Attention Herman Miller Aeron users

vbrad26 · Jul 29, 2020

Hello all, welcome to my thread.
About a month ago, I casually asked in the WRUW today thread for some office chair suggestions.
The couple of people that reached out to me all said Herman Miller Aeron.
I was familiar with the chair, but had not done much research into ANY office chair at that point.
After searching around for a bit, and doing plenty of research, I pulled the trigger and got a fully loaded Remastered version.
I was super happy with it. It was comfortable and breathable and I was felling pretty good about my purchase
We're almost 3 weeks in and the honeymoon is over lol. Has been for about a week actually.

My question to you all is: did you have to get "used" the the chair when you first got it?
For the record, I was not really having any major issues before with my old chair. My butt would go numb after sitting for a while. But that's it, aside from my poor posture, which is really all I was trying to correct to save me from future issues.
But now after using the chair for about 3 weeks, my lower back just straight up HURTS! It feels tired and achy by the end of the day, and during the day I just can't get comfortable.This started happening at the end of the first week of having the chair.
I have been trying to tweak settings (the chair has the posture fit system) so I have been messing with the lumbar adjustment.
At first I had it at its lowest setting because it seemed uncomfortable at anything more than that. But then the other day I engaged it all of the way, and it actually seemed to help a bit, but I was already too far gone I think.
I'm just trying to figure out if my body is just getting used to sitting in this position or what.
I actually went to the chiropractor this morning (unrelated) but I told him about trying to find a new chair to help with posture, and the problems I'm having.
He took a couple of x-rays and we are going to take a look at them tomorrow.
I just find it hard to believe that I'm so uncomfortable in a chair that is supposed to put you in a natural position lol.
Is my back just that messed up? It might be...
I have read about the chair not being for everyone. But it seems like a lot of those people complain about pain in other areas, not lower back.
I mean even if I just knew that this discomfort is temporary as I get used to it, that is fine, because that is what I ultimately want.
But if for some reason this is just how it is going to be, then I'm going to have to ditch it!

Braindrain · Jul 29, 2020

I found they were more hype. Weren't that comfortable. Most people in my office also didnt like it.

Got an office chair specialist and got a much better ergonomically fitting office chair.

Most of us are into our next round of office chairs. I think most of the Aerons have been ditched.

Donn Chambers · Jul 29, 2020

I’ve had one for 10 years and am quite happy with it. I can’t sit in any office chair for more than a couple of hours at the most without getting up to walk around or stand.

I really miss it now that I have to work from home due to COVID, but I bought a standing desk for the home “office” (I.e corner of the living room) and that helps. When I get tired standing I take my Laptop to my Fjord stressless recliner.

sorry to hear yours is not as comfortable. I can imagine if you were used to a plush and cushioned leather chair it could be a major change.

Foo2rama · Jul 29, 2020

I love mine, I have an original in chrome. I sit in it for hours and hours as I work from home.

I made sure I got the right size for me, there is 3 sizes in both. Sound like I might need a B in a remastered while I have the C in the Classic. I'm 6'4 200lbs

I ran mine with the lumbar support removed, and then put it in later.

The remastered is set up a little different and does not have the same geometry, it sounds like the remastered might not be the best for people that lean back at a desk, instead of leaning forward.

All chairs are different for all people...

FREDMAYCOIN · Jul 29, 2020

Been using mine for 9 years and I can’t tolerate any other chair. Mine is comfortable, supportable and breathable. Good luck with your back.

vbrad26 · Jul 29, 2020

I'm 6'0" about 165 and got a B, which should be right in line for me.
I don't sit for 8 hours straight, I do get up from time to time.
I have not been making use of the forward tilt function maybe I should try that?
I did not like it at first, but maybe that is something I could do differently to help...same with the lumbar.
Again, a lot of the complaints that I saw were from people complaining about it being uncomfortable in the legs, or even up in the shoulders somehow, but not lower back.
I really can't find anything about Aeron users complaining of lower back pain. The ones that did initially said it ended up going away over the course of a week or so.
That's why I'm thinking it may be me, and not the chair.
I'm not getting any crazy shooting pains or anything like that, but it just feels tired and sore, like I'm just in a position that I am not used to.
I mean one of the things I keep finding is how the Aeron is supposed to HELP people with lower back issues. But mine is CREATING mine.

This is the chair I had been using for the last 3 years or so lol:

Again, did not have any real issues comfort-wise. But it was pretty flat and I don't think had any sort of lumbar support.

KeithS · Jul 29, 2020

I had a Herman Miller Aeron at home for three years and had no issue sitting in it for extended periods of time. I sold it a few months ago when I moved and ended up replacing it with a generic, moderately priced office chair. Now my back gets stiff and my neck starts hurting after an hour or two of sitting.

vbrad26 · Jul 29, 2020

Braindrain
I found they were more hype. Weren't that comfortable. Most people in my office also didnt like it.

Just to better understand, can you explain what specifically was uncomfortable about it?

FREDMAYCOIN
Been using mine for 9 years and I can’t tolerate any other chair. Mine is comfortable, supportable and breathable. Good luck with your back.

KeithS
I had a Herman Miller Aeron at home for three years and had no issue sitting in it for extended periods of time. I sold it a few months ago when I moved and ended up replacing it with a generic, moderately priced office chair. Now my back gets stiff and my neck starts hurting after an hour or two of sitting.

These comments further make me believe that it is me instead of the chair.
I'm just on the opposite end at the moment.

khanmu · Jul 29, 2020

I had one, but with lockdown enforced working from home, I bought a padded Vitra Eames soft pad, which is much kinder on my skinny bottom. My wife took the Aero as she had to start working from home, but then she has more generous factory fitted padding..

Braindrain · Jul 29, 2020

Just to clarify, i wasnt getting any back or shooting pains. But, it wasnt the crazy awesome super office chair i was led to believe. Is it better than a $50 Office Depot chair? Foe sure.

I ended getting something (forgot the make) that had memory foam in the bum and a little more "support" in the back.

BlackTalon · Jul 29, 2020

Check out Steelcase as well -- they are very adjustable, very comfortable and have numerous fabric and finish options. Unfortunately my dad (78) poached mine about 2 years ago and I have not yet replaced it.

Scarecrow Boat · Jul 29, 2020

I sat in a Herman Miller Setu chair in an office and ended up loving it. I transitioned to working remotely from home so I custom made a HM Setu chair for home. It did take a little getting used to and I had a little bit of leg discomfort like you but after having it now for 3 years, I love it. It’s super comfy. I guess I just needed to break it in. The attached pic is pulled from the HM website

vbrad26 · Jul 29, 2020

khanmu
I had one, but with lockdown enforced working from home, I bought a padded Vitra Eames soft pad, which is much kinder on my skinny bottom. My wife took the Aero as she had to start working from home, but then she has more generous factory fitted padding..

Ah yes, I'm a generous factory fitted padding guy myself 😉. One may say I like it, and a cannot lie while others, can't deny.

Braindrain
Just to clarify, i wasnt getting any back or shooting pains. But, it wasnt the crazy awesome super office chair i was led to believe. Is it better than a $50 Office Depot chair? Foe sure.

I ended getting something (forgot the make) that had memory foam in the bum and a little more "support" in the back.

Understood. Thanks for the clarification!

BlackTalon
Check out Steelcase as well -- they are very adjustable, very comfortable and have numerous fabric and finish options. Unfortunately my dad (78) poached mine about 2 years ago and I have not yet replaced it.

That was one that was on my radar. The Leap V2. But that's the thing...I sat on one of those too and liked the Aeron better...at first.
The issues I'm having came over a the course of days, I can't say that the same thing would, or wouldn't have happened in the Leap as well.

Scarecrow Boat
I sat in a Herman Miller Setu chair in an office and ended up loving it. I transitioned to working remotely from home so I custom made a HM Setu chair for home. It did take a little getting used to and I had a little bit of leg discomfort like you but after having it now for 3 years, I love it. It’s super comfy. I guess I just needed to break it in. The attached pic is pulled from the HM website

My legs are fine! It's just my dang lower back lol.

I appreciate the replies so far. So thank you. I'm curious to know that the Doc. has to say tomorrow when we review my x-rays.
Also, to further elaborate. I'm a stiff dude. I can barely touch my toes, my hamstrings are so tight. Pretty sure my whole core is on the weak side as well. I would not say my posture has been awful, but I'm sure it has not been good.
These are factors that I think are contributing to the issues I'm having.
I also ride a pretty aggressive road bike, and I have not been as comfortable on that lately either.
I find myself putting a lot of weight on on my hands, on the bars, rather than supporting myself more with my core.
I think I'm doing something similar while sitting in my chair.
I think I'm still trying to slouch, which I was able to get away with in my old chair, but in this one, it is causing extra pressure in places that is not used to it.

rcs914 · Jul 29, 2020

I have a size C fully adjustable Titanium color one made in 2008, so it's the original lumbar pillow and not the posturefit system. I bought it around 7 years ago and have worked from home for the past 6 years. I estimate a minimum of 10,000 hours spent in this chair, and it was certainly worth the $350 I paid, as it still looks new, and has been the most comfortable office chair I've ever had. The majority of the time I've owned it I was over 300lbs (no longer) - but the comfort for me hasn't changed as I lost weight.

Ahvera · Jul 29, 2020

vbrad26
Ah yes, I'm a generous factory fitted padding guy myself 😉. One may say I like it, and a cannot lie while others, can't deny.

Understood. Thanks for the clarification!

That was one that was on my radar. The Leap V2. But that's the thing...I sat on one of those too and liked the Aeron better...at first.
The issues I'm having came over a the course of days, I can't say that the same thing would, or wouldn't have happened in the Leap as well.

My legs are fine! It's just my dang lower back lol.

I appreciate the replies so far. So thank you. I'm curious to know that the Doc. has to say tomorrow when we review my x-rays.
Also, to further elaborate. I'm a stiff dude. I can barely touch my toes, my hamstrings are so tight. Pretty sure my whole core is on the weak side as well. I would not say my posture has been awful, but I'm sure it has not been good.
These are factors that I think are contributing to the issues I'm having.
I also ride a pretty aggressive road bike, and I have not been as comfortable on that lately either.
I find myself putting a lot of weight on on my hands, on the bars, rather than supporting myself more with my core.
I think I'm doing something similar while sitting in my chair.
I think I'm still trying to slouch, which I was able to get away with in my old chair, but in this one, it is causing extra pressure in places that is not used to it.

I had the same experience. I was in my mid-thirties at the time and had some disc issues in my lower back. A friend who was an architect recommended the Aeron so I bought one. Great looking chairs and superbly made. It took me a bunch of years to realize that it was making my back worse. In fact, what happened is that I strained my back again at some point (the kind where even rolling out of bed is difficult), so I went and pulled out hard back chair out of one of our meeting rooms. No reclining function, little padding, no wheels -- just your basic stackable conference room chair. I helped me through that rough patch and, though not a particularly conscious decision, it remained my office chair for the past seven years. Now at home during the pandemic, I'm sitting on a similar chair. I'm in my 50s now and sitting in an Aeron chair or anything like it where your weight is suspended/hammocked rather than supported
solidly, still makes my back hurt.

Vercingetorix · Jul 29, 2020

My only advice is to try and put as much pressure on your hamstrings as you can. Drove professionally for 30 years and keeping the back as vertical as I could get and lifting the legs helped a lot. Also seemed to relax the shoulders and allowed better leverage on the wheel.

jsducote · Jul 29, 2020

When I was looking for a new desk chair at home I compared the Aeron to some others and found that in order to get the fit and support from an Aeron you have to buy a bunch of extra add-ons like the lumbar support. After trying it out at a local store, I went with the Raynor Ergohuman ME7ERG. I often come downstairs into the office to find it has drifted over to my fiancee's desk instead of at mine where it belongs. Whatever you do, find a store that specializes in office furniture (i.e. not the one which sponsors an athletic arena in LA) and try before you buy.

rcs914 · Jul 30, 2020

Also wanted to mention that last year I was diagnosed with a 8mm bulge of the L5LS1 which was causing me excruciating sciatica pain for a while, but the Aeron was one of the few comfortable places I could sit. But my pain expression wasn't ever in my lower back from the bulge.

The Father · Jul 30, 2020

vbrad26
I'm 6'0" about 165 and got a B, which should be right in line for me.
I don't sit for 8 hours straight, I do get up from time to time.
I have not been making use of the forward tilt function maybe I should try that?
I did not like it at first, but maybe that is something I could do differently to help...same with the lumbar.
Again, a lot of the complaints that I saw were from people complaining about it being uncomfortable in the legs, or even up in the shoulders somehow, but not lower back.
I really can't find anything about Aeron users complaining of lower back pain. The ones that did initially said it ended up going away over the course of a week or so.
That's why I'm thinking it may be me, and not the chair.
I'm not getting any crazy shooting pains or anything like that, but it just feels tired and sore, like I'm just in a position that I am not used to.
I mean one of the things I keep finding is how the Aeron is supposed to HELP people with lower back issues. But mine is CREATING mine.

This is the chair I had been using for the last 3 years or so lol:

Again, did not have any real issues comfort-wise. But it was pretty flat and I don't think had any sort of lumbar support.

Is that real? Looks like it came out of a Subaru or Mitsubishi

NGO1 · Jul 30, 2020

Aeron owner for 10+ years here. The material is breathable. Back support is good.
BUT, bottom support is non-existence. If you are slim dude, you won't like it, initially.
My back was already halfway out the door a decade ago.
I found a fix...Sitting more than an hour required some basic stretching and resistance bands yanking...
These helped much.

Attention Herman Miller Aeron users

vbrad26

Braindrain

Donn Chambers

Foo2rama

FREDMAYCOIN

vbrad26

KeithS

vbrad26

khanmu

Braindrain

BlackTalon

Scarecrow Boat

vbrad26

rcs914

Ahvera

Vercingetorix

jsducote

rcs914

The Father

NGO1

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