Ergonomic office seating for copywriters and other creatives

Is your back (or your chiropractor) telling you it’s time for a better office chair? If so, maybe it’s time to invest in a really good ergonomic workstation seat. They’re not cheap, but the benefits, as I can attest after two years living and working with two Scandinavian beauties, really are worth it.

The decision to invest in proper office seating

Like so many web designers, graphic designers, SEO consultants and other creatives, I fly a desk for too many hours a day. And like so many office workers, I’d been prone to back problems over the years – the consequence, amongst other things, of years spent seat-hopping between poorly-designed office chairs. I’d tried orthopaedic seat wedges, exercises and other cures. But in the end it was a long and costly course of visits to my chiropractor, and equipping my own freelance copywriting office, that finally persuaded me to invest in proper seating.

Many so called ‘ergonomic seats’ are not that good for your back

Armed only with the knowledge that many so-called ‘ergonomic’ office seats aren’t actually good for your back, I started researching. Not surprisingly, given Scandinavia’s tradition for design excellence, this quickly took me to Norway’s Håg and its self-proclaimed ‘passion for movement’.

A superb local supplier

Next I needed a local supplier: a quick Google search quickly found Nigel Eldridge’s Office Back Care Centre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK. What a revelation the sales process was as we explored options and I discovered the comfort, practicality and ergonomics of these seats, which follow the body’s movements as you work. After one of the best consultative sales I’ve ever experienced, I chose a high-backed Peter Opsvik-designed Håg 05 (picture above) for my primary workstation and an 03 (below) for the second desk.

Endorsed by my Danish chiropractor

As a double check in the face of the Håg’s price tag, I asked my chiropractor for his opinion. After checking out the Håg range for himself, he gave me the thumbs-up (and promptly re-equipped his premises with Håg). My wife was also so impressed that she subsequently ordered a pair of Håg’s quirky, yet eminently practical, Capisco seats for her own healthcare workplaces.

A sound investment in back care and productivity

Two years on, I’m wondering why I didn’t invest in better office seating earlier. Compared to more pain and more expensive chiropractor visits, the seat’s price is a small investment to make for such comfort, wellbeing and the priceless feeling of freshness at the end of a day’s writing. In fact, it’s probably one of the best investments I’ve made in my business productivity. Thinking about the purchase, it really only equates to a year’s worth of daily coffee shop treats – and unlike those caffeine fixes, your Håg will look after your back, and help you work more productively, for years. It may be tax deductible too…

Amazing versatility and adjustability

Now I can focus on my copywriting work in amazing comfort while the Håg’s ‘balanced rocking’ design looks after support and the needs of the muscles that are activated. The 05 also comes with amazing versatility and adjustability to suit different-sized users and different working requirements. And as an added bonus, there’s a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee and impeccable environmental credentials.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Comfort
• Integrity of the underlying ergonomic design
• Build quality
• Versatility
• Looks
• Range of options (low, medium and high backs, head rests and more…
• 10-year guarantee
• Håg’s Green credentials

Cons

So good to use that you spend too much time in it? I can't think of anything else...

As you'll have gathered, I love this seat and so does my back. And I’ll bet you will too. More details about the Håg 05, Håg 03 and the rest of the company's range are available on the official Håg website or at The Office Back Care Centre, Cheltenham

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