Chairs

[Zhuolun]

I spend a lot of my days working in them and I've never managed to find one that didn't get uncomfortable quite quickly in some way or cause old strains to flare up. Curious to know if others have had better luck, or can talk to what are the features of a really ideal chair (structure, material, brand, etc.)? -- especially since with gongfu practice I expect we prefer different things from most buyers, whose much greater number I expect makes manufacturers cater designs to their tastes. In particular:

• Are "ergonomic" chairs actually helpful as office chairs, or do they act in fact more like a crutch?
• It may be that I never really learned to sit in them right, but is there a good reason that most chairs -- at least that I've found in the U.S. -- have a base (i.e. the surface that one sits one's rear on) that isn't at an angle parallel to the ground but is tilted back (so that the front lip of the base is higher than the back edge)? Seems to throw off how one holds one's weight, especially from how one does so and trains to do so in a standing position. Or is that just me?

I'd be interested in what everyone thinks on these points.

 

[angryclown]

Most of what's presented as ergonomics is bullshit, in my opinion. Better to have something where you can move around and change your posture continuously throughout the day. The best office chair I ever had was a padded stool on wheels.

I've heard really good things about these guys: https://qor360.com/shop-active-chairs/

They're expensive, but most good quality office chairs are. I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on the Newton, although I don't know why, considering I probably spend 70-90 hours a week sitting on my ass in front of my computer. Looked at over the course of a couple of years, that's not so much for something good.

 

[Zhuolun]

A stool -- now that's an idea.

 

[Zhuolun]

I've had the Newton for about two weeks now. Whether or not it's worth the $400 I leave it to people to decide for themselves. But from my experience with it it's a keeper, quite natural to sit in. It's possible a simple stool with wheels would have done, I don't know. Anyway, thanks Hassler for the tip.

 

[Maou]

Most of what's presented as ergonomics is bullshit, in my opinion. Better to have something where you can move around and change your posture continuously throughout the day. The best office chair I ever had was a padded stool on wheels.

I've heard really good things about these guys: https://qor360.com/shop-active-chairs/

They're expensive, but most good quality office chairs are. I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on the Newton, although I don't know why, considering I probably spend 70-90 hours a week sitting on my ass in front of my computer. Looked at over the course of a couple of years, that's not so much for something good.

I have had the hunch for awhile that,if you HAVE to spend a whole lot of time on the computer,it is healthier to do so while laying in bed with a table than it is to do so sitting. (Sadly not an option if you're an office worker though,so I can only talk about when you're on the computer for leisure or you're lucky enough to be able to work at home)

These days,I spend my time with a laptop placed on a small wooden table while laying in bed. easy for me to also readjust my position whenever I need to. In the past,I always remember eventually feeling my body cramping and needing to get out of the chair to lay on my bed.

I think its been more than year now since I used a computer chair regularly. I don't think I'll ever want to go back to that arrangement unless its one of those specialized chairs that you mentioned

In general,do you guys feel that I am correct? that given the choice between a regular computer chair and using a computer while laying in bed,that the latter is healthier overall? (assuming you have a table and not having to use your knees as a table,lol)

I certainly feel healthier overall,but I'm pretty sure the fact that I train regularly is a much bigger factor to that than just this.

 

[angryclown]

I think the main thing is just that you can move around. I use multiple screens and other peripherals, so a good sized desk with a chair works best for me. If someone is going to spend a lot of time at a computer, though, I think it's definitely worth the investment to figure out what works for their individual situation.

 

[Maou]

This video probably doesn't say anything that you don't already know,but I feel its worth linking. Particularly because its got some actionable advice around 4:15 of the video if sitting for long periods (i.e. because you have to at work) is unavoidable.