alera-SS600-Stand-Adjustable-Stool/dp/B00RVSB012/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549246097&sr=8-3&keywords=Sit%2Fstand+stool

[Calamity Kris]

10 minutes ago, Yul Lose said:

Here is what I use in my shop. I have a number of them spread out around the shop so that I can utilize them as needed, you’ll probably just need the one. I don’t like armrests when I’m working as they get in the way and you may feel the same way with sewing. They are called sit/stand stools and the seat height and positions are adjustable very easily. I buy them on Amazon and they are very easy to assemble. The first one that I bought is 24 years old and still going strong.

 

Does it cant forward so you are leaning on it instead of sitting?  The picture makes it look that way.  I need to sit because I use foot pedals on the machines which would be difficult to do if I weren't seated.

[Yul Lose]

Yes it does. I seldom sit on mine it’s more leaning, but by re-positioning the seat I can sit like it is a normal chair. If you’ll notice two small tabs on the uprights about 8” below the seat assembly, those can be removed easily and the seat can be lowered to floor level if you want. I’ve got one in my reloading room that I sit on when I reload. The seat swivels from side to side also.

[Yul Lose]

After further thought and examining the one that I keep in the house for cooking and some other things I use it for it may not be the best kind of adjustable stool for what you do. The one in the house, the last one I bought does indeed have some little rollers to aid in moving, the other four out in the shop do not, so that’s a new feature they’ve added.

[sassnetguy50]

23 hours ago, Tyrel Cody said:

I'd say get one with arms as they should be removable if they get in your way.

They make adjustable height arms rest now so you don't have to remove them.  Lower them to clear your desk when you scoot it.  Raise them when you're pushed our reading those memos on TPS reports.

[Calamity Kris]

Well, this is what I ended up ordering.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006IY89ZA  The price was pretty good and it's fully adjustable.  Also, I will be assembling it myself so I will start off without the arms.  If I need them, I can always put them on.  I did look at chairs with retractable/foldable arms but they were much more expensive than this one. 

 

Thanks again for all the great info.

[Pat Riot]

That looks like it’ll help you. Let us know what you think of it. That’s a really good price.

[Chili Ron]

Howdy,

The Pampered Chef folks sold a lot of stuff to my Mom.

One item I like is the little timer.

It comes with a little stand/clip and can be put on a shirt.

Its very easy to set and reset for time to stand up and relax.

I wish I had one working in an office Where I too often

stood after an hour or more....too stiff.

You might consider checking out seats or chairs made for mechanics.

I remember office chairs with short arms working well.

Best

CR

 

[Calamity Kris]

Out with the old...............in with the new.