Quote:
Originally Posted by Run It
What's up with the review Moki?
I'm just going to do a textual write-up from my experience with the Embody chair; for pictures, have a look here:
http://gizmodo.com/5071571/herman-mi...ve-ever-sat-on
The Embody chair is a very interestingly designed chair. Herman Miller spent some $50 million developing this chair, they say in consultation with numerous chiropractors and ergonomic advisors.
The goal with the chair is not an easy one: replace the iconic Aeron in the hearts and minds of upscale corporate America and home users. To desk jockeys who spend much of their day seated at a desk, a very well designed, comfortable chair is not so much a luxury as it is a very important tool.
People who spend thousands of dollars on their computer setup, but sit in an uncomfortable, non-ergonomic chair that makes them uncomfortable during their work day are likely shorting themselves.
I've used Aeron chairs at home and at work for a number of years, and have found them to be substantially more comfortable to sit at for extended periods of time than your average office chair. Still, chairs are very personal things, so you should take my opinion with a grain of salt, and always try a chair for a bit before buying it.
For me, the Embody is a step up from the Aeron. It doesn't look as attractive, nor is it ever likely to achieve the iconic status that the Aeron has, but it's a damned comfortable chair. It's not comfortable like sinking into a bean bag is comfortable: it is comfortable in terms of putting your body into an ergonomic position, and keeping it very well supported. On that front, it may feel a little "weird" at first, because you're sitting in a position that is actually far better for your posture than you may be used to.
I say that the chair is comfortable with a dualistic intent. Yes, it is a very comfortable, very adjustable chair to sit in. Everything from the height to recline tension to the tilt and recline distance can all be tweaked to your heart's content. The Aeron also adds two interesting controls not found in other chairs: a depth control that lets you extend the seating area for taller people, and retract it for shorter people, and a spine support adjustment.
The spine support adjustment, in addition to the unique 3-layer support built into the chair, allows you to be seated not just comfortably short-term, but for very extended periods of time without discomfort.
What I found remarkable about the chair isn't something you notice immediately. It's that after sitting in the chair for several hours, you don't feel stiff, or achey or uncomfortable at all. You notice what isn't there: discomfort!
Indeed, one very interesting feature of the chair is that you can twist from side to side, or even pivot, and the entire back of the chair and spine support moves with you. It's a very cool and effective support system.
Assuming you have the chair properly adjusted (which is key), you will really notice how effective it is after you've been sitting in it for a long period of time, or you sit in another chair. It's definitely noticeable by difference.
I don't think the Embody chair
looks cool enough to ever be the icon that the Aeron chair is. I do however think that it is a fantastically designed ergonomic chair that makes long hours seated in a chair far more enjoyable, and easier on your spine, muscles, and joints.
If you're a Internet poker player who spends hows in your command center... definitely give the Embody a try. I was sufficiently impressed.
Last edited by moki; 04-04-2009 at 05:14 AM.