CoreChair FAQs

CoreChair FAQs

CoreChair is an active sitting solution inspired by the alarming evidence based research on the health impacts of sedentary sitting. But this is not your typical office chair, and we know you have some questions!

Check out these CoreChair FAQs

Q: How does CoreChair compare in quality against my current office chair?

A: CoreChair has been introduced as a very high quality product supported with a 12 year warranty. The patented internal mechanism is a highly precision component with a careful eye to final inspection processes to ensure optimal function over time. The product has been designed, engineered and tested to exceed 1 million cycles using the BIFMA/ ANSI protocol. All components of the chair are made from recycled or recyclable materials. The seat covers are made from 100% recycled post consumer polyesters (water bottles).

Q: Why are there no armrests?

A: With arm rests most people have a tendency to introduce chronic leaning as part of their sitting habits. Arm rest dependency increases static lateral positioning of the spine and places unnecessary pressure on the forearm. CoreChair promotes more natural and balanced positioning of the spine. The resulting stability and supported position means there is no need for arm rests.

Q: Why is the back so low?

A: CoreChair is designed to embrace the users pelvis in an engaged sitting position and is not intended to be a lounging chair. When properly seated, users do not need a tall back. In fact, the upper portion of the tall back is not used by most users, except when reclining. Sitting on a flat level surface with a flat back tends to promote slumping, where the pelvis tilts backward. Traditional chair designs introduce lumbar supports in an attempt to correct the resulting flattened low back. This only addresses the symptom of slumping whereas CoreChair’s pelvic stabilizer addresses the cause by supporting the pelvis and reducing the slumping and low back flattening. Want to learn more? Contact us for copies of the studies completed by the University of Waterloo that speak to the positive postural benefits of CoreChair.

Q: How will the CoreChair interact with my work station?

A: CoreChair operates optimally when the user assumes a more open hip angle. This means sitting with the chair at a height that results in the knees being lower than the hips. The resulting position makes the user sit taller and engaged to their work station. Properly adjusted the users arms should hang at their side rather than reaching out to their work surface. This new sitting height will likely result in the computer monitor being lower than ideal. We recommend that you adjust your monitor height by using a portable desk top sit stand station or a monitor attachment that allows for additional height adjustment.

Q: Will CoreChair really strengthen my core?

A: While the CoreChair is not as unstable as an exercise ball, it does engage your core stabilizing muscles very much on par according to a study conducted by the Dept of Kinesiology at University of Waterloo. When we collapse into a traditional chair, which may indeed feel comfortable, our core stabilizing muscles are too relaxed and tend to approach atrophy or muscle wasting. Continuous low level stimulation of these critical stabilizing soft tissues will definitely add to your core strength and you can expect a carry over affect to your other daily activities.

Q: Is it an orthopedic chair?

A: Yes. CoreChair is designed to provide an ideal combination of optimal support and positioning with safe movement. It can be a perfect orthopedic intervention, supplement to other health care initiatives or even preventative measure. In contrast to traditional sitting solutions, CoreChair encourages healthy movement which is necessary to provide ideal nutrients to your supportive soft tissues (muscles and ligaments). CoreChair has proven to be a very effective contribution to persons with chronic back pain.

Q: How is the CoreChair different from other ergonomic chairs?

A: Traditional ergonomic office chairs focus more on providing relaxed support and typically commit the user to a one fixed position that diminishes healthy movement. Similar to a lounge chair, a traditional chair allows the body to settle into a reclining position which in most cases results in poor alignment of the users body relative to their work station. CoreChair promotes optimal sitting posture because it embraces the pelvis with an aggressively shaped seat complimented by snug support at the top of the back of the pelvis, near your belt level. With the pelvis supported in this manner, the user experiences a natural balance of their spine from their pelvis to their head. Most people using traditional chairs either perch on the front edge of their seat or completely slump into the tall back, causing excessive demands on their musculoskeletal structure. CoreChair provides a pivot point immediately beneath the users’ centre of balance which provides natural movement in all directions up to a safe range of 14 degrees.

Q: How do I know which setting I should use?

A: CoreChair is designed to provide an optimally supported sitting posture by embracing the pelvis, and move in all directions up to a safe 14 degrees. Movement resistance is adjusted very simply and has four settings. The highest resistance results in very little movement with more emphasis on postural positioning. If you are new to CoreChair, we recommend you begin with the high resistance and ensure that you have achieved the optimal adjustment to optimize your posture. Intermittent shifting through the day from high to low resistance will begin to demonstrate the feel of the movement. Most users quickly adjust to the dynamic movement at the low resistance and use this as their default. The mid range adjustments for resistance are very helpful when you are sitting taller with a more open hip angle (knees below the hips) and avoids the sensation of sliding while maintaining movement in all directions.

Q: What can I expect after sitting in the CoreChair for a few weeks?

A: Most people immediately transition to the intended comfort and ride of their CoreChair and experience little if any side affects. For some, they will notice the results of this new and improved sitting position and the added movement, much like they might after their first few visits to the gym on a new exercise program. Because the chair positions the user to sit taller and assume an ideal posture, the supportive soft tissues of the core begin to reprogram to accommodate this. For those who have realized this initial perceived discomfort, the vast majority report that this discomfort resolves within a few weeks. For persons who have a chronic back issue arising from a diagnosis such as a herniated disc, strained soft tissues or similar, the reported feedback in most cases are that the position and movement provide very quick relief. In the therapeutic world “motion is lotion”. There are some individuals who have more significant back issues and have been seeking a solution for quite some time. While CoreChair is an excellent adjunct to a more traditional therapeutic treatment, it should not be considered an alternative. At CoreChair we encourage a variety of working positions through the day, from sitting to standing and walking opportunities. We also encourage preventative and therapeutic complimentary solutions such as yoga, safe training and massage as well as physiotherapy and chiropractic care.

Q: What is it like to sit in a CoreChair?

A: Reports arising from thousands of CoreChair users suggest that they feel: – More alert and productive throughout their work day.

  • Less stiffness in their hips and low back that they would normally experience when they stand up from a traditional chair after sitting for a period of time.
  • More comfort under their sit bones and tail bone.
  • Reduced upper back and neck pain.
  • Less strain on their back when reaching.
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