I guess I should actually review the chair. I think the Aeron is ok, but I haven't sat in another chair that I think is notably better. I also haven't ever sat in an office chair that felt 100% right. I have short legs and a long torso. I'm 5'8" and I wear a 29" inseam pant. I do sometimes notice the front bar putting pressure on my legs. Most of the time I put my legs up on something. and have my knees slightly bent pushing me back into the chair, in this position, the front bar isn't an issue. I do like the mesh for the circulation.
I recently had trouble with stiff knees after a cross country drive. I saw a massage therapist who does structural integration/bodywork. A small amount of what he said was whooo-whooo, but he was very helpful with alignment, helping my flexibility and explaining how to use my body. He told me that when I sit down I should spread my cheeks and push myself firmly back into my chair. This has helped. Because of this, I think a wheeled chair might not be the best option. I want something firmly planted on the ground. The next time I setup an office for myself I intend to have a video chat with him, with a third party holding the iPad so he can help me with alignment and suggestions.
Another thing that I am interested in trying is the Esse Liberator [1], it looks comfortable and interesting to sit in alone. I'm just worried about my Mom coming over and saying "oh I like that chair where can I buy one", then I'd have to just give it as a gift.
Wow, this sounds so amazing. I have never spent any money on a desk chair and I have the worst neck pain + sciatic pain + shoulder pain every day now. This chair seems heavenly.
I have an Embody. They are fantastic chairs. Couple of quick things you should know:
* They're heavy as hell. Probably the Aeron is too, but I was shocked just how heavy the chair was when I was bringing it up stairs.
* They aren't very adjustable--kind of. The whole thing about the Embody is that it, in theory, adjusts to you by itself. The tradeoff is you have quite a few less axes of manual adjustment than you do on most ergo chairs. In particular, there's no lumbar support setting--instead it has a back curvature knob, but I've heard from people who couldn't find a good fit. Test it before buying.
* They don't use cushions.
I can't remember if the Aeron is like this too, but the Embody seat uses [several layers of] plastic webbing as a spring layer and then a lightly padded fabric sling on top that rolls under in the front (it's extendable by essentially unrolling it). The back is the articulated skeleton and a frame with lightly padded fabric over it.
It is quite comfortable, but you will notice the webbing causing the fabric to wear a little in its pattern after a few months, particularly in the seat. You don't feel it at all, though. Just keep in mind it's very much a firm support ergo chair, not a comfy exec chair.
That said, I love being able to swing my arms backwards to stretch my shoulders and chest and absolutely adore being able to lean back and arch my back to stretch with the chair following my back curve and arching with me. It even twists with you some.
When you do get it dialed in right, it's like sitting on a super-articulated back brace with a butt hammock and wheels.
Edit: also, be careful how you buy them. If you expect the Herman Miller warranty, make sure you get it somewhere authorized. Most of the really cheap offers aren't. Your employer might help. I went through my then-employer's furniture distributor as part of a larger shipment, so I got it for about 50% retail.
My neck and shoulder pain went away after I started kayaking. I am not saying it is for everyone, and I cannot say for sure even that it worked for me, but I suspect it did.
I started doing push-ups every day. I hate push-ups and I am not very good at them, to make it easier I do them on an incline and it has helped tremendously with my shoulder and neck pain.
The upper-end model has an adjustable "lip" that can take pressure off the undersides of the thighs. Look around for one to try out. I think it might fit your needs.
I have a Steelcase Leap at the office, and I vastly prefer it to the Aeron I have at home. I got both on the secondhand market for about $350, though it's possible to get either cheaper.
I have a leap (v2?) at home and also vastly prefer it to the Aaron. It also seems pretty indestructible, which is important if you've got kids that like to sit on the arms etc.
I bought it new and don't recall it being outrageously expensive, but I just checked on Amazon and it's over $900 which seems crazy. Pretty sure I paid a third of that at most, but it was many years ago and not in the US.
Agreed, the Steelcase Think[1] is by far my favorite chair. The Think needs almost no adjustment because it automatically adjusts when you sit in it. Comfy every time for every user. This is a far cry from the Aeron which has numerous and confusing controls. Plus the soft, auto adjusting seat is amazing.
See if you can find a Håg Capisco to try, it's completely different from the Aeron, and not in the "office chair" genre, but I think trying that might be worth an hour of your life.
Same here. Neither the Aeron nor Mirra ever fit me right, no matter how I adjusted them. The Equa 2 fits me perfectly, however. I happened to find a high-back leather one for 75% off when a store was getting out of office furniture, and it's pure bliss.
Edit to add: the Herman Miller Equa 2 is a common chair for conference rooms, therefore it's easy to find them in shops that sell second-hand office furniture. You should be able to get an excellent-quality used one for around $100.
> Perfect for those looking to spice up their life, or those with health concerns looking for greater comfort.
Funny how the 2 main use cases for the "Liberator" chair which you linked to are as a sex aid for those looking for adventurous positions and as a therapeutic chair for those who are injured and at the complete opposite end of the spectrum.
It's like having a minivan which does 0-60 in 2.5s
I think it ended up being canceled, but one of the first projects Fiat started working on when they bought Chrysler was a Dodge Caravan with a Ferarri engine.
let's not forget the Model X P100D Tesla... 0-60 in 2.9 :) [0]
> The larger battery pack is also available on the Model X, making the world’s quickest SUV even faster. Model X P100D with Ludicrous mode accelerates to 60 mph in 2.9* seconds
it's healthy to have your hips be at or below the level of your knees. If your knees are below your hips, long term you're going to have issues with your hamstrings and glutes, and by extension your back and stomach as well.
I mention it because I always thought I was "weird" in that I hate chairs that sit up high. I've always put mine at the lowest level possible with my knees higher than my hips. It just always felt right.
So when I started learning about this stuff I realized I was one of the lucky ones who had unknowingly listened to my body and avoided problems.
I recently had trouble with stiff knees after a cross country drive. I saw a massage therapist who does structural integration/bodywork. A small amount of what he said was whooo-whooo, but he was very helpful with alignment, helping my flexibility and explaining how to use my body. He told me that when I sit down I should spread my cheeks and push myself firmly back into my chair. This has helped. Because of this, I think a wheeled chair might not be the best option. I want something firmly planted on the ground. The next time I setup an office for myself I intend to have a video chat with him, with a third party holding the iPad so he can help me with alignment and suggestions.
Another thing that I am interested in trying is the Esse Liberator [1], it looks comfortable and interesting to sit in alone. I'm just worried about my Mom coming over and saying "oh I like that chair where can I buy one", then I'd have to just give it as a gift.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/Liberator-Sensual-Lounge-Espresso-Vel...