Gaming chairs seem to be all the rage recently. Every streamer, eSport team, and even office supply store is putting gaming chairs front and center. Gaming chairs, like most things targeted at gamers, look cool and carry a hefty price tag. Most think they are a gimmick and that any standard office chair will do the job.
I can tell you that’s not the case. Gaming chairs are much more than an overpriced, cool-looking, gimmick. My wife didn’t agree with that stance, so in some ways, you have her to thank for this article.
Gaming Chair Ergonomics
The name of the game with any gaming chair is ergonomics. You have likely heard this word thrown around a bunch but have no idea what it means. Let’s start with the textbook definition and then explore further. Ergonomics, according to Dictionary.com, is the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment.
The study of…
I want to break that definition down a bit to help us as we explore the beautiful world of gaming chairs. Firstly, ergonomics is a study. That means people spend real time trying to understand how to improve the efficiency in working environments. It’s easy for us to brush things off as buzzwords, but I need to be clear that ergonomics is more than a buzzword.
Work & Efficiency?
Next, the definition discusses efficiency in the working environment. I get it; gaming is not “work”. Well, for most of us, it’s not. That’s okay. For this article, the word “work” can be thought of as a stand-in for anything you are doing. Efficiency similarly can be considered any way to reduce strain.
Ergonomics in a Nutshell
With all of the terms broken down, you may start to imagine why ergonomics are essential for gamers. If you are sitting and playing games for a long time, you want to be comfortable and reduce strain. You don’t want to be getting up to stretch, have pain in your neck, or deal with rounding in your shoulders due to the position you are seated in.
Is Ergonomics that Big of a Deal?
I am going to use anecdotal evidence here, but I feel like a larger body of data would back me up. I think that ergonomics is a huge deal. As someone who works on a computer sixteen or more hours per day, I wish I would have thought about ergonomics sooner. At the tender age of thirty, I am fighting to correct issues caused by a lifetime of poor ergonomic choices.
I am now one of those standing-desk people at the office. I also doubled down and become the balance-board guy. At home, I have a beautiful office chair at my desk, and a gaming chair is on its way. Not only do I feel better using these ergonomic tools, but I work better. It is easy to stay focused, I can go for long stretches of working or gaming, and it takes less energy.
In short, protect the long-term health of your body by going ergonomic.
Enter: Gaming Chairs
When you work your way past all the contrast stitching, catchy brand names, limited-edition versions, and buzzwords, a gaming chair is just an ergonomic desk chair. That’s not 100% true, but we can dig into the drawbacks in a later section.
Seat Design
Traditionally, gaming chairs have a race-seat style design. Race-seat styling means a high back and side bolsters that hold you in place — additionally, many of the chairs on the market offer lumbar and neck support. As previously mentioned, being in a supported position reduces strain, which helps efficiency and performance considerably.
Customization
Some more standard features in the higher end gaming chairs include tons of adjustments. It’s not uncommon to see gaming chairs now that will let you lay back and take a nap. I guess if that improves your efficiency, it is technically ergonomic, but otherwise, it’s just another cool feature.
Durability
Gaming chairs tend to be heavy, which can often be associated with durable. Durability should be the case by the way, as most higher-end chairs easily top $200. Along with durability, warranties are part of the package. RESPAWN, as an example, offers a two-year warranty on any of the moving components in their chairs. That gives you some peace of mind in protecting your investment.
The Negatives of Gaming Chairs
To this point, it would seem I am very high on gaming chairs, and it’s because I am. However, in the interest of fairness, I have to give you both sides. I alluded to it earlier, but there are some potential drawbacks to gaming chairs. Let’s explore.
Cheap Imitations
The first negative is the market. Like anything gaming-related, there will be companies trying to hop in to make a quick dollar. When I started to look for a gaming chair, I found one that looked nice on Amazon. I began to dig more, because the price didn’t match that of the other offerings that had a similar look. Upon reading some reviews, it turned out that the seat was basically made of plywood, and the chair regularly fell apart in a few months.
Warranties and Customer Service
Know that in the gaming chair space, the customer service and warranties you receive can vary wildly across vendors. The inconsistencies in warranty and customer service are not just for the sketchy vendors; it occurs across the top-end manufacturers as well. For instance, while companies like RESPAWN and Secret Labs offer excellent warranties, there are a number of vendors who do not.
Comfort and Fit
The last consideration I would make is how you fit into the chair. Everyone has different standards for comfort. I am writing this at my kitchen table in a hard wooden chair. I have friends who refuse to sit in these chairs for longer than required. Personal taste. Also, consider that many of these chairs have height and weight limits or suggestions. I am not short at just north of six feet and two inches. That means I often fall into the largest and most expensive chair sizing available, even at an average weight for my height.
Closing Thoughts
Gaming chairs are great for gamers. Yes, they are a little expensive, and yes, they look kind of edgy, but they bring ergonomics to a market that might not think about it. We can all benefit from less strain and greater efficiency.
There are downsides to gamer chairs, however, so keep that in mind. As I mentioned earlier, I have a typical office chair and a gaming chair on the way. There are some things that gaming chairs may not be suitable for. It comes down to your taste.
If you are considering a gaming chair, and I would, please take a minute to go and try some out. Gaming chairs tend to be a decent investment, so you don’t want to get stuck with something that doesn’t fit your needs.
