If you ever feel like a nerd for spending too much on your sitting posture, remember that the science of proper sitting originated in 1973, when NASA was studying how to make astronauts comfortable on prolonged space missions. Do you still feel like a nerd? Well, I probably made you feel like a bigger one, but don’t fret. You are in the company of the people who put a dude on the moon, so… it is not all bad. Believe it or not, this observation of “neutral posture” was the origin of the humble gaming chair, the sweaty throne of nerds and geeks everywhere. 

Your gaming chair has a history in space and sports. Your posterior should feel a tad more enthusiastic for that alone! For nearly two decades, the gaming industry has been dominated by “racing style” gaming chairs. And this isn’t just some fancy marketing gimmick, but we’ll get to that in a minute. Gaming chair companies are among the biggest sponsors of esport teams, players and streamers around, so you would be forgiven for thinking that these chairs were originally designed to make gaming comfortable. You would be wrong. Gaming chair companies initially took their designs from sports cars, and the seats were designed to keep drivers stable in their cockpits at speeds in excess of hundreds of kilometres per hour. The design, called a bucket-seat design, hugs the thighs and shoulders of the driver, keeping them stable and in place and preventing them from flailing or falling around. This is ideal for race car drivers, who need to hold a specific posture for extended times. But wait, how did a chair designed for high-performance sports people end up under sweaty nerds? Two words: excess supply.

Throughout the mid to late 2000s, the US car industry found it in a bit of a pickle. Sales for luxury cars and larger vehicles were plummeting thanks to rising oil prices. Now, this was bad news for car manufacturers, but also for companies that made car parts, including the chairs. One of the largest luxury car seat companies, DXRacer found itself in a bind because of a large stockpile of chairs and no cars to fit them in, because of falling demand. So, they did what any good company does, and improvised. They stuck wheels on the chairs, added in arm rests, some lumbar support and a headrest, and called it a gaming chair. Ever since, DXRacer was the staple gaming chair all over the world. But that is the thing about getting big. You inspire competition, and so, only naturally, a bunch of other companies cropped up, all competing to get a slice of the pie that was the sweaty nerd market. 

Now, the racing style gaming chair is still around, and it saw a lot of success initially. However, people quickly found that sitting in one position for hours wasn’t exactly conducive for bodily health. So, aside from mediocre lumbar support, the only adjustments the earlier gaming chair had was adjustable armrests and the ability to go flat. Now, you don’t need to be a nerd to know that lumbar support is very important for your health. You need back support. That is why a modern gaming chair emphasises comfort over snappy looks. If you want a good gaming chair, feel free to check out our guide to save yourself the trouble. 

Now, you are probably slouched over in a chair or on your bed reading this, but please remember to get up and moving, and get your blood moving, and for crying out loud, straighten your back! The modern gaming chair allows for height and depth adjustments for customisation, more breathable fabric to prevent heat buildup, and improved support for your spine. Herman Miller has outdone themselves when it comes to chair designs, and though they are not a gaming chair company, in the end, you need to buy what is best for you. I couldn’t possibly live with an office chair in his workspace, but that is just the psycho I am. But don’t fret, Herman Miller now also makes a gaming chair in partnership with Logitech. And right on cue, my wallet is screaming.