Back in the cubicle era, effective back support for desktop computing was the mark of a good chair. These days, multi-device (PC and mobile) support is the institutional design priority. Meanwhile, top esports docs hype healthy lifestyles as better performance boosters than medical-grade chairs. Thus, mega-corporate chair brands are now endorsing more casual semi-neutral support styles. 2023 summary: contemporary work-from-home seating criteria for optimal health and happiness.
The classic ergonomic chair supports the lower back while desktop computing. But in this modern era, excessive mobile computing time stresses the neck and upper back.
Meanwhile, sitting with perfect posture all day long as your grandpa did is shaping up as overkill. These days, a growing number of esports doctors hype frequent breaks and healthy lifestyles as more effective ways to mitigate sedentary computing time.
On top of these factors, psychological seating appeal (aesthetic and sensory extras) has evolved into a major selling point.
Posture Evolution: Strict To Casual
Back in the old days, sitting ramrod straight was considered good manners. In the 70s, most desk jockeys used typewriters. By the early 90s, they were pecking away all day on PC computers. As computing times rose, so did back problems.
To address these, Herman Miller kicked off the office ergonomic era in 1994 with its Aeron mid-back chair. It served the computing needs of the time with super-strict, easy-to-use posture support.
But as computing habits evolved, so did Herman Miller’s ergonomic concepts. As mobile computing entered the conversation, they began shifting to a more flexible, dynamic style of support. Here are Herman Miller chairs evolving with the times:
Herman Miller’s design trends are in sync with those reported in the Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics. Its 2021 5th edition hypes multi-device computing as the ‘new normal’.
To better support healthy postures across multiple devices, it demands more flexibility than strict, cubicle-era standards. In sync with that, top esports doctors tout healthy lifestyles + frequent breaks are the best way to boost happiness and performance.
Adding a good chair helps — a lot. However, a fancy chair with sloppy habits might not help at all.
WFH vs Office Hybrid Compromise
In sync with a shift towards more casual, multi-device support trends is a resolution on the work-from-home debate. A forced return to the office risks pushing ‘quiet quitters’ (50% of the U.S. workplace) over the edge.
That’s one of several reasons why many thought leaders like the WEF are now proposing a hybrid compromise(1). With that arrangement made permanent, workers can build the home computing setup of their dreams.
The centerpiece of any computing workstation is an ergonomic desk chair. With cubicle-style working factors fading from relevance, new, more flexible ones are free to emerge.
Work-From-Home Performance Factors
In 2023, we’ve identified nine relevant trends impacting the ergonomic chair industry. In sum, a desktop-computing support focus is shifting to a multi-device one. As well, user habits (frequent breaks & fitness) override a chair’s back support impact.
Top ergonomic brands like Herman Miller and Haworth are both on board with these trends. Both have recently released flashy, full-back gaming chairs delivering imprecise semi-neutral posture support!
Mashing these developments together gives us a clear picture of what modern-day WFH ergonomics entails — from three elite, institutional perspectives:
- Cubicle-era desktop computing factors: ergonomic chairs support neutral postures that help workers sit straight all day long.
- Multi-device computing factors: desktop plus mobile computing needs neck support and sedentary relief as computing times rise.
- Quiet quitter factors: psychological luxuries like deep recline and flashy looks can motivate jaded burnouts.
- Fitness beats chair ergonomics: you don’t need perfect posture and medical-grade back support. Any basic ergonomic chair plus a healthy lifestyle can help you perform like an elite esports pro.
‘Ergonomic’ means ‘adjustable’. In the broadest sense, the point is to ‘adjust’ a workspace to meet a user’s needs. Unlike in the cubicle era, comfort is a major part of the equation.
Ergonomists define ‘comfort’ as environmental factors which improve physical or psychological wellness(2). Psychological wellness comes from catering to unique human needs.
Cubicle-Era: Back Support
In 2021, the 4th edition Handbook Of Human Factors & Ergonomics was published. It summarized human ergonomic needs in the desktop computing cubicle era.
OSHA, BIFMA, and several peer reviews reflect the Handbook’s conclusion. To be productive at a computer all day long, users should strive to sit in dynamic neutral postures.
These align the spine as if in a healthy standing position. That reduces musculoskeletal stress, leaving more energy to power the brain. As physical strain diminishes, computing productivity goes up.
To support these postures, an ergonomic chair needs three essential components. Adjustable lumbar support aligns the spine. Adjustable arms provide extra bracing to hold the spine up against gravity. A reclining backrest enables movement.
WFH Era: Back & Neck Support + Movement
How have computing habits changed since the 4th edition Handbook’s 2012 release? The 5th edition answers that question. Published in late 2021, it noted two big changes since the desktop computing cubicle era.
First, modern desk workers now use multiple devices. The average person now spends around 3 hours per day computing on a mobile device. Most do so with a severe forward neck tilt.
Second, computing across multiple devices increases the time engaged in sedentary behaviors. Since the year 2000, sedentary times have steadily risen as activity levels slumped(3).
To address these changes, the updated Handbook makes good back support a secondary priority. On top of that, modern desk workers also need ergonomic neck support and more opportunities to move.
These developments have brought sit-to-stand desks into the conversation. These provide enough adjustability to support both desktop and mobile computing.
They also provide more opportunities to move. Each transition from sitting to standing (or vice versa) replicates a squat. That jolts core muscles into action while boosting blood circulation to keep users feeling fresh.
Wild Card 1: Psychological Comfort
Herman Miller did a study(4) on this to justify its museum-quality chair aesthetics. It found that people able to personalize their workspaces enjoy a greater sense of well-being and comfort.
It also noted that worker comfort directly affects important predictors of operational efficiency. These include productivity, job satisfaction, retention, well-being, and worker health.
In other words, aesthetically-satisfying furniture makes users feel more comfortable. That provides fertile ground for improved motivation and productivity.
Mental Wellness Becomes A Priority
In the quiet quitting era, 50% of staff are burned out and mentally checked out. Working from home with an inspiring setup is one of the only tangible ways (at present) to reverse that. As a result, we’re likely to see more high-end gear built exclusively for WFH comfort.
For example, Herman Miller built its legacy atop mid-back office chairs — without headrests — that force users to sit straight all day long. Its new Vantum Gaming chair breaks cubicle-style principles to serve psychological comfort needs!
In a press release(5) to hype the Vantum, the company acknowledged a big change. Modern “gamers require versatility. A strong active posture is critical for gameplay, but having an equally supported, reclined position for moments of relaxation is key.”
Wild Card 2: Fitness Beats Chair Ergonomics
Herman Miller’s longtime aversion to headrests has a scientific basis. Using a headrest compels a healthy 0° neck to tilt forward or back. In a reclined posture, the resulting neck tilt forces the thoracic spine (upper back) to round.
That creates a musculoskeletal chain reaction. A hyper-extended thorax flattens the lower back curve by 6.6°. A 30° recline + headrest – lumbar support = a 17° lumbar curve reduction.
Movement > Chair Ergonomics
The 5th edition Human Factors Handbook cites physical movement as a greater priority than cubicle-era back support. An airplane seat comfort study corroborates this.
Without a headrest, passengers enjoy good neck posture. With a headrest, they suffer a slight loss of postural integrity. Despite this, most passengers prefer the perceived comfort that a headrest provides.
The final corroboration comes from the pro esports industry. These days, most elite teams employ physical therapists. Dr. Jordan Tsai works with many of the elites; he’s also on Secretlab’s Ergonomics Advisory Board.
Even so, he cites a good chair as the least important performance factor. “Rest/nutrition/exercises > breaks > good posture > good chair. Developing healthy habits is the most important thing to work on.”
Like most esports docs, Dr. Tsai doesn’t mess with pro players’ competitive gaming postures. Instead, he teaches them stretching and fitness routines to use when away from the computer.
That explains why so many esports pros game with imperfect postures. Instead of messing with their gaming mechanics, they balance things out using common sense health fundamentals.
2022 Deskwork Priorities: Fitness + Posture Beats Technostress
BONUS: Ultradian Rhythm Breaks
Fifty years ago, pioneering sleep researcher Nathan Kleitman documented the basic rest-activity cycle (aka ultradian rhythm). It’s based on 90-minute periods at night where humans move through five stages of sleep. Kleitman found that our bodies operate by the same 90-minute rhythms during the day.
Doing so gives the brain time to recharge. That means you’ll be able to push your brain as hard as you need to during 90-ish minute sprints. Amazingly, following this rhythm unlocks another benefit.
While awake, the human brain functions in focused and diffused modes. The diffused mode puts it into a relaxed, dreamlike state. That’s its time to process complex information on auto-pilot. To unlock this power, simply kick back and relax for a few minutes.
When you lock down for another 90-minute sprint, unsolved problems before your break will often solve themselves! Learn more:
Ultimate WFH Setup For Power Users
To fill all modern-day WFH ranking criteria, you’ll need a good chair, good lifestyle habits, and a sit-to-stand desk. Here’s a summary:
Best WFH Chairs By MODERN Standards
We’ve just updated our ranking of the best work-from-home gaming chairs using the factors listed above. The Secretlab Titan ticks all the boxes as the ultimate WFH chair.
Those who prefer corporate builds have options from Herman Miller and the HNI Corporation. A wild-card option proven on the South Korean esports scene also stands out as a solid hipster alternative.
Secretlab Titan 2022
The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is the only full-back option available in small, medium, and XL sizes. Against competitors, it also boasts the best lumbar support adjustability. Titan chairs are also available in over fifty jaw-dropping styles.
What’s more, other full-back chair headrests are only good for cradling reclined necks. In contrast, the Titan’s memory foam magnetic version also supports clean 0° neck postures.
Price: $549 from Secretlab | Learn more: Titan Evo 2022 Review
Respawn Flexx
The Flexx is a Titan alternative for those who prefer a corporate pedigree and aesthetic. Respawn is a subdivision of HNI, the world’s 4th-largest office furniture corporation.
The Flexx is the latest iteration of its partial mesh gaming concept first launched in 2017. It meets cubicle-era fundamentals with 3D arms, a 90-115° recline, and a height-adjustable integrated lumbar. It then goes beyond with a modern look, sync-tilt functionality, and an affordable price.
Price: $310.72 on Amazon | Learn more: Respawn Flexx Review
Herman Miller Vantum
Herman Miller bends the knee to the full-back gaming chair with its own unique version. Rather than forcing upright postures with straight necks, the Vantum does the opposite. In upright positions, it delivers crisp neutral postures — without neck support.
When it’s time to gear down, the Vantum also lets you kick back and relax. Then, the headrest and an upper back support pad kick in to keep your neck somewhat aligned.
Price: $995 from Herman Miller | Learn more: Vantum vs Flexx Chairs Compared
Sidiz T80
The original pro esports gaming-office full-back hybrid is made in South Korea. Since 2019, the Sidiz T80 has served as the official chair of Gen.G, South Korea’s #1 esports team.
Compared to the Vantum, the T80 is slightly more advanced. it exceeds that model with a manual downward seat slope. That’s a handy extra built to support the typical forward-leaning gaming style. On the downside, while the Vantum is guaranteed for 12 years, the T80 is only covered for 3.
Price: $749.00 on Amazon | Learn more: Sidiz T80 Review
Advanced WFH Ergonomic Setup
Not counting the PC, a fully-ergonomic cubicle-era WFH setup costs less than $400. That’s all you need to buy a bare-bones ergonomic chair, a desk, an external screen, and a mouse + keyboard kit.
This setup ignores psychological comforts to provide basic back support. To ramp up your happiness levels, upgrade to one of the recommended WFH chairs. Then, to better support good neck posture and movement, add a sit-to-stand desk.
Raising the height of the desk lets you support your elbows while mobile computing. Developing the habit of texting that will fortify a clean 0° neck posture. As a bonus, the transition between sitting and standing replicates a squat.
Each squat works your legs, hips, back, and shoulder muscles. Those little shots of movement keep muscles active and circulation robust — even when computing all day long!
Beyond a good chair and desk, ergonomic monitor arms, a yoga mat, and a WiFi LED bulb will complete your kit. Learn more:
Advanced WFH Setup Guide For Power Users
Starter Guide: How To Choose The Best Standing Desk In 2022
Footnotes
- Johnny Wood. ‘Hybrid working: Why there’s a widening gap between leaders and employees’, December 20, 2022. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/12/hybrid-working-remote-work-office-senior-leaders/, (accessed Jan. 8, 2023)
- Martina Lorenzino, et al. ‘The Importance of Psychophysiological Factors in Comfort Studies’. Journal of Ergonomics, S1:001, February 15, 2021. DOI: 10.35248/2165-7556.21.s1.001 (accessed 2 August 2022).
- S. W. Ng, et al. ‘Time use and physical activity: a shift away from movement across the globe’. Wiley Online Library, 14 June, 2012. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00982.x (accessed 2 Jan. 2022).
- Herman Miller. ‘Home Sweet Office: Comfort in the Workplace’. 2008 Herman Miller, Inc. Comfort in the Workplace (PDF) (accessed 2 August 2022).
- Herman Miller Press Release. ‘Herman Miller and Logitech G Introduce Vantum, a Modern Gaming Chair’, October 6, 2022. Vantum Gaming Chair Press Release, (accessed Oct. 7, 2022)
