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What gaming chairs are pro athletes using in 2021?
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These days, a lot of pro sports stars play video games. As fitness fanatics, many use gaming chairs to support posture while they play. This article looks at the gaming chairs used by various sports stars in 2021.
Previously, we covered gaming chairs used by top esports pros. We also have covered gaming and ergo chairs used by high-profile stock trading pros. In both of those articles, the ‘pro’ chair usage is generally full-time, for a living. In contrast, pro athletes use gaming as a way to unwind outside of training.
That works out to a few hours of gaming (and sitting) per day at the most. Under such conditions, racing-style gaming chairs make the most sense. For one thing, these chairs support good posture and comfort over long periods of sitting. For another, racing-style gaming chairs offer consumers excellent value for money. The best ergonomic office chairs cost over $1000. In comparison, the best high-end pro esports gaming chairs cost between $380-$500.
Gaming chairs used by pro athletes (2021)
Here is a rundown of eight high-profile sports figures and the gaming chairs they are using in 2021. The list runs through NBA players, football pros, famous MMA fighters, and more.
Josh Hart (NBA): Mavix ergonomic chair
Josh Hart is a shooting guard for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He’s also an avid gamer. Like most pro athletes, he played a lot of Fortnite during road trips. He was also into NBA Live 19, Call of Duty, Battlefield V, and World of Warcraft (he’s on the Horde side).
In 2019, Hart’s life changed significantly. First, he was traded from the LA Lakers to the Pelicans. Then, he bought a house in New Orleans. After that, he ascended from laptop to PC gaming. At the time, Hart (6’5″ / 195 cm) was using a Maxnomic XL chair with a custom logo.
Mavix ergonomic chair
In late 2020, Hart signed on as an ambassador for Mavix M-Series ergonomic chairs. The product line includes M5, M7, and M9 variants. Hart is the ambassador for the M7 edition. Mavix is a new brand, with sparse product documentation.
As a result, they don’t include size ratings to differentiate between the three models. We assume the M7 is for tall sizes able to fit Hart’s 6’5″ frame. Mavix feature documentation is also basic. This is what we know about the features:
- Backrest: height-adjustable; deep recline to what looks like around 135 degrees.
- Lumbar support: you can adjust the height of the support by adjusting the backrest height.
- Armrests: 4D adjustable with a large adjustment range.
- Seat: extra wide; depth-adjustable.
- Upholstery: breathable mesh fabric on the seat and backrest.
- Warranty: 12 years
For other office-style ergo chairs in this price range, check our review of the best mid-range ergo office chairs ($250 to $600).
Neymar (football): DXRacer Racing PRO Series
Neymar is regarded as one of the best footballers in the world. He currently plays forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain. He’s also one of the biggest sports stars who shares gameplay on Twitch. On his channel, he most often plays Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). Here’s a recent video of him getting pranked in his DXRacer Racing PRO Series chair:
https://youtu.be/6ovCzsfDidg
DXRacer Racing PRO Series
The Racing PRO Series is the premium esports gaming chair by DXRacer. Recently, I reviewed the Racing PRO Series after using it full-time for six months.
After that period, it still looked and worked like brand new. It’s comfortable and provides good posture support. On top of that, it has a full suite of pro-tier adjustable features:
- 4D adjustable armrests: can move up and down; side-to-side; forward/ back; at angles.
- Cold foam padding: the premier padding choice in the furniture industry. It provides consistent resistance for years. That ensures a seat that looks and works like new.
- Premium PU leather: stain-proof, more breathable, easy to clean, durable.
- Multifunction tilt-lock: a standard mechanism only lets you rock or lock the seat. A multifunction variant also lets you tilt the seat and lock it at angles.
- Support: aluminum base; Class 4 gas lift; 3″ PU casters.
- Warranty: 2-year warranty on parts, excluding normal wear and tear.
Racing PRO Series RV131 on Amazon Price not available
The DXRacer Racing PRO Series RV131 is also available from DXRacer for USD $399. Learn more in our Racing PRO Series chair review.
Dele Alli (football): Secretlab Titan
Dele Alli is an English pro footballer. He plays midfield for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He is also a member of the England national football team.
A passionate gamer, he’s one of the best Fortnite players on the England squad. In 2019, he partnered with Secretlab and now uses a collection of Titan Stealth chairs.
Secretlab TItan Stealth
I’m currently using a Titan Stealth. It’s a luxurious chair with spacious dimensions, a flat, wide seat, and a depth-adjustable internal lumbar.
Out of all the gaming chairs I’ve ever tried, this model is a cut above the rest. In terms of features, build quality, padding, and upholstery, the Titan reigns supreme. Features:
- Functionality: integrated lumbar support; 4D armrests; recline from 85°-165°; multifunction tilt mechanism.
- Upholstery: choice of premium PU leather, genuine leather or Softweave Fabric.
- Comfort: patent-pending cold cure foam; memory foam head pillow with cooling gel insert.
- Support: carbon steel frame; Class 4 KGS gas lift; aluminium base; XL PU caster wheels.
- Warranty: 3 years, extendable to 5 years with a social share (details).
Titan Stealth from Secretlab USD $419
Titan Stealth is available from Secretlab in North America, Europe, the UK, Oceania, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. Users under 5’9″ (175 cm) should choose an Omega Stealth ($379). See our Titan vs Omega comparison for details.
Blake Snell (baseball): Secretlab Titan
Blake Snell is a pro baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. In 2018, he won the Cy Young Award in the American League (AL). That year he led the league in both wins and earned run average (ERA).
Last year, he was declared MLB’s video game champion in the “MLB The Show Players League”. He also appears sporadically on Twitch, playing NCAA Football 14, MLB The Show, and Warzone. In his Twitch streams, he uses a Secretlab Titan Batman edition gaming chair.
Secretlab Titan Dark Knight edition
The Secretlab Titan Dark Knight is one of the most popular designs. It’s a black PU leather chair with carbon fiber side wings a splash of color from gold-accent stitching. Embroidered Batman logos adorn the front and back of the chair. TO learn more about the Titan, check this in-depth review.
Titan Dark Knight from Secretlab USD $449
Titan Dark Knight is available from Secretlab in North America, Europe, the UK, Oceania, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. Users under 5’9″ (175 cm) should choose an Omega Dark Knight ($409). See our Titan vs Omega comparison for details.
Max Holloway (MMA): DXRacer Racing Series
Max Holloway is an MMA fighter in the Featherweight division (145-pound) of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former UFC Featherweight Champion, currently ranked #8 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. He is also the #1-ranked UFC featherweight contender.
He is an avid gamer currently into the first-person-shooter Call of Duty: Warzone. On both his Youtube and Facebook Gaming channels, he plays using a DXRacer Monster Energy chair. That is a special edition DXRacer Racing Series launched in 2018 as an in-house model for Monster Energy (not available for sale). Since the UFC and Monster Energy are partners, it’s likely Max’s chair was a gift from Monster.
DXRacer Racing Series RV001
The Monster Energy edition looks a lot like the DXRacer Racing Series RV001. This has the same specs and features as the Racing PRO Series, with different PU leather styling.
The Monster edition isn’t available for sale. On Amazon, there are three two-tone design styles to choose from.
Wonderboy Thompson (MMA): Secretlab Titan
Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson is a mixed martial artist in the UFC Welterweight division (170 pounds). In his former kickboxing career, he went undefeated through 20 pro kickboxing matches. He made his UFC debut in 2012, and is currently ranked #5 in the UFC welterweight rankings.
He doesn’t stream gameplay but does play PC games. In this video, he shows off his new setup while using a special edition Secretlab Omega NAPA leather gaming chair. He got that chair in 2018, which he unveils in this Instagram video. Unfortunately, Wonderboy is 6’0″ tall (182 cm), while the Omega is rated for users from 5’3″ to 5’11” (learn more). As a result, his Omega was a bit too snug for his frame.
Luckily, Wonderboy recently upgraded to a Secretlab Titan Cookies & Cream Softweave edition. Titan chairs support users from 5’9″ to 6’7″. As a result, he now enjoys a better fit, plus the cool comfort of breathable fabric. To learn more about the importance of sizing, see our Secretlab Omega vs Titan comparison.
Secretlab Titan Softweave edition
Secretlab offers Softweave gaming chairs in four different styles. Titan Cookies and Cream, Black, and Charcoal Blue styles cost $449. The pink Titan Overwatch D.Va chair costs $469.
To learn in-depth about the Titan, check out this comprehensive Secretlab Titan chair review. Alternatively, check out our Titan Cyberpunk review.
Titan Softweave from Secretlab USD $449
The Omega Softweave costs $399. Both models are available from Secretlab in North America, the EU and UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Conclusion
This concludes our 3-part series of gaming chairs used by the pros. The first article covered gaming chairs used by pro esports players, streamers, and teams. The second article covered gaming and ergo chairs used by Wall Street and home-based stock traders. This article covers the chairs used by relevant 2021 pro athletes who also play video games.
Out of seven athletes profiled, three use Secretlab chairs, while two use DXRacers. Autofull also makes an appearance. Click on any brand for a detailed review of all chairs in its 2021 collection.
