Human Instruments

Your body is engineered for movement. Activity is essential to its wellbeing. A conventional chair is an instrument of inactivity, fundamentally unsuited to the human body. We don’t make conventional chairs. We create precision human instruments to

keep your body in its natural state of activity.

Variér® Human Instruments – born of a human idea

Variér®. A Human Idea

Our philosophy: Variér® chairs are the product of a human idea. We make the human body central to design, learning it by heart. We know which positions promote relaxation, and where and how to sup-port the body. The human body is designed for motion, and should never be still for too long. We make chairs that meet all these needs, and then we free our human imaginations to create

bold, unconventional forms with perfect functionality.

Take back control

“I believe that the spine is happiest when it can adopt the natural curva-ture that it has when we stand upright.”

Peter Opsvik

There is no scientific basis for the belief that the correct sitting posture is erect or right-angled. This belief is based entirely on Victorian notions of ‘character’ and physical self-discipline. In fact, it is much better for the body to adopt a sitting position that is not right-angled and stiff, but open and dynamic.

Variér® Human Instruments help you achieve just that. Designed to support the body in a seated kneeling position, or on curved runners, the seats of the chairs do, or can, tilt downwards. The tilted seat creates a healthier sitting position – where your thighs are not horizontal, but instead create an angle of greater than 90 degrees to your torso. This allows the body to adopt the natural curvature of spine and pelvis it has when standing; taking the

pressure off your vertebrae and letting you breathe more deeply and freely.

Variér® Human Instruments give your body the freedom to find its own equilibrium. The chairs promote constant natural move-ment, which keeps your back and abdominal muscles working at all times – strengthening your muscles and preventing tension build-up in back, neck and shoulders.

Some of the chairs also incorporate a backrest to provide the dynamic variation ideal for a long day of work and leisure. Tilt forwards for high-energy activity, and rock or lean backwards for relaxation. However you sit, your spine will be supported perfectly.

This ‘active sitting’ improves circulation and oxygen levels, boost-ing your energy, your concentration and your overall wellbeing.

VARIABLE™ BALANS®

Design: Peter OpsvikBalans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

The Variable balans® both encourages your body to move and reacts to every one of its movements. Body and chair, action and reaction, in a cycle of continuous motion that energizes and enlivens your body and mind.

The first chair designed on the balans® concept, the Variable balans®, is a true classic. The design is almost thirty years old, yet it looks as fresh today as it did when first launched. As versatile as you are and light enough to carry over one arm, the Variable balans® is the perfect instrument for the varied demands of modern lifestyles. A morning spent working at your desk goes

much faster, as the chair encourages an upright, ‘alert’ posture that promotes concentration and creativity. It is also perfect for a child’s bedroom desk – enhancing posture, breathing and energy levels and potentially improving homework performance. The Variable balans® has the added benefit that it activates and strengthens back and abdominal muscles while you work.

positive REACTION

At desk: The upright kneeling position frees the body to adopt its natural curvature; breathing is enhanced and pressure on the spine is minimized

Reaching: If you stretch out to reach something, and place your feet on the floor, you still retain minimal strain on your spine

Relaxation: The Variable balans® also comes with a slim backrest, which provides complete support when you lean back.

THATSIT™ BALANS®

Design: Peter OpsvikBalans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

Your body is designed for movement, but spends most of the day sitting still. The result: a variety of aches and pains. The Thatsit

balans® gives your body the mobility it needs. It’s the chair your body has been asking for.

The classic balans® kneeling posture of the Thatsit balans® opens the angle between your torso and thighs. This frees your spine to find its natural curve and encourages an ‘alert’ posture that aids concentration. And when relaxation is the order of the day, you can position your elbows behind your torso on the ‘wings’ of the backrest. In this position you can stretch your upper body, raise your rib cage and breathe more deeply and freely.

The depth of the Thatsit balans® seat allows you to sit for long periods, making it an ideal chair for your desk. And when you’ve finished for the day, the Thatsit balans® can also see your children through their homework assignments, thanks to its height-adjust-able kneepads.

At desk: The upright kneeling position frees the body to adopt its natural curvature; breathing is enhanced and pressure on the vertebrae is minimized.

Relaxation: Position your elbows on the backrest ‘wings’, lean back and unwind.

listen to YOUR BODY

MOVE™ Design: Per Øie

Enjoy the ultimate in active sitting: put your body in the driving seat. Whether you’re catching up on e-mails in the kitchen or multi-tasking over breakfast on the phone, the versatile Move lets your body go wherever it feels it needs to be.

With 360 degrees of movement to choose from, the Move is bound to have a position to suit you. This blend of chair and standing support has a graded disc base, so its tilting angle can follow your body through a range of positions. Its saddle shaped seat is an essential element of the Move, making it impossible to slide off, even with your thighs positioned vertically. This means

you can really open up the angle between your torso and thighs, allowing deeper breathing, improving concentration and relieving the pressure on your spine. The constant motion also serves as an effortless workout. Of all the chairs in this collection, the Move is the one that has the most positive impact on your back and abdominal muscles.

The lightweight construction of the Move makes it portable as well as manoeuvrable, and the disc base can be fitted with a rubber sole for slippery surfaces. Which means you can enjoy 360 degrees of freedom just about anywhere.

unlimited mobility CONTROL

At desk or table: Achieve optimal energy and spinal alignment in a supported standing position.

In motion: If you stretch up or move downwards to reach something, the Move will follow your move-ment and provide support.

GRAVITY™ BALANS®

Design: Peter OpsvikBalans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

The power nap is an invaluable instrument in your quest for pro-ductivity, boosting energy levels and recharging your brain. Float free of gravity and experience the ultimate power nap with the Gravity balans®.

Fully reclined, the Gravity balans® elevates your legs above your heart, and rocks gently to the rhythm of your breathing, so you experience a liberating sense of weightlessness. The back and neck rests are designed to cradle the back of your body so you can achieve total relaxation.

But the Gravity balans® is not just a recliner. Its range of seating positions support every activity, whether you are enjoying coffee with friends, or relaxing in front of the TV. It tilts forwards to accommodate the balans® kneeling posture, backwards to allow you to place your feet on the floor and further back still so you can curl up, resting both feet on one leg cushion.

energy JUMPSTART

Power nap/deep thought: Rock back, raise your feet above your heart and experience a liberating floating sensation, with full support of cervical spine and back.

Reading or watching TV: Lean back and unwind with supple support for arms, back and neck.

Active relaxation: The adjustable neck rest and back rest offers perfect support of your cervical spine and back.

Returning to earth: Rock gently forwards, and the Gravity balans® will deliver you smoothly back to earth, so you can assume an upright position to drink your coffee, or reach for a book.

MULTI™ BALANS®

Design: Peter OpsvikBalans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

Wherever you’re going and whatever you’re doing, take the Multi

balans® along. This multi-function sitting instrument is portable, height adjustable and supports a range of sitting positions, so you never know when it will come in useful.

Designed to create an open angle between the torso and thighs, the Multi balans® gives you the freedom to decide just how open that angle should be. At its steepest setting, the Multi balans® places almost as little strain on the back as a standing posture, while at its lowest it can function as a child’s chair and worktable in one. But this remarkable chair’s flexibility doesn’t end there.

Because it is light enough to carry easily, and it folds up flat so you can hang it or stow it up against the wall.

At desk or table: The upright kneeling position lets the body move to adopt its natural curvature; breathing is enhanced and pressure on the vertebrae is minimized.

cutting edge CHOICE

WING™ BALANS®

Design: Peter OpsvikBalans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

The seconds are ticking away, and the deadline is looming, but your productivity is still high. The Wing balans® promotes active sitting and keeps you breathing deeply, giving your energy levels and powers of concentration an invaluable boost.

Don’t be fooled by appearances. The Wing balans® resembles a conventional office chair at first glance, because it sits on casters. These make it ideal for work that involves a lot of movement around a confined space. The similarity ends there, and every detail that differentiates this chair from a standard office is instru-mental in raising your productivity. The casters are flexible, so the chair responds to your body weight to tip you forwards or back-

wards, encouraging regular shifts in posture. Instead of the erect or right-angled posture imposed by traditional office chairs, the Wing balans® supports you in the classic balans® kneeling pos-ture. This creates a balanced torso and allows your spine to find its natural curve. The Wing balans® also comes with an adjustable gas lift, making it easily adjustable to a range of activities and different desk heights.

time in MOTION

At desk: Let your spine adopt its natural curvature: improve breathing, circulation and reduce the pressure on your spine.

The rhythm of life

Some of our Human Instruments have been refined to incorpo-rate curved runners. Curved runners do not only create a rhyth-mically soothing sensation; they also follow your body’s move-ments to provide support through a range of postures. The most comfortable way to sit at a table is leaning forwards or backwards, never upright. A chair on curved runners can follow your body into both these postures.

These rocking chairs have a further advantage that is only now becoming understood. The curved runners imitate the motion of

a ball rolling on a flat surface, which eventually finds its balance and comes to rest. In a rocking chair, the curved runners find this balance when they meet the sitter’s centre of gravity. The result is that your body finds its ideal sitting position instinctively, with the torso and thighs creating an open angle, taking pressure off the spine.

With a number of clever modifications to this traditional design, Variér® created the Actulum and Pendulum: two thoroughly modern takes on classic functionality and style.

ACTULUM™

Design: Peter Opsvik

PENDULUM™

Design: Peter Opsvik

Life is a voyage of rest and motion, recreation and work, taking you from desk to dining table and from kitchen to living room. Enhance your journey with the Actulum or Pendulum – instru-ments designed to move along with you, guiding and supporting your body as you go.

At rest and in motion, the curved runners of these active chairs ensure that you are sitting well and fully supported. As you move backwards and forwards, the runners allow the chair to tilt with your body. When you are still, the chair naturally comes to rest in a balanced position, allowing your body to find its own equilib-

rium. The tilting action of the runners facilitates an angle between your thighs and torso, which is greater than 90 degrees. This allows you to breathe more deeply, improving both concentration and relaxation.

At your desk: Enjoy the perfect sitting position with your spine adopting its natural curvature.

Relaxation (Actulum): Lean back and unwind, and enjoy complete support from the flexible backrest.

Relaxation (Pendulum): Position your elbows behind your torso to stretch your upper body and breathe more deeply and freely.

don’t get stuck in one POSITION

Every chair in this Variér® collection is available in a range of fabrics, colours and finishes. Design your own chair by combining colours and finishes to complement any interior, from a child’s

playroom to a luxury dining room.

Exercise choice

Quality

When you choose a Variér® chair, you’re choosing a product that will be handcrafted by skilled artisans. Your chair will be created at our Norwegian workshop to your individual specifications. Only the very best materials will go into its creation. Finally, it will be subjected to rigorous quality testing before it is shippedto you.

The individual care and attention that each one of our chairs receives at every stage of the production process ensures that we are supremely confident in their quality. We are confident enough

to offer a five-year guarantee on the mechanism and a seven-year guarantee on wooden parts. So you can be confident that your Variér® chair will last.

Products that serve more than one purpose reduce the demand on the earth’s resources. Every chair in this collection is suited to a range of activities and most are portable so they can be used across a range of environments. Products that are designed to last also reduce the demand on the earth’s resources. Every Variér® chair is guaranteed to give you years of service.

Variér Furniture AS | Håhjem | 6260 Skodje | Norway

www.varierfurniture.com