Preparation
Staying in one position for too long can leave your body strained and sore, and that’s true whether you’re hunched over your phone or stuck at your desk for hours of Zoom meetings. But the ergonomics of your beach chair are just as critical as those of your office seat—unless you want an afternoon engaged in the latest page-turner to cause aches and pains for the rest of your trip. “Poor ergonomics in a chair can place excess strain on your back, hips, and knees in any scenario,” says Michael Patrick Barrett, Doctor of Occupational Therapy and adjunct instructor at Thomas Jefferson University. “Everyone should pay attention to the ergonomics of any chair they plan to sit in for an extended period.”
When choosing a beach chair, pay close attention to the back, seat height, and armrests. “Our position while sitting should be as organic as possible and work with the natural curves of the body; this means the chair back should provide a strong support, particularly for the lower back, without forcing any extreme angles at the hips,” says Dr. Barrett. Chairs that are too close to the ground, he says, can drastically change the angle of your hips, knees, and ankles. “These joints want to rest at about 90 degrees—anything more extreme in either direction means that your muscles have to put in some work while you’re trying to relax,” notes Dr. Barrett. “This is one of the main reasons a person may find themselves frequently changing positions or becoming sore while sitting for more than even 15 or 20 minutes. Any armrests should be just wide enough from the seat so that you’re not pinched and don’t have to lift your arms up or out to actually use them.”
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Ultimately, beach chairs are not a one-size-fits-all product—no matter what the realtor who stocked your rental house wants you to think—so finding one that keeps you comfortable all day could take plenty of testing and a willingness to invest. “We all have different body shapes and sizes, so what is functional and comfortable for one person may not necessarily work for everyone,” says Dr. Barrett. “Trying things out and getting to know your own body is key to finding a good fit for yourself. Anyone with existing issues in their back, hips, knees, or ankles will want to take particular note when shopping for a new chair so that relaxation time for their mind can also be relaxation for their body—and not exacerbate existing discomfort.” With that said, we asked Dr. Barrett to recommend several options that work for most ocean and lake lovers—and you will quickly discover that the best selections aren’t necessarily marketed for the beach. Don’t overlook general outdoor chairs, such as those for camping or hiking, which work just as well in the sand. Ahead, some of Dr. Barrett’s picks, along with his reviews of some of the more popular beach chairs on the market.
