The GTRacing Pro Series GT099 is one of the originals. Since 2013, it has reigned as one of the top-selling cheap gaming chairs on the market. In fact, most competing cheap chairs use its blueprint to make their own versions. But why shop around for cheap copies of the original classic? Instead, check this review of the GTRacing Pro Series gaming chair. It’s a solid entry-level model for first-time gaming chair users of average size.
Many first-time ergonomic chair buyers overestimate the complexities of good sitting posture. That makes it easy to spend more than you need to on an ergonomic desk chair. In my opinion, that’s a mistake.
For instance, the Pro Series is around $400 cheaper than a top-of-the-line Secretlab Titan gaming chair. Even so, you can see for yourself: both support similarly healthy neutral postures.
Beyond fancier styling and a longer warranty, the Titan’s integrated lumbar controls are subtle. First-time ergonomic chair users without a point of reference may find its settings bewildering.
In contrast, the Pro Series comes with a fat lumbar pillow that’s impossible to ignore. We instructed our 5’8″ model to adjust it just above her beltline for best results. It worked! She reported that it was easy to adjust and immediately effective.
That explains the Pro Series chair’s appeal in a nutshell. It’s cheap, rugged, good for your back, and easy to use. That makes it an excellent starter chair for first-time ergonomic desk chair users.
Pro Series Red & Black on Amazon $116.98
GTRacing Pro Series Review
The GTRacing Pro Series is a collection of black gaming chairs with a choice of color accents. On Amazon, the original model (and cheapest style) is the GT099 classic red ($116.98).
Other variants are more expensive. These include a new pink & purple gradient edition ($139.99), a pink & white one (Price not available), and a black model with green accents (Price not available).
All models (including our Classic Red test model) have the same features and dimensions.
Pro Series Chair Functionality
All Pro Series gaming chairs models share the same build and features. There’s a steel frame, mid-grade PU foam padding, and support cushions for the neck and lower back.
Like much pricier chairs, Pro Series ones qualify as fully-ergonomic by having three essential features.
First, adjustable lumbar support aligns the lower spine. Second, adjustable arms provide extra bracing to hold the torso upright. Finally, a reclining backrest lets users boost movement by mixing up their support angles.
Features Summary
Like the padding, the PU leather upholstery is mid-grade. It’s tough, easy to keep clean, and decently breathable. Count on a solid year of full-time use before it starts to degrade.
The chair’s features are also mid-grade — but enough to support neutral postures effectively:
- Functionality: 2D armrests; recline to 160°.
- Comfort: PU 50kg/m³ foam padding; neck and lumbar pillows.
- Upholstery: 2-tone PU leather.
- Support: steel frame; metal base; class 4 gas lift; smooth rolling casters.
- Warranty: one year.
GTRacing Pro Series Chair Sizing
The GTRacing Pro Series is a compact chair rated on paper for sizes 4’9″ to 5’9″. The seat’s inner width is 16″; the outer width (with bladed edges) is 21.3″.
There’s enough room within the bladed edges to fit moderately thick sizes. As evidence, our model stands 5’8″ (172 cm) and weighs 155 pounds. She found a decent fit for her height and width.
Meanwhile, the office chair peddler on the right hates the Pro Series so much he made a rage video about it. His 5’9″, 190-pound-ish frame is just about the maximum height and width to fit in this chair.
Using these two as a reference, GTRacing’s size rating seems too optimistic. Taller sizes than 5’9″ may find the backrest too short.
As well, people shorter than 5’6″ size may find the 22.8″ seat too deep. Notice how little space there is between the seat edge and the back of the 5’8″ model’s knees.
Given these facts, I suggest a revised size rating for this chair of 5’6″ to 5’9″ with a 200-pound weight limit.
Pro Series Dimensions
- Seat width x depth: 16″/21.3″ (inner/outer seat width) x 22.8″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 20.8″ (W) x 32.2″ (H)
- Seat height: 16.92″ to 20.86″
- ChairsFX size rating:
4’9″5’6″ to 5’9″; 330-pound capacity (200-pound suggested fit limit)
Pro Series Vs Legit Short People Chairs
The small-sized Secretlab Titan and Herman Miller Aeron Size A are the only two ergo chairs with specialized dimensions for short people. The Pro Series measures up well with both in all aspects — except for its seat depth.
| Small | Titan EVO small | Aeron size A | Pro Series |
| Seat | 17.7″ (W) x 18.9″ (D) | 25.75″ (W) x 16″ (D) | 21.3″ (W) x 22.8″ (D) |
| Backrest | 20″ (W) x 32.3″ (H) | 20.25″(W) x 21″ (H) | 20.8″ (W) x 32.2″ (H) |
| Seat height | 17.7″ to 20.5″ | 14.75″ to 19″ | 16.92″ to 20.86″ |
| Size rating | 4’11” to 5’6″; 285 pounds | 4’10” to 5’9″; 300 pounds | |
| Price | $549 from Secretlab | $1750 from Herman Miller | $116.98 on Amazon |
Here’s the fit possibility for various body types:
- Short people: people shorter than 5’6″ will find the seat too deep for their legs.
- Fat people: those with excessively chunky legs or hips will find a snug fit.
- Tall people: people taller than 5’9″ may find the backrest too snug to comfortably support their torso.
Bottom line: the Pro Series is a good fit for moderately-thick sizes between 5’6″ and 5’9″.
How To Use For Healthy Computing Posture
Any chair qualifies as ‘ergonomic’ with adjustable lumbar + arms + a reclining backrest. Based on institutional ergonomic guidelines, the GTRacing Pro Series also qualifies as ‘fully ergonomic’.
As such, you can use the same methods to achieve good posture in this chair as in any other. First, configure your chair’s settings:
- Adjust the seat height to place hips higher than knees.
- Adjust the lumbar pillow to fit slightly above your beltline.
- Set the recline to between 100-110°.
Then, sit down in the chair. Tucking your hips and firmly planting your feet provide the primary power to hold your torso upright.
Follow these steps:
- Tuck your hips deep into the seat.
- Plant your feet firmly on the floor.
- Use the armrests to prop your torso up against gravity.
After a few days of sitting this way, your muscles will adapt. After a week or so, muscle memory should kick in to make upright sitting a subconscious habit.
For more details on healthy sitting tactics, see this:
Healthy Sitting Quickstart: For Gaming AND Ergo Office Chairs
Pro Series Chair FAQ
Here are answers to the most common questions potential buyers have about this chair:
Q: How long will a Pro Series chair actually last?
A: If you use it full-time, it should last 1-1.5 years before you’ll need a new chair.
Q: What happens when a Pro Series chair breaks down?
A: First, the padding will flatten until you can feel the steel frame under the seat. After a year of full-time use, look for faux leather degradation.
Q: Is GTRacing support reliable?
A: Yes. This is one of the reasons the brand is so successful. Support is quick to answer and resolve issues.
Q: Are the pillows removable?
A: Yes.
Q: Are the armrests removable?
A: Yes. You can unscrew from the bottom and remove them if you want.
Q: Where to buy Pro Series chairs?
A: You can buy one directly from GTRacing for $179.99. They’re also available on Amazon for $116.98.
GTRacing Pro Series Likes & Dislikes
Ultra-fat people will find the Pro Series chair too snug. In contrast, short people will find the seat’s depth too excessive. Meanwhile, all users must come to terms with the short expected Pro Series lifespan.
Dislikes: Sizing & Durability
My first dislike about the Pro Series is its sizing oddities. The seat’s inner width is a narrow 16; the outer width (with bladed edges) is 21.3″. These dimensions suit short sizes. But the 22.8″ seat depth suits average to tall sizes.
If the seat’s width were 2″ shorter, this would be a perfect cheap chair for short, slim sizes. But given its contrasting dimensions, it’s only suited for people 5’6″ to 5’9″ with very slim builds.
Short 1-year Lifespan
Based on my experience using cheap gaming chairs, you can expect 1.5 years of use at most from this chair (if used full-time). For the price, that’s decent value. Even so, degradation is something buyers should be aware of up-front.
As reference, I once used a DXRacer chair (guaranteed for 2 years) full-time. It started to degrade after 2 years. After 2.5 years, it was time to replace it.
Expect similar performance from the Pro Series (guaranteed for one year). After a year of full-time use, expect the padding to flatten and the leather to degrade. Used part-time, expect it to last well beyond the warranty period.
Likes: Cheap Gaming Chair Benefits
The majority of the world’s desk workers still use standard, non-ergonomic office chairs. The GTRacing Pro Series is an ideal upgrade for slim sizes between 5’6″ and 5’9″.
In fact, first-time ergo chair users will find many advantages with a Pro Series over a pricey ergo chair. Beyond the low price, a Pro Series provides straightforward support for neutral sitting postures.
In contrast, pricey ergonomic chairs have complex settings. But without any experience using ergonomic chairs for neutral postures, these settings may bewilder.
For instance, the $1700 Herman Miller Embody is one of the most complex chairs on the market. Its lumbar-less support style that depends on angling the backrest to cup your upper spine.
Six years of using gaming chairs to support neutral postures gave me plenty of experience to master its settings. But many new users struggle.
In contrast, managing the settings on a cheap GTRacing gaming chair is beginner-friendly. Using simple instructions, anyone can use a cheap gaming chair to internalize neutral sitting techniques.
Why Gaming Chairs Are Worth It — For 1st-Time Ergo Chair Users
GTRacing Pro Series Target market
This 2023 market analysis finds cheap gaming chairs especially relevant for two groups:
- Millennials: born between 1981 to 1996 (ages 27-42 circa 2023)
- Generation Z: born between 1997 and 2012 (ages 11-26 in 2023)
Relevant trends:
- Millennial + Gen Z tight budgets: less people can afford ultra-pricey chairs these days. Inflation/ cost of living slashed per capita disposable income by 6.4% in 2022. Top expenditures for both age groups were groceries, food deliveries, and car maintenance.
- Millennials are sickly: those in the 27-42 age group suffer greater disease burdens. For instance, Millennials made 22% more back disorder ER visits last year than other generations.
- Fitness beats ergo chair benefits: many esports docs claim that a good ergonomic is useful but not essential. Instead, healthy habits is the surest way to boost computing performance. Science agrees. 34.5 million Americans suffered chronic musculoskeletal pain in 2018. But studies confirm that exercise reduces pain & depression while enhancing one’s quality of life.
- Gen Z are fitness freaks: 48% work out several times per week; 1/3 of those lift weights. 60% jog (versus 26% among other generations). 42% wear fitness trackers.
- Gen Z Proactively Addresses Pain: people in this generation are esports natives; they’ve grown up with the esports fitness + deskwork model. For example, A 2020 survey found that 36% of Gen Z experience back pain between the ages of 11-15. However, like their esports heroes, almost half address their pain with natural methods like stretching or exercise.
Pro Series For Millennials
In 2023, this group is aged 27-42. Born between 1981 to 1996, they grew up in the cubicle era where cheap , non-ergonomic chairs were the norm. This group is most likely to use a Pro Series chair as an upgrade from a non-ergonomic office chair.
Millennials suffer greater disease burdens (including chronic back pain) than other generations. Studies during lockdowns also found many ergonomically ignorant. Reports of back, neck, and shoulder problems soared as ill-equipped remote staff floundered.
Coincidentally, gaming chair sales skyrocketed during COVID lockdowns — while pricey office chair sales crumbled.
This shows that in ‘sudden need’ emergencies, splashing out on a pricey, complex office chair isn’t prudent. Instead, with a good fit and proper usage, a cheap gaming chair is good for your back.
In contrast, standard office chairs are bad for your back. Here are common symptoms caused by long sitting sessions in non-ergonomic office chairs:
- Wrist disorders: 4 million Americans suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Neck pain: the fourth-leading cause of disability in America.
- Low back disorders: 31 million Americans are suffering from low back pain at any given time.
For Millennials, addressing these issues by upgrading to a cheap gaming chair makes sense. For less than $150, a good model can start your ergonomic adventure with low-risk simplicity. Learn more:
GTRacing Pro Series For Gen Z
This group (born between 1997 and 2012) are aged 11-26 in 2023. They’re true multi-device digital natives also called the ‘Nintendo’ or ‘iPhone’ generation. They grew up idolizing esports stars.
But in recent years, pro esports experts have stopped putting ergonomic chairs on pedestals. Instead, many (like Dr. Jordan Tsai) endorse them as nice complementary pieces to a healthy and disciplined lifestyle:
As an example, Arslan Ash is one of the top Tekken players in the world. Like many pros, he uses a cheap racing-style gaming chair. But like many elite pros, he credits fitness as a big part of his success.
These trends give cash-strapped young esports fans less incentive to splash out on $1000+ office chairs. Instead, statistics show that they prefer active pain solutions like stretching and exercise.
Given these facts, any cheap racing-style model like the GTRacing Pro Series can fill the support role. It’s cheap, comfortable, easy to use, and good for your back.
Used with frequent breaks around a healthy lifestyle, it delivers fantastic value for money. Learn more about Gen Z gaming preferences set to define the ergonomic seating markets of the future:
GTRacing Pro Series Alternatives
Within the GTRacing collection are several extensions of the Pro Series template.
GTRacing Footrest Music Series
The biggest problem with the Pro Series is a seat that’s too deep for shorter legs. The GTRacing Footrest Music Series is a modded Pro Series with a retractable footrest and built-in speakers.
It also comes with a smaller seat depth that’s a bit better suited to shorter sizes. Here’s how the two models compare:
| Spec | Music Footrest Series | Pro Series |
| Seat size | 18.8″ (inner Width) x 20.7″ (D) | 21.3″ (outer W) x 22.8″ (D) |
| Seat height | 18.11″ to 22.44″ | 16.92″ to 20.86″ |
| Backrest | 21.65″ (W) x 33.46″ (D) | 20.8″ (W) x 32.2″ (D) |
| GTRacing size rating | 4’9″ to 5’9″; 300 pounds | 4’9″ to 5’9″; 330 pounds |
| ChairsFX size rating | 5’5″ to 5’9″; 200 pounds | 5’6″ to 5’9″; 200 pounds |
| Amazon price | $159.99 | $116.98 |
The Music Series has a shorter seat depth than Pro Series chairs, making it slightly more usable for shorter sizes. Its 18.8″ inner seat width + mild side bolsters also provides genereous space for thick legs or wide hips. Learn more:
GTRacing Ace S1
The GTRacing Ace S1 is an upgraded version of the GTRacing Pro Series. It adds 4D armrests and higher-quality leather and fabric designs. At a glance, you can also notice its loose (strapless) lumbar pillow and sharper bladed seat edges.
Size-wise, Ace S1 chairs have slightly smaller seats and a lower weight capacity than the Pro Series. Our 5’8″ 150-pound model reported a noticeably more snug fit than the Pro Series:
Here are some key specs comparisons between the the two chairs:
| Spec | Ace S1 | Pro Series |
| Armrests | 4D | 2D |
| Lumbar pillow | Strapless memory foam pillow | Pillow on straps with standard PU foam |
| Seat size | 22″ (W) x 21.5″ (D) | 21.3″ (W) x 22.8″ (D) |
| Seat height | 18.11″ to 22.44″ | 16.92″ to 20.86″ |
| GTRacing size rating | 5’3″ to 5’11”; 290 pounds | 4’9″ to 5’9″; 330 pounds |
| Amazon price | Price not available | $116.98 |
| ChairsFX recommended size rating | 5’6″ to 5’9″; 170 pounds | 5’6″ to 5’9″; 200 pounds |
Cheap Specialty-Sized Gaming Chairs
The Pro Series and Ace are excellent cheap starter picks for first-time ergo chair users. The problem is sizing: both are best suited to slim sizes between 5’6″ to 5’9″.
Proper sizing is important — an improper one in a gaming chair will yield skewed results. People outside of the Pro Series size range have two cheap, specialty sized alternatives.
For short sizes, the Aeron and Secretlab Titan are the best options. The AKRacing California is the best affordable compact option. For larger, thicker body types, E-Win’s Knight Series supports up to 400 pounds with a flat, wide seat and 2-year warranty.
| Spec | Pro Series | AKRacing California (S) | E-Win Knight (XL) |
| Seat size | 21.3″ (W) x 22.8″ (D) | 21″ (W) x 17.7″ (D) | 21.7″ (W) x 22.2″ (D) |
| Seat height | 16.92-20.86″ | 13.75-17.25″ | 16.3-20.2″ |
| Size rating | 5’6″ to 5’9″; 330 pounds | 4’9″ to 5’6″; 330 pounds | 5’5″ to 6’1″; 400 pounds |
| Armrests | 2D | 3D | 2D |
| Warranty | 1 year | 5 years | 2 years |
| Price | $116.98 | Price not available |
Conclusion
The GTRacing Pro Series is a nice upgrade from a basic office chair for millennials with sore backs. It also delivers everything Gen Z kids need to game like their esports and streaming heroes.
The trick with this chair is the sizing. Despite GTRacing’s claims, our tests found it a good fit only for slim sizes between 5’6″ and 5’9″ (167-175 cm). If you fit within that range, the Pro Series is a cheap and effective starter chair. Go for it.
But if you don’t fit within this range, the GTRacing Pro Series still comes in handy. It’s one of the OG cheap gaming chairs, dating back to 2013. For a full decade, it has reigned as one of the best-selling cheap chairs on the market.
Even if the Pro Series doesn’t fit your size, use this OG as a functional blueprint. Check out other cheap gaming chairs priced under $200 with similar features. Find one that fits your body type and you’re primed for a deskwork supercharge.
Pro Series Red & Black on Amazon $116.98
Related: Best GTRacing Gaming Chairs Of 2023
