Gamer Chair, Office Chair, Sofa: The ONE AND ONLY Criteria To Choose Your Seat

Aren't you tired of buying “ergonomic” chairs that hurt your back?
And btw… why do comfortable-looking chairs feel so bad when working from home?
In this video, I will tell you about the ONE AND ONLY criteria that you need to adopt to eliminate the worst seats, whether a gamer chair, an office chair, a relaxing seat or your sofa.
And that not about expensive vs. cheap chair...
We'll review the ergonomics of a few seats incl secretlab and observe what they do to your pelvis. You'll quickly get it... and your lower back will thank you!
We'll proceed as follows:
00:00 how to sit on a chair
01:40 why your body shape matters
02:12 what happens when we slouch
02:39 how to avoid slouching
03:08 how to analyse a seat
04:21 pressure points
04:33 shape of the backrest
and of the lumbar support
05:06 gaming chairs
05:30 the one and only criteria
06:56 what to do now ---
Pain in the back, shoulder, arms or any other musculoskeletal pain should not govern your life.
A lot of the pain you feel is caused or aggravated by wrong posture, poor ergonomics and a lack of specific exercises for your muscles and joints. Giving you the tools to resolve these issues is the reason why I created this self care channel.
If you need more, check out these two innovative offers that will truly empower you in the subtle art of posture correction:
- you can get THE POSTURE MANUAL, my best-selling book with 15 readers-only posture correction videos - only if you buy it from my website: oliviergirard.ch/en/boutique/...
- to enjoy a personal coach and a lifetime membership to my private Facebook group, consider joining THE POSTURE ACADEMY: oliviergirard.ch/en/posture-a...
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Medical Disclaimer
All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Full disclaimer:
oliviergirard.ch/en/ytdisclai...

[@wouterke9871]

You are the best on internet explaing these topics. Many thanx for posting !

[@simonfauteux6158]

I’ve decided opt for an office chair instead, no more gaming chair gimmicks, comfort and ergonomics over style.

[@drrodopszin]

I loved the clarity of the video! 99% of chairs on the market are pure garbage from ergonomics point of stand. Oh and I have one more audio ergonomics tip for you: if you are in a room without much things on the walls the sound will be very boxy and distracting. You need to put something on the wall that either absorbs sounds or diffuse it (like a bookshelf). Check out some home acoustics videos, this is a huge topic as well.

[@meganchalidis]

I am so insanely grateful that I found this channel. After moving my office to a new location (and getting a new monitor) I found myself struggling with chronic neck pain and debilitating migraines. This is the most in-depth, simple, and helpful channel I have found to support me. I watched 3 of your videos, adjusted my setup, tried your exercises and could already identity exactly how I was putting pressure on my neck. So grateful for your body of work.

[@OlivierGirard]

As a content creator yourself, Megan, you surely know how good it feels to read such testimonial: it gives a lot of meaning to the time spent on my channel. So thank YOU!!

[@housemana]

she speaking facts my g. am grateful for u and the gifts you are sharing with us. enjoy the journey and thx again~@@OlivierGirard

[@wangshiyao]

Thank you so much Olivier. I am hunting for home desktop chairs now and you make it so clear and insightful.

[@guzelbsk]

great explanation! thank youuuu

[@sidhant_hometasks]

I am glad that I stumbled upon this video on my quest for finding an ergnomic sofa design. Thank you for creating this video. :) I have to purchase a sofa set and a dining table for my house in India. Can anybody help me with any recommendations or video links to choose the best ergnomic design ?

[@astronemir]

Man thank you so much, you have no idea how helpful this is

[@OlivierGirard]

... but I have an idea how good it feels to read such feedback :) !!!

[@grantl5776]

Can you please do a review on steal case leap v2 chair and how to sit on it properly? Thank you so much

[@MrNikArt]

Dear Oliver, love your videos. What is your opinion on articulated arm-stands that attach to the table? (for example ErgoRest) Im a video editor, would love to spend some time giving you tips for upping your video production as gratitude.

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey Nik!! I love such win-win deals 😀 Can you send me a mail on ogirard [at] trainyourposture.com so that we find some time to have a zoom call? Thanks for reaching out!!

[@F3XT]

hi do you know the benefits and the downsides of sofas vs ergonomic chairs for a pc setup? I've been thinking about this and I do know there exists "gaming sofas" but I odn't find reasonable resources comparing both, I can't even find many videos covering sofas in a pc set up although I don't see why it wouldn't be a viable option

[@DamafiakingzDMK]

great video :D

[@OlivierGirard]

thank you mate!! I hope you're all well!!!!

[@esperanzablasco2621]

Thanks to your helpful, detailed videos, we have bought some suitable office chairs to work on our desks. But we now need to buy a new sofa for the living room (to sit 3 adults). Could you please offer some advice in a future video about shapes of sofas to avoid and what characteristics to look for? Thanks in advance.

[@OlivierGirard]

Good morning Esperanza! I’m super glad that I was able to have a remote impact on your family comfort!! I can of course work on a video that’s specific for sofas… but in the meantime - the content will be similar to this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmbNcpWoiZxkppI - we want to stabilize the pelvis - specific things to look for with sofas: not too low, not too deep, not too soft (which has the same effect as too low) - if you can find / afford: one section of the sofa could be to relax (e.g., tiltable backrest) but you need to make sure that on this section, your head is supported too (high backrest or headrest) - in any case, buy cushions of different sizes (some of them being quite full / firm) to support your body in the inevitable not-so-good postures that you will have on the sofa Does this line of thoughts help?

[@esperanzablasco2621]

@@OlivierGirard It helps a lot indeed! The "not too low, not too deep, not to soft" makes a lot of sense and I think that it would be the most comfortable for sitting but maybe a bit difficult to find, at least in Japan. I have the feeling that furniture in general is specially low here, in a country where modern apartments still have tatami rooms and many families I know sleep on futons on the tatami floors. But I will search around. Apologies for the super late reply. Spring is always a busy season.

[@angelahomicz1813]

I stumbled upon your videos looking for cushion reviews……You are so very knowledgeable and thorough with your explanations. I’ve watched several now and although I think I’m understanding your suggestions, I still have what I think is a problem specific to my hobby - quilting. I love to sew and can spend several hours on the weekend either at my sewing machine or hand stitching at the quilting frame. My lower back is really mad at me! For machine sewing, I sit forward on my chair so I can reach the pedal and see the pieces I’m sewing together. I don’t think I could ever sit fully in the chair to sew with accuracy. When hand quilting I am bent over the quilt frame to reach the places that need to be reached. Am I making sense? Any suggestions for my situation? Thank you for sharing all your knowledge

[@OlivierGirard]

Hi Angela! This is a super interesting question, thanks for asking! For quilting, the ergonomic issues arise from the fact that your eyes and hands need to be « at the same place » (exactly like with your smartphone!). Hence, the general idea is that - the work surface is slightly about elbow level (i.e. not on your laps) - the seat that you use supports you when you are slightly forward. In other words, it needs to have a backrest that can tilt really far forward. But it’s true that leaning forward, even with a backrest, is super tiring! Therefore, in some cases (e.g., the polishers in the watch making industry) I have recommended that the HAG Capisco chair, used the other way around i.e. with the backrest in front of your, supporting the chest. On this very model, the « armrests » could be disturbing. But some other models have a different shape that could inspire you: www.azergo.ch/toutes-nos-solutions/solutions/sieges-ergonomiques/tous-nos-sieges/siege-ergonomique-industriel-vega/. You will probably not find it in your country (depending where you live) but I want to show you what to aim at. One more thing: although it’s been a while since I was asked to do so, I still can publish a free review of your workplace if you send me pics of how you work (I need to see your whole body to assess clearly, but you can mask your face). If you want to benefit from this, just send me a mail: ogirard (at) trainyourposture.com I hope this helps!!

[@angelahomicz1813]

@@OlivierGirard Thank you so much for replying and for your suggestions. I’ll definitely take a look at them

[@junenacpil5724]

Hi Olivier! I love your videos! I'd like to ask what chair are you sitting on here? Thanks!

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey June! It’s a Kinnarps Plus 8 😄

[@jacobchristensen2464]

Can anyone help answer a question. When it comes to lumbar support placement, everything I am gathering that it should be just above your belt line? So the lowest part of the small of your back?

[@OlivierGirard]

Great question Jacob. Here is a short video that I dedicated to answering to this question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4mwfXuohNiNqM0

[@neowild8102]

Hello again, Why did you choose Kinarps 8 (synchro) instead of Kinarps 6 (free-float). Thank you!

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey! The main reason is that it feels more comfortable for me when I unlock the chair. I tend to use free float for people who need quite specific adjustments for XYZ reason, and then I lock the chair and tell them not to touch it anymore :)

[@Babayagaom]

Hey oliver .hope you are doing well.😊When I reclined with lumbar pillow I feel my back is hollow and it pains ..do you recommened to recline on flat surface when you recline 120-130 degrees ?

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey my friend!! I'm overbooked, but doing super well indeed!! Yep, you're right.... the more you recline, the slimer should you lumbar support be. And actually, when you recline fully, the cushion should be under your knees to keep your back flat. So somehow (you made me think like this: I never thought of it myself, there is like a 3-fold relationship: the angle of your back determines both the thickness and position of the ideal pillow. I'll try to formalize this and publish a video to share my thoughts...

[@Babayagaom]

@@OlivierGirard haha sure.i will be waiting for your video.I experienced this in car so thought about asking you.

[@florindanila7034]

Hello, your chait looks comfortable what chair is it? Great videos by the ways

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey! It's the Kinnarps Plus 8: www.kinnarps.com/products/seating/task-chairs/plus/ Thanks for the feedback!!

[@AAX2147]

Dear sir. Thanks for all your videos and deep respect for your work. My query is that... Due to already having wrong posture it is becoming difficult to differentiate whether my chair is a fitting my pelvic/lumbar area correctly. Hence, are there certain very objective tests to differentiate between a correct versus a wrong fit. Fit in the sense of our buttocks fitting in the chair. Thanks sir.

[@OlivierGirard]

Hi Anagh... I don't think there are such tests really. The quality of the fit is assessed by your proprioception (= body awareness) as well as by your stability in the chair without doing any particular effort after a few minutes. It's really like: feel for yourself. Does this make sense?

[@AAX2147]

@@OlivierGirardThank you for the prompt response sir. That definitely helps. Also if we apply your method of sitting flat back, by checking the sitting bones and lumbar bone. Then it's just a matter of matching that position with the chair curve. Hope I am on the right direction ! :)

[@mattostovitz1098]

What are your opinions of the lumbar support of the Herman Miller Embody?

[@OlivierGirard]

I'll let you know this in a month or so, Matt... I have an appointment to test the Embody end May 😉

[@mattostovitz1098]

@@OlivierGirard thats awesome olivier. Can't wait. Also! There is this video released from Razer titled something such as "razer wellness team episode 2 - ergonomics." It is a video aimed at gamers, such as myself. In this video their "posture expert" suggests the idea that when someone is playing a game competitively they must sit in an "active posture stance" versus a "relaxed posture stance." I would love to hear your take on this particular video. I do perform better when I am in the perched posture he describes, however, my lower back rounds. I would love to hear your take on this video and its suggestions. Thanks!

[@madisonandmikeporter2022]

What office chairs would you recommend for long hours of sitting?

[@OlivierGirard]

there are 2 ones that I like: mine (Kinnarps Plus: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2PaqJ9sj9Sbgsk) and Steelcase Gesture (kzbin.info/www/bejne/onfKo2uant1jabM). But there are tons of chairs out there, many of which are great! Malmstolen T4000, for example, is expensive but incredibly comfortable in terms of seating.

[@keren1126]

What is the sofa seat which you have in this video?

[@OlivierGirard]

It's a Kinnarps Plus 8 :)

[@keren1126]

@@OlivierGirard No, I mean the Sofa seat with the electric lumbar support at 3.41mins in the video.

[@OlivierGirard]

@@keren1126 Oh, sorry! It's this one: www.straessle-switzerland.com/en/produkt/comfort-line/aaron/

[@felicitelordon9673]

Thanks for the great videos! Do you have any opinion on "active sitting" solutions, such as the Ariel 2.0 by Qor360? The design claims that lumbar support is not necessary a good thing, which has me confused (see kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ-bY4itfpV4a5I)

[@lkjqsdf]

so it means that almost all, or all expensive car seats are not ergonomic