You either already have one, or you ask.
This article is not about choosing any particular chair.
Instead, it’s about what the right and wrong chairs can do to your body and your mind.
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The Wrong Chair
Ive worked from home for years.
That was a real throne of a chair, but I moved and had to give it away.
I ended up using a series of (excellent) plywood task chairs.
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These are highly adjustable and surprisingly comfortable chairs that are perfect for short-term sitting.
They even can extend high enough to work at standing workbenches.
If youre working from home, youll know the drill.
These effects soon can become irreversible.
A few weeks back, I decided to fix things up.
I ended up with a niceWagner chair, an ex-floor model from a local store, for under 500.
But the specific model isnt the point.
How can you shop for an office chair for the home when you have to do it all yourself?
Its easy enough to test an Aeron or a Steelcase Gesture (the Wirecutters top picks).
But for an individual, thats tricky.
I live in a big city, and I couldnt find a Herman Miller dealer open to the public.
Also, the Gesture was quite uncomfortable for me.
The point is, you oughta try before you buy.
Internet research is great, but nothing beats butt-in-seat experience.
Read the reviews, but then forget the specific models unless you might try them.
Keep an open mind, and sit in those test chairs for as long as you could.
Game Changer
Once you get your new chair, play with all the adjustments.
There are guidelines for chair setups.
Read them, but remember that your body may not quite fit.
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Having a good chair makes a huge difference.
Try that with a dining chair.
One final concern is looks.
In an office, aesthetics matter less.
Obviously, the most important concern is comfort, but some good-looking, less imposing designs are out there.
Good luck, and dont dally.
Buying a good chair may be the best money you spend this year.
