Choosing the Proper Chair

A good seat should be appropriate for the task, uniformly support the body, help to maintain neutral postures, allow for easy movement and provide long-term comfort.

Office chairs come in all different shapes and sizes.  Choosing the proper seating can be a challenge at the best of times. Most chair designs fit differently appealing to various body types. These subtle differences may have an affect on comfort over time. Research the chair online (check features, adjustments, reviews).

Some local seating distributors offer a trial program where you can request a chair for use at work at no additional cost. At the very least visit some showrooms and sit in various chairs, trying to mimic your typical tasks at work (computer, paperwork)

• Seat Height: Measure height from the floor to the crease at the back of the knee.  Make sure you account for different footwear and heel heights.  CSA recommends 38 to 51 cm (15 to 21”) range.
• Seat Depth: While seated measure the distance from the back of knee to the backrest.  The back of knee is sensitive to pressure and should not come into contact with the seat’s edge.  You should be able to fit 2 - 3 fingers between the seat and the back of the knee.  A seat slider with an adjustable range of 38 to 50 cm (15 to 20”) is recommended to fine tune depth.
• Seat Width: The seat cushion should not be less than 45 cm (18”).  Look at the distance between armrests to make sure they are not too wide (reaching to use armrests) or narrow (not able to sit).
• Back Support: The shape of the backrest should follow the natural curves of your back.  Look for clearance at the buttocks, padding molded outwards in the mid-lumbar region to support the low back and clearance to allow for unobstructed shoulder movements.  Lumbar padding should be height adjustable from 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10”).  Backrest  height should be at least 45 cm (18”).  Width should  be at least 35 cm (14”).  Recline should be adjustable from 93-113 degree.
• Arm Support: Armrests can support the neck and shoulder muscles; however, they may limit access to the keyboard or a section of the desk.  Armrests should be set at 15 cm (6”) back from the front edge of the seat, not restrict arm movement or access to the workstation.  Armrest height should be the same as the resting elbow height.  One of the most common problems is that the armrests do not go low enough.

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From the founder

"In 2024, no one should buy a computer chair that only allows them to do one thing."

Secretlab has grown tremendously over the years. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes at the Secretlab R&D Center here in Singapore, where our designers and engineers spend their lives trying to create the ultimate sitting experience for millions of users.

It can be challenging to explain some of these complex theories and accumulated knowledge in simple terms. But in this short write-up, I’ll explain some of the philosophies behind our designs.

Misconception: We make "gaming chairs".

We don’t make "gaming chairs". Our design mentality is that we design chairs suited for long hours of gaming and other activities. Hence, our design philosophy is starkly different from most "gaming chairs" on the market.

Most gaming chairs are influenced by race car seats, which leave much to be desired in terms of long-term seating ergonomic comfort. These bucket seats are extremely restrictive, and the aggressive curve of their backrest pushes your shoulders forward, forcing you into a less-than-ideal posture for the whole day.

This is the complete opposite of good seating ergonomic design. A Secretlab chair is built to support movement, adapting to you through the full range of postures. If your chair does not allow for movement, stress quickly builds up in your body, leading to pain and discomfort.

Traditional ergonomics belong to the 1980s, not 2024

We believe traditional ergonomic chairs and designs have been outdated since the start of the 21st century.

Decades ago, traditional ergonomic chairs were made for one sole purpose: To promote one singular posture when seated at a desk. This was because computers were rarer in the past. Even if there were computers, the chairs were used solely for one activity — typing.

2024 is a different time. And it requires a different solution.

The reality is that we are no longer spending all our time at our desks just typing. Instead, we’re attending virtual calls, focused gaming, watching videos on YouTube, streaming shows on Netflix, playing musical instruments, replying to texts on our smartphones, and even taking short naps at our desks. In addition, the amount of time we spend at our desks has risen tremendously.

This calls for a different, more modern approach to ergonomics. Modern ergonomics should cater to a wide variety of scenarios, not just one specific use case.

It’s time to move beyond what a traditional chair can do. In 2024, no one should buy a computer chair that only allows them to do one thing. In fact, sitting upright in the same posture for 12 hours is just wrong.

The idea of modern ergonomics is at the heart of Secretlab’s design — one chair that supports different postures for multiple usage scenarios, so you can always adopt the most appropriate one. Proper sitting ergonomics is key, but unlike traditional ergonomic chairs, a good chair should not limit you in shifting postures.

Why other chairs just do not feel the same

That being said, the real challenge lies in achieving the intended result. This is where all of the small details of Secretlab’s chairs add up, from the material formulation to small design intricacies. These all come together to make a huge difference, and it’s why our chairs are much loved.

Many brands have attempted to (partially) copy our chairs over the past several years, without understanding why our entire product is designed as it is. This often results in a complete failure when it comes to creating a cohesive design that boosts long-term ergonomic comfort.

Imagine building a house based on a picture of it, but without the understanding of how all the individual details really come together to make it architecturally sound.

While we were a small outfit back then and just wanted to make a good product, we’ve since learned to protect ourselves with intellectual property filings such as patents in recent years.

With our experience and data from making over 1,000,000 chairs a year, plus our proprietary and patented designs and technologies, we are now confident that we’re several years (and millions of chairs) ahead of the competition. We have no intention of ever giving up our lead and will continue to invest to make sure we are at the forefront of sitting ergonomics.

Empirical research and studies back our theories

The vast majority of our users can attest to the long-term comfort and support Secretlab chairs provide. However, they often can’t explain exactly why they like our chairs, and traditional ergonomic myths remain as prevalent as ever. Hence, we’ve decided to detail our approach to ergonomics, including empirical research studies, here.

Thank you all once again for the incredible support over the last few years. We fully intend to continue to deliver the best chairs and desks in the world.

Ian Alexander AngCo-founder & CEO, Secretlab