Spending hours at a computer working or playing games can do a number on a user's neck and back. It helps keep chiropractors in business, but that can be costly to patients. The best gaming chair not only can make games more enjoyable, it also can help with ergonomics.
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Steelcase Gesture
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Ergohuman ME7ERG
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AKRacing Nitro
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DXRacer Formula Series
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Vertagear SL2000
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Gaming chair Buyer's Guide
Ergonomics
With more people using computers on a daily basis, ergonomics has become a big business. As a science, ergonomics is the study of how humans interact with objects such as chairs and desks. New York University offers a master's degree in ergonomics and biomechanics.
The U.S. Department of Labor has recommendations covering ergonomics in the workplace. (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/) Often, people think of carpal tunnel syndrome when it comes to office injuries. Besides desk and peripheral placement, chairs also have a major part in workers' health.
The main advice for what makes a chair ergonomic has to do with how adjustable a chair is. An individual should be able to raise or lower a seat position in relation to a desk so the computer monitor is at eye level or slightly above. This will prevent neck strain.With cellphone use nowadays, most people tuck their chin to their chest to read information on their device such as Facebook updates. In time, that can screw up the vertebrae in the neck. If users find themselves leaning toward the computer monitor on their desk, they might want to get the prescription for the their contact or glasses updated. Leaning forward is a bad habit and can lead to back pain.
The seat height also should allow the person to rest his feet flat on the floor. The arms should be a little higher than the keyboard and mouse, according to Rodney K. Lefler of Spine-Health.com. It's that bad habit of using a keyboard or mouse at an upward angle that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
The other important factors in an ergonomic chair include back support and seat material. Armrests are not meant to be used while typing or mousing, according to Cornell University. That can lead to tennis elbow.
To tell whether a computer user has ergonomic problems, pain usually is a good indicator. Columbia University has a list of symptoms and their severity.
There are exercises, which are really physical therapy to help alleviate symptoms, but those don't solve the problem. A more long-term and practical solution is to correct bad seating arrangements. Proper posture and the equipment to help encourage ergonomic habits are a viable solution to the pain caused by long-term sitting.
Circulation
This is something that does not necessarily cause pain, but poor circulation can lead to problems. Usually, poor circulation from sitting for long periods is not as obvious as sleeping on an arm at night.
The problem for circulation while sitting comes from improper alignment of the back and neck. Especially with the neck, tilting forward too often can lead to numb fingers or pain shooting down the arms. If the feet are dangling off the floor or tucked under the body also can lead to numbness, says Sandra Kecham of Live Strong. People can harm their internal organs by sitting too low in a chair.
Gamers vs. Offices
To find the best chair for an individual gamer, it is a good idea to try out the chair before buying it. Gaming chairs are pretty popular nowadays, so it's easy to find them in stores. Gaming conventions and expos also are good places to try out gaming chairs.
The top gaming chair brands make different sizes of the same model to accommodate different body types. Some manufacturers list chairs based on a person's height and weight.
The days of gimmicks such as vibration and Bluetooth connectors in gaming chairs have passed. Gaming specific models now focus on ergonomics and style. The chairs look like something that would go in a racing car but with armrests. Take a hint from NASCAR and avoid using armrests during competition.
With ergonomics in mind, gamers not wanting flashy, niche chairs can opt for efficient, office chairs. It's a bigger market, so companies often put more research and development into those products.
One thing some gaming specific chairs have that office chairs don't is the option to tilt the chair usually to almost a complete horizontal position. This is not ergonomic, but can be good for napping or just taking a break from a game.
Take Breaks
Breaks from gaming are a good idea not just for mental fitness but also for physical well-being. There has been a bunch of research on the subject of prolonged sitting. It includes computer users and couch potatoes. There are many articles on the internet titled “Your Chair is Killing You.
”Sitting too long on a regular basis can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, according to James A. Levine of the Mayo Clinic. (Source) The further results of these conditions can result in diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Sitting for long periods also can lead to bad habits such as overeating and chain smoking. The way to avoid the consequences of sitting for long periods, according to Levine, is to get out of the chair. Stand up, stretch, walk around and get some exercise. The extreme solution is to place the computer or TV above a treadmill. Some people try using a giant stability ball at work to reduce back and strengthen their core, says Gretchen Reynolds of The New York Times. In reality, the ball probably mostly motivates people to sit less at their desk. The trend really has not caught on with gamers. Gaming chairs probably have a better chance in a cubicle than a stability ball.
Gaming Performance
It's pretty hard to accurately measure a user's gaming performance based on a chair. The way a gaming chair can possibly improve a person's performance in say a first-person shooter would be by eliminating the distraction of discomfort.
Being at the correct height and sitting position also can help gamers stay more alert. Those things also can help office workers more productive. The correct sitting position can reduce fatigue.
Although a gaming chair can make sitting for long periods of time easier, it's recommended that users stand up and walk around about every 20 minutes, as Nerd Fitness suggests. That's probably not realistic for competitive gamers, but standing up once an hour seems doable. It's pretty easy to set an alarm on a computer.
Gaming chair Reviews
Below are five ergonomic chairs good for gamers. They range in price from $1,000 to $300. The most expensive is first. The chairs are versatile enough to be used for office work as well as gaming. All of the models have wheels. The gaming specific chairs probably will look a little out of place in a non-home office setting in today's business world.
Steelcase Gesture
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This chair is marketed toward office workers and costs about $1,000. The Gesture is highly adjustable and fits a variety of body types. The armrests in particular are not just height adjustable, they also can be tucked in or rotate outward for convenience. The chair has a 12-year warranty.
Limits of the Gesture are a lack of adjustable lower back support and no option for mesh support instead of cushioning. The need for mesh could come into play in hotter office or home environments, but the majority of gamers have access to air conditioning. The advantages of cushioning are apparent for long gaming sessions.
The back of the chair is bowed backward to replicate the correct alignment of a spine. The back also flexes to accommodate the user. This can give the back support and reduce fatigue. The amount of recline is easily adjustable. All the adjustments are smooth and quiet.
The Gesture's appearance is not traditional office, but not race car either. It's a little like “Star Trek: Next Generation.”Although the Gesture promotes ergonomic posture, users can sit in unconventional positions thanks to the padding. It is possible to sit with your legs in the chair in a kneeling position without pain. This is not recommended because the user's legs might fall asleep.
Unlike some gaming chairs, users cannot lean the back to a fixed position for napping, but there also is no headrest. All the adjustment controls are on the right side.
PROS:
16-21-inch seat height adjustment
20-inch seat width
300-pound weight capacity
Choice of eight different colors
CONS:
Very expensive
No mesh option
Fixed lumbar support
Check Out The Steelcase Gesture
Ergohuman ME7ERG
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Those wanting a less expensive version of the infamous Aeron chair, the Ergohuman has a similar look and design while costing a little more than $600. During summer months, the Ergohuman care help gamers avoid sweat stains and those odd noises vinyl and leather can make.
The armrests on the chair are height and depth adjustable and pivot inward and outward. The headrest is height adjustable, and it pivots. Users can change the height of the back of the chair to four different positions. The lower back support is adjustable separately from the main back of the chair. The back of the chair bows backward to imitate the spine like the Gesture does.
All seat adjustment control is on the right side of the chair. The seat depth can be adjusted through the universal paddle. The whole chair can be adjusted for reclining and locked in position. There also is a tension adjustment for the back to increase support.
With so many adjustment options, it may take users some time to get the chair just right for them.
PROS:
17-21-inch seat height adjustments
26-inch seat width
250-weight capacity
Mesh for hot environments
Adjustable headrest
Separate lumbar adjustment
CONS:
No cushioning
Mesh has little give
Check Out The Ergohuman ME7ERG
AKRacing Nitro
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The first true gaming chair on the list is the Nitro at $350. All the chairs are two-toned and have the standard race-car-bucket-seat shape.
Users can adjust the height of the armrests and back. The seat and back of the chair have a lot of padding that is dense enough not to cave into the steel frame with time. This unit does not come with separate head and lower back pillows. The covering material is synthetic leather.
The seat does not adjust for depth, so a pillow could be helpful. The seat height and tilt adjustment can be done from the right side of the chair. The chair can tilt back to a fixed, flat position.
The materials are of good quality and breathable, but the chair only comes with a 1-year warranty on everything except the frame. The warranty on the frame is good for 10 years. Unlike more expensive chairs, the armrests can not swing inward or outward.
Those users shorter than 5-foot, 10-inches tall may want to go with a different AKRacing model. The company offers many different models to accommodate a variety of heights and weights. The curved, shoulder wings on the chair may be a problem for those with extra-broad shoulders.
PROS:
6 different color combinations available
396-pound weight capacity
Extreme back tilt for sleeping
16.53-19.69-inch seat height adjustment
CONS:
Short-term warranty
Not so great for shorter users
Armrests do not pivot
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DXRacer Formula Series DOH/RE0/NR
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This model is very close to the AKRacing Nitro and also costs $350. From a distance, viewers may not be able to tell them apart. The DXRacer does not fully tilt back for sleeping, but it's pretty close.
There is a lifetime warranty on the frame and a 2-year warranty on everything else. This model includes detachable pillows for the head and lower back. The armrests have some padding.
Users taller than 5 feet, 9 inches will not find this chair to be suitable. DXRacer offers other models for taller people. The exterior material is nylon, so it will heat up in the summer. The padding is dense, so the chair will take time to break in like a new pair of leather basketball shoes.
Current DXRacer owners report better posture, less pain and more endurance from using the chair. They also admitted the chair does not magically make them better gamers.
This specific model has a lower weight capacity than the Nitro. Aside from choosing the correct model for your height and weight, make sure to choose the exterior material best suited for your climate. With AKRacing and DXRacer, the chooses are mesh fabric or synthetic leather.
The DXRacer chairs are so similar to the AKRacing models in function and quality, the buying decision may come down to color availability. Both brands are wildly popular among competitive gamers.
PROS:
16-20-inch seat height adjustment
200-pound weight capacity
Padded armrests
Pillows
CONS:
Fewer color options than AKRacing Nitro
Not meant for taller users
No 180-degree tilt
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Vertagear SL2000
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Although not as famous as the above gaming chairs, the Vertagear costs $50 less and comes in synthetic leather. Head and lower back pillows also are included. The Vertagear looks like a race car seat with two-tone coloring. It definitely looks different from its two above competitors.
The armrests are adjustable for height. The back tilts (170 degrees maximum) but not enough for napping. The padding is high-density foam. Vertagear offers two other models in the SL line that are more expensive.
The adjustment handle for the Vertagear backrest is on the right. There are separate controls for seat height and rocking tension. Overall, the SL2000 is well constructed with durable materials.
The 2-year warranty covers everything including the steel frame. Even though the Vertagear is the least expensive model reviewed here, it is chair is not a budget model compared with the typical office chairs available at office supply stores. This one should last a long time.
PROS:
16-19-inch seat height adjustment
330-pound weight capacity
Steel frame
CONS:
2-year warranty on all
4 two-tone, color combinations
Check Out The Vertagear SL2000
Conclusion:
All of the above chairs require some assembly. It should not take hours, but the assembly diagrams are good to use. All the chairs ship free from Amazon.com.
Accessories to consider that might make the gaming and office work experience even easier are footrests and chair mats. The chair mats help save carpet and floor tiles while also making it easier for the wheels on the chair to glide. Those dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome may want to try ergonomic pad rests for their mouse and keyboard. The better pads usually have silicone for filler.
Quality of Life
A quality, ergonomic, gaming chair cannot only make gaming more pleasant, it also can help improve users' health. Considering most people spend several hours a day at their computer, an investment in a seemingly boring piece of equipment can greatly improve quality of life for many users.
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