Does a good office chair make a difference?

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Who would have ever thought a chair can make all the difference in the world? But if you stop and think about how many hours you spend in an office chair, or relaxing through multiple rounds of gaming, then you may quickly realize there’s a need for picking the right one for whatever task is at hand. 

If you spend any amount of time working from home, but you also enjoy gaming with your friends, you may be torn between a gaming chair versus an office chair. Both chairs were designed for sitting for extended periods of time, but each has its own unique qualities and one may be better suited for your body type and tasks than others.

Gaming chair vs office chair: What's the difference?

While they may look similar to some, gaming chairs and office chairs serve two very different purposes and include varying design features. Gaming chair design typically focuses on style, sleek aesthetics, and ergonomic support. They’re made for enhanced comfort during prolonged gaming sessions and usually incorporate vibrant colors or gaming-themed details in the design.

Office chairs, on the other hand, prioritize practicality and professional appearance over bold design choices. The goal of an office chair is providing comfort for extended work hours while maintaining a more understated design suitable for office environments or video conferencing.

Gaming chair features

Gaming chairs include features not only focused on aesthetics, but also comfort for longer gaming sessions. A highly-featured gaming chair might include:

• High backrest for full spine support
• Adjustable recline angle for varied seating positions
• Adjustable armrests for customized arm support
• Lumbar and neck cushions for additional comfort
• Bolstered side cushions for a "racing" look and feel
• Vibrant and bold color options with gaming-themed designs
• Bucket seat design for a sporty aesthetic
• Often made with faux leather or breathable fabric
• Tilt and swivel functionality for dynamic movement
• Integrated audio systems and built-in speakers in some models
• Sturdy construction with a focus on durability
• May include footrests for relaxation or other accessories

Office chair features

Office chairs focus on functionality too, with an emphasis on comfort for longer, all-day support and especially promoting good posture and reducing strain. While not all office chairs include these features, you may find the following in a well-constructed office chair: 

• Adjustable seat height and backrest angle for personalized comfort
• Lumbar support for maintaining proper lower back alignment
• Adjustable or fixed armrests, designed for comfort during desk work
• Neutral and professional color options, appropriate for a work setting
• Swivel and tilt mechanisms you can easily make adjustments to
• Breathable and durable upholstery materials for extended use
• Casters or wheels for mobility around the workspace
• Task-oriented functionality for desk work and computer use
• Often conforms to industry standards for ergonomic office furniture

Gaming chair vs office chair: Comfort 

Both a gaming chair and office chair offer their own distinct levels of comfort, but the areas of focus vary because of the different tasks at hand.

A gaming chair offers extra padding and lumbar support for extended periods of activity. It also typically features adjustable armrests and a reclining function, so you can have a little more freedom of movement while gaming. You can also find models with footrests.

For office chairs, you typically don’t have the added pillows and padding, but you can get an adjustable lumbar support system, which offers added comfort.

Gaming chair vs. office chair: Ergonomics 

One of a gaming chair’s signature features is the raised front lip of the seat. This slightly inclines the legs, similar to how your legs raise up slightly in a real car.

An office chair doesn’t feature the raised front lip. Instead, it has a 90 degree angle (called a waterfall edge), so your feet remain flat on the ground, or even on a footrest. This offers better ergonomics for anyone sitting for a longer period of time.

Another signature feature of a gaming chair is the inclusion of lumbar and head pillows. Both offer additional support for the spine and neck, but the best pillows are those you can easily adjust to allow for more personal contouring.

Most office chairs do not include additional pillows and instead come with fixed or adjustable lumbar support, depending on the model. An ergonomic office chair, however, would be designed with these features in mind.

Gaming chair vs. office chair: Style 

Style is likely one of the biggest differentiating factors between a gaming chair versus an office chair. Gaming chairs often include bold colors and eye-catching designs, with some even having added design elements like LED lighting. (Some manufacturers of gaming chairs also make coordinating headphones or gaming headsets.)

Gaming chairs almost always have high backs, bucket seats, and winged backrests, for even more comfort while gaming.

Office chairs may have a short or high back, but generally have flat seats and wingless backrests. Most office chairs only come in standard colors, although you can occasionally find a bold color choice for an office chair.

Gaming chair vs. office chair: Durability 

Many gaming chairs—no matter what the budget is—are made of highly durable faux leather materials. As you go higher with the budget, you may find the material is even more durable.

This doesn’t mean office chairs aren’t built to last, though. While many of them feature more breathable, mesh materials, you can find office chairs offering superior durability. As you go higher in the budget, office chairs will often include higher-quality casters, sturdier bases, better lifting mechanisms, and numerous other features for improved durability.

Gaming chair vs. office chair: Adjustability 

Both gaming chairs and office chairs offer adjustability, but it’s typically in different focus areas. For gaming chairs, you can find some models with adjustable armrests. You can also find models made for a high degree of reclining, which is a fun feature when you need to relax but still feel physically immersed in your game. And of course, you should have the option to adjust the height of the seat.

Office chairs offer some of the same adjustability features, such as adjustable armrests and height adjustment. However, you may find an added feature of an adjustable headrest, for further neck support, whereas most gaming chairs do not offer an adjustable headrest. Office chairs recline, too, but the recliner is typically lower on the backrest, compared to the high degree of recline on a gaming chair.

Gaming chair vs. office chair: Price 

Price may be the area where both a gaming chair and office chair are most similar. This is simply because you can find almost any type of chair to fit almost any budget, both for gaming and office chairs. You can find options as low as $35 for office chairs and up to several hundred dollars, while gaming chairs start around $75 and also go up to several hundred dollars. 

Should you buy a gaming chair or an office chair?

The largest determining factor in choosing between a gaming chair versus an office chair is whichever one you will likely use the most. Plus, it depends on what means the most to you, such as style versus ergonomics, or durability versus adjustability. 

Personally speaking, I can attest to trying to use a gaming chair as an office chair because I didn’t think it would make too much of a difference with my home office setup. I quickly found out that a gaming chair is not built for easily moving around a desk area, or for a full eight hour work day. If you work at a computer for an extended period of time, an office chair is likely a better choice because it’s built for all-day comfort.

A gaming chair works great for sitting for a few hours at a time, but you most likely won’t find it comfortable enough for all-day sitting. One of the main points to remember about either chair is comfort is the name of the game. Everybody has a unique body type, so it’s best to read as many reviews as possible or even test the chairs out locally if you can.

Recommended gaming chairs

Dowinx Gaming Chair Fabric with Adjustable Cushion, Ergonomic Computer Chair

Marvel Avengers Gaming Chair Desk Office Computer Racing Chairs

Recommended office chairs 

Office Chair, Ergonomic Desk Chair with Adjustable Lumbar Support

Ergonomic Office Chair - Mesh Office Chair High Back, Rolling Desk Chair

Ergonomic Office Desk Chair - Adjustable Height Home Mesh Computer Chair

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Are gaming chairs as good as office chairs?

Gaming chairs work great for what they’re intended for, i.e., gaming. They’re designed for use for a few hours at a time, with some comfort features and perhaps cool additions such as LED lights and built-in speakers. Sometimes they’re less expensive than an office chair, too. However, office chairs were designed for sitting for longer periods of time.

Is an office chair better than a gaming chair for work?

The design and functionality of an office chair makes it more suitable for all-day comfort, versus a gaming chair. The best office chairs feature multiple adjustable points, such as the back and arms, and neck support. There may be other features too, such as footrests and lumbar support, that you might not find in a gaming chair. 

Why get a gaming chair over an office chair?

If you enjoy gaming and find yourself playing for a few hours at a time, a gaming chair may be a better choice. However, if you need a chair designed specifically for all day comfort, then an office chair is likely the better choice.  

Are gaming chairs good for back pain?

Some gaming chairs come with lumbar and neck support, usually in the form of extra padding and pillows. It depends on the exact chair and brand, though, as to how much support it actually provides for your back.

Which chair is best for long periods of sitting?

The design of a quality, well-made office chair lends itself to sitting for longer periods of time. If you’re wondering how to choose the right office chair for all-day comfort, look to ones that feature more ergonomic support.

Which is the most comfortable office chair for gaming?

This is a matter of opinion, but if you want a chair comfortable enough for both office work and gaming for a few hours, then choose a chair where you can easily adjust both the arms and height. Plus, if you can find one that reclines and offers neck support, such as this model, then you can use it for both office work and gaming.

The chair is an essential part of any often-overlooked office setup. Considering the many hours you spend sitting, taking this for granted is a mistake.

A wrong chair can expose you to lots of health problems. You may complain of lower back pain, neck pain, difficulty breathing, etc. To make a long story short, the issues will keep piling up until you get one of the best ergonomic chairs.

With a highly functional design, the surprising impact of office chairs on your productivity will be impressive. You will be happier, healthier, and more productive.

The Impact of Prolonged Incorrect Chair Usage on Health

Many individuals remain unaware of the potential harm caused by prolonged sitting on unsuitable chairs, often spending hours and months in office chairs without realising the avoidable health consequences.

Sitting for extended periods on inappropriate chairs can contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, which has been associated with a range of health issues. Insufficient physical activity and immobility can lead to weight gain, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, prolonged sitting can adversely affect cardiovascular health, elevating the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Corporate Wellness Magazine highlights the concept of sitting disease, which refers to the negative health effects associated with prolonged sitting, particularly in office environments. The comparison of excessive sitting to smoking emphasises the potential harm caused by prolonged sedentary behavior, even if you have an ergonomic chair.

Among the primary concerns related to using the wrong chair is the negative impact on posture. Chairs lacking proper ergonomic support can result in unnatural spinal alignment, leading to neck, shoulder, and back strain. Over time, this can result in chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders, and even spinal misalignments. Moreover, incorrect posture can hinder circulation, impeding blood flow to vital organs and extremities. 

Using an ergonomic chair promotes healthy movement and natural alignment, reduces discomfort, and minimises strain on the body. This enhanced comfort and support lead to increased productivity and focus, ultimately improving overall work performance.

Let’s discover how impactful a quality chair can be to your productivity!

Importance of a Good Office Chair for Your Health and Productivity

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when you invest in a good-quality office chair. Here is how it will positively impact your health and productivity at work:

Comfort

Having an office chair you find comfortable sitting in for long periods would be best. Comfort helps unleash productivity because you will be more focused on the job than complaining about a crippling backache, neck pain, or stiff muscles. Also, you are less likely to complain about fatigue or get easily irritated.

Posture Support

Many offices use ergonomic chairs for their employees to maintain their posture and improve their productivity. The ergonomic chair market is projected to attain a valuation of approximately $21.2 billion by the year 2031 (approx. 11.1 billion GBP), primarily propelled by the trends of office remodeling and noteworthy technological innovations. This insightful conclusion originates from a comprehensive Transparency Market Research (TMR) study. A good office chair can support your body in several different positions. It helps you maintain good posture when sitting upright at the keyboard. It also makes it easy for you to lean back and stretch.

The weight of your head is always a problem when seated for long hours. It is the root cause of slouched shoulders. A quality ergonomic chair has reliable lumbar and neck support that helps you maintain a natural spine. This way, you become more aware of your posture and can avoid slouching.

Things like lower back pain, neck pain, and poor concentration will not be a constant concern when you are snowed under.

Active Sitting

The human body has evolved over thousands of years to move from place to place, not to sit in a stationary position all day.

Every posture you make has its strains. However, movement shifts and distributes the strains throughout your body. Thereby making each strain less strenuous. That’s possible with a good quality office chair that promotes active sitting.

A good office chair allows one to move around and stay in one place. You can swivel on your seat and flex and extend your legs comfortably. This can help improve circulation, prevent stiffness, and improve functionality.

Reduced Workplace Injuries

Investing in a high-quality office chair is expensive for most people. But it will prove to be highly beneficial in the long run. The possibility of you suffering workplace injuries will reduce, and you will not have to worry about regular medical costs.

What Does an Ergonomic Chair Do to Enhance Employee Experience and Productivity?

When employers hire new workers, they should ensure they have the best possible ergonomic chairs for them to use. The more ergonomic the chairs are, the less the chance of injury occurring, which could lead to poor morale and reduced productivity.

Ergonomic chairs are essential to keep up the alertness levels of the employees and enable them to maintain the correct body posture. Employees can adjust their seat height, tilt, and swivel mobility to possess an excellent bodily posture that keeps them alert at work.

A quality office chair with ergonomic features supports the back, neck, knees, and wrists. This helps prevent soreness and thus improves employee productivity, experience, and morale. Employees who are satisfied with their workstations see themselves as assets of the company who are valued. They express their appreciation by doing better in their jobs. 

So, Can an Ergonomic Chair Improve Employee Engagement?

Employee engagement is one of the many challenges companies face today, costing different industries billions of lost productivity annually.

Ergonomic experts understand this pickle. They have been designing and manufacturing product solutions to develop inspiring office spaces. To attract and retain talent, support their work, and foster innovation and engagement. A few things in the office environment evoke a more robust attachment for employees than an ergonomic office chair.

Comfortable seating over long periods enables concentration and reduces distractions. An ergonomically designed office chair cradles the body for maximum comfort and support. It allows muscles to flex and stretch easily, improves musculoskeletal comfort, encourages circulation, boosts concentration, enhances vitality and energy, and encourages regular movements.  

In the long run, a high-performing ergonomic chair encourages employees to expend their dedication, commitment, passion, innovation, and emotional energy into their work. They give their discretionary effort while demonstrating what subjectively might be called happiness.

Ultimately, the value of employee focus pays excellent dividends for productivity and engagement.

What to Look for in Ergonomic Office Chairs?

You will have enough options as far as ergonomic office chairs are concerned out there. So, how do you pick a chair that can boost your productivity at work? Here are valuable tips to consider:

Seat Height, Width, & Depth

The most reliable office chair that can help improve your productivity is one that fits you properly.

The seat height should not be a struggle to adjust. You want to set your office chair low enough so that the floor correctly supports your feet. The ideal seat height also allows your arms to be high enough. This ensures your forearms are slightly downward toward the office table.

If the chair is too broad, you cannot fit between the armrests comfortably. As a result, you will not get proper support for your arms, neck, and head.

The seat pan depth is one of the most overlooked features. Sitting with your back against the office chair, your legs should hang over the edge. There should be a gap of about two to three inches between the back of your knees and the seat edge. A short seat pan will not provide proper support for your legs, whereas a deep seat pan will reduce circulation by pinching the back of your legs. So, settle for ergonomic office chairs with superior seat pan adjustments.                              

Armrests

The armrest, especially if you sit for long periods. Leaning on the armrests helps take the weight off your back. But it may not be wise to settle for fixed armrests. Instead, go with adjustable armrests for added versatility.

Lumbar Support

Good-quality ergonomic office chairs usually have in-built lumbar support for your back. It’s one of the reasons you would sit on an office chair for many hours at a time without complaining too much. This innovative feature will help prevent lower back pain by properly aligning your spine.

Alternatively, you can opt for ergonomic chairs with a natural curve and a backrest. The natural curve is usually designed to conform to the shape of your spine. And may provide better comfort than the lumbar support offered by some conventional office chairs.

Additional Ergonomic Adjustments

The foundation of ergonomic chairs is usually ergonomic adjustments. They are essential in improving comfort and productivity.

The most useful ones include the headrest, tilt lock, and multi-tilt lock adjustments. The chair you settle for should have a functional headrest that allows you to sit in a reclined setting and prevents neck pain. Furthermore, an available headrest takes the pressure off your head and neck.

Tilt lock adjustments will allow you to tilt back in the chair in different positions. Some chairs may have predefined positions for locking into place, while others may have multi-tilt lock positions.

Build Quality & Durability

Ergonomic features aside, build quality and durability are also important when looking for office chairs. You want a chair to help you improve your productivity for a long while. So, make sure it has a sturdy construction that is made up of high-quality materials. It should be able to withstand your weight without losing functionality or stability.

Summary

Now you know the surprising impact of office chairs on productivity. Ergonomic chairs don’t just provide comfort. They also help improve your posture, blood circulation, and brain function, among other benefits. All these benefits combined help boost your productivity.

Author: Darren Sherwood – Founder, expertEasy

Photo credit: Djordje Petrovic