The Steelcase Series 1 perfectly embodies the ChairsFX methodology. Ergonomic chairs support neutral posture through a core trio of adjustable features—lumbar support, armrests, and a reclining backrest. Beyond that baseline, price differences reflect brand prestige and psychological extras, not superior biomechanics. Its pragmatic design makes the Series 1 the ideal model to demonstrate how to properly configure and sit in any well-equipped ergonomic office chair.
Per institutional guidelines, the core purpose of an ergonomic chair is to support neutral postures. Any model equipped with adjustable lumbar support, armrests and recline can provide this baseline support.
Together, these adjustable features align the spine to roughly replicate the natural geometry of a healthy standing posture. This reduces musculoskeletal strain, helping users sit comfortably for longer periods with less fatigue.
The Steelcase Series 1 is the ideal model to demonstrate both neutral sitting mechanics and the realities of psychological appeal.
It’s a plain-looking chair with intuitive, no-frills adjustments. Its lack of cosmetic flash explains its lower price point, making it one of the most affordable ways to get top-tier ergonomic pedigree backed by a 12-year warranty.
Steelcase Series 1 on Amazon 499 EUR
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Ergonomic Office Chair Quickstart
The primary purpose of any ergonomic chair is to support neutral postures using core adjustable components: lumbar support, armrests, and recline. This article uses the Steelcase Series 1 as a practical example of how to adjust these components.
The first image above shows a slouched posture in a misconfigured chair, with the seat, armrests, and lumbar support set too low. The second image shows the result of proper configuration and usage: a clean neutral posture.
To sit with a clean neutral posture in any chair with the core adjustable components, follow these steps:
- Tuck your hips deep into the seat for maximum contact between the backrest and your spine.
- Plant your feet firmly on the floor; adjust your seat height for a 90° (or greater) knee bend.
- Adjust the lumbar to support your lower back (aim for slightly above your beltline).
- Lock the backrest angle at its default 100° recline, or at 110° for a more relaxed neutral posture.
As a final step, push into the armrests with your forearms. As the lumbar support maintains your lower back curve, your planted feet and supported arms will give you the leverage to hold your torso upright.
The end result should be a clean neutral posture, regardless of chair type. With proper lumbar, armrest, recline, and seat height adjustments, your body should naturally fall into a clean neutral posture.
Tuck Your Hips Deep Into the Seat
The first step in sitting neutrally in any ergonomic chair is to tuck your hips as deep as possible into the seat. Wedging your hips as far back as possible ensures maximum contact between your spine and the backrest.
That close contact will allow your adjusted lumbar support to apply proper pressure to your lower back’s natural curve—the key to maintaining good posture throughout the day.
Adjust the Seat And Plant Your Feet
The key here to to plant your feet firmly on the floor with an optimal seat height and depth. The optimal seat depth should allow 1-2 inches of space between the back of your knees and the seat lip.
The optimal seat height varies. A standard recommendation is to shoot for 90-degree or greater angles of your knees, hips, and elbows(1).
Meanwhile, a seated knee bend of less than 100° (with hips slightly above the knees) is reported to reduce lower back pressure(2). In practice, I’ve found that claim accurate.
In my experience, the ideal seat height places your hips slightly higher than your knees. At the same time, it allows for a knee bend of between 90-120°. Once you’ve found your sweet spot, plant your feet.
Set Lumbar Support Above The Beltline
The Steelcase Series 1 features a fixed-depth lumbar pad with a height adjustment range of 6.5″ to 8.75″ above the seat. It is straightforward to use: simply slide it up or down until you feel supportive pressure in your lower back curve.
As outlined in our lumbar support biomechanics guide, applying gentle pressure to this sweet spot reflexively straightens your upper spine, while heightening your awareness of proper spinal alignment.
While fixed depth offers less fine-tuning than models like the Titan Evo, its simplicity makes it virtually foolproof to set up and adjust.
If you feel lower back tightness, height is your primary lever. Simply tuck your hips deep into the backrest and adjust the lumbar pad until it locks into your sweet spot.
Lock The Backrest At 100°
Esteemed ergonomist Dr. Alan Hedge (Cornell) has stated that lumbar disc pressure and back muscle activity are lowest with a supported recline angle of 110° to 130°.
However, while researching text neck syndrome, I found my 110° recline angle problematic. While it did support good lower back posture, it also induced a rounding of the upper spine.
These days, I prefer sitting with a steep 100° backrest recline. I find that doing so best supports good back and neck posture.
Steelcase engineers seem to agree. All of its best models come set with a default 96-100° angle with a limited (120° max) recline range. Here are the upright and recline positions of the best Steelcase chairs:
- Gesture: 98°-116°; 5-position backstop
- Leap: 96-120°; 5-position backstop
- Think: 98-116°; 3-position backstop
- Series 1: 100-120° rocking with tension
Bottom line: the Series 1 comes with a 100° recline angle as its default. To master neutral postures, simply keep it locked in its default position.
End Result: Neutral Sitting Posture
The point of an ergonomic chair is to support neutral sitting postures. These replicate the lower back and neck angles of healthy standing postures.
As a result, users can sit comfortably for longer periods — without suffering from musculoskeletal stress. Good sitting posture yields many benefits. These include supercharged energy levels, sharper cognitive focus, enhanced spatial awareness, and more.
To unlock these benefits, configure your Series 1 chair’s settings:
- Set the lumbar to support your back just above your beltline.
- Adjust the seat height to allow for a 90° (or greater) hip and knee bend.
- Lock the backrest angle at its default 100° recline.
Once you’ve got the settings down, apply these techniques:
- Adjust your seat height so you can plant your feet firmly on the floor.
- Tuck your hips as deeply as possible into the seat.
- Adjust your lumbar support to apply mild pressure to your lower back curve.
- Rest your forearms on the armrests.
- Push up with your forearms until your back is straight.
To see how these techniques apply to various gaming and office chairs, see this:
Steelcase Series 1 Chair Review
499 EUR on Amazon | Size rating: 5’2″ to 6’2″, 300 lbs
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
The Steelcase Series 1 prioritizes core biomechanics over cosmetic flash, pairing neutral posture support with a premium build quality and 12-year warranty. If you can accept its uninspired aesthetics, it offers fantastic value for money.
Pros
- Solid build quality
- Excellent armrest adjustability
- 12-year warranty
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Has the same features as the Branch ergonomic chair, yet costs over $100 more
- Plain design
- Not as luxurious as pricier Steelcase chairs.
Series 1 Technical Specifications
- Height-adjustable lumbar: 6.5″ to 8.75″
- Recline + Sync tilt: 100-120° rocking range; 2° seat sync-tilt during recline
- Adjustable arms: 6.5″ to 11.5″ height range; 40° pivot left or right
- Seat: 15.75″ to 18″ adjustable depth
- Warranty: 12 years
- Seat width x depth: 19.2″ (W) x 15.75″ to 18″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 21.5″ (W) x 21.5″ (H)
- Seat height range: 16.5″ to 21.5″
- Armrest height range: 6.5″ to 11.5″ above the seat
- Size rating: 5’4″ to 6’1″; up to 300 pounds
Series 1 Chair Advice
Assuming a good fit, the Series 1 fulfills every ergonomic requirement for healthy neutral posture and is backed by a 12-year warranty.
In my experience, its only real downside is psychological. Studies show that seated comfort has both physical and psychological dimensions. On the psychological front, the Series 1’s no-frills aesthetic can feel underwhelming.
On the flip side, a chair’s flashiness has zero impact on your musculoskeletal health. Beyond baseline neutral sitting, your lifestyle habits outside the chair matter far more than luxury cosmetics.
Within this context, the Steelcase Series 1 provides solid neutral posture support and a 12-year warranty, making it exceptional value for money.
Footnotes
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. ‘Working in a Sitting Position’. Ergonomic Fact Sheet, revised September 28, 2022. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/sitting/sitting_position.html, (accessed April 2, 2023).
- Physio Med. ‘Correct Sitting Posture: Office’. Access the PDF, (accessed April 2, 2023).
