OK so I went to Home Office Solutions (Glenview, IL) today. They've got a HUGE selection of chairs, every one in the op except the IKEA one. They're also having a moving sale (to Northbrook, IL). Every demo chair they have is on sale, many at huge discounts. The Leap WorkLounge is normally $3400 including ottoman and they were selling it at less than half that. The Herman Miller Eames Lounge w/ ottoman is $1000 off. Definitely recommend anyone in Chicago area looking for a chair to check them out this month before they move.

I went in there intending to go for the Leap WorkLounge since it definitely looks the most comfortable and I'm pretty big on headrests. I found that it is really great as a lounge chair but for work (sitting upright) it wasn't especially comfortable -- the arm rests don't move so they only come into play when lounging/reclining. Also the head pillow was very annoying unless reclining. The seat definitely is very comfy and soft. It is a very luxurious chair and is a solid option if you do a lot of lounging but for majority working/computer use it didn't seem that great.

After sitting in 6 or so other chairs including the Leap and Freedom I settled on the Embody, of course the only chair they're not discounting since it just came out. It doesn't have a headrest but both upright and reclined positions felt like the chair was almost gripping me (a good thing) and it's also very breathable. Also cool that it was made with the environment in mind (>40% recycled materials).

spent a decent amount of time trying out an Aeron again and this time i really loved it. i really dig all the adjustments a person can make. just wish there was more of a headrest.

how do you guys like to sit: lean back or forward?

i like to lean back, like i'm lounging, with my feet up on an ottoman with my body parallel to the desk (use dual monitors, so that one is straight in front of me but not exactly and the other is more the side of me). maybe that's another reason why Aeron might not work for me. not sure yet tho, might have to sit in some more.

I am taking delivery of an Embody chair today... I will post my thoughts/impressions.

great chair. at first i was underwhelmed but i am very glad i purchased it. my posture feels better after sitting in it for about two months.

make sure you read the manual and adjust it properly.

have you had any of the other super high end chairs that you could compare it with (freedom, leap, aeron etc)?

I ordered the un-baller Ikea Marcus, totally sight unseen based 100% on Nielsio's recommendation.

Niels, if it sucks I'm going to track you down.

Good choice of thrown.

I have it too, i haven't tried any high end chairs, but it doesn't suck.

this. tried it at my physical therapist's office, and have been using it about 1 month. still haven't even properly calibrated it and my back/neck feels a million times better after playing for hours.

http://www.sit4less.com/products/haworth/zody-chair/194

I've had Embody for like a month now and doesn't really feel that comfortable, my roommates 150$ standard leather chair feels just as comfortable or even better. Maybe it's because of my table which sucks, basically no room.

just bought the freedom after checking it out at design by reach at town square in vegas. tried an aeron too...that mesh stuff is comfy but def seemed like i would get better back support from the freedom. i'll post more after i actually receive it.

Nice, I'm kinda considering the Freedom.. what options did you go with?

I went with this in stock model.

All In Stock Freedom Chairs include:

Adjustable Headrest
Height adjustable, gel arms covered in black, Xanium (synthetic leather)
3" seat depth adjustment range
3" lumbar support height adjustment range
Standard height cylinder (16"-21 1/3") - Fits over 90% of people
Standard hard casters for carpet
Graphite Frame w/upgraded, powder coated aluminum base
Black Wave fabric


I also upgraded to the gel seat, I read an article on that site that basically said that the foam is for people who are up and down in the chair. Its very comfy, but has less support. Gel seems firmer and harder at first, but is suited for people who spend many hours in the chair.

I wanted to go leather, but you can't get the gel seat with leather (something about how it doesnt bond correctly), and on top of that, shipping for leather would take 2-6 weeks because they have to customize it. I ordered the in stock chair on monday, should be here on Friday. All of that made it a no brainer to go with the in stock, considering every other option was exactly what I wanted.

Ikea Markus has arrived and is assembled.

So far, I am pleased. Enjoying the lumbar support.

Eurotech ergohuman. Went to a store to try out a bunch of Aerons and ended up getting this instead. So much more comfortable and not as stiff as the aeron. Much smoother reclining as well. The dealer actually told me that was a frequent occurence, people go in for aerons and leave with ergos. Usually goes for $500 too so its half the price as an aeron/leap. For the price range, I dont think theres anything that can compete.

That's a great chair. I was just about to buy one, but I got a great deal on a freedom and purchased that instead.

So I just got my Freedom yesterday and I'm a little underwhelmed by the quality. Leaning back is fairly hard, I actually have to push myself backwards and its always jerky and makes creaking noises, not smooth and seamless like it should be. The headrest also moves back and forth and makes noise when I lean my head back into it. Maybe mine has just shoddy construction, because when I tried it out in a store it felt fine (although it was the higher end leather model). I really wish I could DW40 this bitch or do something to make leaning back easier and less creaky. So yea I'm a bit pissed I spent $850 bucks on this thing.

almost every chair has a lean-back-tension adjustment. look for that.

While the Aeron would likely work well for you (it does recline just fine), it sounds to me like the Embody chair might be ideal. It's designed specifically to give you support regardless of how you twist/turn/move/recline in the chair.

What's up with the review Moki?

ok i just got mine today too, and i know what you're experiencing. look at the headrest - when it comes shipped, the headrest isnt fit into the brackets. make sure you snap them in, then it'll be solid. i was a little confused at first too - just the way they ship it apparently. as for the initial stiffness - it's a bit weird to get used to the weight balancing. i got used to it by pushing my weight into it halfway, then maneuvering myself into different positions to get a feel for it. it's incredibly responsive, and thats when you appreciate the chair imo.

also, make sure you pull the actual seat of the chair out. there's a lever underneath that you'll prob need to pull out the whole way, otherwise it feels like you have to shove yourself into the chair. it's just set at the innermost setting initially, that setting really made it comfortable to lounge.

once you get used to using your weight to shift positions, it becomes really nice imo. you don't have to keep shoving back once you recline....just recline, then adjust to wherever you want; it sort of forces you to mold your body to the chair. i'm really happy with this purchase.


edit: freakin, it has no tilt tension adjustment. it's very simple, which is the big selling point of the technology apparently. no need for levers or adjustments to get to the correct position, just use body weight to get to the spot you want, then the chair resists against your weight somehow.

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.

ive had this chair for about 6 months and its great. the mesh makes a huge difference as far as not sweating liek you do in most chairs. only complaint i have about it is i wish the armrests extended farther back toward the back of the seat.

No one should be paying $1,000 for an Aeron. They can be had for significantly cheaper than that.