This so called gaming chair gives me back pain

[stanleystf]

I bought this gaming chair a few weeks ago:

 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7593606

 

The back of the chair is really stiff and after using it for a few hours, I get a pain in my back.

 

There are so many positive reviews for the chair, though! I don't understand. Everybody is saying how comfortable it is.

 

Is it possible that there's something wrong with my back or the way I seat? I used to slough a bit. Is it possible that this chair's stiffness is a good thing that prevents slouching?

 

Or is it possible that those reviews are fake?

 

[Oshino Shinobu]

Gaming chairs are almost all bad for your posture and back, at least for long periods of sitting. That being said, that one doesn't look as bad as some of the others that are designed like a racing seat, but it also doesn't look particularly supportive.

 

Of course though, each person's body is different. What some find comfortable, others may not. Best option is to either go for a chair with a high range of adjustment (though you'll have to pay a premium for it), or even better, don't buy one until you've been able to sit in one. Stores like Staples and Ikea have options available that you can go and try first to get an idea of how they feel.

 

In terms of reviews, the sheer number of 5* reviews does seem suspect to me. Not sure if Argos is known to have fake reviews, but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

I'd advise trying to return the chair. Argos tends to be fairly good with returns.

[Thomas4]

No, it's most likely the chair that's the problem, the lumbar support is probably not properly positioned for your back - an extremely common problem with office type chairs - yes a gaming chair IS an office type chair albeit one with a higher back.

You need to

1. See if you can move the lumbar support to where it fits properly in the curve of your spine, some will let you do so.

2. Get any pillow available and place it between you and the chair at the position above. And if you find this comfortable, go out and buy a lumbar support pillow and use that.

3. If neither of these work, yes return the chair and go to the store and try it out, reviews are meaningless, after the quality of the chair's construction is mentioned, everything after that is merely personal opinion.

While I agree somewhat with Oshino above, a properly adjusted chair can be used for long periods of time,but even then every hour or so get up and walk around for a few minutes, your body will pay you back in dividends later in life.

[Brooksie359]

First and foremost I would recommend a different chair personally as it doesn't look ergonomic to me. I have had many chairs between the ones at the places I have worked at and the ones at home and I would say that one thing in common all of the good ones had was mesh back and proper lumbar support. You have those two things and you are basically set. 

[BiotechBen]

At £67 you aren't getting a particularly good chair. 

[solado]

32 minutes ago, stanleystf said:

Is it possible that there's something wrong with my back or the way I seat? I used to slough a bit. Is it possible that this chair's stiffness is a good thing that prevents slouching?

"Gaming chairs" are not ergonomic at all either you fit them or you don't. It's all marketing. Slouching is bad regardless of char but a good office chair will be far better for you long term with actual support and designed in a proper way.

 

Also cheaping out on a chair is a bad idea and one of the most overlooked parts of a setup, It's going to support you so worth stretching your budget further.

[Poinkachu]

35 minutes ago, stanleystf said:

There are so many positive reviews for the chair, though! I don't understand. Everybody is saying how comfortable it is.

Well, who knows what peoples were comparing it to. I mean, if I were to compare the chair with a super cheap office chair that is often sold in my country, pretty sure it'll be like sitting on heaven's couch.

Plus, pretty sure that's a standard non ergonomic cheap chair with "GAMING" slapped on it's name to entice gamers and the likes. Not to mention, slapping gaming on an item usually makes it able to be sold with higher price tag.
Not that I'm saying all gaming chair are surely comfy. Only a handful of them are.
But yeah, the ergonomic and comfy ones will cost premium.

[LogicalDrm]

-> Moved to Peripherals

 

First, using word "gaming" in any product name means its overpriced and/or shit. That looks like the most basic office chair with one adjustment.

 

Second, comfort is very personal preference. Third, even actual user reviews are written after day or two of use. Maybe not even that. If you look at only up to 3 star reviews, you get much realistic look.

 

Fourth, never buy anything where comfort is the main feature without trying it first. Applies to various things. Chairs, shoes, mice. Pics and measurements can only give fraction of the information you get from one sitting.

 

And lastly, if you want really good chair, go directly for office supply stores or even specialist. Expensive, yes. But better quality overall.

[PDifolco]

40 minutes ago, stanleystf said:

I bought this gaming chair a few weeks ago:

 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7593606

 

The back of the chair is really stiff and after using it for a few hours, I get a pain in my back.

 

There are so many positive reviews for the chair, though! I don't understand. Everybody is saying how comfortable it is.

 

Is it possible that there's something wrong with my back or the way I seat? I used to slough a bit. Is it possible that this chair's stiffness is a good thing that prevents slouching?

 

Or is it possible that those reviews are fake?

 

Well, I don't use this chair but I recently changed  mine, and the new one has a much stiffer back too

And now I don't slouch as much, stand more "correctly seated" and don't have any pain, so it's maybe by design