Sell me on a PC Gaming Chair over a Recliner.

Z

ZDPhoenix

Gawd
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Dec 7, 2008
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So I've been using a recliner and an older Studio RTA desk for about two years now.

I set my Steelseries Merc Stealth on my lap and this for my Razer Naga.

And yet folks say that I would be more comfortable with a normal chair and leaving everything on my desk.

I mean... would I?

So I'd love for someone to sell me on some key reasons *why* a gaming chair is a better choice, than my pretty comfortable recliner.
 
Didn't think there was an actual reason. Kept getting junk rationale from the gamers that touted it through convos.

Only thing that sort of made sense was the ability to concentrate better in matches while sitting up with good posture, instead of being relaxed. I'm not a streamer or a competitor, so I'm not concerned about that particular reason.
 
Because if you're in a recliner for hours on end each day you may end up with degenerative disk disease?

Desk chairs, while still /bad/ for you at least make some effort to keep your lumbar spine aligned. Being reclined puts a ton of pressure on the disks in the lumbosacral region of your spine. You're also probably not doing your neck any favors.
 
InternationalHat said:
Because if you're in a recliner for hours on end each day you may end up with degenerative disk disease?

Desk chairs, while still /bad/ for you at least make some effort to keep your lumbar spine aligned. Being reclined puts a ton of pressure on the disks in the lumbosacral region of your spine. You're also probably not doing your neck any favors.
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In addition, while in a recliner, it is likely that your muscles are completely relaxed in your core (abs and back mostly). While that sounds great, spending a lot of time in that position will atrophy your muscles. That will make you more prone to back pain/injury. Sitting upright in a good office chair, forces (or at least encourages) you to use good posture. Good posture strengthens your core and helps avoid back pain/injury.
 
You def want to get something that supports your lumbar and puts you in a ergonomic position. It's fine to relax in a lazy boy but if you are doing work and gaming in that type of chair you are going to do no favors to your lower back and neck.

Also a recliner for a computer chair is an eyesore.

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Screw the chair, keep the recliner.


From: long term recliner user.
 
Hmmm. Good points. I wouldn't have thought of that.

What about DX Racer styled chairs?

Same issues there?

Any chairs anyone here *would* recommend?
 
InternationalHat said:
Because if you're in a recliner for hours on end each day you may end up with degenerative disk disease?

Desk chairs, while still /bad/ for you at least make some effort to keep your lumbar spine aligned. Being reclined puts a ton of pressure on the disks in the lumbosacral region of your spine. You're also probably not doing your neck any favors.
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Yippee38 said:
In addition, while in a recliner, it is likely that your muscles are completely relaxed in your core (abs and back mostly). While that sounds great, spending a lot of time in that position will atrophy your muscles. That will make you more prone to back pain/injury. Sitting upright in a good office chair, forces (or at least encourages) you to use good posture. Good posture strengthens your core and helps avoid back pain/injury.
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ZDPhoenix said:
Hmmm. Good points. I wouldn't have thought of that.

What about DX Racer styled chairs?

Same issues there?

Any chairs anyone here *would* recommend?
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No DXracers are not good. Something along the lines of a Aeron or Steelcase Leap -- though they are expensive.

Here is a cheaper, much cheaper, solution. My friend uses this exact chair and it is almost as comfortable as my Zody.
 
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Most of these arguments only apply if you are overweight, old age or do not do any kind of physical activity. A recliner can be perfectly fine for gaming. If you want lower back support in the recliner, simply roll up a towel or put a small pillow behind you at the base of your lower back.
 
Carouselambra said:
Most of these arguments only apply if you are overweight, old age or do not do any kind of physical activity. A recliner can be perfectly fine for gaming. If you want lower back support in the recliner, simply roll up a towel or put a small pillow behind you at the base of your lower back.
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Sure. The funny thing about age though, is that if you're lucky, you will age too. If you spend a lot of time in a recliner, you may find yourself aged with back problems from all of those hours in a recliner.

Of course, if you're spending two hours in the thing, it's probably not a big deal. If you're spending 6-8 hours a day in it though, it will likely cause you trouble eventually.
 
Yippee38 said:
Sure. The funny thing about age though, is that if you're lucky, you will age too. If you spend a lot of time in a recliner, you may find yourself aged with back problems from all of those hours in a recliner.

Of course, if you're spending two hours in the thing, it's probably not a big deal. If you're spending 6-8 hours a day in it though, it will likely cause you trouble eventually.
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This. Simply talk to your physician if you are unsure. If you work and play games at your PC for ~ 4-8hrs a day in a recliner you are going to have some issues mentioned in this thread. An ergonomic chair will help.

This is all pretty much common knowledge and I am surprised by some of the responses in here.
 
naticus said:
This. Simply talk to your physician if you are unsure. If you work and play games at your PC for ~ 4-8hrs a day in a recliner you are going to have some issues mentioned in this thread. An ergonomic chair will help.

This is all pretty much common knowledge and I am surprised by some of the responses in here.
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It must not be.

I really would love to find something with a higher back, than the one you originally linked.

Since DX Racer's out of the running... any ideas?
 
My problem with most of the ergonomic seats is that they are great for sitting and typing, but lousy for when I'm racing. I've got a couple of chairs that are great for posture and are comfortable for sitting and typing, or playing most game. However, when I sim race, I lower my chair slightly so the wheel and pedals are at the right height, and that makes the chairs completely uncomfortable.
 
ZDPhoenix said:
It must not be.

I really would love to find something with a higher back, than the one you originally linked.

Since DX Racer's out of the running... any ideas?
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It's all about your budget really.

This is really a great list of chairs. I have the second chair(Zody) on the list and I swear by it.
 
Do some crunches for 30 minutes a day and enjoy your recliner.
 
Is there anything you can use on a regular sofa to be able to game on with a mouse keyboard comfortably?
 
Is there anything you can use on a regular sofa to be able to game on with a mouse keyboard comfortably?
 
I used to game on a futon, I used pillows on either side as armrest and to set the keyboard and mouse on. Worked well enough to play Quake3 at a competitive level.
 
What kind of futon? Is there anything out there where you can game on a sofa with keyboard and mouse? Maybe a wooden board that goes across your lap?
 
Are the Arm Rests on the Herman Miller chairs rubber? I had bad experiences with Rubber Arm Rests and Shoulder pain from mouse use
 
Yippee38 said:
Crunches are OK for your abs, but don't do much for your back. That idea would work though.
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The way I understand it, building your core strength helps take some of the load off of your back muscles so in that way it helps your back.
 
I've been running a ergohuman all mesh chair at work for about 2 years now. Good lumbar support and it has held up well. Bit better on the wallet then some other choices.
raynor-ergohuman-chair-me7erg-mesh-with-headrest-1.jpg
 
Interested in something ergonomic and willing to pay for the best? Allow me to direct you to what will likely be my next purchase: Lifeform Chairs "Ultimate Executive". www.lifeformchairs.com is the manufacturer site. They are a Canadian company and their only major chain partner in the US is www.relaxtheback.com - you can do some configuration there to see some of the upgrades and options available.

I originally learned about Lifeform from a fellow [H] forum goer and researched from there. They are apparently the equal or in most cases the better of all the "famous" egornomic manufacturers like Hermann Miller, Humanscale and others. I have a tricked out Humanscale Freedom from over a decade ago that is finally ready for replacement, so I want something equal or better
 
I did something to my back that resulted in a muscle being so pulled that it felt like a disc was poking out the side of my spine and immobilized me quite well. My friend happens to be a good chiropractor and gave me some tips regarding keeping such from happening again. There are certain exercises that promote limberness in those muscles and since I spend 4-8 hrs at a PC for work per day, sometimes more he recommended an Aeron. I purchased one 3 years ago and while expensive my back has not thrown a fit since then. I probably would have paid more than I did because I was in excruciating pain when I ordered this thing and I would like to never experience such again. Quite happy with this thing.
 
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