How to Choose an Office Chair for a Woman's Body

How should women choose an ergonomic office chair? Prolonged sitting easily makes your back, shoulder, and neck discomfort, even pain. Therefore, a good chair is essential. However, men and women have different physiopathologies, and the lumbar support points are located differently.

In this blog, we'll explain in detail how to choose the right office chair for women—one that's both comfortable and ergonomic—and provide several suitable chair types.

Why Are Office Chair Recommendations Based on Gender?

Research statement by Karen Rosenberg: The degrees of inward curvature (anterior convexity of the spinal column) are similar in men and women. However, the shape of the lumbar curve is different. The spinal curvature of women is higher, and the incidence of back disease is higher than that of men. 

In addition, Arthritis Rheum has said: Large scale population based study shows that the prevalence and severity of disc space narrowing is higher in elderly women than elderly men. As age increases, disc space narrowing progresses more rapidly in females than males. More severe disc space narrowing is associated with higher spine and hip BMD, back pain and restricted leg mobility.

Ergonomic principles can be applied for everyone, but based on those research, the spinal curvature is bigger for women, and the lumbar support is required for further improvement. Besides, the height of the office chair and the angle of the armrests may vary depending on the height of the woman.

Understand Your Body and Needs

Find the right fit based on your body proportions.

• Seat height: Allow your feet to rest flat on the floor with your knees at a 90-degree angle.
• Seat depth: Leave three fingers' width (2-3 inches) between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat cushion.
• Lumbar support: Try to choose adjustable lumbar support, or a backrest that mimics the natural curve of the spine, or use a lumbar pillow.
• Backrest size and shape: Choose a backrest that conforms to the natural curve of your spine, preferably with lumbar support.
• Armrests: Choose armrests that provide support for your arms and shoulders.
• Weight capacity: Choose a chair with a weight capacity of 240 lbs or more.

What Kind of Chair Should Women Choose?

Adjustable Seat Height and Depth

Adjustable seat height and depth could fit the woman's body better. 

• Height: Adjust the seat height according to your height so that your feet are flat on the ground.
• Depth: 2-3 inches between the back of the knees and the edge of the seat cushion not only helps, but also prevents excessive pressure on the legs, ensuring smooth blood circulation.

Lumber Support

• Because the lumbar support points of men and women are different, it is best to choose an adjustable lumbar support.
• If the chair can not adjust, the chair back should also conform to the natural curve of the spine.
• If you still experience discomfort, don't hesitate to use a lumbar pillow.

The chair backrest plays an important role in supporting the spine and correcting sitting posture. Ideally, a backrest with lumbar support can significantly improve comfort.

Adjustable Backrest Recline

Many people have different sitting postures, some preferring to lean forward, others backward. 

• When women lean backward, a comfortable recline of 95-105° is ideal for the human body.
• When women lean forward, 4-8° recline is essential for comfort. 

Few chairs have backrests that can recline forward, But Boulies OP180 and OP300 can. Both the seat cushion and backrest tilting forward and backward. 

Adjustable office chair can be changed according to your preferred sitting posture, which will make you more comfortable, more focused on your work and improve your work efficiency.

Adjustable Armrests

Adjustable armrests could adjust ways or height to suit your sitting posture, supporting your shoulders and arms, and preventing neck pain.

Backrest Material Type

The chairs backrest main types: fabric, mesh, and leather.

• Fabric chair: More soft and comfortable.
• Mesh chair: Typically offer a cool, breathable backrest, making them a great choice for those who are sensitive to heat or prefer a breathable backrest. 
• Leather chair: Ultraflex PU leather offers a smooth, comfortable, and easy-to-clean surface.

Adjustable Headrest/Head Pillow

Suppose you want support for your neck, shoulders, and head. OP300, EP460, and EP200 office chairs with headrest are good choices. But if you prefer a larger gaming chair, the Master model with a head pillow may better suit your needs.

If you prefer neither a headrest nor a head pillow, the OP180 or NUBI are better choices.

Style and Design

You may be considering a sleek chair shape, three-dimensional space. But, how does the chair fit into the interior design?

First, beige, black, and gray are the most versatile colors for interior design.

Second, choose based on the complexity of the interior.

• For complex gaming and esports venues, the Master series shape design is more conforming. 
• For simple, clean, and elegant spaces, choose the NUBI/EP460 chair. 

Durability

Try to choose an office chair with an officially recommended weight capacity of at least 240 pounds. Using an office chair above its maximum weight capacity will shorten its lifespan and cause it to break down easily, so choose one based on the official weight capacity.

Mobility and Stability

It's best to choose large 6cm casters for added stability and improved gliding.

Recommended Office Chair

OP180

This office chair tray can support up to 160 kg. For optimal long-term use, we generally recommend this model for those who weigh less than 135 kg(300lbs). In addition, adjustable lumbar support, allowing you to find the right support point for your body, ensuring a more comfortable and natural back. 

Boulies OP180 Features:

• Recommended Weight Capacity: 135kg (300lbs)
• Recommended Height: 5'1"-6'3" (155-190cm)
• Back Height Adjustment: 56-63cm
• Seat Height Adjustment: 44-51cm
• Back Material: Padded Mesh/Mesh
• Seat Cushion Fore-and-aft Tilt: -2°-10°
• Back Fore-and-aft Tilt: 79°-103°
• 6-Way Armrest Adjustment
• 6cm Nylon Casters

OP300

This chair is available in two mesh materials. If you prefer breathability, air mesh is a good choice; if you prefer a soft and breathable backrest, padded mesh is more practical. 

Boulies OP300 Features:

• Recommended Weight Capacity: 120kg (265lbs)
• Recommended Height: 5'5"-6'3" (165-190cm)
• Back Height Adjustment: 51-55cm
• Seat Height Adjustment: 49.5-58.5cm
• Back Material: Padded Mesh/Mesh
• Seat Cushion Fore-aft Tilt: -1.7°-7.8°
• Back Fore-aft Tilt: 85°-113°
• 6-Way Armrest Adjustment
• 6cm Nylon Casters

NUBI

The NUBI fabric chair is perfect for the home office. Its stylish design is a favorite for modern offices. The clean beige color blends seamlessly into almost any interior style. 

Boulies NUBI Features:

• Recommended Weight Capacity: 120kg (265lbs)
• Recommended Height: 5'3"-6'3" (160-190cm)
• Backrest Height: 61.5cm
• Seat Height Adjustment: 43.5-54.5cm
• Backrest Material: Fabric
• 3-Level Backrest Recline Angle (111°, 104°, 97°)
• Armrest Height Adjustable (NUBI Available Only)
• 6cm Nylon Casters

EP460

This mesh office chair with headrest and footrest combines work and rest in one. It can be locked back up to 135°, making it a great choice for relaxing in your home office when you're tired from work. 

Boulies EP460 Features:

• Recommended Weight Capacity: 130kg (287lbs)
• Recommended Height: 5'55"-6'3" (165-190cm)
• Back Height: 72.5-83cm
• Seat Height Adjustment: 49-59cm
• Back Material: Hybrid Mesh
• 3-Level Backrest Recline Angle (95°, 113°, 135°)
• 6-Way Armrest Adjustment
• 6cm PU Casters

EP200 Cold-Cure Foam Chair

The EP200 offers excellent value for money. We strive to provide you with the best comfort at the lowest price, ensuring every penny counts. 

Boulies EP200 Cold-Cure Foam Chair Features:

• Recommended weight capacity: 120 kg (265 lbs)
• Recommended height: 5'7"-6'3" (170-190 cm)
• Backrest height: 70-78 cm
• Seat height adjustment: 45.5-55.5 cm
• 3-level backrest recline angle (95°, 113°, 135°)
• 6-way armrest adjustment
• 6 cm PU casters

Master

The Master series complementing any space, from a sophisticated office to a cool gaming room. Both a gaming chair and an office chair can be used, and is often favored by professionals.

Differences between the Master and Master Max:

Master and Master Max share common features:

• Backrest material: Ultraflex PU/Water Repellent Fabric
• Back recline: 95-165°
• 15° rocking
• 8-way armrest adjustment
• 6cm PU casters

Master Rex

The Master Rex has a footrest. This office chair allows you to rest and relax when you're tired. It's a great way to take care of yourself after work. 

Boulies Master Rex Features:

• Recommended Weight Capacity: 110kg (243lbs)
• Recommended Height: 5'1"-5'11" (155-180cm)
• Back Height: 76cm
• Seat Height Adjustment: 46-55cm
• Back Material: Ultraflex PU/Water Repellent Fabric
• Back Recline: 95-165°
• 15° Rocking
• 8-Way Armrest Adjustment
• 6cm PU Casters

Elite

This chair is designed to mimic the human spine, sitting posture and spine alignment. It also features a head pillow and pillow for different body types, designed to relieve fatigue and facilitate more efficient work. 

Boulies Elite Features:

• Recommended Weight Capacity: 110kg (243lbs)
• Recommended Height: 5'1"-5'12" (155-182cm)
• Back Height: 82cm
• Seat Height Adjustment: 46-52cm
• Back Material: Ultraflex PU/Water Repellent Fabric
• Back Recline: 95-165°
• 8-Way Armrest Adjustment
• 6cm PU Casters

What Are the Benefits of Choosing the Right Chair for Women?

• Improve work efficiency
• Relieve fatigue
• Prevent back and neck pain
• Improve blood circulation.
• Healthier

Overall, it can make your workday more comfortable and reduce stress.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Office Chair

Investing in a good chair will improve your back comfort. Due to the differences in anatomy between men and women, we've selected chairs specifically for women:

• Adjustable Lumbar Support - EP460, EP200, OP180, Master, Master Rex
• Fixed Lumbar Support - OP300 (backrest conforms to the curve of the spine)
• Lumbar Pillow - Elite