Author Topic: Mustachian Office Chair?  (Read 6490 times)

Danielle

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Mustachian Office Chair?
« on: March 14, 2012, 08:24:45 AM »
I'm in the market for a new office chair, since I got rid of my old one which offered no back support whatsoever.  Right now, I'm stuck between wanting one of the fancypants Steelcase Leap chairs ($700+) and wanting to retain my mustachianism.  (I have to admit, needing to furnish a new apartment during Maximum Mustache March is killing me.)  I gave all the chairs in IKEA a test drive last night, and wasn't impressed with any of them.

Lifehacker just had this post about office chairs: http://lifehacker.com/5892996/how-do-you-sit-comfortably-and-ergonomically-on-a-budget , and the bungee chair from the container store (http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/componentDesks/deskChairs?productId=10022641) looks pretty cool.  It's also on sale for $99.  However, I'm suspicious that the bungees might lose their spring over time...has anyone had this chair for a few years?

I briefly considered the exercise ball option, but I'm distracted at work as it is (see also: posting on this site now), and I would either bounce around on it or never find the proper balance point to get good work done.  That, and the thing will one day pop on me.

Any suggestions?  Craigslist here is looking pretty dismal for quality chairs (plus I don't want something "worn in" based on someone else's body...).  Do I splurge on the Leap?  Do I get the bungee thing?  Something else?

arebelspy

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2012, 08:29:35 AM »
Any suggestions?  Craigslist here is looking pretty dismal for quality chairs (plus I don't want something "worn in" based on someone else's body...). 

Do they really "wear in" like that?

Seems odd to me that you can't find anything on Craigslist; do you live in a small town?

Perhaps check for companies in the area going out of business and see if you can score some of their furniture cheap?
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Mike Key

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2012, 08:32:20 AM »
Craigslist for the win. I got very lucky with a Steelcase chair for $80 that should of been upwards $500+.

Danielle

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2012, 08:59:07 AM »
Any suggestions?  Craigslist here is looking pretty dismal for quality chairs (plus I don't want something "worn in" based on someone else's body...). 

Do they really "wear in" like that?

Seems odd to me that you can't find anything on Craigslist; do you live in a small town?

Perhaps check for companies in the area going out of business and see if you can score some of their furniture cheap?

Maybe I'm just picky :)  The chairs I saw were either used versions of IKEA chairs or frumpy leather old man chairs.  I was limiting my search to the northern part of the city where I live to reduce my drive time.  But maybe I'll find a gem across town!

velocistar237

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2012, 09:21:40 AM »
The Lifehacker article mentioned standing. Standing desks were all the rage last year. I tried one out, and it made me tired. It turns out that the harm from sitting for long periods can be dealt with by taking 2 minute breaks every hour or so to stand and walk around a bit.

I recommend finding a chair with a high back so you can rest your neck every so often.

If you splurge on Craigslist, you can get what you want without spending too much. Or you could dumpster dive or keep an eye out for office liquidation sales.

Mike Key

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2012, 09:38:27 AM »
The Lifehacker article mentioned standing. Standing desks were all the rage last year. I tried one out, and it made me tired. It turns out that the harm from sitting for long periods can be dealt with by taking 2 minute breaks every hour or so to stand and walk around a bit.

I tried that too for about 6 months and got tired of it. And it was over blown hype to a point. Get up regularly and get some exercise. Most people though sit all day at a desk, come home and sit in front of the TV with no exercise and a bad diet to boot.

Danielle

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2012, 10:29:28 AM »
The Lifehacker article mentioned standing. Standing desks were all the rage last year. I tried one out, and it made me tired. It turns out that the harm from sitting for long periods can be dealt with by taking 2 minute breaks every hour or so to stand and walk around a bit.

Yeah, the breaks really do help.  Sometimes I stand for awhile at the kitchen counter to mix things up, but as you said, you do need to sit periodically.  I wouldn't be able to do that the whole day.  It would be really great if I could work while walking on a treadmill...I feel like I could do that non-stop and the miles would add up quick!  In reality, the cost of a machine and the electricity to use it wouldn't be worth it.  Someone should invent a HUD so you could work anywhere through gesturing :)

onehappypanda

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2012, 06:41:21 PM »
The Lifehacker article mentioned standing. Standing desks were all the rage last year. I tried one out, and it made me tired. It turns out that the harm from sitting for long periods can be dealt with by taking 2 minute breaks every hour or so to stand and walk around a bit.

Yeah, the breaks really do help.  Sometimes I stand for awhile at the kitchen counter to mix things up, but as you said, you do need to sit periodically.  I wouldn't be able to do that the whole day.  It would be really great if I could work while walking on a treadmill...I feel like I could do that non-stop and the miles would add up quick!  In reality, the cost of a machine and the electricity to use it wouldn't be worth it.  Someone should invent a HUD so you could work anywhere through gesturing :)

There was a DIY on apartment therapy awhile back about a convertible standing desk. I think it was a regular desktop with rails that let it slide up (for standing) or down (for sitting). I can't find the link but it was super cool, I'm considering it if I ever have a home office (aka stop working at the kitchen table).

Welmoed

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2012, 07:51:32 AM »
Try a yoga ball! My daughter started using one a few months ago and just convinced me to give one a try. I got the "Embark" brand medium ball from Target for $15 and so far really like it; it forces me to sit with better posture and I can feel the difference.
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boy_bye

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Re: Mustachian Office Chair?
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2012, 08:38:07 AM »
Try a yoga ball! My daughter started using one a few months ago and just convinced me to give one a try. I got the "Embark" brand medium ball from Target for $15 and so far really like it; it forces me to sit with better posture and I can feel the difference.
--Welmoed

yes, and you can even get a little stand for them to keep them from rolling around and bouncing. you till get the benefits from sitting up straight but don't have to work quite as hard...