Whether it be the associated postural problems that can result, or the more sinister notion that too much sitting actually shortens your life, the implications are clear: we spend far too much time sitting. When I think of why I place such a large importance on fitness in my life, it’s because I spend a good portion of it sitting down. Of course, the same is the case for a huge amount of job roles. 

Thankfully, we’re all a lot more conscious of the perils of hours of idle sitting than we were even 15 years ago. The study of Orthopedics – the branch of science concerned with study of the musculoskeletal system – has become a prominent topic of discussion and, intuitively, we’ve seen an explosion of orthopedic focused products hit the market. 

Last year, I took a look at Flexispot’s Pro Series E7 standing desk: a high quality, seamlessly designed motorized station with the express goal of enabling you to do your work standing up as comfortably as possible. 

But you’re not always going to be in a position to stand, and that’s where the company's orthopedic chairs come in. Flexispot were kind enough to send me their new BS8 model, and for the past few weeks, I’ve been giving it a test run.

Initial appearances match what I’ve come to expect from Flexispot: A sleek, elegant design that’s sure to gel aesthetically with any contemporary setting, without the bulkiness that was associated with ergonomic designs of the past. Its shape is essentialized to take up as little space as possible, but that’s not to say that any compromises in quality have been made. 

Critical of any good chair is the seat. We’ve all experienced the gluteal stiffness associated with hours of prolonged work, but the BS8’s W-shaped curved cushion reflects the contours of your body. When paired with the comfortable elasticated mesh back rest, the seated position feels perfect.

Of course, the chair’s relaxing position is more than just its materials;a molded curve in the bottom of the backrest perfectly supports the lower back – without the need for a separate adjustable component. Ingeniously, a knob beneath the gives the user the ability to manipulate the tension on this section, which works far better than a simple vertical adjuster most orthopedic chairs have. I do wish the chair could be raised to a slightly higher maximum height, but the height range will ultimately be adequate for most settings. 

I also came to appreciate the BS8’s 120-degree recline feature. There’s a perfect balance of tension on the back rest to give you a natural, dynamic posture, offering the user the option of reclining at any angle without the jerky, segmented movements associated with older chairs. 

As a PC gamer, a chair like this is a far better option for long gaming sessions than a traditional gaming chair. A traditional gaming chair doesn’t distribute your body weight properly and can often cause uncomfortable spinal compression. They also don’t allow for the natural curvatures of your spine and lower back, which after prolonged use, can cause a myriad of orthopedic problems. 

With a focus on the comfort that proper orthopedic design offers, you’ll have no such problems with this chair. 

Putting everything together was thankfully straightforward. The chair arrives in four component parts, and the instructions were very easy to follow requiring minimal screws. The entire body slots neatly onto the hydraulic chassis, which also makes for easy disassembly should you need to pack the BS8 away in storage. 

The wheels are indeed noiseless as advertised, but although Flexispot claim they’ll do no harm on soft flooring, I’d still be cautious if you’re worried about marking your floor; the wheels are still vinyl-based as far as I’m aware, and rubber casters tend to be the safest.

I’ve been thoroughly satisfied in my time with the BS8, and it’ll certainly become a permanent fixture in my games room. If you’re thinking about getting a gaming chair – think twice. Go for an orthopedic design that properly supports your back, and so far as that sentiment can be expressed, Flexispot’s latest model is a great option.

Linden Garcia, 
Editor, NoobFeed