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The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

theguardian.com

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Re: The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

#81

Post by user5994461 »

_alex_ wrote: post #43
sgt101 wrote: post #33

I got a gaming chair at the beginning of lockdown, and I propped up my desk to get everything to the right height. The things I looked for : adjustable arm rests, adjustable height, adjustable tilt and headrest & lumbar support. Also buy a 28" 4k monitor, proper keyboard and mouse device of choice (I got an apple magic pad). All for ~ £500. It's worth the investment.

Do you like the gaming chair? I ordered an aeron and didn’t like it, sent it back. Need a new chair. Decade old office chair is falling apart.

If you don't like the Aeron (I don't either), you can try the Sayl. It's still from Herman Miller but it's something else entirely.

https://www.hermanmiller.com/en_gb/products/seating/office-c...

Re: The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

#82

Post by megameter »

johnchristopher wrote: post #10
amanaplanacanal wrote: post #3

We would do better for ourselves to get rid of chairs entirely and sit on the floor. Getting down and up from the floor is a natural human movement that would keep us all fitter into old age.

Have you tried sitting on the floor and work with a keyboard ? Do you have a setup you could share ? I suppose Japanese should have something fitting but that might be a stereotype.

See my other comment in this thread. I consider a lap desk the essential tool for a floor sitting setup because it puts the peripherals exactly where they need to be, on a comfortable and portable surface. Everything else can be improvised to start.

Re: The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

#83

Post by yodsanklai »

renewiltord wrote: post #61
2OEH8eoCRo0 wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I do run 2 to 4 times a week so I do wonder if that helps avoid problems? I think there are a lot of stressed and unconditioned office workers who want some magical device to solve everything. Vertical mice, split vertical keyboards, expensive chairs. None of it replaces exercise. Might be a controversial opinion.

This is literally the opposite of a controversial opinion. It's just the magic solution in a different shape. Most things in life aren't some sort of instant solution. If you run you won't live to be a hundred. If you smoke you won't get lung cancer. What these actions do is shift your probability distribution in certain ways. Running frequently improves your overall life-expectancy, smoking increases your risk of lu…

I know lifting weight is a big thing in the US, but not so much in my part of the world. Sometimes my impression is that many guys primarily want big muscles and conveniently convince themselves it is the way to go to be in good health. Not saying it's not but because it looks unnatural and isn't functional (I mean, have homo sapiens ever needed that kind of muscles?), I'm just wondering if it's really that healthy.

Are there any proven benefits to lifting heavy weight (compared to let say having a regular physical activity such as swimming, hiking, cycling, bodyweight exercises?)

Re: The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

#84

Post by aloer »

jamespetercook wrote: post #20

I don’t think I’ve ever found a chair that I felt completely comfortable in. I like to sit upright and feel alert and most chairs seem to be made for relaxing. I’ve always wondered if it’s just me or not, and have often thought about designing a chair but realistically I don’t have the skills :(

Check out the Haider Bioswing (https://bioswing.de/en/sitzsysteme/produkte/ergonomischer_ch...)

No idea if they are available internationally.

I got one last year and I’d say the architecture definitely forces you to sit straight and relax less than you do with most chairs.

But not necessarily in an uncomfortable way. It’s just not a chair for relaxed gaming or movie watching. That’s what makes it so great when working

Re: The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

#85

Post by keith__talent »

supernova87a wrote: post #71
scrooched_moose wrote: post #54

If anyone is looking for a better chair, we found this was a great time to pick up Herman Miller Aerons off of craigslist. There's a steady stream of small-to-medium offices in our area closing, and they're all liquidating office furniture. We picked up 2 for $500. They're a massive improvement over my $80 chair that was fine for a few hours a week pre-WFH, and my back is feeling much better.

This isn't exactly work related, but do people have opinions on the Herman Miller Eames chair? You know, this iconic look? [1] I ask because the lockdown has me fantasizing about distracting myself with replacement stuff for the home. But this chair is freakin $5000. Is it that good to be worth it? Or are any of those $1000 knockoffs acceptable quality? [1] https://www.hermanmiller.com/products/seating/lounge-seating…

The Eames Lounge Chair is a very comfortable chair, a lot of the high price comes from high quality materials, fair labor and environmental protocols of the processes and materials. Herman Miller is a quality manufacturer and is dedicated to making great furniture.

You will probably be able to tell the difference in the feel of the materials and the design details between the HM and replica. I've sat in a few different versions of replicas and the original and they are all very comfortable. The replicas are lower quality, you might not have them for 50 years, they might die earlier, they are after all a 'skin-job'.

If you're really thinking about it, do consider the resale value as part of investment, nice used examples fetch $3500-4000. If the classic Black and Walnut is your style that will probably be the easiest to recoup if you decide it's not for you.

Watch DWR or Hive they some times have 10% off sales that will at least save you the taxes or shipping depending where you live.

Re: The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

#86

Post by meroes »

yodsanklai wrote: post #83
renewiltord wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is literally the opposite of a controversial opinion. It's just the magic solution in a different shape. Most things in life aren't some sort of instant solution. If you run you won't live to be a hundred. If you smoke you won't get lung cancer. What these actions do is shift your probability distribution in certain ways. Running frequently improves your overall life-expectancy, smoking increases your risk of lu…

I know lifting weight is a big thing in the US, but not so much in my part of the world. Sometimes my impression is that many guys primarily want big muscles and conveniently convince themselves it is the way to go to be in good health. Not saying it's not but because it looks unnatural and isn't functional (I mean, have homo sapiens ever needed that kind of muscles?), I'm just wondering if it's really that healthy.…

I need to lift weight so I don't hurt myself carrying 65lb ladders down trails and in high wind for my job.

Is that ok with you?

Re: The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

#87

Post by Baeocystin »

yodsanklai wrote: post #83
renewiltord wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is literally the opposite of a controversial opinion. It's just the magic solution in a different shape. Most things in life aren't some sort of instant solution. If you run you won't live to be a hundred. If you smoke you won't get lung cancer. What these actions do is shift your probability distribution in certain ways. Running frequently improves your overall life-expectancy, smoking increases your risk of lu…

I know lifting weight is a big thing in the US, but not so much in my part of the world. Sometimes my impression is that many guys primarily want big muscles and conveniently convince themselves it is the way to go to be in good health. Not saying it's not but because it looks unnatural and isn't functional (I mean, have homo sapiens ever needed that kind of muscles?), I'm just wondering if it's really that healthy.…

If you want to keep your bones strong, there's no better exercise.

https://time.com/4803697/bodybuilding-strength-training/

It also increases your baseline strength, which is in turn one of the strongest correlates to maintaining health at any age.

Re: The tyranny of chairs: why we need better design

#89

Post by adamnemecek »

grugagag wrote: post #41
adamnemecek wrote: post #2

The worst chair in the world is the American high school/college desk+chair combo like this one https://www.schooloutlet.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/Screen... The people making and buying these place are committing crimes against humanity.

It's not comfortable but I don't think that's the worst chair especially if you pay attention how you sit in it. The worst chair is the cheap office chair that is often misaligned, wobbly and encouraging you to rest your back in a wrong way. And the free rotating swivel makes sure you are you really have a bad posture and not being able to sit properly. I relearned to sit down and now prefer a rigid surface and most…

You shouldn't have to pay attention to how you sit in it. there is literally only one position to sit in.
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