Comments on: Balans Chair Review

By: jbreds

jbreds — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:28:24 +0000

To Suraj and other s looking for a replacement to HAG Balans. I have sat in both chairs and totally agree with Suraj. The Varier Wing balans is much more comfortable. I’m not sure if it is necessarily the wood, though. I think that may be a part of it but there are also 6 of those little rubber bushing things on the underside. I compared this to a friend’s HAG chair and it only had two. I think it’s a combination of the wooden frame and extra “suspension” that makes the Wing so much more comfortable and forgiving.

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:20:56 +0000

How can I disassemble the chair?

By: Rebecca Sandiland

Rebecca Sandiland — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:55:22 +0000

Hello,

I have frequent back pain due to an injury to my SI joints- has anyone on this forum had a similar issue and found the HAG chairs to be of benefit? Any recommendations are appreciated- these chairs aren’t cheap and I would like to hear from someone who has actually used the chair before I commit to purchasing:)

Warmest thanks!

By: Kelly Newnham

Kelly Newnham — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:29:10 +0000

Hi, In response to Andy’s comment posted 22 March 2010, I have an original HAG Balans chair which I shall be selling through ebay. I shall be posting the chair today so feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. My ebay user ID is kelbird1. I have found this chair perfect for my posture and lower back problems, however due to now having a bad knee through cycling, I am unable to kneel comfortably on this.

By: Suraj

Suraj — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:33:56 +0000

HAG officially discontinued the chair in 2009. Peter Opsvik, the inventor of the original Balans kneeling concept and designer of the HAG Balans Vital is apparently suggesting that consumers buy the Varier Wing Balans (which he also designed). This is the closest design to the HAG chair out there. The main difference is that the frame/base are made of wood rather than aluminum.

I have a Wing Balans chair and can say it is CONSIDERABLY more comfortable than the HAG Balans Vital ever was due to the wooden frame of the Wing Balans. It has significantly more “give” than the HAG model. Here is a link to one of the Opsvik-designed Wing Balans chairs.

If you are dead-set on getting the HAG chair, I would wait for a used one to come up on Ebay. They are on there every once in a while (though they won’t have the mfr’s warranty since that is only extended to the original user).

By: Andy B

Andy B — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:53:08 +0000

Hi. I just read that the HAG Balans is no longer available. What’s the deal?! I have been reading a lot of great things about this chair and that this was basically the original kneeling chair. I really haven’t been looking at any other chairs because this was supposed to be the bee’s knees when it came to kneeling chairs. Does anyone have suggestions or maybe a place where I can still purchase the HAG chair?

By: Tech

Tech — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:55:20 +0000

Hi Lillian. The current replacement lifts should be available from any authorized HAG dealer. The repair can be a little tricky but certainly can be done by an end-user. It isn’t that the repair is difficult but that after 20 years of sitting the parts can be wedged together quite tightly.

Also, to John Greene, your unique condition is definitely something to consider when purchasing any kneeling chair. You may still be able to achieve many of the benefits of the Balans chair by using it as a secondary chair throughout the day. It can easily slide under your desk for storage and then be pulled out for a change of pace.

By: john greene

john greene — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:52:45 +0000

I’ve haad 3 back sugeries and a friend loaned me his chair and while I say it helped my back pain I could leg would not tolerate the position for any length of time because of my replacement knee. Just something to keep in mind if you a contemplating a chair.

By: Lilian Tan

Lilian Tan — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:12:13 +0000

I have a Balans chair that has served me well for over 20 years. It was given to me by a friend so I did not purchase it myself. However, the gas lift isn’t working so I need to know where to send it for repair. I live in Kuala Lumpur. Can someone please help me?

By: Rich Ducre

Rich Ducre — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:47:59 +0000

http://www.ergodepot.com/HAG_Balans_p/6035.htm

By: Goldie Brown

Goldie Brown — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:27:59 +0000

I have been looking for this chair for the past 8 years since I seen a co-worker with one. I would like to know how and where can I get one? Anyone.

By: CindyLooHoo

CindyLooHoo — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:26:13 +0000

Rick – I used a Balans chair for many years and can tell you that it is POSSIBLE. In my case at least, I was able to adjust to the sitting posture relatively easily and used the chair religiously for 8-10 hours a day for several years. That said, I bought a Capisco chair a while back and there’s no doubt that the Capisco is a better option for longer workdays. It allows for more freedom of movement with many more seating positions than the Balans does. You also have the sit/stand option with the Capisco.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:26:36 +0000

has anyone actually used a Balans chair as a serious task chair–12 hours a day banging on a keyboard?

Also, can it be disassembled for easy transport or mailing?

By: george

george — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:42:26 +0000

Oh, one more thing. I am 190cm tall. Will I fit into this chair?

By: george

george — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:41:18 +0000

Does anyone know a company that can ship a HAG balans chair to Greece?
Thanks

By: Ken Williams

Ken Williams — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:20:48 +0000

I have long-term severe ischial bursitis and can’t sit without pain. Would this chair help? I need something that won’t put too much pressure on my butt.

By: Rich Ducre

Rich Ducre — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:12:30 +0000

Hi Martha.

The adjustments on the Balans chair are seat height and kneepad angle. The kneepad angle “swivels” based upon how the user’s weight is distributed between the seat pad and knee pad. There is a fixed distance between the two pads. According to HAG, the range of the kneepad angle is suitable for users between 5′1″ and 6′0″.

By: Martha

Martha — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:10:26 +0000

What adjustments does this chair allow? I am short. I know I can change the seat hight, but .can I change the kneepad height, the kneepad angle or the seat angle?

By: Rich Ducre

Rich Ducre — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:51:57 +0000

Theo,

I primarily sit in the chair at my desk with my shins on the kneepad and my bum on the seat pad. It took me awhile to find the ideal configuration for me, but based on what I found I would recommend the following:

Your back should be very slightly arched above the tailbone and your shoulders relaxed. The seat height should be adjusted so that your elbow is slightly above the worksurface (and your forearms parallel to the floor). The closest picture I could find to this is the first picture (the guy in the suit) on this link:

http://www.posture.co.uk/ourrange.html

I sometimes rest my feet on the grooved foot places and sometimes let them rest angled to the floor. I find it easier to maneuver around when my feet are on the foot places.

You can also vary up your posture a lot – like “reversed” with your bum on the kneepad with elbows back on seat pad.

Rich

By: Theo

Theo — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:55:37 +0000

Hi all.
Does anyone know any good links that demostrate the CORRECT way to sit on this chair?

Thanks?