Ergonomic chairs are built with features for your health, benefit and comfort.
You must have heard of multiple features like Forwarding tilting seat, Armrest adjustment, Synchro-Tilt Tension, etc.
These sound like complicated terms and might further confuse you. However, it has greater benefits if you learn to use these features.
This article describes the Synchro-Tilt in detail with its mechanisms, benefits, adjustments, etc.
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What is Synchro-Tilt Tension on Chair?
Synchro-Tilt Tension is one of the features available on ergonomic chairs.
It works by reclining the seat pan as well as the back at the same time. As a result, the chair tilts at the 2:1 ratio of back tilt to seat pan tilt.
For every 10 degrees, the back tilt and the seat pan tilts for 5 degrees.
The minimal seat tilt allows your feet to rest on the ground while you lean. This tilt feature also does not put pressure on your thighs.
Is Synchro-Tilt Mechanism Good for you?
There’s a reason why synchro-tilt is a standard feature in many of the world’s best-selling chairs: it provides lots of new health and well-being advantages.
Because many office jobs do not allow us to get up and move frequently, we may benefit greatly from employing the features provided on our chairs to assist us, like the back tilt.
Overall, it benefits your posture, circulation, and comfort and allows you to work pain-free long hours.
It also has a dynamic feature that stretches the chest without putting pressure on your thighs.
An office chair with a Synchro-Tilt Mechanism is best for you if you work long hours.
The features in the chair are perfect for pressure distribution so that you won’t get sore muscles or pain from working in a sitting posture all day.
If you have back pain issues, the backrest feature in the chair works best for you.
Reviews on the Office Chairs with synchro-tilt features conclude that it has relieved a lot of the tension that users typically put on their back during the day.
Advanced Synchro-Tilt Mechanism
The advanced Synchro-Tilt Mechanism is similar to the synchro-tilt Mechanism with only added features and functions.
Chairs with Advanced Synchro-Tilt Mechanisms like Misuraa Imported Xenon High Back Ergonomic Chair have many adjustable features, up to seven.
The features include adjustable armrest height, lumbar support, seat height and depth, headrest height and angle; backrest tilt; and tilt tension.
Adjustable lumbar support and a recline function enable you to tilt the backrest or sit straight in this adjustable office chair.
In addition, the back’s contoured design in many Advanced Synchro-Tilt Mechanism chairs supports the lower and mid-back regions and aids in preventing or reducing discomfort.
Features of Synchro-Tilt Mechanism on Office Chair
The Synchro-Tilt Mechanism offers multiple features with adjustability. The main features are described below
1. Seat Height Adjustment
The seat height in office chairs with Synchro-Tilt Mechanism can be adjusted.
A gas lift under the seat pan with a lever adjusts the seat height as the seat and back connect.
2. Seat Depth Adjustment
Proper seat depth adjustment allows you to be seated with your back and thighs well supported.
The seat can be moved forward or backward as per your requirement. Your back should be properly aligned with the back of the chair.
Seat Depth, when properly adjusted, allows users to retain adequate backrest while equally spreading their weight across the seat cushion.
Pressure at the ischial tuberosities and the knee joints will be relieved when weight is spread properly.
2. Water Fall Seat Design
Synchro-Tilt office chairs have Water Fall Seat Design that helps you avoid stress on the thigh while tilting your back.
It allows for better circulation and less stress on the lumbar regions.
3. Seatback Tension and Tilt Control
This feature allows you to control the seat and back tilt using a knob or a lever. This Mechanism works in cooperation with your weight.
As a result, a heavier user will need more tension, while a lighter individual will need more control.
You may feel uncomfortable tilting backward if the tension is set incorrectly for your weight or height.
It’s also possible that you’ll have the reverse problem and be unable to recline.
Seatback tension and tilt control allow you to set the tension accurately so you can recline comfortably.
4. Back Height Adjustment
In general, the lower portion of the spine should have an inward curve (lordosis).
When seated, this curvature is reduced, putting additional strain on the lower vertebrae.
When sitting, a correctly positioned lumbar support applies external pressure to the lower back, allowing the spine to maintain part of its natural curvature while reducing stress on the vertebrae.
The back height adjustment feature allows proper adjustment to support your spine.
Benefits of Synchro-Tilt Mechanism on Office Chair
A Synchro-Tilt Mechanism on an office chair has multiple benefits. They are listed below.
- It allows you to recline your back without putting pressure on your thighs.
- A synchro-tilt seat’s seating promotes good posture and allows you to extend your chest and torso comfortably and safely without placing strain on your knees and thighs.
- It improves adequate blood circulation, significantly decreasing tiredness and lethargy that might arise after lengthy work periods.
- Synchro-tilt also enhances your body mobility when sitting, which means pressure points are dispersed throughout your working day, so you won’t have as many painful areas as you would in other chairs.
- According to research, a synchro-tilt idea with a posterior tilt of the seating while the back is reclined is desirable from the standpoint of lumbar spine kinematics.
- This feature helps in the management of lower back pain.
- The chair requires minimum adjustments by the user. It allows the user to attain a close-to-optimum stance every time, making it a perfect alternative for dynamic, open-plan workplaces where workers utilize various hot desks and chairs daily.
How does Synchro-Tilt Mechanism Work?
First, the ’tilt’ function enables you to lean back or forward as the chair follows, and the ‘tension’ feature enables you to alter the tilt force.
The Mechanism adjusts the tension to fit your weight and desired seating posture.
The point is what is referred to as your “tipping point.” This is the “point” at which the chair’s push force equals your body weight!
As a result, you should not be pushed forward and feel as though the chair supports you when you sit.
There should be enough tension to recline by pushing back a bit with your feet, and the chair will follow you when you sit forward.
On the other hand, you shouldn’t be able to fall on your chair, and it shouldn’t be so stiff that you can’t recline at all.
Synchro Mechanism Chairs include a tilt mechanism that automatically adjusts the seat back and the seat together for optimal support.
Some Synchro Mechanism Chairs feature a lever to secure or release the synchro motion and a synchro tension adjustment to fit your weight.
Other synchro systems are solely weight-activated, which alters the synchro tension based on your weight.
Also watch,
How to Adjust Synchro-Tilt Mechanism?
Not all synchro-tilt chairs have the same adjustment features.
However, the after-mentioned features should cover most of the features.
1. Height of the Chair
The height adjustment lever marked up and down is present for adjusting the height.
To increase the height of the chair, get up from the chair and lift the lever.
Release the lever after the height is increased to the desired level.
To decrease the height, sit in the chair, move the lever down, and release it at the desired level.
Your feet should be flat on the ground, and your legs must be at a straight angle to one other.
Your arms should be at right angles to the desktop in the ideal position.
2. Back and Seat Angle
Until you lock the angles into the desired position, the seat and backrest angles will shift together as you shift.
Pull the left-hand paddle, select the proper tilt position, and release.
Next, push the left lever down and recline into the chair to release the Mechanism for unrestricted motion.
3. Tension Control
The tension control feature allows you to choose the amount the chair moves with your body weight.
Increase backrest pressure by turning the tension control clockwise.
Conversely, to remove tension and increase the chair’s sensitivity by turning the tension control counterclockwise.
4. Seat Slide
Pull the lever/knob, set your feet flat on the floor, and transfer your body weight to move the seat horizontally, forward, or back to fit your leg length.
When sitting flat on the floor, you should have a hand’s width between the front of the seat and the rear of your legs.
5. Lumbar Support
Some chairs have a pump or dial to increase the angle of protrusion of the lumbar or some sliding feature for adjusting the position.
The lower back curvature is aligned with the back of the chair via lumbar adjustment, which helps to avoid back discomfort.
6. Armrest Position
The arms can be raised and lowered, moved forward and back, or twisted for angle adjustment.
Or else, you’ll be leaning forward on your chair or leaning too far forward to access the desk.
Office Chairs That Support Synchro-Tilt Mechanism in 2024
The table provides an overview of the recommended synchro-tilt chairs and their features.
| Office Chairs with Synchro Tilt | Features | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Herman Miller Embody $1600 - $1,900 | 1. Backfit adjustment Tilt limiter 2. Adjustable Seat Depth 3. Fully adjustable arms 4. Pixelated Support |  |
| HON Convergence $223.99 | 1. Height- and width-adjustable arms 2. 275 lb weight capacity |  |
| AMQ Zilo Task Chair $300 -$400 | 1. Adjustable seat depth 2. Fully adjustable arms 3. Adjustable lumbar support 4. Seat height adjustment 5. Back recline tension adjuster |  |
| Herman Miller Aeron $1445 | 1. 8Z Pellicle Mesh upholstery 2. Adustable lumbar and sacral support |  |
| Steelcase Gesture $1112 | 1. 3D Live Back backrest 2. Ultra-adjustable armrests |  |
Final Verdict
Synchro-Tilt chairs are best for you if you want better posture and comfort during work hours.
It offers features such as back support, a waterfall seat design, and height control that you may adjust to your preference.
Advanced Synchro-Tilt chairs have more features with added advantages.
With combined back and seat pan tilt, you can work all day without any pain or back problems.
