Gamerox gamer chair keeps you on your toes, so to speak

We've been acquainted with all sorts of strange exercise / gaming apparatuses, and while the Gamerox is far from being the strangest, it's pretty high up there. Rather than just letting your kid grab any nearby stool and have a seat while melting their brain on games for hours on end, why not force their nates into this contraption? Put simply, it forces kids to continually balance and adjust in order to stay seated. Will it really tone muscles and improve posture? Doubtful, but it's practically guaranteed to frustrate and / or enrage your offspring.

[Via Slashgear]

[Gad Get @ Dec 16th 2008 7:09AM]

The sad thing is that there are probably a few parents oblivious enough to actually buy this thing for their kids.

[absinthe party @ Dec 16th 2008 7:54AM]

Kids!? I'm buying this for my grandparents!

[Michael @ Dec 16th 2008 7:37AM]

If only there were some sort of patent the creators of this monstrosity could live off of for years to come. Idiots.

[Craig @ Dec 16th 2008 7:25AM]

It's expensive and ugly, but at least it's far inferior to a beanbag chair.

[Patrick Joseph @ Dec 16th 2008 7:29AM]

I play my 360 1-2 hrs a day and I would never use this chair, can you image sitting up with no back rest and no arm rest for so long, that would stress out your back and your shoulders and you biceps big time.

[Tarnation @ Dec 16th 2008 8:39AM]

This is for all those parents out there who force their kids to get the apple fries at Burger King. Forcing them to be healthy will only backfire when they hit that rebellious cutting themselves to end the pain phase.

[cwj @ Dec 16th 2008 11:13AM]

Actually, not having a backrest will not stress your muscles IF you learn efficient posture. The problem with having something like this is the need to have instruction (**parenting**) on proper alignment/structure. It's the kind of stuff that dancers get into with Pilates/Polestar or actors with Alexander Movement training.

However, like Joe Maki says below, 'twould probably be better accomplished with exercise balls. This also gives you something less lethal to throw because you keep coming in 3rd.

[abhisheksuman @ Dec 16th 2008 7:35AM]

It will be certainly misused and abused - for making children.

[Baozer @ Dec 16th 2008 7:50AM]

I actually prefer the living room.

[j_g_puff @ Dec 16th 2008 8:15AM]

The kid in the photo is 3rd. He needs more practice.

[cwj @ Dec 16th 2008 11:15AM]

Again, I'd have to go with exercise balls. There are advantages to energy return.

(bounce)

[ClarkyAC @ Dec 16th 2008 8:22AM]

I made a cheaper version.. Several Appletinis (yes, appletinis) and sit on a standard park bench... OH THE FUN! It doesnt train posture, but it does train your abilty to withstand tazers..

[nxp3 @ Dec 16th 2008 8:41AM]

Or you can hand your kid a baseball bat and tell him to sit on it while playing games...it probably does the same thing. :)

[psykoCommenter @ Dec 16th 2008 8:35AM]

How is that no one has commented on the kid on the floor picking his nose?

[Stereotype @ Dec 16th 2008 2:42PM]

Wouldn't be too bad if it wasn't a girl...if it was a guy...well, it would expected... :P

[C @ Dec 16th 2008 8:50AM]

Just as toddlers have training potties, newbie gamers should learn how to sit perfectly still while gaming....the earlier the better.

I have experiened far too many people lean into the direction they are pressing. I've been repetedly nudged during Pro Evo throw downs and I sure as hell dont appreciate you jumping every time you're ambushed on Halo 3.

As a hardcore gamer I say this hellish behavior must end.....Gamerox chairs for the n00bs!


/jk

[krs360 @ Dec 16th 2008 9:52AM]

@ C - wtf is a throw down?

I am a massive W11 fan, and football in general, but I have never in my life heard the phrase throw down! Do you mean throw in?

btw, self-declared "hardcore" gamers, in my experience are generally spotty 15 yr olds who spend their days camping in css. Particularly when they use words like n00b!

[K @ Dec 16th 2008 10:44AM]

This is the opposite of what you would want. This chair (contrary to the description above) encourages movement while playing games. If you watch the video you'll see that the kids are purposely leaning to the sides, swiveling, etc. What this chair needs to do is force them to stay still by making them fall off if they lean. I seriously doubt this chair will help with muscular development as well.

[Sue @ Dec 16th 2008 11:38AM]

By encouraging movement, rather than siting still. Of course thats better for a developing muscle..No?

[jared @ Dec 16th 2008 8:50AM]

Just get an inflatable yoga ball. They're cheap and do the same thing.

[Joe Maki @ Dec 16th 2008 8:51AM]

It's the same concept as the exercise balls used in fitness centers. And yes it does work your core muscles. A fitness ball would probably be a lot cheaper and more versatile.

[BratPAQ @ Dec 16th 2008 9:25AM]

if i were the kid, id just throw it on the corner and slump on the floor

[Dan Bugglin @ Dec 16th 2008 11:06AM]

My thoughts exactly. There is little point in sitting in a char which is going to tire you out. The whole point of chairs is to give you a rest from standing.

[Clark @ Dec 16th 2008 9:55AM]

A friend of mine hand-made a bunch of surf trainers / balance boards (http://www.naluboard.com/purchase/) once upon a time, and I bought one and figured I'd hone my balance, strengthen my proprioreceptors, and build my core muscles while I gamed!

What I learned was that it is hard as hell to manipulate two thumbsticks (in Star Wars: Battlefront, for example) and stand or sit on a moving surface. Kill count down, death count up, and plenty of comical pinwheeling to be had...

[cholly @ Dec 16th 2008 10:27AM]

My back is hurting so bad now looking at this..

[Jonesy @ Dec 16th 2008 10:22AM]

'Put simply, it forces kids to continually balance and adjust in order to stay seated.' - ehh no it doesnt.
Have you had a look at the video, looks to me like its the kid that controls the movement.
I reckon its a good idea, my lad would love one of these. A fun seat that encourages him to keep moving. How much will it sell for thats the question?

[Tim @ Dec 16th 2008 10:39AM]

Obviously, the kid in the ad here is not a gamer. how can you tell?
1. Any self respecting gamer would be caught dead in that thing. If you were dead, you probably wouldn't be able to balance on that thing anyway, but you know what i mean.

2. Look at the way that kid is playing Mario Kart. I dont ever recall having to turn that sharply. Totally posing. Im sure they had no choice but to use him because real gamers wouldn't be caught dead in it.

[C @ Dec 16th 2008 11:02AM]

Besides it being a joke that fell horribly flat....throw downs are generally Pro Evo
matches/tournements against acquaintances, friends or random people,
where nothing but pride is at stake.

And yes self-proclaimed hardcore gamers are generally spotty 15 year
olds...all part of the quip.

But thanks krs360 anyway for the stark reminder that there are still
arseholes on the net, scruitinising every word of every comment; and
that my time is better spent working, rather than completely failing at joking
in an otherwise useless engadget post (no offence).

[Sue @ Dec 16th 2008 11:22AM]

Looks great, when I get one? Looks fun, funky and might do them some good. Finally a seat designed for a regular child, its not just geeky gamers play video games..

[Christian @ Dec 16th 2008 3:50PM]

I dunno, this is lawsuit waiting to happen...

[Churn @ Dec 16th 2008 9:51PM]

So what if they um, just decide to sit on the floor?

[JBDragon @ Dec 19th 2008 3:13AM]

It looks like you could end up falling onto your back and banging you head on the floor or something worse. Ya, seems like a great Idea.