I'd like to ask everyone here a question: since the covid-19 crisis, I'm working from home. Which means long hours in front of my computer, unlike when I was working "on site".

So, my office chair at home is now very uncomfortable and I'd like to buy a new one. But of course, I've heard about gaming chairs, the type twitchers and youtubers have. But I'm not so sure I should spend so much money...

So: What do you use? What would you recommend me for working AND gaming?

Thanks in advance!

I use a very common office chair at home, take into consideration every 2 hours 15 min rest and do special back exercises ;) ..... if i didn't do those my back would be killing me

That would be nice, but as I'm teaching, I seldom have these 15 min rest... So that's why I'm looking for a "global" solution

Shit I got a connection problem right when i posted my earlier reply. Anyway. For my lower back health, I've noticed it is very important that my office chair can be unlocked to freely rock and tilt back and forth while I sit on it. Sometimes I am leaning backwards on it, sometimes sitting straight up. Moving my back while sitting seems important.

If you want to occasionally stand too, get a table that can be easily raised and lowered. I have that at work and have sometimes stood up, I'm thinking of buying a similar home.

I see two options - either get an ergonomic office chair or a stand that you can raise up. Neither of these are going to be cheap and I would avoid these gaming chairs, they are not ergonomic and usually bad quality.

I bought my office chair last year, it made a huge difference. Normally they cost around 1500-2000 euro around here, I spent about 400 for a used one. There are places here that buy used office chairs from businesses, fix them up and resell them for a low price. You might have something similar where you live.

Depends on your budget if you can afford to spend more around a grand then you can get a Herman Miller chair which are almost the best you can find ot there.
If you can't then try to go for other ergonomic chairs with lumbar support, maybe adjustable arm rests and head rest there are good chairs that doesn't cost an arm and a leg like the Ergochair 2 which is a good product that doesn't break the bank (that much).

Leave those gaming chairs alone they only look good but are not comfortable and even ergonomic, they loosely based on sport driving seats that are made for totally different needs compared to ergonomic chairs.

well you can at least implement exercises at the start of your day and at the end.... it does seem that a comfortable chair would be your solution... pricewise it might look expensive but anything you are using on a day to day basis might be something worthwile on spending money on

here is a video you might find interesting to watch.... it is from the health department ( US ) so

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20zybMbnVoU

I second this! Get a refurbished office chair.

Why would a "gaming chair" have anything to do with gaming (except for the name)? Isn't it obvious that it's a marketing thing? What's next? Gaming shoes? A gaming fridge?

I've got a gaming chair but only because it was heavily discounted (people probably didn't want to look like wannabe F1 pilots, and I didn't want to either, but -70% is something to consider ^^).
Well, it's better than low-cost ones, mainly thanks to the lumbar 'bump', but certainly not adaptable enough compared to a real quality chair.

Still, as said above, an exercise/break routine is key. Even just moving about your room is better than nothing (on your feet, not the wheels!).

Also, don't take the bad habit of standing up for a long time (something I was doing at some point): it may look safer than sitting but your lower back will cry for help at some point. Just find a balance.

Can definately recommend a sit stand desk. I picked up a plain one, with a handle to wind it up and down, some years back. Cost me only a few hundred. Gaming chairs are more for those youlube stars with large factors of money more than brain cells. I do like the gaming sit stand desks though, saw one in a shop some months back and felt covering like a mouse mat was nice. Is it worth paying more for though?

This is I think, the one I got:
https://www.worktrainer.com/manually-adjustable-sit-stand-desk-S210

Now electric ones are double the price!

My "gaming" chair is either my couch or a standard IKEA office chair (on wheels) with some extra-comfortable pillows as padding :). It's still recommended you get up and walk around a bit every hour or couple of hours, even if you have an ergonomic super-tuned gaming chair, so IMHO it's not worth the cost.

Quality office chair bought at 85% off. Yes, I was lucky but did search a lot too.

Trying to correct my posture several times a day with the same moving around a bit like others have mentioned. I do exercise daily, yoga and such and some weight lifting. Walking is also good.

Thank you everybody! I was alreay not in favor of a "gaming" chair, first because they look hideous, second because I really wasn't convinced they were more than marketing tricks. You all confirmed my thoughts.

No risk I use the wheels instead of getting up and walking, though, since in fact my apartment made me put my chair between a wall and my desk, so I really can't go anywhere while sitting! ^_^ But I do agree with the stretch routine in the day.

Since Japan is basically a huge office with some touristic spots here and there, I'll look for a quality office chair. Any brands to recommend? Not sure I can find them here, but that would be a start.

An entire home that can be raised and lowered? Wow.
Just make sure all the water, gas, sewage, etc. connections are very flexible...otherwise, you might have problems.

I have a rickety old "farmhouse" dining chair. Sometimes it does my back in (mostly because of MY own positioning playing different games or working).

I think posture when working / gaming is more down to the end user than the comfort tool.

I put my back out trying a gaming chair once.