Are Gaming Chairs Worth It?

You may think gaming chairs are a waste of money, or are they worth the investment?  Gaming chairs have been on the market for about a decade and have recently grown in popularity. They come with several features such as sound systems, lumbar pillows, and durability, to name a few. If you’re looking for a fun replacement for your office chair or want something you can use while playing video games, you will need to read this first.

As a general rule, a gaming chair is generally not intended to be ergonomic. When choosing a good one, do your research first and choose wisely. Some gaming chairs may have features such as adjustable height and lumbar support.

In my thirty years of experience as a chiropractor, I can tell you everything you need to know about gaming chairs, and then I can explain how to choose the most appropriate chair for your needs. I have been able to mitigate the discomfort you have experienced with back pain like you in the past. Thus, you would do yourself a favour by reading this article and obtaining the assistance you need.

Facts About Gaming Chairs

• Gaming chairs are a relatively new product in the gaming industry 
• They have been around for about ten years, but they were not widely available until recently 
• The first company to offer them was Steelcase with their “Chair One” model 
• Other companies that make gaming chairs include DXRacer, Vertagear, and Arozzi 
• There is no universally accepted definition of what makes a chair “gaming,” but some features common to many models are: adjustable armrests and headrests; high back support; ergonomic design; and built-in speakers or headphone jack

Office Chairs vs Gaming Chairs

It’s a question often posed by people looking to purchase their first office chair. The first step in answering this question is understanding what differentiates these two chairs.

First, there are a few different styles of office chairs. Executive chairs offer the most support for your spine and feature an ergonomic design tailored to reduce pressure on your lower back. Office task chairs have a slimmer profile but still provide lumbar support and comfort in all-day sitting positions.

Gaming chairs are different from office chairs because they are designed for gaming and typically lack features like lumbar support, seat angle tilt, seat depth adjustability, etc.  But heck, they can come with built-in speakers or headphone jacks, so who cares if your new chair may be causing irreparable damage to your back?

Both office and gaming chairs have pros that the other doesn’t offer, so it is essential to research what features you’re looking for before deciding.

If you are into super easy and inexpensive alternatives to office chairs, I wrote a fantastic article on how and why you should consider these options for back pain and I encourage you to read it!

Is It Worth Buying a Gaming Chair?

You may be wondering if it’s worth buying a gaming chair. Gaming chairs are typically more expensive than regular office or home chairs, but they come in many different cool colours, so it’s gotta be worth more because of that feature alone!

Premium ergonomic office chairs are usually ergonomically designed to offer maximum comfort and support for your back and neck, while gaming chairs…..OK, I’m at a loss for something good to say about gaming chairs.

Oh yes, they also tend to include features like built-in speakers, which provide high-quality sound without taking up any desk space with speakers or headphones, as well as integrated control panels so you can adjust volume without needing an extra remote.

Here’s a video review I made on PewDiePie’s gaming chair.

A Chiropractors View on Gaming Chairs

My 30 years of experience treating back pain makes me unable to recommend gaming chairs. Here’s why: The body complacently adapts to pretty much any chair you put at its disposal. Long-term use, however, can result in digestive problems, heart disease, chronic pain, etc.

The pain and soreness you feel from prolonged gaming cannot be alleviated by stretching afterwards.  According to numerous studies, exercise alone cannot reverse the effects of poor posture.

The strain on your body may be hidden at first, but over time, incorrect posture will gradually cause damage to your body. As a result, you may develop many health problems that aren’t even directly related to your chair, for example, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, etc.

Do Gaming Chairs Make a Difference?

Gaming chairs are marketed as offering a higher level of comfort while playing video games. We are also told that they provide more support for the back and neck, which is crucial if you spend hours in front of your computer or TV screen. Other features not generally included are adjustable ergonomic lumbar support, adjustable armrests, and adjustable armrests for better control and manoeuvrability when gaming.

Some gamers find that they can’t play longer because they get more tired with their new gaming chair. Perhaps this is because gaming chairs usually have a one-size-fits-all approach to ergonomics? The chairs are wildly unpopular with people who suffer from chronic back pain or discomfort sitting all day long on hard office furniture.

Why Are Gaming Chairs Bad?

Does anyone think a gaming chair is an excellent idea for someone sitting at their desk all day? The seat provides little support, and the backrest has a little padding to keep your spine aligned. They are inappropriate for those who spend much time on their feet or moving around. Gaming chairs are also wrong if you have back problems because the quality of these chairs may exacerbate your symptoms rather than help relieve them. I’ve written a complete hands-on review about the best sitting position for sciatica, and here is what I tested best with my sciatica patients.

Are Gaming Chairs With Speakers Worth It? 

Gaming chairs are becoming increasingly popular, but they’re not the right choice for everyone. We want to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this is the best option for your needs.

Gaming Chair with Speakers Checklist

• Do I have enough room in my home? 
• What type of games do I play most often? 
• How much money am I willing to spend on a new piece of furniture? 
• Will it be challenging to get up from my seat after playing games for hours? 
• Am I comfortable sitting in one place without moving around too much while playing video games? 
• Is someone else also using this chair (i.e., spouse, child)? 
• Is listening to music while playing video games or watching movies/TV shows on my computer or tablet device your only concern? If you answered yes, purchasing a gaming chair may be worth it! 

 Why Chair Speakers are a Bad Idea

Honestly, I dislike seats that have speakers. Rather than spending your extra cash on a gimmicky chair speaker set, save it for an ergonomic chair. Furthermore, chairs with speakers are not a good idea because they’re uncomfortable, you can’t hear those around you, and they’re distracting. It should offer total sensory stimulation and not distract you from your work.

A good chair should be ergonomic and comfortable to enjoy sitting in it for hours without discomfort or pain. It also has an adjustable backrest so that if you need to stand up, the chair will automatically adjust itself accordingly. And there’s no sound coming from anywhere but right in front of you – perfect for those who want peace and quiet!

What Makes a Good Gaming Chair?

Purchasing a decent ergonomic chair is more than just a seat; it’s an investment in your health and well-being. Your chair should be ergonomically designed to support your back, neck, and spine while sitting comfortably for hours. They should offer different sizes so that no matter what size you are or how tall you are, there will be a chair that fits you perfectly.

Gaming should be fun – not painful! A good gaming chair, in my opinion, is nonexistent. Remember, your chair can make all the difference between feeling great after playing or being sore from sitting too long with poor posture. Consider taking care of your body so that when it comes time to game again tomorrow morning (or tonight), all systems go!

Takeaway

So, how do you choose the best gaming chair for your needs? First, be sure to do your research. There are a lot of chairs on the market that claim to be ergonomic, but not all of them deliver. Look for a model with adjustable height and lumbar support so you can customize it to fit your body perfectly. Once you’ve found a few models that seem like they might work well for you, test them out in person if possible. Sit in them for an extended time and see how they feel. Finally, don’t forget to consider your budget when making your decision. Chairs can range from very affordable to quite expensive, so pick the one that fits your comfort level and budget.

The cheapest way to sit comfortably with great posture may be to consider an ergonomic seat cushion.  I explain the concept of an orthopaedic seat cushion on a TV show HERE. However, be careful! There are many gimmicky products out there that I found that just do not work.  I was surprised how many cheap memory foam seat cushions were on Aliexpress from the listing on Amazon!

Take your time and do so research here.  If you need help, I’ve written a complete hands-on review about the best seat cushions and here are some of the shocking issues I ran into in this post!