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Today’s office is more dynamic than ever – yet sitting is still the default for most people most of the time. And while a corresponding push for more residential-style furnishings is elevating the modern office’s appearance, it often comes at the cost of ergonomics. Musculoskeletal ailments are still the number one cause of absenteeism, according to a 2018 report by German healthcare insurer DAK, and “75 per cent of all employees have a backache at least once a year.”

As we learn more about the effects of long-term sitting, it has become clear that “correct” posture is a fallacy. No position is healthy when held for several hours a day. Movement while sitting, including easy-to-use sit–stand options, is one way to break up long periods of sitting. And as Wilkhahn is proving, this new understanding doesn’t have to be at odds with good-looking office furniture.

To reconcile the goals of better ergonomics and aesthetic appeal, Wilkhahn has introduced the AT 187 range of task chairs, a family comprising five models of different back heights, including a counter stool and a highly adjustable chair for sit–stand applications. 

At the heart of each chair is Wilkhahn’s patented Trimension – a kinematics system, developed with researchers from Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, that enables three-dimensional movement of the seat pan and back, mobilizing the hips and activating back muscles.

The same self-balancing system that supports a sitter as they shift around – while still maintaining their centre of gravity – allows the chair to automatically adapt to the weight of different sitters, making it ideal for boardrooms and hot desking. For chairs assigned to a dedicated user, Trimension can be finely tuned to one of 10 different calibrations.

AT’s instant adaptability means sitters can lean, reach and pivot, shifting positions and reducing the strain of sitting for long periods – which in turn lowers muscle stiffness, backache and joint pain and improves well-being and concentration. Three case studies have borne this out, including a 12-week study in which a group using chairs in Wilkhahn’s free-2-move family reported better concentration and demonstrated higher speed and accuracy than a control group.

The same automatic adjustment that makes AT easy to use also reduces the need for visible control mechanisms, resulting in a cleaner, more refined look. Crossover points have been meticulously modelled to give the final product a seamless appearance.

AT 187 can also be specified with different backrest, frame and upholstery options – including a wide selection of fabrics and colours, even leather – to blend into any environment. The range also marries with Wilkhahn’s other table and conference chair models for a unified look throughout the office.

This content was published by Azure on behalf of Wilkhahn.

Wilkhahn’s Dynamic (and Stylish) Office Chairs Move With the Spine

Wilkhahn’s new series of science-backed chairs, the AT 187 range, introduces movement to sitting – and style to the office.

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