A Year With a Hag Capisco
I’ve had my Hag Capisco for almost a year now and have a few thoughts to share about how much it’s changed my life. No, I’m not selling them, I didn’t get paid for this review, and I bought my Hag with my own, hard-earned money. The Hag Capisco is one of those discoveries I feel the need to share with anyone not smart enough to run away when I get that look in my eyes.
A little background if you haven’t heard of a Capisco. It is designed to be a perching chair — instead of putting all your weight on your butt and thighs while sitting you put some of your weight on the saddle seat and some of your weight on your feet. (I reviewed Galen Cranz’s “The Chair” last year, she discusses perching and the history of sitting on chairs in a fair amount of detail.)
Some differences between the Capisco and other “ergonomic” chairs:
- The chair back is not intended for support. Working while sitting on a Capisco is more like sitting on a backless stool or on the edge of a bed.
- The chair arms are far enough back that they are out of the way during normal use. You can lean back in a Capisco and rest your elbows on the arms to take a break, but when sitting upright the chair arms will not interfere with your arms.
- The chair has more (and different) adjustment options than many chairs I’ve owned. One of my favorite is the ability to slide the seat pan forwards and backwards to better accomodate different leg/butt ratios.
- The chair seat and back are both solid and firm. If there’s an opposite to the hammock-like bucket seats of an Aeron, this might just be it.
My seated (and standing) posture started improving within a few days of switching to the Capisco. It did take a couple of days for my back muscles to get used to holding me upright, but my body adjusted relatively quickly. It’s surprising just how much muscle tone I had to develop just to sit up straight for a few hours a day, but my back developed the muscle tone needed the same way my legs adjusted to living in a three-story house. I’m also fond of the feet rests that are on top of the casters. Normally with an office chair on casters, repositioning myself would require grabbing the chair with one hand to keep it from moving while I got up and sat back down. On the Capisco, I can make minor adjustments to my sitting position by simply lifting myself with my feet on the textured footrests, shifting a bit, then sitting back down.
Another change I’ve noticed is that it’s now easier (if not required) to move around quite a bit while sitting. In my old Aeron chair I could slump back and sit motionless for hours. On the Capisco, however, the only thing supporting me is my feet and butt. I’m able to sway, lean over, turn around, do all sorts of things that weren’t possible in the Aeron because I’m sitting on the chair instead of in the chair. (If you’ve ever been stuck in the rear bucket seats of a 70s muscle car, you know exactly what I’m talking about.) Sitting on a Capisco, I’m able to put things out of arm’s reach or on a shelf beside me and still get to them easily while working. In the Aeron, an item or task either had to be within arm’s reach or I had to get out of the chair.
There are a few downsides to the Capisco, but they’re mostly related to distribution and adjustment to a different sort of chair. Here in the states Hag chairs are damned difficult to test-drive unless you live near a major city. There was only one dealer in the greater San Francisco bay area that had a Capisco I could look at in person, something I like to do before dropping US $600 on a chair. Here in Pittsburgh I could only find one company even able to order a Capisco for me — they had none in their showroom to demonstrate. It took me a couple of months from initial contact before my chair arrived for me to pick up, I suspect due to the fact I was the first person in the area to ever order one of these. There’s also the cost of a Hag, and unlike the Aeron, there isn’t a surplus of used Hag chairs on the market that were freed up in the dot-com crash.
The Capisco does take a few days (if not a week) to get used to and for the first few days of use you’ll probably think it is uncomfortable or tiring. This is mostly your body complaining about having to build up some muscle tone needed to start doing the work of holding your head and spine in place.
Once you’re in a bit better shape, you’ll find the Capisco plenty comfortable.
If you have specific questions, let me know and I’ll update this review with text and photos as needed.
Q&A
Answers for some of the questions in the comments section:
- “Can you read heavy books in this chair?”: I would never consider doing any sort of reading in this chair unless the material was supported in front of me at a height that let me look straight ahead while reading. I’ve seen people using reading stands in beds and in other chairs, so you could probably find one that fit the Capisco. However, holding a book in your lap and looking down at it would probably defeat many of the benefits of using a Capisco. Yes, your weight would be distributed between your butt and your feet, but you’d also be bending your neck over at a very uncomfortable angle.
- “Can you take it apart?”: Mine came disassembled, but I don’t remember the exact details. I think it was in three pieces: the base with casters, the seat, and the back.
I got my Capisco a couple of days ago and immediately fell in love with it. I’m sitting most day writing on my laptop and with the Capisco I look forward to come home and sit even more (on the Capisco).
My chair misses one little black plastic part under the seat. It is one out of four that allow the seat to slide. It looks like a rawplug and slides it onto the metal base.
You wrote there was only one dealer in the greater San Francisco bay area that had a Capisco. Can you tell me name the dealer so I can ask for the part?
Also I’m interested in the optional head support. Did you try it?
Comment by Christoph — 2006/12/31 @ 23:30
The place in the bay area was something like “My Back Store”, they had storefronts in Palo Alto and Berkeley. Only the Berkeley store had a Capisco in stock. You might want to try Izzy Design — http://www.izzydesign.com — I think they’re the primary importer for Hag into the US.
Oh, and I didn’t get the optional head support as I rarely lean back to begin with.
Comment by jet — 2007/01/02 @ 16:02
Thank you for your review. I know the Aeron and Mira. Sat on the Mira for a couple of years. First I was very positive but then I developed new back problems (still have), obviously because you hardly move any longer and that’s not good for the muscles. The hard shell of the Mira’s back is now really disturbing. So now I am considering the Capisco for myself at home and I might even buy one myself for work if I am satisfied. Your review confirmed my opinion and expectations.
Comment by Harald Walker — 2007/01/25 @ 17:32
My Capisco arrived today and the first 2 hours feel good. I got the one with the Retro design, so it also looks nice.
Comment by Harald Walker — 2007/02/07 @ 15:59
I had been considering the Capisco for a long time, but never knew anyone who had actually USED it. The look of the chair is very modern and fresh so I was skeptical about how comfortable it would be. After reading your very thorough review (thank you!!!!), I decided to take the plunge and buy one.
I live in Oregon and there are no dealers around here that stock the chair so I bought it online (www.ergodepot.com). I called and spoke with their customer service department with some specific questions and they were very helpful. I wasn’t sure of the upholstery, so they sent me some fabric samples free of charge which I thought was pretty great (I ended up getting the Solitude upholstery).
So, after about a month with the chair my only regret is that I didn’t buy it sooner. It did take me about a week or so to get used to, but I quickly saw improvement in both my comfort level while in and out of the chair and in my posture. It is truly the best $650 I’ve invested in my life.
Comment by Kyle Higgins — 2007/05/03 @ 18:58
OK – I’ve taken the plunge with the Capisco. So far everyone is enamoured with its looks, but less inclined to admit it is actually a comfortable chair! I feel this criticism is largely due to that one needs to adjust to the new types of postures that this chair facilitates (there are numerous!)
I will post back when I’ve had a few months experience with it to report my findings.
Comment by John Umina — 2007/07/09 @ 00:39
It will take you a few days to get used to it, and there’s no way it can pass the “comfortable in the first five minutes” test if one of your coworkers borrows it.
Somewhere in there is a lesson to be learned about the design of ergonomic furniture.
Comment by jet — 2007/07/09 @ 00:43
My trouble with perching chairs so far has been that it makes me lean forward with my hands on my desk, putting a lot of weight on them. Have you had this problem?
Comment by evan — 2007/07/26 @ 22:44
Nope, haven’t had that problem, but I have pretty much complete control over my work area.
If you’re having to lean forward, you might need to raise your monitor and your keyboard to match your seat/perch position. It’s really difficult to use a perching chair with a standard height keyboard/monitor, you’ll probably need to modify your workspace to match a perching chair. My keyboard is much higher than normal and my displays are even higher.
One test is to turn your new chair 180 degrees from your work area and get into a comfortable position with your arms forward and your eyes forward. Then turn around and see what the difference is between your comfortable position and your existing keyboard/display position.
Comment by jet — 2007/07/27 @ 01:07
I have been using a Capisco for about two years ago now. I dived into a study of chairs when we needed to purchase about a thousand chairs for a new research building. Galen Cranz’s book, “The Chair” was about the only systematic study and I enjoyed it thoroughly. We did not acquire the Capisco for the building but I have been perching on one ever since. I do practice Yoga and between the two my posture has improved enormously. I used to “slouch” a great deal often with my legs stretched straight out with the back of my head resting against the edge of the chair’s backrest. On the Capisco, I sit up absolutely erect for very long periods of time. In practically every other chair I have sat in, my pelvis tends to slump back. On the Capsico, I can tip my pelvis forward while seated and maintain the natural curve of the lower spine. As others have reported, the seat back on the Capisco is not really used very much. You can occasionally lean back and rest against the headrest, if you have that option installed. If I were to buy another one I might even consider getting the stool like version of the Capisco.
At home, my teenaged son was using one of our traditional leather “executive” desk chairs. I started to notice that at the end of the day he would frequently reverse his sitting posture with his torso pressed against the fully reclined back of the chair and his pelvis thrust into the edge where the back rest and seat meet. He would drape his hands over or around the seat back to hold a book or type. Weird, until it dawned on me that he had invented for himself a supported upward dog posture (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/474_1.cfm). Back bends like that work the lower arch of the back, compensate for slouching forward all day long and in Yoga are said to be energizing. The Capsico can be used in this reversed mode with greater ease.
I bought him a Capisco as well and while he has no interest in Yoga or the esoterics of posture, he now uses the Capsico exclusively. However, neither he nor I use the Capisco in the reversed mode. I think the ability to tip the pelvis forward, tuck the legs under and hold the spine erect is more than enough to get you through the work day.
A few shortcomings, the friction based adjustment for holding the height of the headrest is a bit inadequate. So the head rest starts to loose its height -one more reason not to lean back. There is a similar issue with the footrest accessory. It too slides down and starts to rub against the sleeve on the bottom ring. Both these issues arise because the lock nuts you turn to hold things in place fail to generate adequate frictional support to hold up the weight that gets placed on the parts they are designed to support.
Comment by Ramesh Rao — 2007/07/28 @ 10:57
Can you read heavy books comfortably using this chair? Is it comfortable to switch between reading books, newspapers, magazines, etc. and using the computer in this chair? I need a chair that can help reduce shoulder and wrist strain, and this looks like a good option. I’m interested in the difference between the back support and the stool. I’m not interested in the head support, unless you find it useful for reading.
Thanks for your review!
Comment by Sandra Z — 2007/07/30 @ 00:54
Does anyone know a website or store in Canada where I can obtain this chair? I have tried many US websites and most do not ship to Canada. I have also tried izzy which manufacturers this chair in Texas and they also do not ship to Canada.
Comment by Paula Rapley — 2007/09/21 @ 10:28
hi paula.
i live in canada too. i bought the chair at ergodepot.com. i had to call the order in as their website does not offer addresses outside of the u.s. but when i called in, i gave them my credit card number and just had to pay the GST. good luck.
higgie
Comment by higgie — 2007/09/27 @ 13:51
Based on users’ experience, I am wondering how comfortable this chair is for men for extended use. I see a few male names in the comments, but it’d be nice to get a confirmation for that. :-)
Comment by Praka — 2007/10/05 @ 01:29
I’m male and haven’t had any discomfort. It’s not like a bicycle seat where you have a lot of pressure in a small area around the groin, it’s more like sitting on the front edge of a seat or bench. The pressure is primarily on your hips/butt, not on your groin.
Comment by jet — 2007/10/05 @ 07:57
Hello,
I’m a french graphic designer and suffer from back hernia. I went to an ergonomist who recommended me that chair.
I ‘ll try to get one as its sit/stand position enables you to have a very wide angle when you sit (not 90° or a bit more like many ergonomic chairs). I’ve tried it reverse and I’m sure it will be useful when I’ll have to lean forward on my drawing table. I don’t know any chair which has this feature.
Make sure though to use it with a motorized table (or very high table) which can precisely adjust its height to your needs. According to my short experience (since I ve became very sensitive to the slightest adjustment, it does make a difference.
Comment by lolo — 2007/10/21 @ 06:26
I’m thinking of buying the Capisco chair (I spend a load of time sitting in from of the computer), luckily a local dealer was gracious enough to lend me one for a day. After a day of sitting I’ve got mixed feelings, and very light upper back pain (must be from the fact I am sloucing for quite some time now on my old chair?).
Therefore I am a bit sceptical of giving so much money away. Is it normal that you don’t find a “good” position the first day? The dealer said that he also sits on Capisco and took him 2 weeks to get used to it and now he will not trade it for anything else. Did some of you had similar experience? And my last question, did any of you had any very light back pain the first days of sitting?
Maybe the above is normal or maybe the chair is not suited for me. I’d hate to buy it only to figure after a month that it doesn’t suit me.
Comment by Alen — 2007/12/01 @ 05:53
As I said earlier, it did take me a few days to get used to it. I had to build up back muscles and get used to sitting up straight instead of slouching against the back of the chair.
It’s probably a good idea to examine the rest of your ergonomic situation — are your monitors high enough for the new sitting position? Can you look straight ahead and see the center of the screen, or do you have to tilt your head down? When I switched to a Capisco I had to lift my monitors up a good 12″ or so from their earlier position.
Comment by jet — 2007/12/01 @ 07:24
I agree with Jet. I bought the chair in 2005 and after the first week, I was completely doubting my decision to buy the chair. I experienced discomfort in my upper back during the “break in” period as I like to call it now. One way that I adjusted to the chair was by using the front torso feature quite often during the first few weeks. Here’s a link to how to use the chair that way:
http://www.ergodepot.com/photos/8106-5.jpg
I have to tell you that I wouldn’t trade my Capisco now for any other chair in the world. Not only have my upper back muscles recovered and strengthened, but my posture and overall energy level while working has improved significantly. I recommend the chair whenever people ask.
Comment by Tim — 2007/12/04 @ 21:42
Thank goodness for the review article about the Capisco chair, and everyone’s comments here. For about 2 years, I’ve been sitting “backwards” in various chairs to relieve low back pain and hip/thigh discomfort. Despite regular exercise, stretching, etc. the physical problems got worse, to the point of 2 months total disability. I kept adjusting keyboard & screen heights/angles. Trying all sorts of different chairs, padding the seat and back with various pillows (and even ice packs).
Finally, I drew a sketch of my “dream chair”, which had a + plus sign as the back rest, and described to people how I wanted to sit in a saddle-like seat backwards, and lean my torso against the backrest. Everyone thought I was nuts.
for 2 years I’ve searched online and this week finally came across the Capisco chair. Apparently only 5% of sales of this chair are in the US. No wonder it’s so hard to learn about it.
For the last 2 months I’m partially disabled by back/hip/groin pain and muscle inflammation. To get any work done or do any socializing I have to stand. Actually, I’ve been standing quite a bit for 2 years to do any computer or paperwork. I have to get off my feet once in a while!
So I’m excited to find a place in the San Francisco Bay Area to test drive it. I will start making phone calls Friday 12/14 to regional back stores to find a Capisco on display. IF ANYBODY READING THIS LIVES ANYWHERE IN CALIFORNIA and knows where a Capisco is on display at a retailer, please let me know!!
Thanks very much.
Comment by GlynEll — 2007/12/13 @ 20:24
Years ago in England I walked into an ergonmics store and sat in a Capisco. It was perfect. The depth of the seat matched the depth of my pelvis so the back rest was right there when I leaned back. While leaning back my spine would “peel” onto the convex surface and perfectly support an anatomically correctly positions spine (slightly extended lumbar, slightly flexed thoracic), while still having that wonderful Capisco-sit-bone support from the pelvis being perched on the saddle.
When I got back to the states I ordered one. The Capisco that arrived was a larger version of what I tried in England. I still had the nice saddle experience (not quite as comfortable, because it was wider than needed), but when I leaned back the back support wasn’t “right there waiting for me” like the UK model because there was now 6 inches between the base of my spine and the chair back, even with the seat depth moved to minimum depth. Why?
I called HAG in Norway and the person I spoke to thought that they had enlarged the chair for the American market because American’s are on average significantly larger than Europeans. I am slim and 5 foot 10 inches. Many of the posters here mention that (on the US version) the backrest isn’t useful. I agree. I slump onto it when I’m tired, but don’t like to because that unsupported 6 inches is definately not good for the spine. And it still work supporting the front of the hips in reverse mode. But in the smaller European version I tried in the UK, it worked perfectly in both positions. I have tried to find a smaller version in the USA, but cannot find one.
Comment by EJ — 2008/01/03 @ 17:28
I was finally able to order a chair into Canada from California. I have been using it for about six months now and love it. I generally work from home and it is not unusual for me to sit eight or ten hours. I go into my office once a week and have been complaining for some time that I am crippled at the end of the day sitting on our standard office chairs. For the last two weeks I have been coming into the office every day. On the first Monday I sat in one of our office chairs all day working on a project. At the end of the day I could barely walk and spent the night tossing and turning from hip pain. The next day I switch to a that was recently purchased for a co-worker who was on vacation. Again, another full day of concentrated sitting but that night was worst of all. I had knee, hip and lower back pain all night a slept for only a couple of hours. I now transport my chair back and forth to work every day and am back to my pain free seating. We have located a dealer in the Toronto area and are working to buy chairs for the office. I will never sit in a standard chair again to work as the price I pay is too high at the end of the day.
Comment by Paula Rapley — 2008/01/15 @ 11:27
I have been a nail tech for 22 years. My back is starting to wear out. I just had to have surgery on my lower back from leaning over and doing nails. I am looking for a chair that will take pressure off my back. I tried a Capisco and it felt like it put most of my weight forward on my chest area allowing my back to relax while working. What are your thoughts.
Comment by Gayle — 2008/01/31 @ 14:39
Just got mine yesterday. Thanks for the comments and telling me about the “break-in” period.
One thing is for sure my circulation has improved. While working on my regular office chair my feet were ice cold. With capisco they are quite warm. A substantial improvement in blood circulation in the legs.
Comment by Alen — 2008/02/14 @ 07:41
Just got one this week and I must be in the break in period. My upper back hurts and I feel like there is a bit too much pressure on the inside edges of my butt. I keep going back and forth between it and my Aeron. The Aeron has a much more passive position but for short periods of time it is comfortable. Also I find the arms on the Capisco interfere with my elbows occasionally if I’m trying to hit the arrows on the lower part of my keyboard.
We’ll see how I feel in a week.
Comment by Rob — 2008/02/15 @ 19:33
Hello, it’s me again.
I ve been using it for two months now.
Frankly,it is not so comfortable (around the groin area, sometimes, I have to adjust my position), but due to my hernia, overall, that’s the best solution I know, I can work with during several hours. It DOES make a difference with a Leuwico table (very expensive ! but … worth the price the table height is adjustable, right now, it is 108 cm high). I ve got a very high position and my elbows can rest on the table.
Anyway, I have to go for a walk a least every over hour or hour, it’s better for my back.
If you have back problems, don’t forget to drink and to walk !.
Comment by lolo — 2008/02/25 @ 10:16
Hi much higher up there was someone asking about aquiring the HAG Capisco in Canada – I just bought one through the Caretek Ergonomics.com – Call them and speak to Steve Watson – he also has studied Kinsesiology (don’t know how to spell that word so apologies if I spelled it wrong). They whole group of sales is great but he is just amazing in what he takes note of. They are located in Burlington I do believe but ship all over Canada. Best price I found in Canada as well.
Comment by Tanz — 2008/03/15 @ 09:15
I have had my Capisco for almost 6 months now. I started with a new company and they allowed me funds for a workstation. I had seen the Capisco before and figured I should give it a try (since they were paying!). I really love it. All of the different seating options offered through one chair is pretty amazing. I ordered mine through ErgoDepot but everyone seems to have similar pricing. The guy I talked to on the phone was very knowledgeable and they sent fabric samples that arrived in a couple days. He told me the benefits and possible drawbacks and spent a lot of time answering my questions about alot of other chairs they offer. Very patient and nice so I recommend them frequently. I have since purchased a Capisco stool for my home and several coworkers have purchased Capiscos, among other HAG chairs. I should request some type of commission from those guys!
Anyway, as far as the adjustment period goes… I came from a job where I was standing quite a bit and I must have skipped the transition stage because I have loved the chair from day one. I would definitely recommend raising your desk a little to be able to fully enjoy all of the benefits. It would also be a good idea to read some tips for making your workstation more ergonomic. I also have a monitor arm that brings my screen in line eyes.
There are so many more things I want to do to my workstation but I think I have agood start with a Capisco and raised desk.
Comment by Buffy — 2008/03/24 @ 14:49
anyone use this chair for drawing tables? writing/drawing on flat surfaces? I have a giant drawing table that is 34 inches tall , and without a showroom in 100s of miles, I was hoping for some feedback. thank you one and all.
Comment by mark heggie — 2008/05/26 @ 22:46
Yes, it works great with drawing tables. Try http://www.Ergodepot.com
They have the best prices and ship for free!
Comment by Morten — 2008/05/27 @ 07:21
And remember to order the Capisco with a high lift! 268mm
Comment by Morten — 2008/05/27 @ 07:22
Hello again,
Now I ve been using it for 6 months. I feel now very comfortable with it. It was a bit unpleasant at the beginning but my back must have been too stiff.
I use it to draw and it is very nice because of the reverse position, you are sure not to lean too much. So yes, it does work with a drawing table. But son’t buy the headrest, it would prevent you to use this position.
I’m unfortunately not paid by Hag (though i’d love to get one of this chair at home).
Comment by lolo — 2008/06/25 @ 07:29
After a long search I have found a store in New York that has Hag chairs on display. I sat on a Capisco in AI Friedman’s store for two hours reading a magazine and I fell in love with it. The posture was natural, and the feet circulation was already better. The Hag Balans is a good chair as well for posture, but the Capisco is more stilish and the receded arm rests are very smart. I wish I had found such a wonderful chair before.
Regarding the price, in my opinion it’s reasonable. True, before spending several hundred dollars you should think about it, but other popular chairs that I used in my office such as the HM Aeron, the Humanscale Freedom, the Knoll Life, are even more expensive.
Comment by Matteo — 2008/07/17 @ 16:06
Does anybody know if it is possible purchase a head rest and add it to a Capisco that doesn’t have it?
Comment by Matteo — 2008/07/17 @ 16:50
Yes, Matteo. You can retrofit the headrest to a Capisco chair. I did it a few months ago. It costs about $250.
Comment by darren kreitz — 2008/09/10 @ 22:10
Strange question, but: Can the capisco be taken apart and put back together? (I’m trying to figure out how much space it would take to pack it while moving.)
Also, if anyone here has also used a kneeling chair, how do they compare? I’ve been trying to use one for better posture and for back problems, but I haven’t been able to get to the point where I can sit comfortably in one for more than half an hour at most, and it doesn’t help me stop slouching (I’ve been using it for a few weeks). My back’s apparently not strong enough, but this doesn’t seem to be improving either. Is there anything about the capisco that might make the adjustment easier? (I got to try out a capisco once for a few minutes, but I couldn’t get a sense of how it would feel for long periods of time.)
Comment by gould — 2008/10/11 @ 06:24
I am still shopping for the ‘perfect’ task chair, and I have to admit that after my first met with this Capisco, I have never found a chair like it.
I was at Kaiser Permanente ER for a night (my wife had an emergency), and there was this funny looking chair in our room. I got to sit in it for my whole stressful night, and I found this chair to be so supportive. It is really difficult for me to put in $600+ for a chair, but after reading all your posts, I believe my body deserves better. Also, looking back for the past 2 years, I have already spent $300 on some uncomfortable chairs that reduce my ability to work. I will place an order after my paycheck arrives next week.
Comment by Mahat — 2008/10/20 @ 17:59
For all of you HAG enthusiasts that have posted here, I have noticed that HAG has now started a blog dedicated to the HAG chairs. It is at http://www.HAGblog.com.
Comment by juan carlos — 2008/12/24 @ 01:47
I found EJ’s comment above most interesting about a difference between the Euro version and the U.S. version. I am tall and slender, and hate the idea of a seat designed to fit a fat, junk food eating slob from the US. I want the one the Europeans are using.
I ran into a similar problem with Birkenstock sandals. Originally it was designed with a very high arch that supported much of your weight, and took pressure off of the usual points. It was a dream. Then, it suddenly got FLAT, and no longer worked right. I was told they were marketing a new version designed for US (flat footed AND fat, I guess). Wonderful… Anyone ever have any luck getting the euro version for the rest of ‘US’? Thanks.
Comment by CAR — 2009/01/24 @ 23:38
The European and the American versions are the same. I don’t know why people think that they are different. The dimensions are exactly the same. The only differences are the upholstery options.
Comment by Damon Carter — 2009/01/30 @ 12:43
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Pingback by ALL ART BURNS A Year With a Hag Capisco | Hammock Stand — 2009/06/01 @ 00:21
I’m so glad I found this blog. As a result, I bought one of the retro Capiscos that someone mentioned above. IT IS FRIGGIN’ AWESOME! My lower back pain is gone and I’ve noted a huge improvement in my posture when I’m working and when I’m not! Thank you so much to whoever started this thread :-)
Comment by sammy-spade — 2009/06/11 @ 17:47
Thank you for this report and also to all who contributed in the comments thread. Reading these reports convinced me that the chair could work for me. I wasn’t able to try one out in advance because I could not find a dealer anywhere near. So I had to order it online and take a big chance.
It was well worth it. I could not be more delighted with this chair. Infinitely adjustable, incredibly responsive and just plain FUN to sit in! I am a woman on the short side, but not truly petite (5’4″ or 5’5″) and I had never found a chair I liked. I ended up crossing my legs or sitting in other weird positions, but I would also get terrible hip pain. Armrests were useless to me – never at the right spot. Nothing ever felt right.
I got on the internet and started researching chairs for smaller women. I found a posting by a woman who wanted info about this chair; she had tried it and fallen in love but was worried about the price. She mentioned that she could sit backwards on the chair. I thought, Who wants to sit backwards? What would be so great about that? The whole thing sounded silly, although I liked the crazy look of it.
But then I read more of what she said, and read this blog, and started getting the feeling that maybe it WOULD be good to be able to sit backwards.
Contrary to some users, I found this chair to be perfect from the first moment I tried it. It moves with me, offers support when I need it and gets out of my way when I don’t. And yes – I even like to sit in it backwards!
Thank you again for this blog!
Comment by Susan — 2009/11/20 @ 21:02
The HAG Capisco is a super chair. We bought him in Europe via http:://www.ergonomio.com. They have a wide variety of models, different colors and fabrics for the HAG Capisco. We liked the Retro fabric! (http://www.ergonomio.com/en/hag/hag-capisco/pl/91RF42F9017452).
Comment by gert — 2010/03/02 @ 06:38
For those who _have_ a Capisco, and want a better location – or adjustability – of the work surface, consider the Kangaroo or the Kangaroo Elite (if you have dual displays) from ergodesktop.com
The Kangaroo sits (free-standing, no attachment needed) on a “normal” desk or cubicle work surface. It has a tower at the back, to which are affixed a keyboard-and-mouse surface, and a mounting bar for VESA monitors. The entire work assembly can be raised or lowered, allowing you to work comfortably from a seated or a standing position. In addition, the display mounts can be raised or lowered in relation to the keyboard-mouse surface for fine tuning.
Both adjustments are smooth and easy and facilitated by gas-shock struts.
To move the full arrangement, you loosen one knob, and press down or lift up slightly, then tighten the knob to secure the new work height. To adjust the display(s) up or down, relative to the keyboard surface, you loosen the other knob, press down or lift up, then tighten that knob.
I’m 1.83m (or just a tiny fraction over 6 feet), and found that the limit of travel – from “normal” seated height to standing height – was just within my range, when I also included a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, which has an elevated palm rest and tips downward away from the user (also has a slightly split “wave” keyboard topography).
Anyone taller might need to place the Kangaroo onto a shim or additional surface on top of a standard desk, or the top of the Kangaroo’s range might be too low for you while standing. That is, you would find yourself looking over the tops of the display(s) and would find your forearms slanted down too much with your wrists then cocked back up to type (not good for the carpal tunnel).
Anyone my height or shorter should find it a good fit without shimming.
Now, I recommended it because I saw some posts from people who thought the Capisco’s seating height made a regular desktop too low. For that purpose, the Kangaroo would be ideal – it would also help anyone who wanted to prop up a book for reading. HOWEVER, I don’t own a Capisco. I just went from sitting on my butt (badly) all day, to standing all day, and didn’t even consider pausing in between. After receiving my Kangaroo (it arrives fully assembled; you need only to mount your monitor(s)… proper hex-key/Allen wrench is included) I spent 5 hours standing the first day before feeling a little tired. Since the third day, I basically stand for the full workday, and my back is feeling much better than it has for years, thankyewverymuch. It’s been about a month now.
So, in summary, a Kangaroo sit-to-stand workstation might be an ideal addition if you already have a Capisco chair, and if you don’t have the chair, you can achieve all the benefit (and then some) with the Kangaroo alone (and save half the expenditure).
However, persons taller than my six feet could place something on the desk, UNDER the Kangaroo, to raise the whole thing, then use a Capisco for sitting (if they wanted to sit) with its higher sit position, and then the Kangaroo would rise to their correct height when they wanted to stand. Win-win.
The office buddy who first bought a Kangaroo, prompting me to buy mine, stands on a wobble board, for additional benefit.
I’m not that athletic, but I did buy a balance-pad (2-inch-thick closed-cell foam) from http://www.fitter1.com.
I’ve been slower to adapt to the balance pad than to the Kangaroo, but both are going very well. My back and other bits thank me.
Should have done this years ago.
I have no connection to Ergo Desktop, to Fitter First, nor to Microsoft, except as a satisfied customer (yes, even Microsoft, in the case of the particular keyboard).
To all you seekers after back and neck health, best of luck, and good hunting to you.
– Kevin
PS: Ergo Desktop is in the USA, and I’m in Canada, so it cost a hundred bucks for shipping. Still worth it…
Comment by Kevin McLauchlan — 2010/08/13 @ 12:09
What the pros and cons to the 2 seat types (saddle vs flat)?? I’m wondering which might be the best choice for hip bursitis? The office chair I have now is just miserable. If I sit with the usual 90 degree bend at the hip I’m like crippled when I first stand up. I find myself perched on the edge of the seat with my legs either tucked under the chair or stretched out in front… Just trying to not have that 90 degree bend at the hip. That stretched position seems to pretty much eliminate the hip pain, but then the edge of the seat totally cuts off circulation. I’m getting desperate. This chair sounds like it might be the answer… but which seat type would y’all recommend???
Comment by Shirley H — 2010/08/19 @ 23:53
Has anyone ever sat on the Swopper?I have narrowed down the choices to the Capisco and the Swopper
Comment by Alan — 2010/08/27 @ 13:05
Sat on the swopper and didnt find it to me liking.Its between the Capisco and the Varier Move.Very similar,but the Move actually tilts as it has a convex base.Is that necessary for a saddle stool?
Comment by Allan — 2010/09/06 @ 13:13
Do you know of a dealer in NYC for this chair? Thanks.
Comment by Michael — 2010/10/07 @ 09:43
Has anyone ordered the chair with the “short lift” chair height? Gert? I’m 5’5″ tall and wondering if the standard or short lift will fit better since I can’t find a demo. thanks All.
Comment by Jules — 2010/10/09 @ 14:18