Embody Chair By Herman Miller - Ergonomic Review

[@raretapes8057]

This is the first video I've watched where there was no salesmanship. Straight down the line, as I would expect from a scholar. Thank you Olivier.

[@OlivierGirard]

I’m not a scholar 😭… I ran away from it years ago. But I appreciate the compliment!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻😄

[@smisjm]

Absolutely fantastic video Olivier. After an exhaustive search and showroom trial comparing the Aeron, Mirra 2 and the Embody, I finally purchased the Embody yesterday from my local Herman Miller dealer and have been playing with all of the adjustments today. Your explanation of how to set the backrest/lumbar so it presses on the belt and the way you showed how to do it in the recline position was the golden ticket for the perfect setting. LOL, you should work for Herman Miller for instructional videos of how to get the absolute best out of the Embody. Merci beaucoup!!

[@400preetham]

Thank you for guiding the perfect adjustment, feeling more comfortable 😊

[@Soloseas]

This guy has more passion for ergonomics than should be legally allowed.

[@OlivierGirard]

They tried to throw me in jail, but I escaped 😂😂!!!

[@humedesmond7774]

Great video on the instruction usage, I have two embodies with the rhymn and balance fabric at home and for my office. The main point of me choosing the Embody over the Aeron is the abiliy to naturally bend or tilt the back without any adjusment to the knobs and while Aeron is a solid chair, it is too rigid. But embody is not without its cons with the price of a new chair literally being the highest in the market and don't recommend just use it without putting a protective cover over the fabric as your sweat and dirt will eventually leaving a smell or stain on it. Took me a while and I have to experiment on many third-party cloth cover but eventually I stumbled on a dining chair cover (XL size) which fits well for my current embodies and even with the added headrest from Altas. The price of a new chair is expensive but can be worth it if suits you. I had an used embody and brought it at what I thought was really a good deal at half price of a new chair only to realised that I was cheated as it was manufactured close to ten years ago. While the chair functions and fabric are in good condition, the chair frame itself was discoloured and the fabric gives off a musty smell despite how much I tried to clean it. Fortunaltely I managed to sell it away at a slight loss.

[@TheSleepyBabelsaur]

Thanks Olivier! It's great to have honest reviews about these famous and hyped chairs. While doing research about these expensive chairs, you always end up with rankings and people telling you what the "best" one is. Instead you've done a great job at highlighting why you may want to (or not) chose it. Great content.

[@charleyschaubroeck6301]

Hi @olivier I was wondering if you can comment on my adjustment method. The way I adjust the Embody is the following: 1. Adjust the height and make sure you are a little bit less than 90 degrees with the knees. 2. Then make sure your seat depth is adjusted and 3 fingers fit between seat and back of leg. 3. Forget about the arms at this point. 4. Completely loosen the knob that determines the tilt tension. IMPORTANT. Leave the chair locked in upright position (tilt lever completely up). Then completely turn the backfit knob forward (chair will be extremely forward). You will see that you can still lean in the backrest because we made it flexible. That’s the whole point of this backrest. It doesn’t only look cool it also can follow your curvature. To make sure the backrest is adjusted to your natural spine curve you start turning the backfit knob backwards while completely leaning in the backrest with shoulders touching the top. While you do this you stop and wiggle left right and feel if your back is completely touching the backrest fabric. You can feel this best on your naked skin. When you found this point you feel if nothing is pushing in your back. To move lumbar support higher turn knob backwards (not forward as you say in the video) and other way around. Then final step is to make the backrest less flexible by turning the front right knob (with height adjustment) forward. I suggest turning 3-5 complete turns before leaning back again and checking if you need to make adjustments to the backfit knob (you will know when you’re doing this right when nothing is poking in your back but your back if FULLY in contact with the backrest when leaning back). It’s a bit of a process but this is how I do it. I have not found any video on KZbin explaining it this way. Most start by locking the tilt almost completely and start declining right away to the max. They forget to use the flexibility of the backrest which is the whole point :)

[@formulaic78]

This worked pretty well for me. I must say though that I find multiple different positions beyond maximally loosened to be comfortable and form fitting when sitting up straight. However, when I recline I find the backrest to be pretty hard. Not exactly what I had envisioned in buying an office/gaming chair to both work and to play console games in a reclined position in. The office part is fine but the gaming part not so much for me.

[@crispyjuggle]

Very good explanation. I personally find it unfortunate that you have to accept a loose recline mechanism when you want a more flexible upper back support. This is what a lot of people don't understand. The front knob controls both things at the same time. Also when you want a less pronounced S-curve, you have to turn body fit back. This in turn makes you sit less upright. When you sit less upright, you put more pressure on your tailbone, leading to pain in that area for some people.

[@snowbind]

I am one of those people who enjoys the benefits of adjusting my chair daily. Sometimes hourly :) Thank you for this video.

[@erickz0r124]

Man, this was incredibly informative. I appreciate your effort and passion in doing this kind of video. People should always consult a physician when buying chairs.

[@OlivierGirard]

Thank you for the compliment, my friend!! But to be very honest, most physicians don't know s...t about this stuff, which is why they asked me to create The Posture Academy for Healthcare Workers: oliviergirard.ch/en/posture-academy-online-program/

[@Romoredux]

5:30 six foot 4 inches here and this CHAIR FITS ME PERFECTLY!

[@water851]

Thank you for helping me get settled in this chair. Very informative and helpful. Cheers!

[@TheSydguy30]

I love your video! Loved it so much as I found the adjustment I never knew existed in regards to moving where the support is from the lumbar up to the middle back. There is one HUGE problem I find though, when you want lumbar support, right on those spots you mentioned (the bony parts where your belt sits) you have to have the Embody in the loose position to achieve this meaning you are now at a recline which I'm really not a fan of as that puts pressure on your neck as you will naturally end up having forward head carriage to offset the angle of being reclined. Before I found there was pretty much no lumbar support and now when I find how to get it, I have this additional problem. Lasts the arm rests, WHY not make them be able to slide back like the Aeron! This was SUCH a missed opportunity to have pretty much perfect armrests! They are too far forward!

[@inarisound]

Incredible information, thank you so much Oliver!

[@Mark-hh9du]

Hi Olivier, I have just visited a showroom of Herman Miller and tried the Embody. I feel something stiff against ("stabbing") my lower back (lumbar/sacral), even if I adjust the lever for the back support. I have read online some people claiming that is a "good" pain and will go away in a few weeks and once I get used to it. My questions are... 1. Is it true and ergonomically healthy to endure the lower back pain for a few weeks? 2. Is such back support good for my back? Without the "stabbing" support on my lower back, will it damage my back in long term? Since I see that you have tried both Embody and Gesture on your channel, and I haven't visited the Steelcase showroom 3. Does the Gesture by Steelcase have similar "stabbing" back support? Lastly, I appreciate your educational video and good tutorial, have a good day.

[@fangao6468]

Such a great video, straight to the point, very objective, very informative, also very comprehensive: even more so than Herman Miller's own instruction video. Thank you very much👍

[@NoProHarrie]

I have just taken delivery of my embody chair today. I found this video mighty interesting. I am happy to say I already feel like there's less strain on my back and I will say it feels like it fits perfectly. Excellent job from Herman Miller

[@OlivierGirard]

Well done!!

[@mousec2600]

The proper way to adjust the width of the armrests is to lift up on them, without pressing the height adjustment buttons, and move them to where you like. Doing it the right way allows for the silky smooth positioning of the armrests with no undue resistance at all.

[@zacklindsey5759]

Hi Oliver, I’ve just purchased the Embody gaming version of this chair. I had an l4/l5 discectomy two weeks ago. Is this a chair I can trust to guide me to fix my terrible posture and lead me to a healthier lifestyle?

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey mate... the chair is a good chair. My issue is more price / quality ratio... but anyway, I'd love to answer positively to your question... however, a chair is just a chair and it's job is just to support your pelvis. "Punkt schluss", in German 😅 In other words, once on a good chair, your posture is at least 50% behavioural and your lifestyle at least 90%... your chair is just a small part of the equation 😀

[@mcmickey3344]

what do you think of steelcase leap v2 chair?

[@ala19962]

Hi Olivier! Can you review my posture in the Embody for me? I am getting neck pain because I think I'm not sitting correctly.

[@mohammedalkoasmh4272]

Hi Olivier. Thank you for the excellent video. I have a question I have been struggling with. I am 6’5 tall, and my legs are long (36” Inseam) I have the embody and the gesture but for both my legs extend much beyond the seat depth limit. I usually have 12 or 13 fingers behind my knee, is this hurtful to me? What is the best solution?

[@shrek22]

does he go over Aeron remastered? He is fantastic. thank you so much

[@crispyjuggle]

Thank you for your video! @olivier, doesn't this chair go against your ergonomics principles? At some point in your videos you say that you should sit upright in your chair with a slight forward tilt and the chair should only touch your lumbar area. This is basically impossible in this chair. I own it and I feel like I am always in a slight recline position. I have also heard that quite some people develop pain in the tailbone area from this chair. I guess this is from the missing upright-sitting position of the Embody. What would be your take on this?

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey! I have a 2-fold answer... - it's been a while since I sat on this chair so my old brains will do their best ;) - this chair hasn't left me a great impression, to be honest, esp. in view of its price. I wasn't comfortable under the thigh area, and somehow the lumbar support was OK but no more. Now, this depends a lot on our morphology: basically, the chair should "fit your butt and hold your belt". If the geometry between the seat pan and the backrest doesn't match the geometry of your butt, not can it be adapted to it, you won't feel enough lumbar support. Hence, it can very well be that this chair is OK for some but not for you. Makes sense?

[@crispyjuggle]

@OlivierGirard Yes, makes sense! Thank you very much for replying :)

[@timfrensch6204]

Good and clear review, which do you prefer personally the embody or the kinnarps you show a lot in your videos?

[@OlivierGirard]

Hi Tim! That's a great question. My answer would be that I prefer my +8, due to 4 reasons: - I'm used to it for years: remember... comfort is highly personnal - somehow my butt feels softer on a foam cushion - I like my headrest, because I daydream quite a bit - my chair is nearly half the price of Embody. But again, Embody is a great chair that deserves to be shortlisted in your choosing process :)

[@forsakenedzero]

Hey great video thanks a ton for sharing, am in between the embody and the gaming version which has more foam and tends to be plushiers. In general what woulb be healthier long term a firmer seat or softer foam, does make a difference?

[@shrek22]

Pls tell me he has done the Leap v2 as well? ❤

[@400preetham]

Thank you for guiding

[@Larsen__]

Would you recommend the Embody for a tall guy (195cm) with Scheuermann's Disease? (bit round upper back)

[@ovipaw]

The well expected video, thanks for listening to your comments!

[@OlivierGirard]

You’re most welcome, my friend!!

[@mrgoolas1423]

Hello, first of all thank you for this review! It is great! I have a question: If I lock my embody on the first lock and work all the time reclined so I have my entire back against the chair, does this makes me subjective to the forward shoulders issue?

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey mate! It does indeed. Check this video, at 3:33: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4KpqIBoeN-nsNE

[@mrgoolas1423]

@@OlivierGirard Thank you!

[@TheElementFive]

I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which makes me fatigued from sitting upright for long periods of time. The Embody feels perfect for me, as it supports a natural upright posture while letting my loose ligaments make me be lazy with how I sit!

[@dx_1]

this video was really helpful.

[@SGTcrackey666]

Any chair recommendations for me 5 foot 6 small frame

[@rebornlol]

Thanks for creating this video. Love your channel’s content. I got the Embody chair a month ago, but haven’t been able to get rid of pain between my shoulder blades on my back. I feel that the bone of my spine in that location is more pronounced than it used to be. It’s made it hard for me to enjoy the chair and I’ve tried a few adjustments. I’ve also noticed that I sometimes have up to four fingers between the seat pan and the back of my knees, which I have the seat pan fully extended. Any suggestions? Am I using the chair wrong? I’m 6ft tall.

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey dear! Thanks for the feedback! Pain between the shoulder blades is often, although not always, due to round shoulders (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmOxgmqGhtikhrs). This can be due to slouching (kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4KpqIBoeN-nsNE). Have a look at the 2 videos and let me know if you recognize anything!

[@grantl5776]

Great review. I couldn't make the embody work for my body after over a year so i sold it and got a Steelcase Leap V2 instead. PLEASE do a theral review/proper adjustment guide for the Leap V2 chair PLEASE!!

[@OlivierGirard]

I sent a mail to SteelCase Switzerland yesterday… waiting for their answer 😅

[@mjregan88]

I can’t stand the leap v2. So uncomfortable for more than an hour. The seat just isn’t comfortable for me.

[@doublegcsgo]

I need your help, i’m 6 foot about 6’1 in between there and i can’t figure out my desk height, and the herman miller! I normally don’t adjust my chairs at all and leave them in a straight up position but always have neck and shoulder pain put play very well. I would love advice on a good height for my desk, how to find that height, and as someone who has an embody but likes to sit straight up and down, and doesn’t normally adjust chairs out of the up right position, what would you recommend for adjusting this chair

[@GrechStudios]

Are you supposed to sit in a leaning back position in this chair? Or should you still try to sit straight up, even though the back doesn't come up all the way? I've been trying out the Logitech Embody, and was told you need to press into the back support (with the backrest tension adjusted properly) to really get the chair. I guess the idea is that while you lean back you have a strong support for your Lumbar and some support for your shoulders. However, I've been having cramps in my pelvic floor by assuming a kind of "slouched" position. It seems like the back rest isn't designed to make you sit at 90 degrees. More like 100 degrees. I can't tell if I'm using it wrong, or if this chair just isn't for me. I always feel like I'm sliding out, and need a lot of effort to push back into the seat. I will admit I get up afterwords with better posture when I walk around after using it. But my sitting area doesn't feel too happy.

[@SteveJarek]

I’ll just add that this is the exact reason I bought this chair. Sitting at 90 degrees makes my legs tingle as I think I’m annoying a nerve where my body folds. The slightly open sitting experience is much better for me.

[@GamemovieportalChGMP]

Hey, I bought this chair and became it yesterday. I used it now for 8 hours and I have a kind of pain, numbless and tinging in the legs now (upper thigh, in the knee region). Did you have that to? does it go away? is it maybe a kind of acclimatisation to this chair? Perhaps I'm sitting too straight and it would be better if I could sit at a 5% angle, which is unfortunately not possible to configure. So, maybe I need to buy a special seat cushion with a tilt angle. Would appreciate your help, if you or other guys have this issue. Cheers from Europe, Switzerland

[@Formulka]

I hate how the top of the chair arcs inward/is concave. It pushes my shoulders forward and becomes uncomfortable in like 5 minutes.

[@formulaic78]

I wonder if it depends on your height? I sat in it (gaming version) in the store for about fifteen minutes and never found that uncomfortable at all. I am 172cm. He also shows in the video that you should be sitting without your shoulders touching the top of backrest, unless reclining. I'm gonna buy the atlas headrest for that situation as I love to recline with my controller when gaming.

[@coderide]

I bought this one but unfortunately this didn’t work for me, giving me soreness in the butt area. Hence returning it 😢 Not sure which one will be better now, I’m considering Fern & steelcase chairs

[@thewhitewolffl]

I have been using a Fern for about 6 days now, (cloth seat) so far the most comfortable seat I have used. The back is amazing as well.

[@Buckdax]

Had my chair for 5 weeks now and my neck and left shoulder hurt so much. Wish I sent it back within the two week return period.....

[@zacklindsey5759]

Have you tried out the Atlas headrest for this chair?

[@Buckdax]

@ no. Its much better now but yeahhh

[@prx3da997]

@@Buckdax is it worth buyin?

[@PermaRed]

I have one Logitech embody and the only thing I don’t like is that doesn’t have lower back support for my arch, I tried putting multiple pads brands from Amazon but it didn’t work, really disappointing paying almost $2000 for lower back pain at the end of a full day of work

[@thewhitewolffl]

I have used Haworth Fern for about 1 week, with lumbar support option, and the chair is incredible.

[@XR-qs7mq]

Hi Olivier, I've received my chair and was looking to see if there is an adjustment period switching from a cheap chair to an ergonomic chair. I've had the Embody for a few days so far and have sat in it for at least 2-3 8hr sessions. I tend to end up feeling pressure / dullness in the lower part of my back (near and just above the belt line), however I wouldn't describe it exactly as pain. And after a long session I don't feel any actual residual back pain. Just wonder if this is normal and may go away / change. I've done a lot of the adjustments and have the backfit mostly forward (2 turns out from max) and have tried a variety of configurations and believe I have it in the correct spot.

[@OlivierGirard]

Hey dear... even on a good chair, you'll feel discomfort if you sit for too long in a row, i.e. for more that 30 min (there's compression in the lower back afterwards). So if your chair is great and you still feel something strange, your next step should be to get up more often. I'll soon publish a video on breaks vs productivity: stay tuned ;)

[@XR-qs7mq]

@@OlivierGirard Oh I see, I'll work on getting up more and walking around. Thanks for the response!

[@formulaic78]

​@@XR-qs7mqI don't entirely agree with Olivier on this. I had a DX racer drift gaming chair which was pretty well padded and I could sit on it for hours without any noticeable pain (though my posture was slightly slouched with my upper back always against the backrest so this likely wasn't good for my posture). In the embody I get pain regularly though (possibly because it's forcing me into a position I'm not used to) and quite simply can't sit for the lengths I used to (which maybe is a good thing because I'm adapting to a better posture, but my main point is that I have been able to sit pain free for many hours in other chairs).

[@BiobioNeo]

Hello Olivier, great video! Would you recommend Embody over Aeron ?

[@OlivierGirard]

Great question!! Honestly… there are pros and cons for both. It’s like preferring a BMW over a Mercedes or conversely. - Comfort-wise, they feel different because their fabric / mesh are different. - Control-wise, many people don’t know how to use the seat tilt feature on Aeron. In this respect, Embody might be easier to use (the backrest feature impact your posture much less, although it’s also kind of complicated) - Embody comes in one size only, whereas Aeron comes in 3 sizes: you can find the latter for short people, but not the former… That’s why recommending this or that model is a tough question: it depends for whom, and for what…

[@fl.m2851]

But Olivier at the end of the video you mention not to buy before trying. However, Herman Miller, Steelcase and Haworth just to mention those don't have physical shops in 99% of the case the purchase is online. It's a gamble to put 1800€ for it

[@OlivierGirard]

This is very country dependent, but you have a point there: most "real" manufacturers focus on B2B sales. Honestly, I can understand them: the sales price to time expenditure ratio is way too high on the B2C market. But this policy makes it very difficult for individuals to get a proper chair. If there's no showroom nearby, my best advice is that you look at the 2nd hand market. There are often great deals there.

[@TheEchelon]

Instead of simply pushing the arms out/inwards, you're supposed to lift them up and they will adjust a lot easier :)

[@cliche_AF]

I have the chance to buy used one Embody or brand new Haworth fern with out the lumbar adjuster. which would recommend for me thats 5'6 tall

[@shrek22]

Which did u get?

[@cliche_AF]

@@shrek22 both lol

[@shrek22]

@@cliche_AF nice, which do you prefer?

[@cliche_AF]

@@shrek22 the fern

[@Daleysunshine]

I am 5"4 does that mean I am too short for this chair?

[@gokzilla]

Every time when i sit on the embody regular, its crackling. Is it normal ?

[@gokzilla]

Only on the back. My weight is 114 kg. Its only crackling bay the first sitting. Not evetytime i move

[@ToyotaCorolla-lr1uy]

@@gokzillayes, the plastic in the back is kinda noisy, it’s very normal and I am not heavy. People say it gets quieter with age though

[@lance4454]

Nice review!

[@Alex-bm9nb]

I had a fully loaded Embody, changed to a Aeron instead. The Embody has a number of things I find they did worse than the Aeron. Embody's seat depth adjustment is good but it's very hard to move, as shown in the video. Embody's seat material, while good, traps heat during hot summer days, so AC is a must. Aeron's mesh seat obviously doesn't have this problem. Embody's arm adjustments are bad compared to Aeron. The arms height has 4 preset steps and that's it, while Aeron's arm height is stepless adjustment, u can lock it anywhere u want. This made it ez to find a good height with my height-adjustable desk.

[@Isaxus12]

What do you think about the IKEA Markus?

[@OlivierGirard]

Aaaaarggghhhh! Is this an answer :)?

[@Isaxus12]

@@OlivierGirard I suppose so! But is there anything wrong with it other than lack of customisability? Thanks in advance! I'm considering upgrading to a Kinnarps, Malmstolen or even the Embody. I've been getting thigh pain with Markus for some reason, could it be the seat depth? But there's only a fist between seat and back of the knees... Maybe I'm just sitting for too long, I'll try your exercises!

[@OlivierGirard]

@@Isaxus12 It's mainly the lack of lumbar support: it's not present enough for you to be supported in direction of your desk. So your back rounds and your head moves forward. Plus, the armrests are barely adjustable and way too hart.

[@NewYears1978]

What about the seat???

[@willdtechthings2683]

Does anyone’s chair (base seat) wobble a few degrees forward and back ? I

[@antonshcherbakov4112]

yes, this is normal

[@ric.e214]

I need a cigar, whiskey, and some gold coins to sell to this John Wick salesman. 👨‍💼

[@bfh7777]

would this chair be ideal for me when you say short people what height and weight are you on average referring to? im 5'9/176cm and 62kilo. Would i be above on the too small height end?

[@LostStylus]

This chair hurts my thigs and/or on any height or seat length. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to design the front part of to seat to be that much higher than the rear part?

[@GBR9794]

Miller Herman )

[@Isaxus12]

How tall are you?

[@sittkukk8278]

Exactly! The problem is when you try to make the seat shorter the plastics overlap pushing more and more into your thighs. What the hell HM engineers were thinking? I guess they couldn't figure a better solution, but for me the chair was unusable cuz of that MAJOR issue. Why the hell I want something constantly pushing into my thighs?

[@WiwekL]

Nobody uses chair in the middle of the room. People use it in front of their desk, and armrest prevents to move it as close as needed. Really disappointing give it costs 2 grands.

[@OlivierGirard]

Not always, but very often, I observe a desk to body distance with people who complain about armrests. Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enS6emOsasyrY9k

[@desertdweller9548]

Long story short, it depends and you should try for yourself and decide. You're welcome for the ten minutes I just saved you.