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Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

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71–76 of 76 posts

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#71
post #68

I think your question should be, "should I be sitting so long?" There's ample evidence that extended sitting, especially relative to the amount of standing and walking, is detrimental to health (especially including weight). I spent years on the popular Herman Miller Aeron chairs, but eventually I developed lower back problems in my early 30s! So when I left my job and started working from home, I tried the standing…

I think that even standing a lot is A Bad Idea. You're trading one mobility problem (sitting with little/no motion) for another (standing with little/no motion).

Moving is better, all the way around. I'm biased I admit... but I think a walking treadmill (like the ones that LifeSpan Fitness makes) is the best all the way around.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#72
post #71
post #68

I think your question should be, "should I be sitting so long?" There's ample evidence that extended sitting, especially relative to the amount of standing and walking, is detrimental to health (especially including weight). I spent years on the popular Herman Miller Aeron chairs, but eventually I developed lower back problems in my early 30s! So when I left my job and started working from home, I tried the standing…

I think that even standing a lot is A Bad Idea. You're trading one mobility problem (sitting with little/no motion) for another (standing with little/no motion). Moving is better, all the way around. I'm biased I admit... but I think a walking treadmill (like the ones that LifeSpan Fitness makes) is the best all the way around.

A treadmill might be ok. I wouldn't object to trying it, but it definitely increases the cost and complexity of a standing workspace.

When I stand, I very rarely just stand still. I shift my weight from side to side, roll slightly onto my toes and back to my heels, and sometimes elevate one foot on a stool under the desk. So my position is never static.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#74
I like having a standing desk with a tall stool. This way I can alternate between standing and sitting without any obstacles, and my stool forces me to have good posture while sitting. My stool isn't very comfortable (though not uncomfortable), so I actually end up standing.

It's not for everyone, but I like it.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best chair for developers?

#76
post #72
post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think that even standing a lot is A Bad Idea. You're trading one mobility problem (sitting with little/no motion) for another (standing with little/no motion). Moving is better, all the way around. I'm biased I admit... but I think a walking treadmill (like the ones that LifeSpan Fitness makes) is the best all the way around.

A treadmill might be ok. I wouldn't object to trying it, but it definitely increases the cost and complexity of a standing workspace. When I stand, I very rarely just stand still. I shift my weight from side to side, roll slightly onto my toes and back to my heels, and sometimes elevate one foot on a stool under the desk. So my position is never static.

I'm not trying to make it sound easy. It definitely took some getting used to. It took me about a month.

Now, I can't imagine going without it.

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