A boring office chair isn’t good enough for you. Getting the right setup is just as important as having the right skills when you’re playing intense games. It’s common for gamers to focus on their computers, peripherals, and games themselves, but they often forget about comfort. The basic office chair might get the job done, but it might hold you back.
Comparing them to gaming chairs is especially important. Our goal today is to explain why you shouldn’t use an office chair while playing and why you should get a gaming chair instead.
1. Headrests that aren’t comfortable
While you’re playing, it’s essential to have a comfortable headrest to promote good posture. Healthy posture keeps you focused, comfortable, and immersed. A headrest will keep you from reaching for your head while you’re sitting. There’s a big problem with most office chairs: they don’t have headrests, and the ones they do have can’t be adjusted. The reason you get neck and shoulder fatigue after a long gaming session is because you spend all your time sitting in your chair.
Some gaming chairs have detachable pillows and height-adjustable headrests. Even during long gaming sessions, both keep your head and neck relaxed. One way to keep a healthy posture is to adjust your sitting position.
2. Design of a generic seat
Bucket-style chairs are usually used for gaming. Seats like this are common in sports cars. Especially during long gaming sessions, this design comes in handy. In addition to conforming to your body’s shape, this design supports your spine’s natural curve while you work or play. You can also move them easily around your space because they have a sturdy base. Additionally, these chairs envelop your upper body well.
In contrast, office chairs don’t usually have contoured shapes that conform to you. The chairs have a classic shape that fits most bodies. Comfort isn’t always the top priority when it comes to office chairs.
3. Lumbar support is rare on office chairs
It’s vulnerable to injuries and strains because your spine carries most of your body’s weight. A bad posture for a long time is especially dangerous. Your spine will stay in shape with lumbar support from gaming chairs. The lower back is even supported by some chairs with lumbar cushions. The typical office chair (except for Herman Millers) doesn’t have this feature, since they only have a simple backrest. Your spine won’t get the support it needs for hours of gaming.
4. Adjustability is limited
Your posture tends to change a lot during longer gaming sessions. There’s not much adjustability in office chairs, so this is harder. Some seats can’t be reclined, and the armrests aren’t adjustable. Gaming chairs are usually adjustable, so you can get the perfect fit. The chair can be adjusted for height, backrest angle, lumbar support, armrests, and tilt tension. Regular office chairs don’t have most of these features unless you get high-end ones.
5. Backrests don’t have wings
Winged backrests, also called side support cushions, are on almost all gaming chairs. By evenly distributing the upper body weight, they support the back and shoulders and prevent pressure sores. Also supports your shoulders and back with this backrest style. Because of the better posture, it also reduces neck strain. Winged backrests are rare in office chairs, except on a few higher-end ones. Still, they’re not as good as gaming chairs when it comes to design.
6. Aesthetics that don’t work
Because of their intended use and target audience, gaming and office chairs have different aesthetic styles. There are a lot of gaming chairs that look like racing car seats. They usually look glossy, and some have RGB lighting.
The office chair looks boring in comparison. Leather, fabric, or mesh materials are usually used, and they come in neutral colors like black, brown, and gray. Most cheaper office chairs don’t work well in a gaming setup, even if they’re nicer than some higher-end chairs.
7. Virtual Reality Gamers find them frustrating
You shouldn’t sit in an office chair if you play VR games. It’s hard to play VR on these chairs because they don’t give you enough support and immersion. Games like simulation games are better played on gaming chairs:
- They’re stable and prevent accidental falls thanks to their well-balanced base. You might need this if you’re a VR gamer who makes sudden movements or leans to one side.
- By synchronizing the audio and tactile feedback, some gaming chairs increase the immersive experience.
- VR simulation chairs are made from durable and high-quality materials that can stand up to everyday wear and tear.
- You can move and rotate easier with gaming chairs that swivel. You’ll be able to rotate your chair to interact with the virtual world during VR simulation games.
- To get the most out of your VR experience, you need a gaming chair, whether you’re enjoying new VR games or VR ports of existing games.
Office Chair Ergonomics
Gamers shouldn’t always choose office chairs because they’re convenient and cheap. It’s better to get a gaming chair if you spend a lot of time at your desk gaming – they have better lumbar support, adjustability, and aesthetic value. There are, however, some office chairs that are just as good as those from Herman Miller – it just depends on how much you want to spend.
Playing video games a lot shouldn’t stop you from staying fit. It’s important to stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and don’t put video games above your physical health. Maintaining good posture is the most healthy thing you can do when playing.
