Choosing the perfect chair is very important when it comes to long stays at your desk – if you have to sit for more than three hours a day. It should also be borne in mind that quality chairs are more expensive. Therefore, you need to decide in advance which one is right for you – a gaming or office chair?
The main purpose of any chair is to provide comfort and back support. If you are sitting most of the time, be sure to take care of your posture. So that in the future you do not have to experience severe pain in the lower back and neck.
Gaming computer chairs are not just for gamers. Such models are multifunctional, they are adapted to a certain type of activity associated with prolonged exposure to the monitor. In contrast, standard office chairs can make you feel the full weight of the structure after just a few hours of sitting in them.
Gaming chairs differ in design from ordinary office chairs. Their appearance, stylized as sports car seats, cannot be confused with anything. As like a car seat, a gaming chair’s main function is to provide the best possible back and spine support and security, and also tons of adjustments to suit anybody’s figure and constitution. They feature a solid, stable design, ergonomic fit with lateral support, armrests, headrest, and quality upholstery. This gives comfort and provides a high level of organization during the long hours.
If you are setting up a “men’s den”, preparing a gift for your kid and at the same time taking care of his/her posture, working remotely at home, or even you have a fairly free atmosphere in your office (business style is not mandatory) – a gaming chair may be a perfect choice. And – often for a lower price tag.
Gaming chair or office chair? 5 distinctive characteristics.
1. Anatomical sitting. It follows the contours of the body and ensures proper support for the whole body. Starting from the pelvis and ending with the cervical region. The anatomically seated chair securely fixes the entire spine in the correct position. Anatomical seating promotes muscle relaxation and normal blood circulation.
2. The presence of additional bolsters: headrest, under the lower back. A special cushion in the form of a curved pillow will support the lumbar region well. In this case, there will be no pain or discomfort even with prolonged sitting. The presence of the headrest helps relieve tension in the neck area.
3. The more additional functions, the more comfortable the chair. The existence of built-in mechanisms in the design of the chair allows it to be adjusted to the individual parameters of the owner’s body. In gaming chair it is possible to adjust the required backrest tilt. Gaming chairs are conveniently adjustable in height, it is possible to comfortably adjust the armrests and headrest. The swing mechanism is used in both office and gaming chairs. Such products are more expensive, but it is better to choose models with just such a mechanism.
4. Upholstery. High-quality artificial leather is used in gaming chairs from various well-known manufacturers. Even over time, it does not lose its appearance. In cheaper models of gaming and office chairs, the coating can last long enough, but if the material is not of very good quality, the appearance can deteriorate after a year.
5. Components. In the production of gaming chairs, high-quality and durable parts are used, since during the period of intense gaming moments, the chair cannot always withstand the load. For the manufacture of the frame, all-metal materials are used. Due to this, the chair becomes heavier, becomes stronger, more reliable, stable, and safe. Such models can withstand a bodyweight load of up to 120 kg. Office chairs do not differ in this ability.
You should not save on a gaming or office chair, as it will provide you with comfort when working or playing for years to come. A comfortable chair will relieve fatigue. This will make it possible to achieve better results in the game or at work. Consider the chair as your work tool – as it were your laptop.
The comfort of gaming and computer work largely depends on the seating characteristics of the chairs. Its height is extremely important. Fortunately, all seat models are now equipped with a special seat adjustment screw.
In addition to this criterion, it is worth considering the filler material. For seat padding (backs, armrests), manufacturers can use:
• Foam rubber – an option for budget models. This material is very soft, not very dense, easily squeezed through, and wears out quickly.
• Polyurethane foam is a high-quality, resilient, durable material with a denser and more rigid structure than foam rubber.
How to check density?
When choosing a chair, it’s best to be guided by personal preference. Someone is more comfortable sitting on a soft computer chair, while others will find it not at all comfortable. Although from a medical point of view, the rigidity of the seat is of great importance. With a sufficiently hard and dense pillow filler, during a long stay at the table, the body will less tired and sweat, since the blood supply will be less blocked. On average, the optimum thickness of the seat filling layer should be 3-6 cm.
It is easy to check the tightness of the padding. You just need to press your finger in the center of the seat. If the material is strongly squeezed in this place, it means that it is simple foam rubber. The faster the place of pressure with a finger returns to its original form, the better the material of the seat padding.
Built-in swing mechanism – which is better?
Manufacturers can use the following rocking mechanisms when creating computer chairs:
• Spring-screw, piastre. These are the simplest and most common mechanisms. They are mounted in standard, budget models. They allow the seat to be adjusted exclusively in height.
• Top-gun (centered) – suitable for solid executive chairs. Such a mechanism can provide a large swing amplitude (in the range of 90-130⁰). A characteristic feature of this model is an additional lever located under the seat. It can be used to fix the back of the chair in the optimal position.
• Multiblock – a mechanism that is installed in expensive models of gaming and office chairs. They are characterized by high technical performance and have a long service life. Such mechanisms are distinguished by wear resistance, ergonomics, and high reliability. They allow you to change the angle of the seat in five positions.
• Synchronous is the most modern option. Such mechanisms can be found in branded models of computer chairs. They are multifunctional – they allow you to provide the most correct sitting angle due to the “back and forth” adjustments. Synchronous mechanisms are equipped with an additional option. It is responsible for increasing the deflection of the back of the chair, depending on the owner’s body weight.
In order to appreciate the advantages of each position, it is worth testing chairs equipped with one mechanism or another on the spot. Taking into account the length of stay in it, you need to rely on your health and personal preferences.
The main 6 criteria for choosing the right model
Not sure which chair is best for your work or playroom? Then choose a product considering the following criteria:
1. Optimal sitting height. When you are sitting, the angle of the knees should be strictly 90⁰. To do this, the height of the seat must match the level of the knees.
2. Optimal seating depth. To determine this parameter, you need to measure the distance between the inside of the knee and the extreme part of the buttocks. For example, the resulting indicator is 45 cm: from 45 we subtract 5-10 cm (allowance for the fact that the legs will be bent while sitting) = 40-35 cm. That is, you need to choose a chair with a seat depth within 35-40 cm It is important to observe this condition so that during prolonged sitting at the table all the load falls on the legs and hips, and not on the lumbar spine and back.
3. Optimal seat back height. It is necessary to select a chair model, focusing on the growth of the future owner – the higher he is, the higher the back should be. If the product is intended for use by several people, then it is better to choose a model with a built-in adjustment screw or piastra.
4. Reliability of construction. For a user weighing more than 70 kg, a chair with a chrome crosspiece with a diameter of 640 mm to 700 mm will be reliable. Such a supporting structure will be as stable and reliable as possible.
5. The presence of armrests and the ability to adjust/detach them. The most popular incorrect posture when playing games or working at the computer is when your hands are in weight or on the keyboard. With a long stay in this position, fingers begin to grow numb or aching pains in the hands appear. The armrests will help relieve stress and stress. Their presence will allow you to often change the position of the hands, due to which the muscles of the shoulder and elbow zones will periodically relax. Give preference to adjustable padded armrests.
6. The headrest is an essential attribute of a high-quality computer gaming chair. Unfortunately, it is rare to find office models equipped with a head support roller. It is advisable to choose models in which the position of the headrest is adjustable.
Purchasing a quality chair for work or rest and play is the right decision. And its implementation must be approached competently, taking into account all the important parameters and recommendations. Then the purchase will be able to justify itself even after several years of operation. With many hours of use, the right chair will minimize the discomfort of prolonged sitting in front of the monitor.
If you do not feel discomfort, inconvenience, the need to change your position, then you were able to find and buy a suitable model. Sitting on long weekdays or evenings playing or working will keep you productive and recuperate quickly.
