Tutorial

Beginners 101 - Game Longer and More Safely with Ergonomics

September 28 2021

When we start gaming, we can’t deny that we get into “game mode”. Meaning, we stay in front of the PC for hours enjoying our gameplay.

But it does come with its own set of negative effects like carpal tunnel, neck pressure, eyestrain, and body pains.

Using a regular chair when gaming for long hours often leads to poor posture. This won't only limit movements, but it'll also bring about strain on different parts of your body. At the end of the day, your back, neck, and shoulders are in for pressure because of the bad posture.

This is the reason why proper posture and ergonomics are important, and they work simultaneously for a better gaming experience. So, if you’re a gamer, a comfy and ergonomic gamespace will keep you feeling and working at your best.

Computer Chairs Make All the Difference

When you're in front of the computer for hours, a gaming chair is what you need to use. They've got outstanding ergonomic features that are ideal to avoid those chronic pains.

These chairs let you adjust the seat, backrest, and armrests to hold your body and form properly while seated. So when you use them, your muscles won’t strain, leaving more energy for productive work and play.

This is why we’re recommending an ergonomic chair for gaming, and it should have height adjustments that can be used with ease.

What Makes the Most Awesome Gaming Chair?

Now, don’t just go into a shop and pick whatever gaming chair that looks good. It’s not all about aesthetics. Go for something such as the AORUS AGC310, that supports and aids the curve of your spine.

Try the chair out when you’re scouting for one. Adjust its height and make sure your feet can rest flat on the ground. Of course, you have to observe the comfort it gives too.

For the armrests, adjust it too and rest your arms gently on them. Make sure your shoulders aren’t stiff and see if you can relax. Also, consider if you can sit with this position for hours without getting strained.

It doesn't end here. You'll need a chair that has lumbar support. This is so you can lessen the strain & pressure on your lower back and muscles. When your chair has this, it’ll use up the space between the lower back and the chair’s backrest.

Chair and Monitor Adjustments

You shouldn’t only adjust your chair to get the most ideal position when gaming. It’s necessary to fix the angle and position of your monitor as well. So, here are some things to consider when you start adjusting these two:

Like we mentioned earlier, the adjustments you make to the chair should let your feet plant flat on the floor. If it doesn’t, add a platform or a stool to use under the desk.

Your chair should let your elbows be at the same height and level as the desk you’re using. Make sure it’s bent at 90-degrees when maneuvering the mouse or using the keyboard.

For the monitor, make sure it’s at eye level, so you don’t have to forcibly look up to view anything. It’ll also stop you from leaning forward or tilting your head lower just to see what you’re doing.

Make sure that your monitor is set at arms-length away from you. It’ll prevent further eye-strain which is good.

Choose a Gaming Monitor Carefully, Your Eyes Will Thank You

Aside from wanting to stay comfy while gaming, you also want your eyes to have less strain in the process. That’s why you need to select an ergonomic gaming monitor like the AORUS FI32Q carefully to ensure longer gaming while staying safe.

It will help you avoid common issues that people suffer from when using the computer for lengthy hours. These include vision and eye issues.

Yes, these computer-related issues can be only temporary, but eye and vision issues cause discomfort and can cause longer term health issues.

Ergonomic Gaming Monitors - Why You Should Use Them

Ergonomic gaming chairs aren't the only things that we can add to our gaming arsenal nowadays. There are ergonomic monitors too that offer ergonomic features to keep you healthy and gaming longer.

An ergonomically-designed monitor lessens the occurrence of these issues, making it an important aspect for a comfortable work/gaming station. With it, your productivity and efficiency increases, without suffering from physical and eye issues.

What Do These Monitors Need to Have?

When you’re shopping for one, look for a monitor that has low blue-light tech and anti-flickering features. They’re important because both decrease low light levels that commonly bring about speedy flashing of lights.

For those flicker-free features, they’re made to emit one stable light source. This is vital to prevent eye-strain problems.

Compared to these types of monitors, the regular ones adjust brightness via flickering. So, there are instances of low light between increased brightness, which isn’t good, considering that users don’t notice the flickers. And like we mentioned, flickering isn’t good for the eyes; it will strain them.
Blue light is believed to cause additional eye strain and headaches in some users and should be adjusted if you are feeling any discomfort. A lot of gaming monitors now come with adjustable blue light settings that allow you to adjust it to suit.

Low blue-light tech lessens blue lights that are released by your monitor and helps relieve some of the strain on your eyes.

The Right Monitor Height

It’s ideal to have your eye-view lined to a certain point of your screen. That’s about 5 to 10cm beneath the monitor’s top-corner. You should measure and ensure that its centre is about 17 to 18-degrees lower than your eyes’ level.

This exact positioning will provide the best and most comfortable view when you game or work.

The Ideal Monitor Brightness

Yes, you also have to make sure that the brightness of your computer is set adequately. Check that it’s between 200 to 500 lux. When you’re in an area that only has one source of bright light, its brightness should be at 300 lux.

Now if your work or game space is bright, or it somehow has huge lighting contrasts, different brightness is needed. During these instances, it’s better to set your monitor with more brightness, let’s say, around 400 to 500 lux.

If you use fluorescent tubes that are flickering due to age or malfunctioning, replace them. It won’t help your eyes and can cause straining too.

Choose The Best Gaming Mouse for Your Grip and Playstyle

How could we forget the mouse? For perfect ergonomics to give you non-stop and comfy gameplay, you’ll also need an awesome gaming mouse to complete your setup.

It is important to choose the mouse that fits your hand best, especially when gaming for lengthy periods since these types of mice prevent chronic/acute wrist problems.

This is where a gaming mouse with good ergonomics comes in. It’s made to help prevent straining along the wrists, and other hand issues that may occur.

Again, don’t just choose a mouse that looks cool. All gaming mice look cool but you need one based on your type of grip. Here, you’ll know the different types of mice grip that are available, and which one fits you perfectly.

From there, you’ll be able to determine which gaming mouse is fit for your needs.

Types of Mouse Grip

Every PC gamer has a different grip style that they use when holding their gaming mouse and it is important to choose a mouse that fits your grip best. Having a mouse that fits your hand perfectly will help reduce hand and wrist fatigue and keep you in the game.

Gaming mice come in different styles and designs that are aimed to support these different grip types. It is important to understand what grip type you use and to use a mouse that fits your hand perfectly.

Claw Grip

Let’s start with this type of grip. Here, your palm rests on the mouse’s back end. Your fingertips are the only contact point on top. Of course, your thumb is positioned on one side.

If this is your type, then we suggest a bigger mouse for you, and it shouldn’t be too heavy.

Fingertip Grip

This is another type wherein the fingertips are the only contact point, hence, its name. Here, you usually hold the mouse in a slightly-distanced manner from your hand. So basically, your palm won’t make any contact with the product.

There are a few finger grippers who rest their two fingers on the mouse’s right button. They claim it’s for added control.

Palm Grip

This is the kind of grip where your hand’s base covers the mouse’s rear portion. For the fingers, the middle and index usually rest flat on both mouse buttons.

When it comes to your thumb, it rests flat on the side of the mouse. It’s positioned there for more control.