Tag: seating

The Importance of Proper Seating in Education

Education is an ever-evolving space, as it should be. How we teach and learn has evolved from simple storytelling and hieroglyphics to slate and chalk, digital tablets, and virtual learning. As we all know, the change in learning environments for students, educators and administrators have accelerated and amplified trends in education that were already in motion. Online and blended learning has revealed inequities and how many physical learning environments can’t meet the pedagogical needs and technology demands. Additionally, well-being has suffered, and students and teachers have struggled, unable to teach or learn effectively.

Research has found both students and instructors want more control over their learning environments. People want options so they can choose where to learn or work, and they want the ability to adapt spaces based on what they’re doing. A recent study reports a 92% increase in students who say they often or always move furniture to support their learning. Instructors report a 47% increase when asked if they agree or strongly agree that they want to be able to move furniture into new layouts. Access to mobile furniture, seating options, and postures promotes a greater sense of student agency.

Here are five key benefits of proper seating in any education environment:

  1. Comfort: Comfortable seating can help reduce physical discomfort and fatigue during long periods of sitting, which is especially important for students who spend many hours in a lecture hall or study room. The right seating solution can help them stay focused and engaged during class.
  2. Posture: Proper posture helps to prevent back, neck, and shoulder pain and also helps to maintain good spinal alignment, which is essential for good health. Good posture also helps improve breathing and circulation, enhancing overall well-being.
  3. Productivity: Proper seating can help to improve concentration and focus, which is essential for success in higher education. When students are comfortable, they are more likely to be productive and able to retain information better.
  4. Learning Environment: Proper seating can create a more positive and inviting learning environment, contributing to a more positive and supportive classroom culture.
  5. Accessibility: Proper seating can also be important in making the classroom more accessible for students with disabilities. It is essential to ensure that seating is adjustable and can accommodate the needs of all students.

To create better teaching and learning experiences that provide students and educators with what they want and expect, institutions must pay attention to several macro shifts in how they think about space. Here are two key macro shifts:

Design for Effectiveness

During the pandemic, both students and educators faced challenges. The quality of learning and instruction declined. To move forward, students and educators must have access to multi-faceted learning environments that cater to individual and group needs and provide various learning methods. For instance, libraries could be reconfigured to accommodate group work and individual study. Schools must also create spaces that facilitate more effective hybrid and blended learning experiences.

Pictured: Lilly series, Cydia

Design for Flexibility

Traditionally, buildings were constructed with a focus on durability, featuring rigid architecture, power, and furniture arrangements. In the future, educational facilities will feature more flexible spaces that can quickly adapt to various modes of learning. Schools must embrace versatile spaces that can accommodate a wide range of activities. Furniture will be designed to be easily relocated, allowing the spaces to expand or shrink as necessary.

Below is a brief guide on several 9to5 Seating chairs and their ideal applications in various environments throughout school classrooms, libraries, admin areas, common areas, and other open spaces.

Pictured: Dash

Vox and Dash – Great for classrooms, cafés, cafeterias and meeting room spaces:

    • Full collections with multiple models to fill multiple spaces- classrooms, Cafés, cafeteria and meeting rooms, lab spaces
    • Very mobile and easy to move around
    • Available with glides or casters
    • Flexback movement to offer comfort while sitting for longer periods
    • Durable frames and plastic shells that hold up in high-traffic areas
    • Variety of plastic colors to choose
Pictured: Lilly side with rocker base

Lilly and Jax – Perfect for lounge collections-common areas, libraries, administrative offices:

    • Jax and Lilly offer different aesthetic designs suited for a variety of interior designs
    • Very mobile and easy to move around
    • Variety of models to fit in different spaces
    • Support focus or collaborative student work

Ellie – Well-suited for common areas, libraries, administrative offices:

      • Very mobile and easy to move around
      • Support focus or collaborative student work
      • Variety of bases that support multiple areas-show via images (individual images of different bases)

Effective education is a must for prosperous and civil societies. The next generation is counting on us to train and teach them, and we’re counting on them to lead us into the future. All of this is made easier with high-quality, thoughtfully specified lounge, task and multipurpose chairs from 9to5 Seating. For more inspiration on education seating solutions, check out the 9to5 Seating Education brochure.

 

Designer Multipurpose Chair Cavo

Aesthetics are only half the story with this durable, easy-to-clean seating solution

9to5 Seating is launching Cavo, a groundbreaking new high-design multipurpose chair to address the needs of today’s fluid workspaces that crave a beautiful aesthetic as much as functionality. Engineered for durability and cleanability, Cavo answers the call of multipurpose seating—reliability and style—enterprise-wide, from meeting rooms, patient rooms, collaboration spaces, cafes or classrooms.

 

Cavo was designed by Italian designer Claudio Bellini whose work “seeks the harmony of beauty and efficiency.” Bellini believes that today’s work requires it, aiming to engage users not just with comfort but with interesting design that is aesthetically appealing. Bellini considers the office chair an essential working tool that allows for user efficiency but also gives the user space to be dynamic and flexible. Cavo ticks all those boxes.

 

CLAUDIO BELLINI Studio

 

With all its visual appeal, Cavo is also durable as a multipurpose chair. Designed for high-traffic environments, Cavo withstands frequent, thorough cleaning. With a breadth of weight capacity options—including a 350 lb weight rating for guest and stools and a 750 lb weight rating for bariatric—the collection meets the needs of company-wide access. The wall-saver frame design prevents scuffing, while the edge-to-edge under-seat cover enables stacking four on the floor and 10 on the dolly.

 

 

“9to5 Seating is excited to work with the Bellini design team,” said Dara Mir, President and CEO of 9to5 Seating. “Together, we’re launching a more evolved multipurpose chair.”

Cavo is GREENGUARD GOLD and BIFMA LEVEL 2 certified and starts at $380. Reach out to your 9to5 Seating Rep for a demo.

 

 

 

 

Sustainability Drives Innovation – Chairs that Fight Climate Change

At 9to5 Seating there’s a long history of innovation that goes back to company’s founding when Susan and Darius immigrated to the USA from Iran and decided to take a chance on selling office furniture via a leased warehouse space in downtown L.A. That bold move doesn’t happen without an innovative approach to business. This mindset has continued to fuel the 9to5 brand into the 21st century with task and lounge seating consistently delivering more overall value than larger competitors.

The innovation continues with 9to5 Seating proud to announce that it has become the first mid-market manufacturer with all products LEVEL 2 certified and one special product LEVEL 3 certified. This is unprecedented in the contract furniture industry. It’s a testament to the commitment of resources from the parent company, Flokk Group, and the dedicated focus by 9to5 Seating management. Below is a brief overview of the LEVEL certifications:

Developed by BIFMA, LEVEL is a voluntary certification program in which third-party auditors measure a product and its producer against the ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard. The LEVEL program was created to provide the most comprehensive, unbiased and transparent means of evaluating and communicating commercial furniture products’ environmental and social impacts. The LEVEL mark demonstrates that the product, the manufacturing facility, and the company responsible for the product brand have all met the requirements for certification. Visit www.levelcertified.org for more information.

What does this mean in application? Here are four key takeaways regarding LEVEL. First, materials really matter, and 9to5 Seating introduces chairs that help fight climate change through thoughtful material sourcing. Second, the company is dedicated to a long-term approach to sustainability through product development and innovation. LEVEL certifications are a process that requires time, resources and patience. The certification is not earned on a whim or simply bought. It takes a true commitment to build quality products that are third-party vetted and certified. Third, the product line from 9to5 has passed rigorous product checks to qualify – rest assured that each chair has been thoroughly tested. Fourth, the LEVEL certification represents a commitment to the communities where we live and work. Meeting these requirements is never easier, faster or cheaper. This doesn’t always translate to winning a specification. However, it’s always the right thing to do for our people, and it helps 9to5 Seating create environmentally preferable and socially responsible chairs for the workplace. Our mindset is that “we don’t want just to fight climate change, but also be part of the solution.”

Beyond the LEVEL 2 certification, 9to5 Seating is proud to offer two chairs that meet the even more rigorous standards of LEVEL 3 certification, HÅG Capisco and HÅG Capisco Puls. LEVEL 3 is the highest rating a product can reach and is similar to a Platinum ranking within the LEED system. With 9to5 Seating, whatever chair you specify, rest assured it’s LEVEL certified, built to last, and loaded with value. 9to5 Seating is committed to boldly changing how furniture designers and manufacturers operate. We recognize that the way business has been conducted no longer works and want to be part of the solution. From our waste management to our hiring practices, our profit-sharing to our supply chain – we will continue to push the industry forward with the best, most sustainable chairs possible.

To learn more about 9to5 Seating’s sustainability policy go to 9to5seating.com/sustainability.

What’s the Right Chair for My Sit/Stand Desk?

Recently invested in sit/stand desks for your entire office? Did you decide to invest in one for your WFH situation? Or, maybe, you’re a commercial designer and you specify height-adjustable desks on a daily basis. This piece of furniture is a great tool for productivity, employee satisfaction, and mental/physical health. Hang on though. What about the chair? This Forbes article points out that most workers spend most of their time sitting. Simply put, workers will sit throughout the day (yes, even the “all about fitness person” in the office). 9to5 Seating knows chairs and has task and office seating solutions that will perfectly complement a sit/stand desk and maximize the utility of these workstations.

To specify the right chair to pair with a sit/stand desk, you must start with the right questions. First, in what environment will the desk and chair be used? Open office, private office, home office, lab, common area, school or institutional setting, etc. The environment makes a difference in the design aesthetic that should be considered for the chair. For example, the HÅG Capisco Puls is ideal in a lab because the plastic shell is extremely durable and easy to clean. Also, HÅG Capisco Puls is ideal for shorter sitting periods, which you might expect in a working lab environment.

No matter where your chairs are used, check out the 9to5 Seating Chair Designer. This intuitively crafted tool allows users to sort by application type, including business, education, healthcare, heavy-duty, and hospitality. Find the right application and then dial in your design based on the back type, category, material, and other features.

The next question is how the chair will typically be used. Do you expect to sit at the desk mostly? If so, the HÅG Capisco is a great option because it has been ergonomically designed for long sits. The unique design helps support the lumbar spine and keeps workers feeling fresh and alert for longer periods of sitting. This chair also offers a foot ring and arched foot plates to help keep the user firmly planted and support the legs. These features are great for users who prefer to keep their desks at a higher position by default. Many users can then simply stand up out of the chair and continue working without having also to adjust the height of the desk. Capisco also offers many different seat heights which accommodate a wide range of body types when sitting or perching at a desk. Whether you sit, perch or stand, Capisco’s three-cylinder heights help accommodate just about anyone.

The last question is what are the overall ergonomics and best sitting position when using a height-adjustable desk? As with any desk and chair pairing, you want to ensure the forearms rest comfortably and level on the desk, feet are planted, and the lumbar spine is supported. The user should be able to sit upright comfortably. Chair options like the Omnia, Neo, Luna, and Cydia all offer foot rings and ergonomics that will support a user at virtually any desk height.

So, sit/stand desks are great, but a smart specifier will remember the chair is just as important. After all, your body is in direct contact with the chair for several hours daily. Nail the spec and keep your clients happy!

Ellie |Designer’s Dream that Delivers Ergonomics

9to5 Seating is launching Ellie, a highly customizable, fully upholstered stylish chair for task, conference rooms or collaboration spaces. With elegant curved lines, Ellie aims to elevate the market for spaces that change throughout the day—including home offices.

Ellie combines task-seating-level ergonomics with plush lounge comfort, merging functionality with appealing design. With a multitude of base and finish options, Ellie in mid-back or high-back complements any kind of work space from corporate settings to open-concept offices or at-home work. Depending on space and style needs, choose from a black or gray five-star base, a four-star aluminum base in black, white or polished finish, or a wire base in black, gray or silver. The easy-to-use weight-balanced synchro mechanism makes customization personal.

Ellie’s precision upholstery work means designers can easily create personalized two-tone design, combining colors, textures and patterns everywhere—front, back and seat with optional coated textile armrests, making Ellie more durable for every day use.

   

Made of 95% recycled materials, Ellie is the latest proof of 9to5 Seating’s commitment to sustainability and helping the planet. Ellie is GREENGUARD GOLD and BIFMA LEVEL 2 certified.

“We’re excited to introduce Ellie to the 9to5 Seating portfolio,” said Dara Mir, President and CEO of 9to5 Seating. “This impressive chair exemplifies 9to5 Seating’s push for a high design, ergonomic, sustainable and highly customizable seating solution.”

Ellie starts at $1445 and is now available. Check in with your local 9to5 Seating Sales Representative for a demo and go to 9to5seating.com for more information.

 

The Swiss Army Knife of Seating – Vox & Dash

“It’s as versatile as a Swiss Army Knife.” We’ve all heard this phrase, and most people instantly understand the analogy….Whatever is being referenced is dynamic and offers a wide range of utility. But why the Swiss Army Knife? And what does this have to do with office chairs? Here’s the quick backstory. It all started in the 1880s when the Swiss Army decided they needed a new tool for their soldiers. Based on the given requirements for this tool, the officers in charge of the project decided that a folding knife would be the best possible solution. It needed to be able to open cans of food, help with cooking, serve as a utensil, perform maintenance on soldiers’ rifles, and cut things as needed. The resulting knife was ironically produced by a German company until 1891 when Karl Elsener, owner of a surgical equipment company, set out to manufacture the knives in Switzerland. Long story short, the rest is history, with millions and millions of this utilitarian knife sold.

So, if there were a Swiss Army Knife of chairs, what would it be and who would produce it? It would need to be offered in a range of styles, configurations, and finishes. It would need to be styled in a way that works throughout a variety of spaces. And of course, it would need to be offered at a reasonable price. Easy answer! It’s Vox and Dash by 9to5 Seating, and here’s why.

Vox is an ideal, contemporary, multi-purpose seating solution. Created for collaboration spaces, flexible workplaces, training areas, break rooms, and just about anywhere else. It’s an enterprise-wide solution. Post-pandemic, organizations are looking for more versatility in their facilities and office furniture. This means rethinking what spaces look like, how often employees use them, and how the furniture within these spaces needs to adapt to changing needs regularly. Vox is ideally suited for offices, hospitals, and higher education environments where high traffic, turnover, and public use create harsh demands for any chair. The durable, easily cleanable surfaces allow Vox to continue to perform and sit after sit. You might think a chair like this doesn’t offer built-in ergonomics, right? Wrong! Ergonomics come standard with Vox’s unique flex zone allows someone to stretch back. Learn more here.

 

Turns out great things come in pairs! Vox, the perfect “Swiss Army Knife” solution, has a partner in Dash. This uber-functional chair is loaded with features that make Vox proud. The Dash multi-purpose office chair also offers built-in ergonomics. What does that mean? In simple terms, many people can use the chair throughout the day with super easy adjustments to accommodate various body types and sizes. This makes the Dash ideal for multi-shift offices and production facilities with constant turnover of staff. Dash doesn’t stop there. It’s also great for healthcare, higher education, and other workplace environments.

Dash shares the same unique flex zone as Vox. The back allows it to flex with the user as needed, providing a more comfortable seat. Users find this feature comfortable and appealing when sitting for long periods. Like Vox, Dash offers a variety of options: four-leg, sled, glides, casters, bar or task stool, and with or without arms. Then there’s the customizable plastic in 12 colors or an upholstered seat. The main difference between Vox and Dash is Dash’s perforated back which allows for easy breathability. Click here to learn more about Dash.

All these options from Vox and Dash have us wondering…Shouldn’t the phrase be “It’s as versatile as a Vox or Dash from 9to5 Seating?” One thing is certain – when specifying an office chair, task chair, executive chair, or just about any other type of chair, 9to5 Seating is your best choice for versatility, design, and value.

 

 

 

Ergonomics in Interior Design

So we’ve all heard that ergonomics is essential for our health, wellbeing, and productivity. But, do ergonomics have a role in good design?  Based on various studies, the answer is a resounding yes! Here are four reasons why.

  1. Humans find comfortable design more appealing. This should be intuitive, but research shows that people perceive more value in devices, objects, and materials that are easy to use, comfortable, and high-quality. According to a study by Accenture, 32% of a consumer’s motivation when considering a product is the quality and ease of use, which translates to great design. When a product simply “feels right,” you assign a higher worth to it, believe it is higher quality, and naturally trust it to work better. Suppose you set two chairs side by side and one is ergonomically correct, and the other is lacking. The ergonomic chair will consistently be viewed as a better design and overall product. The Lilly is the perfect blend of ergonomics and style. The classic design is complemented by a lumbar supporting backrest and a wide range of finish options, including a rocker base for a fun alternative to the traditional office chair.

2. Ergonomic furniture helps calm the mind and promote focus. Mental health is more important than ever, finally getting the attention it has always deserved. When your body is comfortable, and in a good posture, the mind has one less distraction, improving focus. Research from Indeed shows that a focused mind increases productivity, reduces stress, and improves quality. 

One of the first steps to focusing your mind is the right task chair that feels right and doesn’t distract the user with pain points or constant adjustments. When you need to choose the best ergonomic option, the award-winning design of the HÅG Capisco is a perfect fit. Designer Peter Opsvik crafted this innovative and fun chair to think outside the box of “normal” chair design.

Need something more traditional? Check out Neo. Available as a task chair, stool, conference chair, or executive seating, it’s a genuinely versatile office chair that offers excellent value. Who knew your office chair could make you more focused and happy!

3. Happier employees perceive their environment more positively. With the return to in-person work well underway, many employers face pushback from workers who prefer to work from home. This Harvard Business Review study shows that employees want to work from home on average 2.5 days a week. Generous WFH policies are becoming a significant perk in a tight labor market. So, when employees are in the office, companies are desperate to keep them happy and keep a positive view of the office environment. Studies vary, but this Forbes article shows that the average American adult sits approximately 15 hours per day, so an ergonomically correct task chair is crucial to health and perceived happiness.

4. Enhance the attractiveness of your organization to new hires. This last one is broad but applicable. Given the extremely tight labor market, employers have to be creative and aggressive when recruiting employees. After pay, benefits, and WFH policy, many workers consider the physical environment when choosing a company. Is it up to date? Does it have a relaxed atmosphere? Are there amenities besides the traditional break room? Great design plays a critical role in defining an environment’s overall look and feel, and ergonomic chairs, desks, and accessories help deliver a positive environment.

Whether you are planning a new build, managing a renovation, or simply upgrading old furniture in the office, remember to keep ergonomics and design in mind. Balancing the two leads to happier, healthier, and more productive employees. Not sure where to start? Feel free to reach out to chair experts at 9to5 Seating for assistance. 

Why Ergonomic Chairs Matter

If you owned a factory, you would never allow a worker to operate a dangerous machine without safety shields. If you owned a trucking company, you would never send out a driver in a vehicle without brakes. If you owned a fleet of fishing boats, you would never let your fishermen sail without lifejackets.

So why would you let your office workers sit in old or unhealthy office chairs that lack proper ergonomic adjustments? A lot of time and effort goes into making offices look good, but are you paying enough attention to the health and wellness of your most valuable asset — your employees?

 

There are two aspects of a complete workplace well-being program. First, employers must look at the ergonomics of the office — the physical space,  tools, furniture and office chairs you give employees to work. Second, employers must design and implement a comprehensive wellness program. Before we get into the details of these two key elements, let’s take a look at why it matters.

If you are on the fence about investing in the well-being of your employees, consider these facts:

  • OSHA has cited that musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic injuries have direct costs of between $15 billion-$20 billion per year.
  • According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, which reviewed 250 ergonomics case studies to reveal the impact of ergonomics on business goals like cost savings, productivity and product quality, companies that invest in the wellness of their workers see a 59% average reduction of musculoskeletal disorders; 75% reduction in lost workdays; 68% reduction in worker’s compensation costs and a 43% decrease in labor costs.
  • Since Johnson & Johnson implemented an employee wellness program in 1995, the company’s leaders estimate that wellness programs cumulatively saved the company $250 million on health care costs in a decade and the return was $2.71 for every dollar spent.
It is helpful to divide ergonomics and health and wellness programs into two related, but separate baskets. Think of ergonomics as the healthy space a company creates for its employees. It is the healthy thinking behind the space and the tools used by workers. Wellness programs give employees incentives, tools, social support, privacy and strategies to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Employers design them, but participating in wellness programs is usually the employee’s responsibility.

Ergonomics help employees stay more comfortable and ergonomic solutions can increase productivity by as much as 25%, according to multiple studies. Ergonomics is important because when you’re doing a job and your body is stressed by an awkward posture, extreme temperature or repeated movement your musculoskeletal system is affected. Your body may begin to develop symptoms such as fatigue, discomfort and pain, which can be the first signs of a musculoskeletal disorder. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are conditions that affect your body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves.  MSDs can develop over time or can occur immediately due to overload.

In addition to being a literal pain in the neck for the employee, ergonomic problems also cost employers a lot. According to the Oregon OSHA, the average direct cost of a workers’ compensation claim for an MSD is $14,120. The indirect costs involved bringing the total average claim cost to well over $32,000.

A wellness program is any kind of organized activity in the workplace designed to improve and support the health and fitness of employees. Wellness programs could include fitness programs, health screenings and preventative care and include activities like stress management education, smoking cessation programs, exercise programs, weight-loss competitions and wellness assessments.

 

According to the Society for Human Resource Management Employee Benefits Survey, about 64 percent of employers provide wellness resources and information, and 58 percent of organizations offer wellness programs in general.

Employers can promote a healthier, more productive work environment by offering employees the means and the educational tools to take control of their wellness. A well-executed wellness program can reduce health care costs, augment productivity and increase employee retention, providing further support for the correlation between personal health and job satisfaction.

Creating a healthy workplace is a journey for most companies. It doesn’t happen overnight. But it doesn’t take much to get started either.

Take a look at your furniture. A good place to start is a review of your office chairs. The main feature to look for in an ergonomic seat is adjustability. The more that you are able to modify the chair, the better you can customize it to suit your individual needs. Look for a chair that supports your lower back. The seat pan — the part you actually sit on — should have enough width and depth to support the user.

Just because you are sitting does not mean the experience should be static. Active or dynamic sitting allows the worker to move while seated, which is important since the human body is not meant to stay stationary for long periods. Static seating can cause joint stiffness, circulation problems and back and neck pain.

Picking the right chair makes all the difference.

 

9to5 Seating’s lineup includes two best-selling European task chairs that certainly fit the bill. The company distributes HÅG Capisco and HÅG Capisco Puls, two chairs designed by Peter Opsvik that perfectly blend movement and a comfortable seat. HÅG Capisco is fully upholstered and well designed for desk work. The HÅG Capisco Puls is a plastic frame chair with upholstered seat or seat pad options intended for shorter sits.

Because of its award-winning ergonomic design, the HÅG Capisco chair stimulates intuitive and natural movement in a variety of seated postures. You can sit on it with the seat back behind you or facing you. The wings on the back let you rest an arm while you meet with a coworker or simply need a new position. The innovative base is designed as a footrest and an optional ring makes sitting even more comfortable.

The 9to5 Seating Luna Collection is another great choice. The Luna Collection includes task, task stool, and side chair models, all built with comfort and movement in mind. All Luna models have a pull handle that makes them easy to move. They also feature a mesh back that flexes and adjusts as you move. An optional height-adjustable lumbar provides additional back support.

Another option is Sol. Sol is a task chair that seamlessly integrates technology and supports all the postures we assume as we read on tablets, text on phones, video chat or draw. A slim layer of upholstery or mesh cushions the back while allowing easy movement. Sol uses responsive pivot-back technology for total support regardless of how much you move. The pivoting back mirrors your natural posture changes, letting you settle in or sit up, or even move side-to-side.

With the right office chair in place, it is time to turn to the rest of the workstation. To improve workstations, make sure all the worker’s joints are properly aligned in the neutral position, the office chair is adjusted correctly, the back is supported and the computer monitor, keyboard and mouse are at the right height and aligned.

Ergonomics and wellness should be at the core of every company’s workplace strategy. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it will also improve productivity, save money and boost employee morale. If you were the coach, you wouldn’t send a football player on the field without a helmet. Don’t send your employees to the office without protection either.

HÅG Capisco Impresses this Marketing Agency

Pleasantly surprised and impressed – Dallas marketing agency MG Marketing shares their thoughts on adding the HÅG Capisco to their office.

When we first received the  HÅG Capisco & HÅG Capisco Puls, the team was skeptical. It’s different to say the least, and I wondered if these task chairs were really going to be comfortable or more of an over-the-top attempt at ergonomics gone wrong. I’ll cut to the bottom line for those in a rush. The only thing wrong was my faulty assumption about this clever task chair. These chairs are amazing! Read on…

First off, the unique saddle shape for the seat by Norwegian designer Peter Opsvik really helped nudge us toward better posture. Throughout the day each of us found ourselves naturally more upright and less slumped. But not in an exaggerated, unrealistic way. Instead, it just felt comfortable and right – refreshing. The treaded footrests seemed to help anchor us and keep the body aligned. I’m not sure if this is connected, but I noticed one employee using the chair at the max height with his sit/stand desk raised, and he rarely uses his desk above normal height.

Second, the padding and cushioning in the seat and backrest of the HÅG Capisco was like the Goldilocks story – not too soft, not too firm, just right. HÅG is known for their commitment to sustainable, premium materials and precision construction, and 9to5 Seating delivers on sustainability during the upholstery and distribution process. But don’t just take my word for it. The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) has certified HÅG Capisco and HÅG Capisco Puls LEVEL 2, a rigorous classification that requires third-party testing and certification. Our team felt great in the chairs and even better knowing these office chairs were responsibly and sustainably manufactured with over 50% recycled material.

Last, the “flip” was the surprise move with both chairs that really has our team convinced that these are the ultimate task chairs. What am I talking about? Just spin the chair around, rest your chest against the backrest, and use the ergonomic cutouts as armrests while working at a desk. I heard comments like “It felt good on my arms”, “seemed to help keep my posture up”, and “it was just fun to mix it up!”.

So if you’re wondering, “are these chairs really worth it?”. Our position is definitely yes! Besides the ergonomics, sustainable materials, LEVEL 2 certification and 9to5 Seating quality, these task chairs are just fun and really add a conversation-starter element to the office. Kudos to HÅG, designer Peter Opsvik and 9to5 Seating for a truly innovative product in the traditional space of office furniture.