If the work is not smart, something can be done to improve it. For months many have been forced to carve out a space at home where they can continue to work as in the office, but it is not easy: we have already indicated some general rules, then everyone finds the solution that best suits the times, spaces, individual needs. And sometimes the most interesting inspirations come from where you least expect us. Let’s take the choice of the chair: there are office models of all prices and all shapes, of course, but there are also thousands of professional players who use special seats, which until yesterday were only seen on Twitch and with the pandemic they have become also popular outside. They are usually flashy in color and design, a bit like Formula One car seats, and it’s hard to imagine them anywhere other than a teenager’s room. So a good solution could be Herman Miller’s Embody, designed together with Logitech, which we have been testing for a few months. The first is a very famous company in the field of office furniture, which for decades has been producing pieces that have entered the history of design, such as the Aeron chair. The second is a lively company born in Switzerland and then became a multinational, known above all for computer peripherals and for the – more recent – section dedicated to gamers.
The back of the backrest of the Embody for gamers is in intense blue (but a completely black version has also recently been released)
A modern classic
Embody has existed since 2008, and was born just as an ergonomic chair designed for those who spend a lot of time in front of a computer. It has an original design, with a rather wide seat and narrow backrest, and a series of adjustments that make it extremely customizable. The version designed with Logitech, however, introduces two significant differences: an extra layer of padding on the seat, and the back of the backrest and a series of details in intense blue (but a completely black version has also recently been released). “Logitech has brought its innovation in gaming technology and deep understanding of player needs,” reads Herman Miller’s website. In the most engaging moments of the game, for example, most players sit forward in their chairs. : for this reason the seat of the new Embody is made of several layers: two of springs, one intermediate, a layer of foam and finally the outer fabric.
No imitation leather, no contrasting stitching, just a tone-on-tone printed “G”: seat and back are covered with a light layer of memory foam covered with breathable black fabric. The base and frame are made of aluminum and finished with a solid black embossed coating. In general, the design is unchanged from the standard model, but the resulting hybrid can be too sober for a gamer and perhaps a little too flashy for a standard office, or home. In no case can it be defined as luxurious: although the care of the materials is extreme and the precision of the workmanship above all suspicion, the Embody does not show at all its belonging to the high-end office seating (and to the very high one of chairs for gamers).
The Embody has a flexible back that moves in sync with the body, a human-like spine, with some sort of ribs that flex or contract following the movement of the back.
Spine
Gaming chairs usually have solid metal frame backs that can be reclined. In contrast, the Embody has a flexible back that moves in sync with the body, a kind of human-like spine, with some sort of ribs that flex or contract with the movement of the back. The aim is to support a healthy sitting posture, regardless of how you sit. “The user notices Pixelated Support the moment he sits down: the sensation of floating while always maintaining a perfect balance”, explains the company. And it is true, the back support is natural and safe, and it is easy to find a position that is both relaxed and correct at the same time. And that remains so even if you move. This is thanks to what the company calls BackFit: turning a knob on the right side increases or decreases the curvature in the thoracic region of the spine, thus also adjusting the lumbar support.
The best way to describe this feeling is that you do not notice that you are sitting; even after working and playing for a long time, you don’t feel the need to get up for a while because you feel uncomfortable. The Embody is flexible enough to adapt to the body and feel custom designed, but not so much that it feels like it is sinking: it benefits the mental focus, which feels better to us. The small backrest, then, facilitates lateral movement and torsion, which thus contribute to making the sitting position less static and more bearable even if prolonged over time.
With the buttons under the armrests you can adjust the height of the arm support, or move them inwards or outwards; however, it is not possible to change their angle. The seat depth is also adjustable
Other adjustments
With the buttons under the armrests you can adjust the height of the arm support, or move them inwards or outwards; however, it is not possible to change their angle. The depth of the seat is also adjustable (from 381 to 457 mm): two handles near the front of the chair allow the seat to be extended thus providing the right support for the lower part of the legs. It is possible to shorten the seat by simply pushing it back, even if it takes some strength. The height, on the other hand, can vary from 432 to 539 mm.
On the back, to the left of the chair, there is a lever that serves to limit the inclination of the backrest with four possible adjustments: at the minimum the oscillation is very low, at the maximum level you push back a lot, but not so much to transform the Embody in a lounge chair to relax. The wheels are also very good, running silently and turning homogeneously; pity they don’t even have a brake.
Alte temperature
“Together with Logitech G, we studied both Pro Players and Gamers, hardcore and casual, to see how we can improve their performance and help them take care of their bodies while they play. We have found that players assume a variety of postures on the chairs that negatively impact their performance and could damage their health over time, ”said Tim Straker, Herman Miller’s Chief Marketing Officer. Among Logitech’s contributions to gamer Embody is the addition of a coolant foam with copper particles in the seat to prevent it from heating up while gaming. Considering the season, we cannot say that we have tested it thoroughly, but it seems to us that the result is in line with expectations. We found the elastic polyester coating, called Sync fabric, very valid, tested for durability, strength, color fastness, resistance to stains and the ability to not catch fire (but we have not tested). The Embody is made with 95% recyclable components and manufactured in the United States in a facility that runs 100% renewable energy.
The collaboration between Herman Miller and Logitech resulted in the Embody chair, three desks (Motia, Ratio and Nevi) and a monitor and laptop stand (Ollin Gaming Monitor Arm)
In fine
Is everything perfect, then? No: the Embody, especially in the Logitech version, has a line that may seem too flashy to some; lacks headrest; it is designed for people of standard build and may not be the ideal choice for those over six feet. Then there is the price, the most sore point of all: it is one of the most expensive models by Herman Miller, which certainly cannot be defined as an entry level company, and in fact costs 1342 euros. On the other hand, the guarantee offered by the company is considerable, reaching 12 years.
In addition to the seat, there are also three desks (Motia, Ratio and Nevi) and a monitor and laptop support (Ollin Gaming Monitor Arm) which should allow players to maintain a healthier posture during long gaming sessions. But they are also very suitable for working without compromising the health of the back.