The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss - Latest Comments in Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

edin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:42:39 -0000

I have recently purchased the new polished aluminum/black seat Aeron stool for a new hire in my office, unfortunately, he is on a medical leave. I would like to trade my Aeron stool for a B/size Aeron with the same finishes. please respond if you or someone is interested.

Thanks!
ed

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Alec — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:01:04 -0000

Great post! I have never seen such a comprehensive comparison between office chairs. Reading through these wonderful comments should be a blog post in itself. How has the Aeron worked out for you? Great setup, and I agree that Lumbar support is key. Thanks for sharing!

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Edin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:55:25 -0000

I am a 20 year trained interior architect living very happy, mostly in part to my Aeron chair and stool. For many years I suffered agonizing backpain and frustration because I could not see myself spendind this kind of money; except my clients', then one day, I added (totalled) all my medical bills and realized that I could have had 10 aeron chairs if I had made my mind long time ago. But It is never too late...I am still very happy.
I don't understand this dud who want his 1,000.00 back...I think his problems is deeper than his argument.

Peace to all!

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

David — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:30:16 -0000

My back problems also disappeared after a few weeks with an Aeron. But a few years with the Aeron gave me pelvic floor neuralgia with possible pudendal nerve entrapment. Herman Miller, I want my $1000 back!

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Allen Hollywood — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:12:42 -0000

Tim
I find it interesting you are writing on a laptop. I think you would find it much faster to be using two monitors and a regular keyboard and mouse. Time yourself typing on a regular keyboard and then on your laptop. It is not just about being handy to travel if you spend much time in your chair I think you would be more effective with better tools.
Allen

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Lupita Michel — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:33:18 -0000

Muchas gracias por contestar Tim.... and I will keep looking for a job online, cause I refuse to work for the man 8 or 10 hours a day and be tied up to a place.... and let me tell you that your spanish is very sofisticado.... I don't live in PV, I'm in vancouver Ca now, but I love it there too.... Bueno gotta go now, where are you by the way????

Cuidate and have lots of fun
Ciao bello

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

timferriss — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:11:56 -0000

Hola Lupita,

Gracias por tu comment! Lo del trabajo online es un tema muy individual, pero con tiempo y practica lo puedes lograr sin problema. I apologize if my Spanish is a bit rusty, but that's is hysterical that you saw me at ZOO! Next time, we'll need to grab a drink and catch up. I loved PV and hope to be back soon.

All the best y un abrazo gordo,

Tim

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Lupita Michel — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:54:57 -0000

Hola Tim... Fijate que te vi en puerto vallarta having fun en el ZOO around the 16th de enero, I wanted to talk to you so Bad, soy fanatica de tu libro y todavia no puedo creer que no tuve el valor para acercarme. I didn't want to bother you, you were having fun with your friend and some chicas mexicanas... especialmente la del vestidito morado.... you are a very good dancer too....Pero me dio gusto que te sepas divertir!!! y todo esto te lo digo en buena onda!!!! Espero que me contestes este mail... se que es casi imposible, pero please, please dime como puedo encontrar un trabajo online that is legit.... I really, really need your help... me imagino que todos los dias recibes miles de correos como este... pero yo te vi en persona y fui una cobarde, por eso meresco tu atencion....
Cuidate mucho y te deseo lo mejor del mundo

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Serafine — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:52:03 -0000

Hey Tim,

I am a local ergonomist and would be happy to come by sometime to assess your workstation -- no cost to you. This way you can figure out what products you might actually need to help you to work in a neutral position. Check out my website and contact me if you are interested.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Brockdin Barr — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:33:38 -0000

Hi Tim,

I've always loved the look of the Aeron, but how will your back be in a few months? I'd like to have a part 2 to this post in the near future, I'm curious because... I have a friend who is a dancer and yoga expert. I asked him about sitting for long periods of time and what a good position was a his response was quite surprising. The thinking that there is a "perfect" position is the problem. Our bodies get sore when any position is held for a long period. Also, I once spoke to a office chair salesperson, who sold the Aeron, but told me to buy a $200 standard office chair with the 3 adjustment levers, so you can change your position up every few days. Stretching also helps. Thanks for this post.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Ben fury — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:50:31 -0000

Hi Tim!

We reassessed office seating a few years back and chose the Neutral Posture 8700 with the deep contour seat. Got a two fer deal from Office Organix, so we got two $1300 chairs for $650 a piece. Best office decor money we ever spent!

I've worked deadline pressure in this chair for 13 hours a day and never had more than mild discomfort. No matter how perfect the chair, eventually you just need to get up and move around more, more often!

I checked out the Aeron's and they're fine chairs. But after 8 years of ownership, I'm glad I bought the Neutral Posture.

Be well,
Ben Fury
Bettercise

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Winkyboy — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:08:15 -0000

I'm surprised you went with the Aeron, and I'm SHOCKED that your findings said 90% of people interviewed about it gave it a good deal. Our office bought about 30 or so of these kinds of chairs (OMG, spendy.) and almost every single one broke within 6 months of owning them. The backs no longer stay upright and the height of most of the chairs is no longer adjustable. They are absolute junk.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Fai — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:36:51 -0000

If you are traveling a lot, you might want to consider this portable Laptop Laidback v3.

http://www.laptop-laidback....

It can raise the laptop much higher than other laptop risers and all you have to do is attach a keyboard and mouse to it. :-)

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Andy — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:15:42 -0000

Re the shoes, although I'm rather loathe to admit it, I picked up some crocs at Costco and they are fantastic. I do have to run the gauntlet of snarky comments though.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Ryan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:21:57 -0000

Saw some mentions of computer keyboards on this thread. Don't get me started on Dvorak vs QWERTY now... :) I've been on Dvorak for about 6 years and haven't had any of the repetitive stress/carpal tunnel you get from QWERTY. It may not be your keyboard, simply your layout. For an entertaining read, and possibly a nudge to convert you to Dvorak, read this comic about the topic:
http://dvzine.org/zine/inde...

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Greg K, London — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:21:09 -0000

Tim

To get thebest out of the Aeron chair you need to replace the lumbar support with the adjustable pelvic support, the new chairs have this feature. This is available from HM (not cheap at £75 / $105 per chair).

The effect of removing the lumar support is to take the shear stress off the lower back and revieve the strain on the lower back muscles= no pain.
I have one at work and one at home fitted to two chairs bought on Ebay for 1/4 the HM price. Used this setup for 4 years withiut problems -try it; lumbar support is one of the dumbest ideas ever to come out of orthopedics, it messes up the biomechanics and adds stress to the lower back just where you do not want it.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Serafine — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:32:38 -0000

Now that you have a chair that is adjustable and providing you lumbar support, maybe I can get you to get an external keyboard and mouse and raise your monitor up to your eye height. That can also allow for better posture, help you sit more upright and help improve the neck and shoulder area, which in turn, since everything is connected help the whole spine.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

JM — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:38:43 -0000

Hi Tim,

I'm a big fan of your book. I have recommended to everyone I met and personally offered to at least 25 people. I am presently reading a second time. Thanks for the inspiration.

As for posture and back pain, you have to visit the Postura Clinic on Montreal's South Shore (www.postura.ca - their current Website isn't great but they are presently working on a new version). Their work on proprioception blew me away and I'm sure they'll impress you too. If you happen to visit Montreal, give me a buzz, I'll be glad to give a hand. Take care.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Gonzalo Paternoster — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:51:07 -0000

Can you post how to pick a great pair of shoes?

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

RacerXX — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:44:23 -0000

I second the Steelcase Leap chair. I've used the Aeron for years at my jobs and to me, they weren't comfortable for a few long-hauls I had at the office (I'm an IT worker). The Steelcase is much more comfortable and solid for my tastes.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Avery T. Horton, Jr. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:37:21 -0000

Back in the 1980s, I went to a call center in Maryland that had the most comfortable chair I have ever sat in. I have an Aeron now but would prefer one of those liquid filled chairs. After sitting in the chair for about 10 - 20 minutes, ALL STRESS would be gone from your back. I wish I would have noted the make/model of those chairs.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Siebre — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:52:04 -0000

Tim,

May I suggest moving away from a laptop if posture is of utmost importance?

A desktop is much better for your posture. The menu bar in OS X should be at the same height as your eyes. With a laptop, this is not possible.

Perhaps something to elevate your laptop and an external keyboard may be ideal.

Regards,
Siebre

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

stacycolorado — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:57:29 -0000

Like some of the others, I am also curious which mattress you chose? Please elaborate!

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Andrew — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:54:58 -0000

Anyways, 6 hours isn't enough to make much of a judgement.

Something very important I figured out this year was that having the wrong chair may play a very big role in carpel tunnel.

I had an old ergonomic chair at my home office. I had various problems over the past few years, ended up spending several thousand dollars just trying all kinds of keyboards (including the iconic datahand.) After spending several months away from home, my problems vanished.

During this time I was using either a normal keyboard or laptop keyboard -- and sitting in an Aeron chair. The last time I had used a normal keyboard I had reached the point I thought I would have to stop using computers completely.

So yeah, office chair matters big time. More than just your back will thank you.

Re: Finding the Perfect Office Chair: Aeron vs. Swiss Ball vs. the FBI’s Pick…

Alex H. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:57:15 -0000

Tried most of those. Really liked the design of the Liberty, but was awful for me (too short, hit in all the wrong places). Also did six months at a standing desk.

Ended up with the Aeron and it has been outstanding for the last year & a half or so. Yes, it's more expensive than a cheapo from the office supply store, but will end up being the same cost if your cheapo (like mine) ends up having to be replaced every couple years. There is a pretty swamped market of used Aerons, if you keep your eyes open, and they tend to hold up pretty well used, too.