Aeron chair not comfortable ?

[kohsamui100]

I’m totally confused! By a recommendation from a friend, I went and bought a second hand Aeron (size B, my hight is 175cm), in a pretty new condition. I must be able to sit 10-12 hours a day and program, and sitting for so long and for so many years on a cheap “manager” type of chair did not do much good to my back, so I wanted to get the best of the best once and for all and forget it, but this new Aeron is a nightmare ! For the life of me, I don’t get why people consider this chair “extremely conforable” or “the best office chair in the world”... it’s extremely stiff and feels too hard at the middle back, like something is constantly pushing hard into it. Im just not able to sit more that half an hour on it without having my back hurt! I have tried to fine-adjust it to diffnerent heights, tilts, back support depths, and the mesh is tight and just like new. I know it’s not a fake Aeron. It’s the classic model with the butterfly type lower back support. I have no special back problem history... What am I missing ??

 

[olup]

I’m totally confused! By a recommendation from a friend, I went and bought a second hand Aeron (size B, my hight is 175cm), in pretty a new condition. I must be able to sit 10-12 hours a day and program, and sitting for so long and for so many years on a cheap “manager” type of chair did not do much good to my back, so I wanted to get the best of the best once and for all and forget it, but this new Aeron is a nightmare ! For the life of me, I don’t get why people consider this chair “extremely conforable” or “the best office chair in the world”... it’s extremely stiff and feels too hard at the lower back, like something is constantly pushing too hard at this area. Im just not able to sit more that half an hour on it without having my back hurt! I have tried to fine-adjust it to diffnerent heights and tilts, and the mesh is tight and just like new. I know it’s not a fake Aeron. It’s the classic model with the butterfly type lower back support. I have no special back problem history... What am I missing ??

Never had an Aeron, but if it's not for you then sell it and get something you're sitting more comfortably on. Shop around and try what works best for you.

 

[RichardMZhlubb]

You’re not alone. I have an Aeron chair at home, but I stopped using it because I found this $200 IKEA chair far more comfortable.

https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/00103102/

 

[Bart Kela]

No task chair is going to be perfect for everyone. I have an Aeron that I am satisfied with but I certainly know that it's not for everyone.

Go find something that feels better. This applies to anything with an ergonomic impact: desks, monitors, mice, trackballs, keyboards, lighting, etc.

 

[jtara]

What do you mean "not comfortable"?

You don't think printing a waffle pattern on your back is comfortable?!

Try a LEAP chair. I'm more than happy with mine. It's ~15 years old now. I had to replace the arms - originally it had a flawed arm design, the arms were stuffed and would easily become "unstuffed".

There was a fairly recent design change, and of course different opinions about it. So, you might want to try "old design" and "new design".

I have the Coach leather edition. (Not sure if still made). I've heard some bad things about the regular leather LEAPs, but the Coach edition has held-up nicely.

And... DON'T sit there programming for 10-12 hours! Get up, move around, take a break!

 

[D.T.]

Aeron chairs have a bit of a hype (especially in the tech sector, where your startup _had_ to spend $1M on Herman Miller to be legitimate ... ), it's not that they're not a solid chair, but like anything designed for human beings, it's very subjective person-to-person.

Try a LEAP chair. I'm more than happy with mine. It's ~15 years old now. I had to replace the arms - originally it had a flawed arm design, the arms were stuffed and would easily become "unstuffed".

Steel Case products are fantastic, including the service/support.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

I have and love my Aeron. Though part of the reason I bought it is because it is a design icon. I am sure that other chairs have surpassed it in terms of ergonomics and comfort (as it was designed 20+ years ago), but those two things were only part of the equation for me.

 

[bluespark]

I also don't find Aeron chairs particularly comfortable, especially for long periods of time. For the OP, where did you hear that these chairs are “extremely conforable” and “the best office chair in the world”? The chairs look great, but I thought the comfort issues were pretty well-known, although I'm sure that depends on the individual.

Personally, I love Steelcase chairs. The build, aesthetics, and comfort of those chairs all work for me. But the only thing that really matters is what works for you.

 

[ActionableMango]

What am I missing ??

Chairs are a personal preference and fit kind of thing. There's no one chair that's great for everyone.

I really like the Aeron chair. But I like mesh chairs in general because I typically feel too warm with padded chairs. Like being on a hot pillow at night, but you can't flip a chair to the cool side. Mesh chairs never feel hot like that.

I think chairs are like shoes, you really need to try them on first. I'd go to a few stores with showrooms and try several out.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Personally, I have never liked Aeron, though they are highly rated by quite a number of people.

And again, personally, (and chairs are such a personal preference, as @ActionableMango points out), I don't care for mesh seats, either.

My chair, at home, was made to order by the German company Klöber.

 

[Clix Pix]

I've always been very happy with my Aeron chair, which I bought at a Healthy Back store after trying out various chairs. Having had surgery for a herniated disk, I realized that I needed something more supportive and functional than the cheap little office chair I'd been using at home. I don't really care for padded chairs, as many seem to cushion me in the wrong places. I like the mesh, as a lot of times in the warmer weather seasons I don't bother with air conditioning and prefer to have doors and windows open with fresh air.....which can be a bit humid at times. I'm never hot or uncomfortable in my mesh Aeron chair but would likely be in a leather cushioned one.

 

[max2]

I tried the Aeron and another Herman Miller chair, forgot the name of it will look it up one minute, disliked them both.

Now have a Steelcase Gesture which I love!
[doublepost=1516602435][/doublepost]It was the embody.

 

[Gutwrench]

I sit all day in a stock office chair and it’s fine for me. I’m a developer too and I’m always leaning forward on the keyboard. Rarely am I leaning back using the back support except when thinking (which I try to avoid) or sleeping.

Maybe you need more projects with aggressive deadlines. They might help make your chair more comfortable.

 

[jtara]

I sit all day in a stock office chair and it’s fine for me. I’m a developer too and I’m always leaning forward on the keyboard.

Maybe time for some custom reading glasses for work?

A few years ago, I noticed I was losing feeing in one hand. So went and had a neurologist do the electrical tests where they go up and down your arm to determine where the signals stop. He says "so, what are you doing with your elbow..."

Leaning on the desk. That's what I was doing! Doh!

 

[ejb190]

My office chair is a garage sale bar height stool that works perfect when I need to set my briefcase next to me or my feet get tired at my standing desk. To each their own.

 

[Gutwrench]

Maybe time for some custom reading glasses for work?

A few years ago, I noticed I was losing feeing in one hand. So went and had a neurologist do the electrical tests where they go up and down your arm to determine where the signals stop. He says "so, what are you doing with your elbow..."

Leaning on the desk. That's what I was doing! Doh!

Just tonight I was researching and considering to make an appointment with a lasik doctor to see if I’m a candidate. I looked around my office today and those leaning back on their chair were in the overwhelming minority. Of course we have several using those desks that can be raised to a standing position (that’s crazy talk in my case) and few people sitting on those stupid gigantic balls.

I’ve not had any tendinitis as a developer. I did develop a minor problem as a lifter...hammers and skull crusher make it flare up. Then a stint of carpal tunnel problems when using a knife in the same probate position in a packing house. Meh.

 

[jtara]

As a developer, you should be very cautious about Lasik. Yes, it will correct your far vision. But when you get older, you may well wish you hadn't. Because you might then need reading glasses even to see your phone.

A good friend is a Materials Scientist. He has to do a lot of close work, microscope, building little fixtures for holding samples, etc. He got Lasik, and even thought he was being prudent waiting until his 30s to make sure his distance vision was stable.

Now he regrets it.

Everyone develops presbyopia (inability of the muscles to focus) at some point. If you are nearsighted, and you have a job that requires that you work close, you will either not need reading glasses, or at least will be able to "pass" without them. If you have your far vision corrected with Lasik, now when you get presbyopia, your fixed-focus (or narrow focus range) will be near infinity, and you will absolutely need reading glasses (or bifocals/progressive) when you get older, for the most mundane of tasks.

Since I am a developer - I am lucky I am nearsighted!

Now, full disclosure - I did have ortho-K contacts at one time. They reshape the eyeball, similar to Lasik. But there is some (but not full) "rebound" when/if you stop wearing them. My vision is a a very useful focus range now. While I wear progressive lenses when I leave the house, I *can* drive (though not legally) without them if I have to. My far vision is not the blur it was before the ortho-K. And I can read perfectly well with no correction at a comfortable reading distance (not up to my face, nor having to hold at arm's length). I need the bottom part of the progressives for mid-range. I would have trouble reading prices on a supermarket aisle without them, or trouble reading my phone at a distance, like in my car.

You could get less-than-perfect Lasik correction, but most opt for that perfect far vision. I don't know if that's something they do. You'd still need glasses say to drive, but it might be better to not have one big blur when uncorrected if you are very nearsighted to start.

You need to have a talk with the doctor about your lifestyle and work.

BTW, the reason I was leaning in... I am old-school enough to like to take notes on paper while I work, so I leave ample room on my desk for that. So, my screen is pushed back further than most, and it's not at my optimal reading distance. I have moved it forward since the "elbow incident".

 

[dhershberger]

I'm not sure about yours, but my Aeron - which I love - is fully adjustable, from the height of the arm rests, the height and depth of the lumbar support, to the amount of force required to lean back. If your discomfort is due to something like this you may be able to adjust it so its more comfortable.

 

[rdowns]

I swear by my Aeron chairs. Have at home and work. Are you adjusting it properly?

https://www.hermanmiller.com/conten...ion/classic_aeron_chairs_adjustment_guide.pdf

 

[BernyMac]

I must be able to sit 10-12 hours a day and program, and sitting for so long .......................... I have no special back problem history... What am I missing ??

I hope I am reading this correctly...but, no matter how comfortable a chair may be, sitting for that long is NEVER going to be comfortable. I doubt that the human body is designed to be stationary for that amount time. Is there no room for you to move around a bit? Try an adjustable height table and chair, so you are forced to move. Set alarms to remind you to move or stand.

 

[0388631]

Use one at work. I'm not crazy about it, but it gets the job done.

 

[dontomazo]

Hey peepz.
I just found a Aeron online, looking to be original, not remastered at a stupid low price so I bought it sight unseen, if i bomb it will with shipping still only cost me the same as a crappy chair that dies after 1-2 years so took a chance. Can you identify the chair on these pictures ?
(no wear on seat or back and i payed 50$ )

rgds
mo

 

[kohsamui100]

Hey peepz.
I just found a Aeron online, looking to be original, not remastered at a stupid low price so I bought it sight unseen, if i bomb it will with shipping still only cost me the same as a crappy chair that dies after 1-2 years so took a chance. Can you identify the chair on these pictures ?
(no wear on seat or back and i payed 50$ )

rgds
mo

50$ is basically for free Seems like a great deal, although I'm not sure the height mechanism is ok, something looks wrong there in the picture. It's a first or second generation Aeron with no posturefit.

 

[dontomazo]

my thoughts aswell, as soon as i saw the picture under "gaming chairs" i just payed for it, her advert was up 20 minutes before she put sold on it
According to her the up n down works fine, that is the mechanic i was worried about, but still at this price i can change piston and other part without breaking a sweat.

Well it seems the 1or 2nd gen are more valuable to the design freaks then the rest, functionality got nothing on design apperently
if this is the case i might sell this early version and buy a remastered one instead

 

[monokakata]

I tried the Aeron and another Herman Miller chair, forgot the name of it will look it up one minute, disliked them both.

Now have a Steelcase Gesture which I love!
[doublepost=1516602435][/doublepost]It was the embody.

Perfect example of what Scepticalscribe was saying (chairs are such a personal thing) -- I was OK with my Aeron although I didn't love it. Then one of the arms broke, so I got an Embody and it's the most comfortable chair I've ever had. And I sit at my desk for many hours a day.

I love discussions like this. I mean -- really. Just look around at the individual variation in body form and then ask whether there's likely to be a single chair design that works for everybody. Of course there isn't (and I'm not saying you said there was, not at all).

Sometimes I really wish I lived in a large town where I could do chair-testing (not that I'm in the market, but just to see). I'd like to sit in something from Steelcase or Leap. But I'd have to spend $200 on airfare to fly to Honolulu for that. And I'm not going to.

As for the OP's issues -- at one point I started using a flat cushion on my Aeron seat. I couldn't manage to find an adjustment that kept the seat's horizontal alignment where it worked for me. I always felt as though I was sliding down out of it. The cushion fixed that.

Also, OP, you might try a footrest. I use one that's adjustable and also light enough to shove out of the way when I don't want it. The footrest lets me adjust the angle at my knees to whatever feels comfortable at a given moment. I got mine from Amazon -- it was cheap and it's lasted for years.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002LCW8U