Three years ago, on my 34th birthday, I got the greatest present of all…back surgery! That’s right, it would seem that a lifetime of slouching, and a good ten years sitting at a computer terminal was more than my poor little spine could handle, and I ended up with a bulging disc that caused so much sciatic pain I would cry like a little girl after sitting upright for just ten minutes. In the end, I began to lose function in my right leg, feeling in my right foot, and had to reduce my workload to two hours a day. Even at two hours I would leave the office in tears.
That surgery was the greatest gift I ever received, and after a year of hell, I woke up from a short medical procedure with no back pain whatsoever…it was a freakin’ miracle! They had told me I would probably feel great after the surgery, but I guess I didn’t really believe them. This time I cried for joy ; )
Anyways, determined to never go through that kind of hell again, I spent a good part of my mandatory 4-weeks off researching ergonomic chairs. After having my wife Lori drive me all over the Greater Sacramento Region trying out different chairs, I finally settled on the king of them all – the Leap Chair, by Steelcase.
Yep, it cost me somewhere around $1,000, but this thing is so adjustable, and so incredibly comfortable, that’s it’s worth every penny. To this day I suffer absolutely zero back pain…of course, I’m religious about taking care of my back in other ways too (stretch, stretch, stretch!) but I will never go back to a cheap $50 Office Max chair.
The price is just far too high to pay.
Get The Latest Price on the Leap Ergonomic Chair, by Steelcase (Aff.)
Technorati Tags: Ergonomic Chair, Leap Chair, Office Supplies, Steelcase
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
How does it compare to the infamous Aeron Chair by Herman Miller?
http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/0,,a10-c440-p8,00.html
Ahh, good question Keith…my personal opinion is that there was no comparison at all. I tried them both out extensively, and while the Aeron is super-cool to look at (amazingly it still doesn’t look outdated!) there is an absolute lack of cushioning, which doesn’t exactly make for a soft landing ; ) For looks, the Aeron has the Leap beat.
Seriously though, it’s like the difference between a sofa and a hammock…the netting of the hammock might give a bit, but it doesn’t feel soft like the pillows on your couch.
Anyways, just my opinion, but I really did put a lot of effort into finding the right chair – I mean, it’s not every day that I’ve got $1000 to spend on a desk chair!
Three years later I’m more than satisfied : )
I cannot agree more when it comes to the importance of an ergonomic chair, Another I can highly recommend is the obusforme chair simply do a google search to find out more info on this chair.
The Aeron!
All the blogs i read on this subject talk about the excellent areon ergonomic office chair from hermanmiller, OK it’s a good ergonomic chair and looks cool but there are a lot of us out there who just can’t afford the aeron. i haven’t tried the obusforme ergonomic chair, so cannot comment on that, but i have tried the similar looking girsberger folio, what at half the price and all the comfort is definitely worth a look, girsberger have also recently released the reflex ergonomic office chair, it a classic to look and very impressive to sit on.
Rh ergonomic office chairs also have a very impressive range, but I’m not sure they have a mesh chair in the range.
I have heard a lot about the Ergohuman mesh chair. Have you heard of it? If so, how do think that chair compares with this Leap Chair? Here is a link where i am considering buying from. http://www.1officefurnituremall.com/raynor-ergohuman/ME7ERG-Mesh-High-Back-Chair.php
That ergohuman looks quite trick!! Although it certainly has a price tag to match… If you are looking for a heavy duty ergonomic chair try Googling Syncrotek Executive Office chair.. Doesn’t look as fancy but is really heavy duty!!
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