Variable Balans Kneeling Chair Review 2024

Is your aching back getting the better of you? Is your current office chair not doing enough to help? If you answered yes to either of those questions and you’re looking for an alternative office seating solution, you’ll love our Varier Balans Chair review.

This is the original kneeling chair, designed in 1979 by the legendary Peter Opsvik of Norway. To date, the only chair to surpass it is the Wing chair, also designed by Opsvik for Varier. As such, any time you see a kneeling chair offered by some other company, this is the one they’re trying to emulate. This is the standard they’re attempting to match or beat.

Not everybody will want or be interested in a kneeling chair. Still, if you’re dissatisfied with the comfort and ergonomic support you’re getting from your current office chair, it may be time to consider other options. If that’s the situation you find yourself in, read on, and we’ll tell you more about this fantastic design that’s still considered cutting-edge, even today!

Key Features of the Variable Balans by Varier

Chair Specifications

Let’s examine the basic stats that drive and define the model. These are:

Seat Height

You’ll note that a seat height adjustment range is absent from the list of stats. This chair doesn’t have one. It’s stationary 20” off the ground, ideally suited for a standard-sized desk.

The seat height measurement here isn’t comparable with the seat height of a conventional chair because of how you sit on it, with your knees resting on the knee pads at the front.

Note, too, that the frame has curved rails on the bottom, which allows you to rock back and forth slightly while sitting in it and comfortably shift your sitting position.

No Casters 

Also note, however, that this chair doesn’t come with casters, which wouldn’t work with its design. Do not worry, though; if you plan on using this chair on a hardwood floor or other surface that you fear might get scuffed up, the company also sells soft tape as an accessory, which we’ll talk about more in the next section.

Aesthetics

Perhaps the best thing about this chair is its deceptive simplicity of design. Its shape and engineered construction provide superb ergonomic support. Once you’ve adjusted to sitting in a kneeling chair, you’ll find you can use it for long periods every day without discomfort.

The padding is sufficient to remain comfortable even after extended periods sitting in it but isn’t excessive.

Every element of this chair’s design and manufacture has been carefully considered and expertly assembled. The assembly is done by hand in Europe, which explains why it costs a little more.

Lacquered Ash Frame

The company is known for producing top-quality Varier products; this chair is no exception. The frame is constructed of lacquered ash sustainably harvested from European forests, and the overall production quality is superb.

Upholstery Options

The company offers various upholstery options, including your choice of its proprietary “Revive” or “Fame” fabric. Revive is slightly less expensive upholstery made from 100% recycled polyester, while Fame is more durable and a bit more expensive, being made primarily of New Zealand Wool.

Whichever option you choose, you can order your chair with your chosen fabric upholstery in the following colors:

You can also order your chair with a natural finish highlighting the beauty of the ash wood used in its construction or matte black.

Extras Are Available

The Variable Balans Ergonomic Desk Chair is a lesson in simplicity, but some people are looking for a bit more. Varier has you covered on that front! The company makes the following items available as options and add-ons:

This last item is ideal for people who plan to use their chair on a hardwood floor. Without the addition of soft tape, using the chair will inevitably produce scuff marks on your pretty flooring.

Besides the soft tape, which you’ll know whether you need right away, we recommend buying the chair as is.

Test it out for a while, and then, based on your experience with it, order one or more pieces of optional equipment to create a more customized and comfortable seating experience.

Some Assembly Required (but It’s Simple!)

Unsurprisingly, since this chair is coming to you from Europe, it will arrive at your door in a medium-sized box and several pieces. Do not worry; the instructions are clear and well-written, and the assembly process is simple and can be conducted by one person with delightful ease.

Be advised, however, that if you’ve never used a kneeling chair before, you will spend a few minutes puzzling out how the various pieces go together. That adds a bit to the total assembly time, but it’s not bad even with that.

Pros and Cons of the Variable Balans Chair

When this chair was first developed, it was the gold standard—the model that every other company making kneeling chairs sought to emulate. The only chair to beat it has been developed by Peter Opsvik for Varier: the Varier Balans Wing Chair.

This model is significantly less expensive than the Wing Balans Chair, making it more accessible and appealing to a broader market.

The only real catch here is that kneeling chairs tend to be self-selecting. Most of the market comprises people looking for a conventional office chair. For them, it doesn’t matter how awesome this model is from an ergonomic standpoint; the odds are that they just won’t be interested. It’s simply not what they’re looking for.

That’s the only negative associated with the Balans, though. If you’re specifically looking for a kneeling chair and you don’t have the money for a Wing, this is the one you want. The only thing to be mindful of is the chair’s weight limit. At 250 pounds, it won’t work for everyone, but if you’re under that weight, this is a stellar choice.

Final Thoughts on Variable Balans Review

To complete our Varier Balans review, we can say that it is the second-best kneeling chair on the market today. It’s high-quality, and although a little pricey, it’s still well within the realm of possibility for a broad swath of the market.

Suppose you’ve found yourself disappointed by office chairs you’ve owned in the past and are looking for the ultimate expression of ergonomic excellence and comfort. In that case, it may be time to consider venturing off the beaten path and looking for something unconventional. Kneeling chairs are a fantastic option; we recommend this one without reservation.

Recommended Reading

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Official Manufacturer Support

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

• Varier Furniture, Official Brand Site.
• Varier Variable Balans Product Sheet.
• I Used a Kneeling Chair for a Week & Here’s What Happened, Chair Office.
• Benefits of a Kneeling Chair, All Things Bright & Good.
• What’s Up with Kneeling Chairs?, Core Walking.