HÅG Task Chairs: A better way to sit

Micro Movement And Variation: The Secret Sauce Of HÅG Office Chairs

Surely all office chairs allow movement and variation as you work, right? If it's got a swivel base then it moves when you move so why would you need to look at anything different?

Of course all swivel office chairs move as you move that's not in doubt. What we're talking about here is a bit more subtle. If you were to use a chair designed for you body's micro movements for a couple weeks you would appreciate the difference. Especially if you had to go back to an ordinary task chair again, the contrast would be immediately noticeable.

Let's look at this a bit more closely.

Chairs designed for movement and variation

For many years Norwegian seating manufacturer HÅG has been promoting the importance of movement and variation as you work in your chair. The mechanisms on its seats operate differently to the vast majority of office chairs. Its chairs are designed to let individual users reach a balanced working position.

It's actually something you don't necessarily notice while you work in a HÅG chair. How it works is you adjust the chair to your body's weight until you have body and chair in perfect balance with each other. Then, as you shift you body weight while working the chair actually moves with you.

The movement isn't some wild gyration, rather it shifts gently as you change position. One of the most notable features is how the chair back remains in contact with your back giving great support.

Why most office chairs don't promote healthy movement

Most good office chairs adjust for height, seat angle and user weight to allow comfortable reclining. So it's only natural to assume that this is all that you need. Where these chairs fall down is they rarely compensate for all the little movements you make while you work. Chances are you don't even notice the changes of position you make. And after a while you find yourself shuffling and shifting around trying to get more comfortable. This is only natural because our bodies were designed for movement and so crave constant little changes to keep muscles active. 

How HÅG's micro movement chairs are different

A HÅG task chair is designed to provide micro movement support. So as your muscles tire and yearn for a change of posture the mechanism in the chair moves the chair with you and supports your body. As a result you actually keep making small movements and adjustments to your working position without even realizing it.

Because this works so well you don't find yourself shifting your body around in your chair trying to find comfort. HÅG chairs move with you. The continuous balanced support mechanism takes care of all your little moves and changes of posture. And there aren't any issues with stability as the chair is completely stable as you move.

Why movement is vital for long term health

These days there is a lot of talk about the health risks of excessive sitting. Many people are looking to alternatives like adjustable height desks which do offer a great way of getting more movement into their working day.

However if you are stuck with a fixed height desk it actually makes good sense to consider investing in a HÅG chair. Once you sit in one for any length of time you will quickly notice the difference in comfort, especially if you have to switch back to your old chair!

More about HÅG chairs

HÅG offers a number of great seating solutions for encouraging movement and variation as you work. Its H04 and H05 chairs have manual controls which are quick and easy to set up, both are great chairs. Short built people find the H04 works very well for them. And if you want a chair with that top of the range look the H09 makes an excellent choice.