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George Mashinini
George Mashinini

5 Reasons why an ergonomic computer chair is better than a gaming chair

According to an article in The Washington Post, the average office worker or gamer spends about 10 hours a day sitting. Medical researchers have long warned that prolonged sitting is dangerous to your health and can result in heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, depression, as well as muscle and joint problems. Whether you are working or gaming on your computer, the correct chair can reduce the incidence of health-related problems caused by long periods of sitting. With such a multitude of gaming chairs available for sale in South Africa, the question that arises is whether these chairs are better than a good ergonomic chair when working or playing on a computer. What is Ergonomics in the Workplace?
computer chair
Alya Ergonomic Computer Chair
gaming chair
Aragon Thunder Gaming Chair

Gaming Chair vs Ergonomic Computer Chair

Gaming chairs are designed primarily to “look cool”. Although many are comfortable, they often lack the adjustability of a comparatively priced ergonomic chair. On the other hand, a good computer chair is designed primarily to provide ergonomic comfort, while it’s secondary function is to “look cool”. What is an Ergonomic Chair?

So which type of chair is better?
Here are 5 reasons why an ergonomic chair is better than a gaming chair when working or playing on a computer.

1. Bucket seats

Bucket seats and winged backrests on gaming chairs may not match your specific body shape or size. If this be the case, these features can be counter-productive, resulting in an uncomfortable seat. If you spend many hours sitting in front of a computer, you will usually shift around and change your seated position. A chair with a snugly fitting bucket seat is more restrictive than a conventional office chair with a flatter moulded or dual-density foam seat.

2. Adjustability options on a Gaming and Computer Chair

Even at the lower-end, cheap computer office chairs generally offer greater ergonomic adjustability than gaming chairs. As you move upwards in price, the difference between the two is more pronounced. How important is a fully adjustable chair?

If you have back problems, it is unlikely that the simple adjustability functions on a lower-end gaming chair will allow you to sit comfortably for an extended period. An ergonomic chair or orthopedic chair provides far superior adjustability, and therefore a higher possibility of being comfortable. Ergonomic and Orthopedic chairs: Features & Differences. 

ergonomic computer chair

3. Warranty

The warranty on any Wellback computer office chair is significantly better than any comparable gaming chair for sale in South Africa. One would therefore expect that office chairs are far more durable. The minimum warranty on any computer chair in our range is 5 years, and some even have an incredible 10 year warranty. In contrast, a typical gaming chair will have a 1 or 2 year warranty.

4. Swivel mechanism

Good computer chairs have synchronous swivel & tilt mechanisms that promotes dynamic sitting. Gaming chairs use simpler swivel & tilt mechanisms coupled with an independently reclining backrest. From an ergonomic perspective, a synchronous or free-float mechanism is far superior to it’s gaming chair counterpart. What is the difference between a Synchro and a Free-Float Swivel Mechanism?

5. Mesh vs Vinyl backrest upholstery

Modern computer chairs have a mesh backrest as opposed to the vinyl upholstered back on most gaming chairs. In addition to being breathable, mesh backrests ‘mould’ themselves into the shape of your back and so provide better support. This is a crucial aspect for any gamer who spends long hours sitting on a chair in front of a computer. In many instances, the cheap vinyl upholstery used on gaming chairs is not as durable as the mesh/fabric upholstery typically found on office chairs. What is the best upholstery fabric for an ergonomic computer chair?

Conclusion

Computer office chairs and gaming chairs are designed for two specific types of users. If you are a gamer and you like the racing-style cool look of a gaming chair, then select one that best matches your body shape. Alternatively, if you have back problems and prefer the adjustability of an office or orthopedic chair and do not care about the racing style design, then go with an office chair. Back support for office chairs – why it’s important

Remember: A desk chair is a very personal thing and there is no, and never will be, a “one size fits all”.

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