The Back Pain Wake-Up Call
Alright, so here’s the deal. I used to sit in a dodgy \$200 chair from Officeworks, thinking I was saving money. Fast-forward a year, and my back felt like I was 80. Every arvo, I’d peel myself off the seat like a fried egg on a hot pan. Enough was enough — time to get serious.
When you start looking for a “proper” chair in Australia, two names pop up everywhere: Herman Miller and Steelcase. Both are stupidly expensive. Both promise to save your spine. So, which one’s actually worth selling a kidney for? I gave them both a go.
First Stop: Herman Miller
Let’s talk about the Aeron first. Mate, this chair is like the Tesla of office chairs. That mesh? Pure genius in Aussie heat. No sweaty back, no sticky shirt. It’s firm though — you won’t be sinking in like it’s a beanbag.
Then I tried the Embody, and wow… it’s like sitting on a chair that’s alive. The back moves with you. I smashed out a 10-hour coding day and didn’t feel like death afterwards. Pricey? Yeah, about three grand. But it honestly felt like I was renting a physio for life.
Verdict: Herman Miller is the fancy option. Looks slick, feels premium, makes you wanna say, “yeah mate, I’ve made it.”
Round Two: Steelcase
Next up was the Steelcase Leap. First impression? Comfier than Aeron, more adjustments than a Swiss Army knife. You can tweak everything — seat depth, lumbar, armrests — probably even your life choices if you fiddle long enough.
But the Gesture was the real game-changer. Picture this: I’m on my laptop, phone in hand, coffee nearby, and somehow the chair’s armrests just get it. They move into place no matter what weird position I’m sitting in. It’s like the chair’s saying, “No worries mate, I got ya.”
Verdict: Steelcase is practical, flexible, and feels less like a design trophy and more like a mate who’s always got your back.
The Wallet Punch (Aussie Prices)
Here’s where it stings:
- Sayl (Herman Miller): around \$1,100 AUD.
- Series 2 (Steelcase): about \$900 AUD.
- Embody: a whopping \$3,000 AUD.
- Gesture: roughly \$2,500–\$2,800 AUD.
Not cheap. But here’s the kicker: both come with 10–12 year warranties. Do the maths, and it’s like \$1 a day for the next decade. Cheaper than a daily flat white, and way better for your back.
The Aussie Showdown
So, which one wins down under?
- Hot climate, sweaty summers? Go Aeron. That mesh is a lifesaver.
- Long, focused grind? Embody’s your chair.
- Multitasker, switching between devices? Gesture all day.
- Want bang for your buck and heaps of adjustments? Leap’s a safe bet.
My Pick
After trying both, I personally went for the Herman Miller Embody. Mainly ‘cause I spend stupid hours at my desk, and it just felt unbeatable for long-term comfort. But if I was decking out an office or wanted something more versatile, I’d grab the Steelcase Gesture without blinking.
Final Word
Look, dropping two or three grand on a chair sounds insane. But trust me — once you’ve sat in one of these, you’ll never go back. It’s not “just a chair,” it’s a legit health upgrade.
So, if you’re in Australia and sick of back pain, skip the cheap stuff. Whether it’s Herman Miller or Steelcase, your future self will say: “cheers, mate.” 🍻
