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Ask HN: Recommend chair to comfortably support my hacker ass for 12+ hours a day?

11 points by BigCanOfTuna ↗ HN
I started working from home recently and my back is starting to demand better seating arrangements. Can anyone recommend a good chair? I really like the Aerons, but I am open to alternatives.

35 comments

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spooneybarger
i went from tons of back issues to none within 2 months of getting the freedom chair with headrest. pricey, but it was totally worth it.
dantheman
I have an Aeron; before I had it my back started to hurt, so I picked one up -- IMHO it's worth the price.
mechanical_fish
I've used an Aeron for years. I have augmented the upper back support by strapping a cushion to the upper edge of the chair with a big bungie cord. It looks hilarious but it works, which is the important thing.

As I've said before and will say again: A lot of the secret to ergonomics is to experiment with very small, ad hoc changes in your environment. I cured a major chronic pain in my right arm by raising my mouse three inches. Get a selection of books for putting under your monitor for changing its height. (Or invest in those awesome Ergotron arms -- they are great.) Also: A keyboard tray with fully-adjustable articulating arms is your friend.

erlanger
> Get a selection of books for putting under your monitor for changing its height.

That's where I put my old XML/XSLT books.

mechanical_fish
"Table of Integrals, Series, and Products" by Gradshteyn and Ryzhik. An awesome book, if you're one of the people who need it.

I wonder if today's physics students use books like that anymore, or if it's all gone Mathematica and Google. I would bet on the latter, but I can't be sure. It's been a long time since I looked up an integral.

nonrecursive
This might be strange but I've found that putting my keyboard in my lap keeps my wrists and arms from aching.
mechanical_fish
Not strange at all. I do that sometimes when I don't have a drawer. But pay attention, because you might find that the gods have not designed your lap to be at the ideal angle and distance for your arms and your wrists. And it's harder to perform mods on your lap than on your keyboard drawer. ;)
donal
Just to be contrary, I actually don't like the Aeron.

I sit in one 8+ hrs a day and I don't know if it doesn't fit me correctly (I'm 6'4") or what, but I'd prefer a different chair. Unfortunately the only other chair available to me is some terrible ikea chair that is wrong in ever possible way.

For as much as they cost, I thought they'd be way more comfortable.

bingaman_
They come in three sizes, A, B and C. Since you're 6'4" you need size C. You can tell the size of the chair you're sitting in by feeling under the top part. If you're in the wrong size chair, you're probably not going to like it. FYI.
mechanical_fish
Yep. If it doesn't fit you, it doesn't matter how much it costs. I'm only 6'2" and the Aeron C is a hair short for my legs, so I can well imagine that many 6'4" wouldn't like it.
jhy
I've got an Aeron at home, and a Mirra (http://www.hermanmiller.com/mirra/) at work. Both are made by Herman Miller. The Mirra is a bit cheaper and doesn't look as swish, but I find it about 50% more comfortable than the Aeron (to the point that I'm thinking about replacing the Aeron).

And both are many, many times more comfortable than anything else I've used.

bjclark
I can't say enough things about my Mirra. I also agree that it's 50% more comfortable than an Aeron. I think they have much better back support.
DenisM
There is a caveat to Mirra - the seat is pretty firm. If you have a skinny butt you will not like it much. :( I still found it more comfortable than the AAeron though. I now consider craiglisting my Mirra and going for a Steelcase instead.

I suggest finding a showroom and trying it out. Herman-Miller has plenty of resellers in major cities.

zackola
+1 for the Mirra. Got a Mirra at home, Aeron at work. Mirra wins! Definitely spring for the adjustable armrests.
Tangurena
I also bought an Aeron. But in my case I'm round (don't get run over by a car, or you'll end up round too). The gas cylinders in the "inexpensive" office-depot type stores wear out after about 6-8 months, so they end up costing more than an Aeron after about 4 years.

If you're the sort of person who puts things in their backpockets - DON'T! Even a thin wallet twists your butt enough that it ends up causing backstrain.

timtrueman
I realize this is cliche but my vote goes to the Aeron.
ericb
Anyone have any tips on the most affordable way to buy an aeron or find a used one? They're a good chunk of change.

Also, is the "posturefit" lumbar support worthwhile at 60 bucks extra?

moe
eBay maybe. But whether you can get it cheaper or not - if you have serious back pain then it could be the best investment in a long time. Remember that chair will last many years. Just make sure it's really right for you - ideally with a try & buy, if possible.
dantheman
If you buy one refurbished from a non authorized reseller, then it most likely won't come with the kickass warranty, but then again you might save a few hundred dollars...
mahmud
Move around. I don't have a "desk", I have many mini work-areas; about three favorite spots at home, as I like to chase the sun and reorient myself throughout the day so the sun isn't in my eyes or against the LCD screen but still nearby. I also take my laptop to cafes, library, or I just drive to a shade in a parking lot with a giant cup of coffee and a pack of marlies to get some work done :-)
donna
This was a chair developed by an entrepreneur who pitched at the Big Success in SF and won the business pitch to be on CBS5. He was fantastic, as was his chair. http://www.GymyGym.com/
quizbiz
oh the topics hackers concern themselves with :P
mannicken
I have an armchair like Joey's armchair from Friends and I'm loving it. It's big and I can put my legs on it, and be in any comfortable position I want.

I tried Aeron at work and man, it doesn't even come close to awesomeness of armchairs.

Maybe I'm just big (6'3 220).

charlesju
1. Get an Aeron or Herman Miller ergonomic chair, the main draw to them is that they force you sit upright.

2. Get a keyboard tray. When you have a keyboard tray, you tend to lean back on your chair when you are typing.

3 Make sure you can fit both your mouse and keyboard on the tray so that you don't have to move your hands around too much to navigate the screen.

4. Get fresh air at least once every 2 hrs. Walking around and stretching is a good way to keep the blood flowing to the rest of your body.

5. Probably the hardest, but something I do, is that you need to make sure you keep to a strict diet and exercise regiment. I run 2 miles twice a week and do interval training on the bike and elliptical in between.

Your body and mind is the major bottleneck to your personal productivity and happiness, treat it well my friends.

BjornW
I use some chairs that were in use by a local supermarket and which got thrown out due changes in the interior. It may sound silly, but keep in mind that the people behind the counter need to set for long periods of time just like your average hacker. These chairs can be lifted to the point where I (my height: 1.96m) cannot put my feet straight on the ground anymore, have several 'joints' to setup and are the most comfy chairs I've ever used. I don't know the brand, so you probably need to ask at your local supermarket. Best of all I got mine for free.
memorius
I have a Stokke Balans Duo chair which is the most comfortable thing ever, and perfectly suits someone who both wants to move around restlessly, lean forward to type, lean back to think... used daily for 8 years and it's bulletproof.

http://www.opsvik.no/index.asp?page=works_11002_balans_Duo_a...

I'm not sure if they still make them, but maybe you will find one secondhand.

clord
The best thing for your back and posture is to stand (with occasional resting on a stool). Many professionals stand while they work, and I try to do it when I can too. It's good for the circulation and it keeps you focused on your task. That's because if you're bored, you won't play flash games; instead you'll want to take a short walk. I think it's because it's easy to go wander off if you're already standing.

These guys make fantastic standing desks, but they can be a bit pricey: http://www.standupdesks.com/

My day job has adjustable desks that go to standing height.

[dead] taw
Get used Aeron, they're pretty cheap.