Wednesday
Jul252007
Are you sitting comfortably?
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 12:14AM 
...Well I definitely wasn't.
Working as a freelance creative is a demanding job, I spend a lot of time generating concepts and in the subsequent production work - in addition to the necessary admin in running the business itself. This means an unhealthy amount of time sitting in my work chair, so I thought I should do something about that nagging thought I've been having that my old office chair was less than ideal (it was!) and about that even more nagging back pain that had been on the increase lately.
Being in the design industry myself I'd already heard of Herman Miller, but I never got to actually sit in one of their chairs until a while ago while doing some freelance work in another design office, where they had installed the famous Aeron chairs from Herman Miller. You only need to sit in one of these chairs for a short while to understand why they are so popular, despite the high price-tag, it really is that noticeable, the chair even feels better as you get more used to it. I was convinced.
These chairs are truly excellent products and, of course, they come at a premium price, but I think they offer good value for money as they really do live up to the comfort promise and are built to last. Herman Millar chairs come with a twelve-year warranty, yes, you read that right, twelve years.
I didn't spring for the Aeron model, I went for the Mirra instead, since almost all the chairs in their range have the same huge number of adjustment options for a really personalised fit anyway - and I like the lighter look of the Mirra.
On many a long working session I have wondered what it would cost for a really good chair, now I know... the Mirra costs around £500 here in the UK, depending where you buy it from. I bought mine here. Worth the money I say, not only do I feel comfortable and less stressed when working but the backache is noticeably reduced now and I know it's this chair that has made the difference.
But hey, don't just take my word for it, here's a great review of the Mirra chair from another designer.
I really wish I'd bought this chair a long time ago, but I'm glad to have it now. If you spend a lot of time at your desk owe it to your good health to check out the chairs from Herman Miller.
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Reader Comments (7)
Well, welcome to hermanmiller comfort, Davy! =:-)
I've been using a Herman Miller Aeron in my Pennsylvania office since about 2000 and I do love it. Mind you--there are things that annoy me about it too, like the fact I can't allow it to lean forward whilst preventing it from leaning backwards, but by and large I love using a chair I don't have to think about or get annoyed with. The office in Cleveland is not so well outfitted and it is a bit of a frustration there! It becomes easy to take the comfortable bottom for granted, eh?
Well, happy sitting-on-your-arse, mate! You do it so very, very well... :P
Mike
Hey Mike,
You're right, the more I use this chair the happier I am about buying it. The Aerons are excellent, although I went for the Mirra. I think I want all my chairs to be from Herman Miller now.
And you'll be happy to know that 'sitting-on-arse' is now improving to ninja status with this chair ;-)
Davy, did you get any options for the chair, or just go for the bog standard version? Thinking of getting one myself...
A Chara Davy,
At the start of this article I kind of thought maybe you ran off with herman millers daughter and for soe reason or other you were branwashed on a new branding of chair design.....
never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be interested in a post on chairs. I read this in full. It was good mate. I liked it. I must admit I did 'get a go' in one of these superb 'contraptions'. You are right. I'll live with the memory for a little bit longer.
Go raibh míle maith agat. Slán
peter
Phil,
Apologies for delay in responding to your comment. I went for the 'Full Monte' on the Mirra chair, didn't see the point of ordering it with only some of the adjustments when the whole deal is all about the personalisation of the chair itself. I'm a happy camper with it too. Also the full-spec Mirra costs less than the same options in the Aeron. I tried the Aeron too, liked it but could not see/feel where the extra money was going.
Cheers.
Peter,
Thanks for the Bon Mots!
Yes I do seem somewhat enthusiastic about the chair, but with good reason - as anyone who spends as much time as I do sitting in one all day. I'm happy to champion and share on anything I find to be so good a product as this - and so well designed, aesthetically and ergonomically.
And dig that 12 YEAR warranty, how confident are they on their product lifespan?
Er, he has a daughter too?...
A Chara Davy,
brilliant product well structured and worded post agus bulaidh bós faoi sin. For the short time I did get to sit in one of 'The Man's' [and he truly is 'The Man] fine inventions it did feel [genuinely] amazing! it is hard to explain - although you have done this so well.
I think my new ambition is to sit longer in one! thats how great they are - i suppose you might say Davy - i'm in awe and fankly quite jealous!
yours sincerely [sitting on a log in my garden with a hardened rear]
peter