Ask Lemmy

I know this might sound stupid but for several years, I was using a regular kitchen chair with a towel to sit on and a cloth blanket to make the back more comfortable to lean against. Even though I have a different, much more expensive gaming chair, I am still using a towel because the leather sticks to my skin.

Once upon a time, I was fairly strong but I couldn't touch my toes. That full deep stretch was just a little beyond me. It always had been, as long as I could remember in my adult life. Throughout years of martial arts and parkour that moderately normal level of flexibility eluded me.

Then I quit my job at Amazon. I was so burned out I ended up taking 6 months off. During that time I mostly hung out around the house. Played with my kid. ... played a ton of Minecraft.

The point is, I wasn't doing any new exercise. I was just doing things other than hunching in a chair all day. And just before I started a new job I discovered that I could touch my toes again!

I asked my new job for a standing desk - and I've kept that practice up at every job since. I alternate between standing and sitting on a tall office chair. I estimate that I stand a little more than half the day all in, but being able to transition has made a huge difference for me.

I'm in my forties now and I can grab my feets no problem. I don't do any dedicated stretching - I'm just not hunching all day.

Adjustable armrests make a huge difference. Fixed armrests are better than none but really you need to be able to raise them to the right height for you, so your shoulders and back can properly relax. Without supportive armrests your shoulders need to carry the weight of your arms all day.

I got a "Actiu Tnk Flex" 2 years ago and so far so good.

Yoga ball office chair. They're silly looking, but it's more convenient than a giant yoga ball.

I have the GABRYLLY Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair from Amazon and I love it.

I have upper back pain due to minor scoliosis. I'm also 6'1" so it's more challenging to find chairs that support my upper back well.

I bought this one because it has a lot of the features of the $1,000+ Herman Miller type chairs, but for less than $300. I bought it during the pandemic and figured if it lasted a year or two it would justify me forking out the money for the real expensive ones. Well 4 years later I'm still loving it.

The only complaint I had was the wheels are kind of crap, but I replaced them with some $30 rubber ones that look like rollerblade wheels. They are smooth fast and don't destroy my laminate floors.

If you sit at a keyboard for multiple hours every day you should consider getting one of these: https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/freestyle2-for-pc-us/

Scroll right in the picture carousel to the photo showing the two monitors. That is the configuration I use mine in.

I was developing ulnar neuropathy from typing something like twelve hours a day while working for a startup. I got this keyboard and started using it with the 15 degree tilt configuration, and the ulnar neuropathy cleared up in about a month.

Before that, typing for a couple hours would result in tingling and numbness along the pinkie side of both hands. After about a month, that stopped and never came back.

I’ve since left tech and no longer have crazy long time on the keyboard, and now I just use the keyboard on my macbook, without any issue.

For reference, I was in my late twenties when this occurred. I’m now in my 40s and I will say that the ulnar neuropathy never came back.

The one thing about that keyboard to be aware of: it’s BIG. Each half is nearly the size of a macbook air. So it can be a bit much to carry in a messenger bag. A decent backpack, doable. But it’s really best as a permanent desk fixture.

Sideways mouse is great too.

Don't stop with just the chair. Make sure you keyboard and monitors are at the right heights. Consider getting an ergonomic keyboard and mouse (or trackball). The positions of your shoulders arms and wrists have a significant impact on overall comfort. They will also keep you from developing an RSI.

I'm using this one and like it. Chairs in a similar price range from Staples just didn't have all the right adjustments that this one has.

https://www.autonomous.ai/office-chairs/ergonomic-chair?utm_term=631224075317&utm_campaign=[P]_US_Search_Standard_Brand_Phrase&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_content=autonomous%20ergonomic%20chair&gad_source=1

I have the bottom half of an unpleasantly upholstered office chair that I pulled out of a dumpster a quarter century ago. I would not recommend it, but it's better than the loose crap I find every time I go chair shopping.

I like my Herman Miller cosim by and large... I have experienced tailbone pain though. I'm not sure if it's the chair or just me getting older really.

Instead of investing in a chair, I would say invest in a sturdy desk that can be raised to standing height.

If you ever want to give standing desk a try I prefer a setup with a high office chair rather than having a desk that goes up and down. Its cheaper and the higher chair gives you part of benefit of standing which is being able to get up and back to work quickly when grabbing food or such and when its so easy to get up and down you will find yourself standing more and more.

Basic Ikea office chair plus ergonomic butt cushion. No need to spend a ton of money.