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Ask HN: What type of chair are you spending most of your life on?

10 points by jayniz ↗ HN
We all sit a lot, and I wonder what other people sit on. There's probably great chairs out there that I don't know about. I would like to know about them.

  - what type (with back support? on wheels? do you sit at all?)
  - what price range
  - ...

26 comments

[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 63.3 ms ] thread
msluyter
Steelcase Leap, no headrest -- it's not bad. Better than an Aeron. I'm curious to hear if anyone uses the Humanscale Freedom chair.
jayniz
What makes it better than the Aeron (except for the price :)?
msluyter
It doesn't have the trinary options of "back support that jabs into your back like a knife" or "slightly less jabby but still painful" or "nothing." It doesn't have the steel bar at the front of the seat that cuts off leg circulation if you try to sit forward.

Seems more adjustable generally, and I feel that the arm rests are more fully adjustable in particular.

struppi
At home I have a Hag Capisco: http://www.haginc.com/products/hag-capisco/

I have the saddle seat chair without head support (the 8106) and I love it! It is quite expensive, but totally worth the money.

I have also brought this chair to the offices of some customers when I have to work on site and when they allow it (I work as a freelancer).

jayniz
It sure looks good! Is it also ergonomically appealing?
uptown
Humanscale Freedom Task Chair

http://humanscale.com/products/product_detail.cfm?group=Free...

I absolutely LOVE it ... got one for my apartment after using it at work.

dlytle
I have a refurb Humanscale Freedom that I got for $350 in fantastic condition. I really like it, but I think I should have gotten a fixed-back chair instead for my primary work chair. It was extremely comfortable for the first year or so, but it's been getting progressively more uncomfortable. Part of this is probably due to an old back injury.
marklabedz
Where did you find your refurb? Does Humanscale have an official refurb program?
jayniz
how's that chair when it gets a little warmer (assuming there is no a/c ;)?
uptown
I've got the gel seat on mine, and it's fine in all temperatures. Also, I bought mine new on eBay for considerably less than their list price.
cincinnatus
I stand about half the time, the rest of my time at my desk I'm on an Aeron I've had for 10 years. I lay on a couch for any extended reading and try to spend as little time in a 'sitting' position as possible.
chsonnu
I either sit on a stool, or on the edge of my seat. For me, using back support just encourages bad posture.
jayniz
so you're saying swopper!
riams
My Aeron chair that I've had for less than a year.

Does its job, looks sexy, but might not be the chair that has the most value for its price.

ericabiz
We don't all sit a lot. ;) Personally, I've become a huge fan of standing desks. I have a Biomorph desk with a hand-crank adjustment, and my boyfriend has the GeekDesk (motorized up/down...very cool.) We both LOVE our desks.

Added benefits: Fewer back problems, more energy, and much less motivation to surf HN. (We now tend to spend a lot of our spare time exercising or being outdoors due to having more energy and less pain.)

I cannot recommend a standing desk highly enough. Believe me when I say you will hate it for the first 2-3 days. Get through that (take breaks by sitting if you have to), and it will likely be one of the best investments you've ever made.

jayniz
Hehe, I was waiting for the standing desk folks :-) We actually have a bar in the office that I sometimes use to work, but I never made it through the 2-3 days you say are necessary to appreciate.

Will try to make it through (if my knees let me)

jaypreneur
I wish I could get away with a standing desk at work.

Once I commit myself full time to my business, which will hopefully be soon, I will go with a standing desk.

I HATE sitting down all day. It bothers my back so much. I don't get how people do it.

I'd even consider a treadmill desk, ha. So you can walk and work at the same time. Good exercise.

rtizz
I use an exercise ball actually - 75 cm. Good for your core and keeps you alert all day. Not as hard to get used to as you might think either.
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thechut
Herman Miller Aeron. I'm way to lazy to stand all day