Are you a gamer and spend many hours of your day sitting in front of the screen playing video games? Do you find yourself feeling uncomfortable sitting in your current chair while gaming? Gaming chairs have been designed specifically for people who spend hours sitting on their chairs in front of the screen. While sitting in the incorrect chairs may not display problems earlier on, they are harmful to the body in the long term. Here is why gaming chairs are a worthy investment.
What Are The Features Of The Best Gaming Chair?
While most gaming chairs are similar to office chairs in many of their features to provide comfort and support, there are only a few differences between the two. There is a higher upper backrest as well as customizable armrests, headrests, and lumbar support for added comfort and support. Sitting in a good ergonomic gaming chair is important because it encourages and helps maintain the correct posture to take the strain off the user's neck and properly align the spine.
High Back Rest
A high backrest is incorporated in gaming chairs, which is the biggest difference between office and gaming chairs. A high backrest ensures enough support is provided to the upper back, shoulders, and neck. It helps to sit up straight, align the spine and minimize postural problems, pain, and discomfort. It also prevents the neck from getting sprained and reduces the risk of spasms and injuries.
Wide Seat Base
A good quality ergonomic gaming chair has a wide seat base to ensure that the thighs and lower body are fully supported. It shouldn't be too small; otherwise, it would be uncomfortable to sit on. Since gamers are required to sit for extended periods, it is essential that they have a comfortable experience on the chair; otherwise, they would have aches and pains from sitting on a tiny seat for such a long time.
Good Quality Seat Fabric
The quality of the seat fabric must be pure and breathable. It should allow air to circulate within itself so that the user does not get too hot and uncomfortable while sitting for long periods. Synthetic material is non-breathable and can make the user feel sweaty and hot.
Adjustable Height
An adjustable height feature is extremely important so the user can rest their feet on the ground while gaming. The height should be set such that the knees should be bent at an angle of 90 degrees and not more or less. The seat should not be too high, so the legs don't hang above the ground. both feet should be placed firm and flat on the ground.
Lumbar Support
Lumbar support is essential to maintain the natural S-shaped curve of the spine. Without adequate support, the user would end up bending their back too much or hunching over. This can cause misalignment of the spine or even a risk of injury. Therefore, it is essential to ensure adequate lumbar support in the chair.
Arm Rests
Armrests are important to allow the user to rest their arms so that they are at 90 degrees to the body. Overextending the arms can result in spraining the shoulder and pain and discomfort in the upper back and shoulders.
Swivel And Mobility Function
The swivel and mobility function in the gaming chair provides a mobility function to the chair so that the user can move around in the room to reach for items rather than leaving the chair. The mobility feature also allows the chair to be moved to a different room in case it needs to be used as an office chair for a workstation at home or in case it needs to be used in the living to relax and watch tv.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Gaming Chair?
Gamers are required to be seated for extended periods. Sitting for prolonged hours in the incorrect posture can damage the spine and cause multiple health problems. Therefore it is important that the user sits on a good quality ergonomic gaming chair so that they do not suffer from pain and discomfort related to incorrect posture and discomfort from sitting for extended periods.
Here are the benefits of using a gaming chair
They Can Be Adjusted
Gaming chairs are customizable; therefore, the armrests, backrests and headrests can be adjusted according to the user's preference. This makes the user feel more comfortable and well-supported throughout their gaming experience. They are able to adjust the chair according to their needs.
They Are Mobile
Gaming chairs have wheels, meaning you can just glide across the room any time you want a drink of water or use the restroom. You don't even have to get up from your chair to reach other parts of your room.
They Improve The Game
Gaming chairs heighten the gaming experience and improve the quality of your game. You are able to improve your gaming technique and enjoy the game more. Fatigue and discomfort from sitting on the chair can result in being distracted from the game and decreased performance in the game. Being comfortable improves focus and concentration on the game, boosts energy, and makes you happier.
They Improve The Experience
When you feel comfortable, and your focus is on the present, then you are able to enjoy your experience even more. Sitting on a good quality comfortable chair is bound to improve your overall gaming experience, and you play for longer hours without feeling pressured or fatigued.
They Maintain Good Posture
a good ergonomic gaming chair encourages the user to sit in the correct posture and maintain it correctly as well. Sitting in the correct posture is extremely important for the body as it helps avoid many health problems. Posture is defined as the manner in which one carries themselves. There are two types of postures. Dynamic and static posture. Dynamic posture is described as the posture that the body assumes when it is moving, such as when the person is walking, running, or bending. Static posture, on the other hand, is when the body is at rest, such as while sitting, standing or sleeping.
Since gamers are required to be sitting for extended periods, it is important that they are aware of their posture and make sure that they maintain it correctly.
Good sitting posture is described below:
Sit in a comfortable seat so that your lower body and thighs are properly supported on the chair
You should sit with your feet flat and firm on the ground
Your knees should be bent at 90 degrees
Your ankles should be placed behind your knees
There should be adequate upper back and lumbar support for the spine
You should either let your arms hang by your side or rest both arms on armrests so that your elbows are at 90 degrees
Tips To Minimize Pain
For people who are sitting for extended periods, here are some tips that you can take care of to help minimize pain and discomfort.
1. Take frequent breaks and stand up or walk around
2. Get up and take a break after sitting consistently for 30 minutes
3. You may get up and take a water break or go to the restroom
4. Take breaks and do stretches while sitting on your chair, or you may stand and do some stretches as well
5. Make sure that the screen is placed at eye level so that you don't have to lift your head or crane your neck to get a good view
6. Make sure that the screen is not placed in front of bright light or a window to reduce glare on the screen, as that can result in a headache or eye strain
7. Sitting for too long can cause the muscles to stiffen up, and therefore it is important to get up and allow the muscles to loosen up to allow good circulation throughout the body.
8. Sitting for too long can also interfere with digestion; therefore, it is not recommended to keep sitting after a large meal, and better to stand up and walk around for a little while.
9. Rest your eyes and look away from the screen after 20 minutes of constant sitting to prevent straining your eyes
The Final Word
Investing in a good-quality ergonomic gaming chair, especially if you sit for prolonged hours, is important. FlexiSpot has some fantastic gaming chair options that you can use interchangeably as an office chair as well. There are many different options that you can choose between for the one that you prefer most. They are definitely recommended to improve the gaming experience and reduce any kind of pain and discomfort that you might experience from sitting for extended periods. At the same time, they also help encourage us to maintain a good posture while sitting to avoid suffering from pain and discomfort from posture related problems.
