What Is a Bungee Chair?

One of several different types of office chairs, a bungee chair is an ergonomically designed item of office equipment. The bungee chair is constructed from a frame with tensioned bungee cord straps or ropes fixed between the outer frame members. This construction style gives the chair a high level of spring and cushioning. The design of the chair with gaps between the rows of straps also increases airflow, making sitting for long periods of time considerably more comfortable than with standard office chairs.

The general frame construction of a bungee chair is similar to any other standard office chair. The legs, armrests, and structural members are constructed of traditional materials such as steel, aluminum, plastic, or wood. Generally, it is only the actual seating pad and backrest that will feature the tensioned bungee cords, which give the chair its name. The bungee cords fixed to the chair can be left in a rounded finish or flattened depending on the design of the chair. This particular type of chair has become increasingly popular since the early 2000s when it was relatively rare.

Due to the method of construction of the bungee chair, there is an expansive scope for ergonomic and aesthetic design modifications. This provision for innovative design has been utilized by manufacturers of the chairs to bring new levels of coordination and style to office environments. The wide range of available bungee chair designs and styles has assisted in increasing the popularity of the chair type in offices where image is important. As the chair does not feature bulky foam cushioning, the adaptability of the design lends itself to a more aesthetically pleasing finished product.

In an office environment, the use of these chairs has become very popular. A factor in this popularity is the level of comfort afforded to the user. The tensioned cords or straps lend a spring level that is not found in traditional office chair styles. The structure of the support cords also allows the chair to mold to the contours of the user’s seating position, which again aids levels of comfort.

A further advantage of a bungee chair lies in the arrangement of the cords, which is in either a mesh pattern or parallel to each other. The arrangement of the cords allows for air movement around the backrest and seat of the chair. This flow of air through the structure allows the user to sit for longer periods of time without becoming uncomfortable, particularly in warm conditions. In addition to standard office chairs, the range of furniture produced using the bungee cord design has also expanded to include folding and lounge chairs.