I started working from home recently and my back is starting to demand better seating arrangements. Can anyone recommend a good chair? I really like the Aerons, but I am open to alternatives.
I can't say enough about my Hawaii chair.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9_amg-Aos4" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9_amg-Aos4</a>
1. Get an Aeron or Herman Miller ergonomic chair, the main draw to them is that they force you sit upright.<p>2. Get a keyboard tray. When you have a keyboard tray, you tend to lean back on your chair when you are typing.<p>3 Make sure you can fit both your mouse and keyboard on the tray so that you don't have to move your hands around too much to navigate the screen.<p>4. Get fresh air at least once every 2 hrs. Walking around and stretching is a good way to keep the blood flowing to the rest of your body.<p>5. Probably the hardest, but something I do, is that you need to make sure you keep to a strict diet and exercise regiment. I run 2 miles twice a week and do interval training on the bike and elliptical in between.<p>Your body and mind is the major bottleneck to your personal productivity and happiness, treat it well my friends.
I use some chairs that were in use by a local supermarket and which got thrown out due changes in the interior. It may sound silly, but keep in mind that the people behind the counter need to set for long periods of time just like your average hacker. These chairs can be lifted to the point where I (my height: 1.96m) cannot put my feet straight on the ground anymore, have several 'joints' to setup and are the most comfy chairs I've ever used. I don't know the brand, so you probably need to ask at your local supermarket. Best of all I got mine for free.
Move around. I don't have a "desk", I have many mini work-areas; about three favorite spots at home, as I like to chase the sun and reorient myself throughout the day so the sun isn't in my eyes or against the LCD screen but still nearby. I also take my laptop to cafes, library, or I just drive to a shade in a parking lot with a giant cup of coffee and a pack of marlies to get some work done :-)
The best thing for your back and posture is to stand (with occasional resting on a stool). Many professionals stand while they work, and I try to do it when I can too. It's good for the circulation and it keeps you focused on your task. That's because if you're bored, you won't play flash games; instead you'll want to take a short walk. I think it's because it's easy to go wander off if you're already standing.<p>These guys make fantastic standing desks, but they can be a bit pricey: <a href="http://www.standupdesks.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.standupdesks.com/</a><p>My day job has adjustable desks that go to standing height.
I have a Stokke Balans Duo chair which is the most comfortable thing ever, and perfectly suits someone who both wants to move around restlessly, lean forward to type, lean back to think... used daily for 8 years and it's bulletproof.<p><a href="http://www.opsvik.no/index.asp?page=works_11002_balans_Duo_anim" rel="nofollow">http://www.opsvik.no/index.asp?page=works_11002_balans_Duo_a...</a><p>I'm not sure if they still make them, but maybe you will find one secondhand.
Do sun salutations each morning and night (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Namaskara" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Namaskara</a>), this relieved all my back pain and other aches. Aeron is the best way to go as far as chairs go, plus they have a killer warranty.
I have an <i>armchair</i> like Joey's armchair from Friends and I'm loving it. It's big and I can put my legs on it, and be in any comfortable position I want.<p>I tried Aeron at work and man, it doesn't even come close to awesomeness of armchairs.<p>Maybe I'm just big (6'3 220).
The corporate company I was working for had Wlikhahn modus chairs ( <a href="http://www.wilkhahn.com/2_produkte/2044.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.wilkhahn.com/2_produkte/2044.htm</a> ).<p>I tried dozens of others. I finally bought one for me. I love it!
This was a chair developed by an entrepreneur who pitched at the Big Success in SF and won the business pitch to be on CBS5. He was fantastic, as was his chair.
<a href="http://www.GymyGym.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.GymyGym.com/</a>
Tim Ferris has a pretty good post on it: <a href="http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/01/27/office-chair-aeron-vs-mirra-vs-liberty/" rel="nofollow">http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/01/27/office-chair...</a>
Anyone have any tips on the most affordable way to buy an aeron or find a used one? They're a good chunk of change.<p>Also, is the "posturefit" lumbar support worthwhile at 60 bucks extra?
i've had the aeron, the freedom chair, and now this <a href="http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p4_Staples-Tillman-trade-Leather-Executive-Chair-Black_193819_Business_Supplies_2_10051_FEATURED:SC2:CG32:DP2154" rel="nofollow">http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p4_Staples-Tillman-tr...</a><p>best chair. ever.