Mar 23 / Anna Bromley

My Journey to Finding the Perfect Ergonomic Office Chair

I'm writing this fresh from getting back from CorporateSpec in East London, which sells refurbished office chairs.

I'm the type of person who's been using a £100 Habitat chair for the last two years—and let me tell you, my back has been breaking. Enough is enough! I finally decided to prioritise my physical health and get a proper chair that's going to support me all day long.

Here's my journey and why I chose the Steelcase Gesture.

The Offending Chair - Cannot Wait to Bin It

Why You Should Invest in a Good Office Chair

Firstly, if you're sitting in a chair for 10+ hours a day (as I often do), spending less than around £300 isn't advisable. You genuinely get what you pay for, and cheaper chairs just don't offer adequate support for extended periods. I'll be conducting an experiment over the next few months to see if this theory holds true.

Best Ergonomic Office Chair Brands

During my extensive research, three brands repeatedly stood out for ergonomic support and suitability for long hours:
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  • Haworth
  • Herman Miller
  • Steelcase
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Warning: These chairs are not cheap! But neither is your health.

Haworth Zody - A snip at £329 

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Herman Miller Mirra 2 - Bubbly Arms - £599

Steelcase Gesture - Doesn't look much here but it's a good sit - £749

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Steelcase Leap V2 - The One I Thought I'd Get... £799

Personal Struggles with Back Pain and Discomfort

I've often gone to bed with:
  • A sore coccyx
  • Lower back pain
  • Tingling sensations in my middle back
  • Neck and shoulder strain.
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Additionally, I seem to have a chronic repetitive strain injury in my wrist, possibly due to inadequate forearm support.

Sometimes I'd even use a shoulder-shaped hot water bottle, paracetamol for pain, and a heated vibrating blanket to soothe discomfort. Writing this down makes me realise how ludicrous it's been living like this!

Despite having a standing desk, my routine of standing never lasts, and I find myself slouching again.

The Unexpected Consequences of Poor Chair Choices

I noticed another alarming issue—I regularly double crossed my legs in my chair. One day, while at the gym, I spotted strange dents in my outer thighs, caused by pressing against the hard plastic armrests of my chair. This realisation horrified me! Thankfully, after changing this habit, the dents disappeared—but even that didn't immediately prompt me to replace my chair.

My Awful Sitting Position 

Extensive Research and Finding the Right Chair

I spent countless hours on YouTube and found BTOD's videos particularly insightful. They introduced me to the concept of S-tier chairs, specifically designed for extended sitting with human ergonomics in mind. Given my long working hours—sometimes 12 hours daily—I knew I needed this.

Key takeaway from research:

  • Flexibility and adjustability are critical for ergonomic comfort.

  • Essential features: lumbar support, seat depth adjustment, recline functionality.

Visiting a Showroom: My Experience at CorporateSpec

No matter how many videos you watch, you'll never truly know a chair until you try it yourself. My personal values led me to search for decent refurbished options, avoiding the premium cost of brand-new items.

I discovered CorporateSpec in Stratford, East London. They offer refurbished ergonomic chairs, free delivery within London, and allow you to book a showroom visit.

Comparing Chairs: Why I Chose the Steelcase Gesture

For 1.5 hours, I tested various chairs, asking questions like:

  • Which chairs have seat tilt?
  • How far do they recline?
  • What's your most popular ergonomic chair?
  • Which chair do you use personally, and why?
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Initially, I intended to buy the Steelcase Leap V2. However, after sitting in both the Leap V2 and Gesture, I chose the Gesture primarily because the armrests could adjust slightly higher, which will hopefully provide me with better support, reducing upper body tension.

No one's review can guarantee a perfect fit for you—everyone's body is unique. For instance, if my upper arms were just 1 cm longer, the Leap V2 might've been perfect for me. Adjustability is essential precisely because it allows you to customise the chair to your exact needs.

Other Chairs I Considered

Here are other chairs I considered and why I didn't choose them:

  • Leap V2: Armrests slightly lower (about 0.5 cm shorter), offering less arm support.

  • Haworth Kody: Firmer seat with excellent seat tilt motion, balancing the spine. Nearly chose this, but again, the armrest height led me to the Gesture.

  • Herman Miller Mirra: Mesh chair with flexible seat front. Attractive design, but significantly changes seating posture, limiting leg-crossing habits, which felt too restrictive for me at this stage.

Choosing a chair was no quick decision—I deliberated extensively before finalising the Gesture.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

I once watched a ballet documentary highlighting dancers' meticulous care for their feet due to intense stress. The same care is necessary for those of us who spend extensive hours working online. Your body endures a lot, so addressing discomfort early prevents bigger problems.

My refurbished Steelcase Gesture cost £675, after a 10% new customer discount from the original £749 price.

I'll follow up in a few months with an update on whether the investment was worthwhile.

In the meantime, here's my goodwill "gesture" to you—get a Gesture (or equivalent).
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If you enjoyed this post, and you also sit at your desk a lot, you may also be interested in these other articles I wrote: 

Finding Balance: When Is Work More Harmful Than Productive? See here. 

The Power of Saying No: How Setting Boundaries Fuels Success & Wellbeing. See here. 

When to Walk Away: 5 Key Indicators it's Time to Leave Your Job. See here. 
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