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Ask HN: What is your work chair/desk?

9 pointspoletopole4y ago9 comments

I've learned that investing in a good work chair is worth it after all, but is no surprise. Using anything less just exhausts the mind and body and limits how much work you can get done. Picking the right desk is also a factor, so feel free to comment on what your work desk is as well.

I'm curious what everyone's work chair/desk is that agrees with me on is? Personally I'm shopping around, but perhaps comments should have:

1. Price.

2. Model/Make.

3. Features.

4. Brief conclusion summarizing value.

Thanks in advance for any commentary, picking the right chair is surprising hard!

9 comments

9 comments · 6 top-level

moistly4y ago· 3 in thread

90cm yoga ball and an adjustable desk. Does wonders for my back.

poletopoleOP4y ago

I wonder what property makes that true of a yoga ball? I almost always find myself leaning forward on my desk as if I'm riding a bike. Perhaps it absorbs the stress more than a conventional chair or maybe it's because it's omnidirectional in terms of possible postures? I have one of those Ikea mechanical adjustable height desks (forget what it's called) and wouldn't trade it for the world. My boss used to work standing up, but neither did he program for 12+ hours a day.

I would guess it's because it requires more active stabilization of the back and core and as a result muscle tone and posture either stays the same or slightly improves.

I also find that I'm and moving around more often or changing positions more frequently since switching to an exercise ball. I'm guessing several short stints sitting are better than 4-8 hour sessions.

It takes a fair effort to slouch on a yoga ball. It’s unstable.

There are a number of wobbly chair designs that force one to sit correctly, and that strengthen core muscles. Well worth looking into them, IMO.

pxhb4y ago

Desk: https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/119694/Realspace-Mage...

Chair: https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/877226/Realspace-Mode...

I bought both at the start of the pandemic when I abruptly started working from home, and I thought it might be temporary (still working from home). I think both were slightly cheaper than what is listed, but I don’t clearly remember. Overall the desk works well. It is a little hard to raise with everything on my desk, but not a big deal. The biggest thing is I wish the lowest setting is an inch or two lower. The chair is pretty horrible for me. While the seat itself is farily comofortable, the seat depth is too large for me. The back has a very aggressive default reclining position, which I hate. I have been thinking about replacing both (especially the chair), however waiting until life settles down a little bit first.

sircastor4y ago

I have a Steelcase Leap ($1550 about 15 months ago). Highly adjustable (competitive with the Aeron). I got the headrest, but I don’t love it. I kind of wish the arms would go out, rather than just in, but otherwise I love the chair. It is a great, supportive chair. I ended up going new because I wanted the warranty. It’s substantially better than the chair I was using when we started WFH.

pareidolia4y ago

Think outside the chair. https://salli.com/en/home/ It simulates standing from the waist up, so it offers all the advantages of standing without the disadvantages (slouching, getting tired) I'm hooked for life, so the 600 euros was worth it for me.

account-54y ago

£25 desk from IKEA £60 kneeling chair (cheapest on Amazon with good reviews)

No more upper back problems and forced to take regular breaks as you can get stiff knees. But all in all very happy with my cheap and nasty set up. Used to have a standing desk but found it harder to concentrate.

speedgoose4y ago

I'm not sure it's worth it for everyone. If you can afford it, buy the fancy office chair you want but if you think about your health it's better to do sport and take breaks than buying a chair in which you can seat for too many hours without noticing.

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