Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding? • Hacker News Board

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#31

Post by mhewett » Fri, May 06, 2011, 12:17 AM UTC

I've tried many chairs but none of the expensive ones (except for briefly sitting in an Aeron, which I liked). The last chair I bought was a $99 chair from Office Max, similar to this one: http://www.officemax.com/office-furniture/chairs/product-pro...

It is the best chair I've ever used even though it is low-backed and doesn't tilt. It forces me into a good posture and is comfortable for many hours.

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#32

Post by stevenj » Fri, May 06, 2011, 12:27 AM UTC

I just bought Ikea's Verksam Swivel Chair a couple days ago:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S59817085

and so far I'm loving it. Significant improvement in posture. Back (especially lower back) feels great.

What I like about it is that it isn't a deep or wide chair.

While I still take breaks, I wanted a chair that I didn't want to get up out of. One that I could just get lost in sitting for long periods of time.

So far, this one has provided that.

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#33

Post by symptic » Fri, May 06, 2011, 12:27 AM UTC

I bought a Steelcase Think about 3 years ago. It's been amazing up until recently, where I feel I am sitting too long in the day and I feel pressure behind my knees. When I move into a new place in the coming months, I'll be using a standing desk to work.

What concerns me is when I am lounging around with my legs crossed or sitting indian-style, my legs go a little numb. I work out rigorously and play soccer often, so being healthy during long workdays isn't enough; I think standing will help with my legs and help maintain my good posture.

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#34

Post by [deleted] » Fri, May 06, 2011, 12:28 AM UTC

dotBen wrote: post #21

patricklynch wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My standing desk is a set of $60 industrial shelves from CostCo. If all you care about about is functionality, furniture can be pretty cheap. I'm thinking of the Xooglers video where Google's massive line of desks was a series of doors on top of sawhorses.

I think it was Amazon that used doors as desks (apparently some folks still do for the novelty factor) http://www.adamduvander.com/simple/when-petscom-had-aeron-ch...

[deleted]

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#35

Post by peterarmstrong » Fri, May 06, 2011, 12:38 AM UTC

I have a Steelcase Leap at work and a Humanscale Freedom at home, and both are far superior to the Aeron for me. (I'm 6'3" and 225 pounds; the Aeron B and C models don't fit right: there should be a cross between a B and C. I had bought an Aeron but I sold it to buy the Humanscale Freedom.)

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#36

Post by ktsmith » Fri, May 06, 2011, 1:07 AM UTC

humbledrone wrote: post #3

My current chair is the Humanscale Freedom: http://humanscale.com/products/product_detail.cfm?group=Free... The headrest is essential. The only problem I've had with this chair is that it makes it really easy to sit for a long time. Good for comfort, probably bad for health.

This is by far the best chair I've ever owned. After five years of daily, extended, use mine fell apart pretty significantly. I put too much weight on the left arm and it broke completely off, the lift stopped working, the armrests (the vinyl/rubber/whatever material not fabric) cracked and tore like leather where my elbows rested on it the most. Given the $800 I paid for it (ebay, with headrest) I would have liked to have it last longer however I've not hesitated to buy a new one with the fabric armrests which have managed to hold up much better than the other material. As far as the arm breaking... probably my own fault rather than any failing of the chairs design.

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#37

Post by bigwally » Fri, May 06, 2011, 1:11 AM UTC

A chair is a chair. Some of the best chairs I have used are the standard plastic resin chairs. Or fail that a crappy wooden dining room chair. The best way is to mix it up so your body doesn't get too used to one position.

One of my favorite chairs is a high wooden stool while working at a bench.

I'm sure if they did a study the best chair for most people it would be the one that had the biggest price sticker on it.

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#38

Post by MrFoof » Fri, May 06, 2011, 1:20 AM UTC

Eames molded armchair.

I've had multiple Aerons (both basic and PostureFit) but at the end of the day I tend to sit on one of my legs, where the Aeron's pellicle seat works to annoy you.

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#39

Post by MetallicCloud » Fri, May 06, 2011, 1:38 AM UTC

MrFoof wrote: post #38

Eames molded armchair. I've had multiple Aerons (both basic and PostureFit) but at the end of the day I tend to sit on one of my legs, where the Aeron's pellicle seat works to annoy you.

I have the habit of sitting on one of my legs too.

I've tried breaking the habit because I assume it's going to ruin my back, but I just can't seem to be comfortable sitting in the 'normal' position for too long.

Re: Poll: Best Chair For Desktop Coding?

#40

Post by mike_h » Fri, May 06, 2011, 2:22 AM UTC

btw, pdx: don't get too neurotic about "making" yourself sit straight. Stick in any one position for too long and you're going to get stiff and cause other problems (the nice thing about finding the right chair is it will keep you in a good position while letting you relax).

frossie is right about exercise too: staying limber and energetic is at least as important as the furniture.