Everyone's very fussy about the chair they use at work: after all, you spend a lot of hours sitting in it, and you want it to be just right. Amy Joyce, in today's Washington Post, relates, and writes about how devastating loss of one's chair can be. From her article:
- "You spend eight hours a day in your chair. It's like a security blanket," said Denise Miller.
"I know a guy who changed five jobs within the company and took his chair with him, state to state," said Ken Tamelig, group leader for seating at Steelcase.
...Workers need something contoured to fit them and their office aches and pains. And, as many of us know, it's hard to find that perfect fit. Hence, our fanatacism.
One of my co-workers recently mentioned that she wanted to work in another Washington Post bureau, not for any sort of career development, but rather because "They have great chairs there!"
I remain confounded by how off the road to true sitting bliss most people are: since I began using a Swiss Ball for an office chair many years ago (cost then: $22; cost today: $27), I have been the happiest of campers.
These balls are recommended by physical therapists for those with back or neck problems, and were used in Europe for decades (hence the name) before making their way to the U.S., where they remain in gyms and spas for directed exercise.
Heck, why wait until you have a problem? Get one today and sit pretty. The advantages:
Low cost
No one will steal or borrow it
It's comfortable as all get out
The constant small movements you make to sit on it keep your back muscles active and strong
If you get in a really good mood, you can bounce up and down on it
So what're you waiting for? I'd recommend this one.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
but....when i fall asleep in the afternoon i'll roll backwards and land on my back & everybody will laugh at me.
2 - Anita Campbell
I never used to be able to understand the loyalty people had for their chairs. UNTIL about 5 years ago, when I was moving a company division into a brand new building and had to order new furniture.
The CFO and I visited the Herman Miller showroom, sat down on the Aeron chairs and instantly looked at one another and said "We've got to get these chairs!" What's even more amazing is that neither of us at that point had asked the price of the chairs -- something especially remarkable for my colleague who was known for not parting with a nickel of the company's money unless he had squeezed it so hard it squealed and begged for mercy.
As it turned out we got a great price on the Aeron chairs and yes -- they were worth every nickel. Squeals and all.