Review of the Balans Chair

The Balans Kneeling Chair first appeared in the 1970s and was the first chair to challenge the concept of the design and function of the traditional office chair.

The Original Balans

The Balans evolved from the pioneering work of Danish surgeon Dr A. C. Mandal on the importance of a balanced seating position as well as Hans Christian Mengschoel who commissioned designers to develop the Kneeling Chair concept.

Designer Peter Opsvik produced the original Balans chair around 1975 and this type of knee chair is actually still available today in Europe and Asia, from manufacturer Stokke. This design known as the Variable Balans is actually very simple and is based on a timber rocking chair style of frame which encourages movement by the user.

HÅG of Norway decided to develop the Balans Kneeling Seat for more practical use in the office environment. Nonetheless, the principle of the seat is broadly similar in function, encouraging as it does an open seated position.

The Modern Balans KneelingChair

Today's modern HAG Balans Chair model 6135 is styled to be more suitable for use in the modern office. To begin with the HÅG's Balans Kneeling Chair is based around a 5 star base similar to the sort you might find on any conventional office chair.

That said, like all of the HÅG swivel chair models it isn't just a 5 star base. To begin with it has been stylishly designed to both look good as well as having some practical in-built functions.

Each strut of the Balans Kneeling Chair's swivel base has a raised curved footrest so you can rest your feet on them to vary your seating position. And if you've ever had an itchy foot at work, then you'll really appreciate the ribbed slots molded into each footrest of the base, just slip your shoe off and use the footrest as a foot scratcher - it works really well!

The Balans Kneeling Chair is fitted with pneumatic height adjustment, the gas lift adjuster actually gives 6'' of height variability between approximately 17'' - 23''.

If you intend to work at higher work surfaces or prefer a more open seating position it is possible to fit 2 sizes of taller gas lift. These give you alternative height adjustment ranges of 20'' - 28'' and 24'' - 33''.

The relationship between the top sloping seat pad and the lower kneeling pad remains fixed at 7'' and isn't adjustable. However, unless you are unduly tall this shouldn't present any problem.

The build quality of the Balans ergonomic Kneeling Chair is excellent and HÅG confidently offer a 10 year guarantee, (fair wear and tear accepted), on the Balans with a lifetime guarantee on the gas lift.

If required, the Balans can be fitted with hard floor castors, lockable castors or skids for a more static position.

Although it might appear that the Balans ergonomic Kneeling Chair offers a static seating position this isn't the case at all. It very much encourages the dynamic seating posture so favored by its designer, Peter Opsvik.

It allows you to easily move your body whilst seated and encourages freedom of body movement and a more natural sitting posture.

HÅG believe that the Balans user should try different seating positions to keep the body moving and avoiding the stiffness that tends to set in when you maintain the same rigid seating position for any length of time.

Varying your seating position by placing one or both feet on the floor from time to time, as a variation to the standard kneeling position is a great way of achieving different seating positions and improving comfort at the same time.

By promoting the forward seating position the HÅG Balans allows you to adopt the correct seating posture and improves blood circulation and body comfort.

Balans ergonomic Kneeling Chair users tend to fall into two schools, first there are those that are happy to sit in their Balans all day long and these users tend to be those that have varied positional chair use throughout the working day.

On the other hand, you may be the type of user that works largely at the same task in the same position throughout your working day. You may choose to have the Balans as an alternative chair which you can use during the day as and when you feel the need arises.

You will find great discounts on the HAG Balans Ergonomic Kneeling Chair here, as well as free ground shipping.