Chairs

Kensington · Apr 23, 2010

This probably isn't the correct forum for this, but I wondered what the thoughts are about chairs -- chairs to compute by.

Any recommendations on the best ones would be appreciated. The seat padding has gone on mine and I'm considering buying a replacement that has arms -- short, adjustable arms. Still, I've never had arms on a steno/task chair before, and there are mixed reviews about them. I suppose it depends what you do most on the computer. If you're not typing very much, it wouldn't matter. Thoughts, please.

Thanks

alleycat · Apr 23, 2010

I prefer a chair with arms, and I'm on the computer all the time, either at work or at home.

PEBKAC2 · Apr 23, 2010

In the office, I unbolted the arms from my chair (hate them). At home, I love having arms on my chair

The difference for me is in how my desks are set up and keyboard placement.

stephenf · Apr 23, 2010

I actually prefer sitting on the floor .But, I also have a office, that has a bench about three feet/ 1 meter high and I sit on a stall .The computer keyboard is about chest height and I can sit with a straight back.I find the conventional desk/chair unconformable and posture destroying.

Matera the Mad · Apr 23, 2010

Arms are fine if your chair has room to move in so you can get in and out. (Use your imagination to see why mine doesn't lol.) Most important is having your butt at the right height and the back should encourage good posture while giving friendly support when you lean back and heave a long sigh. And enough padding to keep the tush from getting sore.

Short-legged people should have something to put their feet on. It helps to prevent numb-butt and leg circulation probs.

Kensington · Apr 23, 2010

Matera the Mad said:
And enough padding to keep the tush from getting sore.

I second that. It's the padding on my chair -- or rather lack of it -- that's the problem. I've compensated at the moment with a really quite decent seat cushion. It's more comfortable than I expected.

As well as giving you good back support, there should also be no more than about a two inch gap between the edge of your chair and the back of your calves. I didn't know that until recently, when I started doing some research about chairs.

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/chair_adjusting.html

ejket · Apr 23, 2010

I go for a nice, luxurious, leather executive chair at a regular desk. I'm almost always leaning back in it with my arms on the arm-rests. I've had problems with other types of chairs that resulted in cortisone shots in both shoulders from extended hours at the computer, but the good old exec chair does the trick for me. No problems at all in the four years I've had it.

One day I'll work out how to set up a lazyboy with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor right where I want it. Then I can just park myself and go crazy in complete comfort.

(The crazy part I've already managed.)

Kensington · Apr 23, 2010

ejket said:
One day I'll work out how to set up a lazyboy with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor right where I want it. Then I can just park myself and go crazy in complete comfort.

Sounds great. Let me know when you've cracked it.

PaulaO · Apr 24, 2010

<--! MOD NOTE: THE FOLLOWING LINKS NO LONGER WORK
Here ya go:

http://www.officeorganix.com/Eropod500.htm - SuperSpiffy Model
http://www.officeorganix.com/Ergoquest200.htm - Basic Model

Used with:

http://www.officeorganix.com/InteractivePerfect1.htm

And here's their chair selections:

http://www.officeorganix.com/chairs1.htm
-->

aruna · Apr 24, 2010

Kensington said:
As well as giving you good back support, there should also be no more than about a two inch gap between the edge of your chair and the back of your calves. I didn't know that until recently, when I started doing some research about chairs.

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/chair_adjusting.html

I didn't know that either. My main concern in choosing a chair has not been arms or no arms, but lower back support. I need a small chair as I don't have much room for it in my "office" (a corner of my bedroom) so I got a cheap little Ikea chair that has excellent lower back support. But the gap you mention is a lot more than two inches.
I think the chair I need just doesn't exist.

Kensington · Apr 24, 2010

It's not just the chair but the desk as well. If the desk isn't adjustable (mine isn't) it means you have to often compensate by raising the chair up too high for comfort. I find if I get up every hour and walk around for five or ten minutes, it helps.

Chasing the Horizon · Apr 24, 2010

ejket said:
One day I'll work out how to set up a lazyboy with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor right where I want it. Then I can just park myself and go crazy in complete comfort.

(The crazy part I've already managed.)

That's my set-up.

I can't stand any kind of office chair. I use a living room chair (is there a proper term for that?) and a piece of shelving board over the arms as a keyboard tray for my wireless keyboard. And a footstool, since the chair doesn't have one built in. I'm always reclined back when I'm at the computer.

I've been using this basic set-up (with several different chairs) 8+ hours a day for 8 years and don't have a single problem from it.

I've also heard it's better for your eyes to sit further back from the screen like I do, though I'm not sure if it's true.

MacAllister · Jul 4, 2012

UPDATE:

I got this note via the contact form, and thought an update might be the best way to offer this resource:

On the page I included above, you mention Office Organix, a great ergonomics store, and point here:
http://officeorganix.com/

Unfortunately, Office Organix has since gone out of business.

If you’re still updating your site, and are looking for a good replacement link, you could try:
http://ergostoreonline.com

Visitors to the site will get individualized usability assistance from the owner herself. It’s truly a gem of a resource.

Jamesaritchie · Jul 4, 2012

I'm in the big, cushy, relatively expensive exec chair with arms. I've found that every desk is adjustable, one way or another. But I sit in my chair a LOT, and it must be comfortable.

kenebaker · Jul 10, 2012

Would strongly recommend that you TRY a chair before you buy it. While online stores much be cheaper, sometimes it pays to go and try out the chair before you buy it.

Made that mistake once, and I refuse to use this computer chair.

What you should be looking for:
1) Something with good LOWER back support - it needs to be sloped to support the curve of your spine.
2) You need to get a chair with an adjustable seat - on that can move forward or backward depending on how you sit.
3) Chair with wheels (for riding around the office when you are bored).

1 + 2 are important. 3 is essential

Chairs

Kensington

alleycat

Still around

PEBKAC2

Will crit for food.

stephenf

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Kensington

ejket

Noobus Perpetuus

Kensington

PaulaO

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

Kensington

Chasing the Horizon

Blowing in the Wind

MacAllister

Tired and worried.

Jamesaritchie

kenebaker

Master of Meh!