Looking for an ergonomic and stylish office chair, but just can’t decide on which one? We want to help. Among the Herman Miller Aeron and Steelcase Leap chairs, which we’ve taken a look at before, here is a detailed look into another two of the most highly regarded task chairs: the Humanscale Freedom and the Haworth Improv.
Humanscale Freedom
Designed by Niels Diffrient in 1999, this was the first chair to come out with a counterbalance mechanism that supports the body during recline. Since then, it has won over 10 design awards for its weight-sensitive recline that automatically ensures full distribution of weight and support through its entire recline motion. It also allows the user to maintain similar eye level during recline for working convenience.
Like most ergonomic leaders, the Freedom task chair is extremely adjustable, but does not require tension springs to adjust or recline locks to set/release allowing it to maximize natural and unprompted movement. Its pivoting backrest automatically adjusts to the various needs of the spine and provides up to 1” additional lumbar support when necessary. As an extremely well built chair, it is one of the few office chairs to retain a full metal frame, and has two standard frame colors, graphite or titanium, but is also available in an aluminum frame for a sleeker look.
The Freedom chair has synchronously adjustable armrests that move in tandem to eliminate the possibility of uneven arm positioning which could be harmful to the user’s posture. They have natural lift and release action for quick repositioning and up to 6” of vertical motion that is capable of being positioned below thigh level if your seating preference requires you close to a work surface.
Finally, the Freedom task chair is also available in a headrest model with dynamic and sensitive positioning that cradles the neck and head as you recline, but also can move out of the way as the user sits upright.
Haworth Improv
This chair is a member of the world’s largest ergonomic seating family and makes its contributions to LEED by containing up to 83% recycle content. Its thoughtful design provides a full range of adjustable features while showcasing a slim profile and contoured look, making it a very popular task chair for any office. These features have been designed on the premise that it can accommodate all sizes and types of people from 4’10” to 6’9.”
The Haworth Improv is available in high or mid back models, which unlike the Freedom, has forward and back tilt lock that allow for horizontal/forward and upright/reclining adjustments. The user can increase tilt tension for firm support or lessen for easier recline adjustment with +/- 1.5” of horizontal lumbar support. The seat depth has 3” of horizontal seat span movement with two-stage, pneumatic seat-height adjustment and low position seat height adjustment. It also features a waterfall edge, which encourages good blood flow in the legs and reduces fatigue.
There are numerous arms styles that can accompany the Improv including a fixed task arm, a height adjustable task arm, a flipper arm featuring lateral and vertical adjustments, and a 3D arm that can rotate laterally and vertically and has a range of 3” arm width. Or the chair could have no arms at all to accommodate lower work surfaces.
The Recap
The Freedom and Improv are both top tier office task chairs that provide a full range of ergonomic adjustments and flexible mobility to lower the risks of long-term injury. The various possibilities allow each user to customize the chair to their body type and preferred seating style easily and comfortably. With aesthetics, opinions may differ between the slim outline profile of the Improv or the more industrial, modern appearance of the Freedom chair. Whether it’s the look or feel which takes priority in your decision, or maybe it’s both, consider the facts, and then take a seat!