Opinions on ergonomic studio chairs, anyone?

jlaudon · Post by **jlaudon** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:33 pm

I've started getting neck aches since I've been mixing a lot more, and it has to do with my posture, and how I'm sitting looking at the computer screen, and definitely my chair.

Any recommendations as to what is a good studio chair? My buddy uses the Aeron chair, says it's great (and expensive, but hey, if I can't play music in a couple years because of pain, that's way more of a price to pay). I also looked at the Celle chair, which felt a lot better to me. (http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Pro ... 17,00.html if you're interested).

Thanks in advance...

blue · Post by **blue** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:45 pm

What a trip. I was just surfing for chairs when I came over here and saw this thread. Thanks for the link.

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:58 pm

I have a Herman Miller Reaction chair. Not as cool, expensive or ubiquitous as the Aeron, but fits my butt just fine.

http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Pro ... 46,00.html

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:54 pm

Gosh-- who can compete with HM for quality?

There are some options out there which are less expensive and really well worth considering. Next to anything by Herman Miller, what I'm about to suggest is almost embarrassing-- but I was surprised at the quality and comfort of *some* Office Max/Depot/Staples mesh chairs.

It does require going there and trying them on for size-- to check for integrity of build-- not all of these things are worth considering-- but there are some gems to be found.

jgest · Post by **jgest** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:56 am

I use a 75-cm (I am 5'11) exercise ball as my main chair. What is good about an exercise ball is that you are forced to move around, thus never able to stay stuck in bio mechanical flexion like in a chair. It forces you sit straight.

Every so often I can lay over it and extend my back and neck, as well as get practically silly.

They are 30-45$ at anywhere from target to a sporting goods store.

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:08 am

jgest wrote:I use a 75-cm (I am 5'11) exercise ball as my main chair. What is good about an exercise ball is that you are forced to move around, thus never able to stay stuck in bio mechanical flexion like in a chair. It forces you sit straight.
Every so often I can lay over it and extend my back and neck, as well as get practically silly.
They are 30-45$ at anywhere from target to a sporting goods store.

I like this idea, Josh.

One thing concerns me though - how do you prevent punctures?
My music room contains a plethora of goodies that live on the floor.

I've sent you my responses to those tracks, BTW; check your email.

jgest · Post by **jgest** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:12 am

monkey man wrote:
jgest wrote:I use a 75-cm (I am 5'11) exercise ball as my main chair. What is good about an exercise ball is that you are forced to move around, thus never able to stay stuck in bio mechanical flexion like in a chair. It forces you sit straight.
Every so often I can lay over it and extend my back and neck, as well as get practically silly.
They are 30-45$ at anywhere from target to a sporting goods store.
I like this idea, Josh.

One thing concerns me though - how do you prevent punctures?
My music room contains a plethora of goodies that live on the floor.

I've sent you my responses to those tracks, BTW; check your email.

You just need to have a clean area or rug..........I seem to get about 2-3.5 life years per ball. I have been doing this close to 10 years now. My fancy studio chair was claimed by the cat!

AlMacMeister · Post by **AlMacMeister** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:40 am

jgest wrote:I use a 75-cm (I am 5'11) exercise ball as my main chair.

I have an exercise ball that I specifically bought for that purpose as well. It works okay for me, but I do find it a bit distracting; maybe I just need to get used to it more. I've have one of those ergonomic kneeling chairs too, but find I can only sit in it for about an hour at a time; it's great for the back, but I find it hard on the shins. I tend to switch between those two and a regular office type chair that I have.

jgest · Post by **jgest** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:01 am

AlMacMeister wrote:
jgest wrote:I use a 75-cm (I am 5'11) exercise ball as my main chair.
I have an exercise ball that I specifically bought for that purpose as well. It works okay for me, but I do find it a bit distracting; maybe I just need to get used to it more. I've have one of those ergonomic kneeling chairs too, but find I can only sit in it for about an hour at a time; it's great for the back, but I find it hard on the shins. I tend to switch between those two and a regular office type chair that I have.

the kneeling chairs are bad on the knees for prolonged time. mine drove me crazy. You just get used to the exercise ball after a while........There is no magic chair, unless you weightless in outer space. You just have to train your self to adjust.

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:23 pm

.

Getting a Herman-Miller chair is the best thing I've done for my back since I was born. They are pricey, but you probably spend more time on a chair infront of the computer than on a bed, so the investment is clearly necessary. Plus, they look really cool...

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:27 am

jgest wrote:[You just need to have a clean area or rug..........I seem to get about 2-3.5 life years per ball. I have been doing this close to 10 years now. My fancy studio chair was claimed by the cat!

I'll bet it's done wonders for/supported your core strength, Josh.

I'll look into it.

BTW, I went out and bought that coconut oil the day after you suggested it.
Thought you'd like that. Plus, I'm recommending it to folks for all manner of reasons.
Hard to imagine how I could've missed that one, other than perhaps the cholesterol myth.

Heap big thank you, Joshster.

jgest · Post by **jgest** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:38 pm

monkey man wrote:
jgest wrote:[You just need to have a clean area or rug..........I seem to get about 2-3.5 life years per ball. I have been doing this close to 10 years now. My fancy studio chair was claimed by the cat!
I'll bet it's done wonders for/supported your core strength, Josh.

I'll look into it.

BTW, I went out and bought that coconut oil the day after you suggested it.
Thought you'd like that. Plus, I'm recommending it to folks for all manner of reasons.
Hard to imagine how I could've missed that one, other than perhaps the cholesterol myth.

Heap big thank you, Joshster.

I don't know if it has done wonders, since it's a loosing battle to be static for such long periods of time to begin with. But it has cut down on the accelerated rate of atrophy if I had been slouched over in flexion on a chair all these years.

.........it's the partially hydrogenated coconut oil that's the clogger.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:10 am

I have a couple of Aerons, and I have some advice. Make sure you buy one that's the right size, or you don't get the benefits of its design.

They have a lower end chair, the Mirra (I believe) that looks like it will damage your clothing less while providing the same adjustments and support. Be aware that the suspension web of the Aeron which provides great air flow is indeed a mesh of finely spaced razors that will slowly remove layers of your clothing fabrics and collect on the chair. Because of the complicated design of the chair, it's fairly cumbersome to clean off. I recommend a damp lintless rag for the metal parts and a vacuum cleaner for the webbing. If you buy either chair, be sure to get the full package, with forward tilt. Only with the forward tilt will you be able to sit in the most desired position for a straight spine.

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:43 am

jgest wrote:I don't know if it has done wonders, since it's a loosing battle to be static for such long periods of time to begin with. But it has cut down on the accelerated rate of atrophy if I had been slouched over in flexion on a chair all these years.

Still, the stabilising muscles in your lower back and around your stomach would have been spared atrophy, as you say, thus ensuring greater organ vitality (health) and higher core strength.

jgest wrote:.........it's the partially hydrogenated coconut oil that's the clogger.

Of course.
I feel so silly, as I'm well aware of most food myths, a relevant one here being that too many avocados will endanger your heart 'cause they contain cholesterol, where in fact it's only the harmless vegetable form that's present.

Just the ol' animal/laboratory form vs the unrefined vegetable form pattern once again - one'll kill you whilst the other promotes life.

Later, Josh
Nicky

jgest · Post by **jgest** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:10 am

monkey man wrote:
jgest wrote:I don't know if it has done wonders, since it's a loosing battle to be static for such long periods of time to begin with. But it has cut down on the accelerated rate of atrophy if I had been slouched over in flexion on a chair all these years.
Still, the stabilising muscles in your lower back and around your stomach would have been spared atrophy, as you say, thus ensuring greater organ vitality (health) and higher core strength.

Later, Josh
Nicky

yeah from that point of view I guess your right