An ergonomic armchair with or without a footrest? Here’s our advice on what to choose for your health and comfort

The choice between an armchair with a footrest and a standard model boils down to a simple principle: an ergonomic armchair with a footrest is the better option for those looking for a multifunctional piece of furniture that allows for a healthy balance between intensive work and restorative rest.

Although a classic office chair provides support for the spine in an upright position, it is the additional leg support that helps relieve strain on the circulatory system and allows you to change your posture – which is crucial when spending many hours in front of a screen. By choosing a model with a sliding footrest, you are investing not only in comfort, but above all in the prevention of back and leg pain.

How does an ergonomic chair with a footrest differ from a standard office chair?

At first glance, the difference seems obvious, but the devil is in the design details and biomechanics. Ordinary office chair It is designed for static use – it forces the user into a position where their feet rest on the floor and the angle between the torso and the thighs is approximately 90 degrees. In contrast, a professional office chair with a footrest This is a much more flexible design. It is fitted with special mechanisms for reclining the backrest (often as far as a semi-reclined position), which work in conjunction with an integrated, extendable leg rest.

In practice, this means that office chairs with a footrest allow for a much better distribution of body weight. When using a footrest, the centre of gravity shifts, which immediately reduces pressure on the lumbar vertebrae and the coccyx. Unlike standard models, where working for long periods in a single position can lead to pressure beneath the knees and numbness in the feet, office chairs with footrests promote what is known as ‘dynamic sitting’. They allow you to change the position of your legs regularly, which stimulates blood circulation and prevents swelling – a common problem for office workers.

Does a footrest on an armchair really improve seating comfort?

Many users wonder whether the extra support under their feet is merely a marketing gimmick or a genuine benefit for the body. The answer is: yes, a footrest is essential for improving comfort, especially during long sessions in front of a computer. Traditionally, sedentary work puts strain not only on the spine but also on the venous system. Prolonged pressure on the thighs from the edge of the seat can impede blood flow, resulting in a sensation of ‘heavy legs’. An office chair with a footrest allows you to raise your legs briefly, which immediately improves venous drainage and signals the muscles to relax.

It is worth bearing in mind, however, that this comfort stems from balance. A footrest is not designed for spending the entire eight-hour working day on it, but rather to provide the body with necessary breaks whilst remaining at one’s workstation. Being able to stretch out your legs whilst reading a report, talking on the phone or taking part in a video conference means the body becomes less tired. As a result, when the time comes to return to full concentration whilst sitting upright, we are less tense and more focused.

• Advantages: immediate relief for circulation, the ability to change position without getting up, and reduced tension in the lower back.
• Disadvantages: the need for slightly more space under the desk when it is unfolded, and the need to fold the unit away every time you want to get up from your seat.

An office chair with a footrest – who is it best suited for?

Although it might seem like a versatile piece of furniture, certain groups of people will benefit most from purchasing it. First and foremost, office chairs with a footrest are an excellent choice for employees in creative and analytical roles, where periods of deep concentration alternate with phases of conceptual thinking and reflection. When seeking inspiration or planning strategies, reclining the backrest and extending the footrest allows you to enter a state of relaxation that fosters creative thinking.

It is also the ideal solution for shorter people, for whom a standard desk chair with a footrest helps to avoid the problem of ‘dangling legs’ when the desk top is set too high. However, home users currently make up the largest group of customers. In the age of the home office, our homes have become offices, and after work hours – home cinemas or gaming centres. By choosing our office chairs with a footrest, you get a 2-in-1 piece of furniture: a professional tool for working during the day and a comfortable recliner for relaxing in the evening.

How do you adjust an ergonomic chair with a footrest to take the strain off your spine?

Simply owning a high-tech piece of furniture is only half the battle – the key to good health lies in setting it up correctly. For an office chair with a footrest to provide effective support for your spine, you need to follow the principle of variety. When typing, keep your feet flat on the floor and your back against the contoured backrest. The magic of the footrest comes into its own during less intense moments. When reading documents or taking part in an online meeting, recline the backrest to around 110–135 degrees and extend the footrest. This position drastically reduces the pressure on the intervertebral discs.

It is also important that the footrest is at a height that allows the knees to be in a natural, slightly straightened position, but without hyperextension. A well-adjusted desk chair with a footrest should support the calves in such a way that the weight of the legs is distributed evenly, which prevents pressure on specific points and allows the lower body to relax completely.

What should you look out for when choosing an ergonomic chair with a footrest?

When deciding on a purchase, it is worth looking beyond aesthetics alone and examining the features that determine the furniture’s durability. Professional office chairs with a footrest must, above all, have a stable base. As the user’s centre of gravity shifts when the footrest is extended, the design must be perfectly balanced to prevent the chair from tipping over accidentally. Another important aspect is the quality of the extension mechanism itself and the upholstery material – models made from breathable mesh are ideal in summer, ensuring good air circulation.

• Maximum backrest angle: The bigger it is, the better the footrest will fulfil its role in helping you relax.
• Load capacity and stability: A sturdy, five-spoke base is the foundation of user safety.
• Length of the footrest: Make sure that, when extended, it supports your calves and not just your heels.

Would an ergonomic chair with a footrest be suitable for a home office?

These days, a home office is rarely used solely for an eight-hour working day. It is often a multifunctional space that transforms into an entertainment area in the evening. It is in precisely these circumstances that an office chair with a footrest really comes into its own. By allowing you to quickly transform a professional workspace into a comfortable lounger, you save valuable space that would otherwise have to be set aside for an extra armchair or sofa. This is an extremely practical solution in modern flats, where every square metre is worth its weight in gold.

For many people who work remotely, another problem is the blurring of the boundary between work and private life. Having a piece of furniture that physically allows you to switch from a ‘working’ (upright) position to a ‘resting’ position (with the footrest extended) helps you mentally switch to a recovery mode without having to leave the room. Furthermore, modern office chairs with footrests are designed so that their appearance does not overwhelm the interior, combining a professional office aesthetic with a cosy, homely feel.

The definitive answer – an ergonomic chair with or without a footrest – which is better?

The final choice depends on your working style and the extent to which multifunctional furniture plays a role in your life. If your activities are limited to short sessions, a classic desk chair It may be enough, but if you’re looking for a comprehensive solution that will look after your health and comfort all day long, office chairs with footrests They are unrivalled. They give the user the freedom of choice – one moment you can work with complete concentration, with your feet flat on the floor, and the next you can allow your spine and legs a well-deserved rest whilst carrying out conceptual tasks.

Investing in a model with a footrest is, above all, a conscious preventive measure. Preventing back pain, reducing muscle tension and significantly improving circulation are benefits you will experience not only immediately after stepping away from your desk, but also in the long term as you look after your posture. At Mark Adler, we believe that modern ergonomics should go hand in hand with functionality, offering the user the highest standard of comfort without having to compromise on design or price.