Swopper (which means always moving chair) is designed to help strengthen your back and abs, help relieve lower back pain, promote mental acuity, and assist with good posture.
We spend almost two-thirds of our waking hours sitting down, working, driving, eating, and relaxing. But the human body was not built for such a static, sedentary lifestyle, especially in fixed, motionless positions. That is why lower back pain and other musculoskeletal problems are at epidemic proportions. Eighty percent of people will seek medical help for back pain sometime in their lives.
Most chair companies design chairs for static support. They build in armrests, footrests headrests, neck rests, features that keep the body supported and motionless. They think that if they can move you less, then the better. Unfortunately, this path leads to more back problems, not less.
Promotes Good Posture
The “convex” seat allows the pelvis to tilt forward which sets up the spine for proper alignment and healthy posture.
Prevents Aging of the Spine
Moving while sitting lubricates and nourishes the spinal joints and intervertebral discs. This in turn keeps the joints flexible and healthy. Many age-related changes in spinal joints are as a result of a lack of proper nourishment and motion.
Stimulates Circulation
Swoppers multi-dimensional movement allows blood to flow freely from the lower extremities. This reduces the risk of swollen ankles and the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Stimulates Lymphatic Flow
Regular pumping action in the lower extremity stimulates the return of lymphatic fluid. This helps alleviate ankle swelling and edema in the lower leg.
Promotes Energy
Bouncing, tilting, swaying and moving on Swopper improves energy levels, relieves fatigue, and can stimulate creativity.
Prevents Lower Back Pain and Shoulder and Neck Tension
Swopper conditions the core muscles of the spine and trunk, which aids in preventing low back pain. The easy bouncing motion can shake out any stress that typically builds up in the neck, shoulders and jaw.
Exercise All Day Without Discomfort
Leg muscles, abdominals, back muscles, and calf muscles work lightly throughout the day while sitting on Swopper. Increasing exercise, even slightly, every day can help maintain weight and elevate mood.
The concept for Swopper was developed in 1990 by German physiotherapist, Dorothea Profinger-Glockl. A recognized back expert, she noticed that her patients, whom she treated for back problems only did their prescribed exercises for as long as their backs were in pain. As soon as they felt better, they stopped. Worse, everyday her patients continued to sit in their inflexible office chairs that made them hunch and sit improperly, which made their back problems reoccur.
She realized that sitting properly at work was a problem. She asked her husband Josef Glockl, a design engineer, to invent a chair with her. The chair she envisioned would have the qualities of the physio-ball she recommended to her patients, but it would also look like a piece of designer furniture. Most importantly, it would be made to allow her patients to exercise their backs all day long without them ever noticing the work.
After many versions and a collaboration with designer Henner Jahns, the final Swopper was introduced in 1997 at the Cologne Furniture Fair. It was a huge success, gaining notoriety for its design and its health benefits.
The company grew quickly and in 1999, Swopper was introduced to the American market where it won the prestigious “Best of NeoCon” design award.
Bodies are meant to move
Humans are built the same way we were in the Stone Age. We are meant to walk, run, climb, bend and stretch. Sitting motionless for hours is against the natural inclination of the body. As anyone who sits in an office chair for eight hours can attest, it doesn't feel good.
Swopper is the first chair that allows 3-dimensional movement: front to back, side to side, and up and down, the way nature intended. The motion is balanced and allows for ever-changing pressure points, which helps keep the body and mind vibrant.
Solution: Swopper
Sitting on a Swopper is “sitting in motion.” The chair let you bounce, sway, and tilt, mimicking the natural motion of the body. Blood flow increases, which can add alertness and mental clarity.
The unique curve and tilt of the Swopper the seat also helps to position the spine properly. Over time, the muscles surrounding the spine and the abdominals become stronger because they are moving, working, and supporting correct spinal positioning.
Just as Dorothea Profinger-Glockl envisioned for her patients, Swopper works the muscles that we need most, without us having to set foot in a doctors office, a physical therapists studio or a gym.
First time sitting on the Swopper
Sit centered on the Swopper so that the spring piston acts as an extension of your spine. Put your feet flat on the ground. The pelvis should be positioned slightly higher than the knees, so that there is an open angle between your hips and knees when you are sitting. This promotes blood supply.
Tuck your pelvis forward slightly to protect your lumbar. Now balance yourself using your legs, hips, and abdominals. By doing so, you will intuitively sit in the correct position and train a host of small muscles. These are exactly the muscles you need for correctly holding up and supporting your spinal column.
Give the Swopper a couple of good up and down bounces. Your diaphragm will become freer and your breathing will become deeper. Your whole body will be oxygenated, increasing your energy and mental efficiency.
When you turn to work with the Swopper, move your pelvis slightly toward your desk. Because of the movement of the seat, as the pelvis tilts forward, the spine will stand upright on the seat. You will automatically be in the correct position.
It will take some time for your muscles to get used to this new way of sitting. Start slowly, perhaps a half an hour a day increasing your Swopper use over a period of four to six weeks, depending on your current level of fitness.
Why doesn't the Swopper have a back?
Swopper does not have a back because the whole objective here is to strengthen your lower back muscles by way of unsupported sitting. You already have a back (“your own”) but you have become accustomed to not using it. As a result, de-conditioning of the spine and muscles of the back occurs, most commonly resulting in low back pain and discomfort. By sitting on Swopper, you are able to assume correct posture easily, even while forward leaning, thereby eliminating the need for a back support. This is one of the reasons why Swopper received the prestigious Gold Award for Workstation Task seating at NeoCon 2001.
Why doesn't the Swopper have arms?
Swopper does not have arms because they would be far too restrictive as well as further promoting a static sitting posture. One of the key health benefits of sitting on Swopper is that it gives the user access to a full range of unrestricted, natural, fluid, and intuitive movement in all directions simultaneously. In addition, when the user is moving while working they gain the added health benefit of increased blood flow to all areas of the body.
Why doesn't the Swopper have casters?
Swopper does not have casters because there are a lot more health benefits related to having to get up and go to your fax machine, filing cabinet, printer, or whatever, than there are with “scooting” across the floor. In fact, this bad habit is the cause of a lot more accidents at work than you would believe, and is responsible for many low back injuries. Swopper is very easy to move about, weighing just 23 pounds. If you have a “U” shaped work--station and have two different work areas in close proximity, it is worth noting that your range of motion from your seated position on Swopper is drastically increased from that of a conventional chair with casters. This means your reach is extended while maintaining correct posture. If this is not possible, then the compact nature of Swopper does allow for two units to fit in a compact work area if you so choose. It can also be fun and energizing to move from one to the other.
Why does the Swopper have a “convex” vs. a concave seat?
Unlike all other conventional seats, Swoppers unique convex seat pan allows the pelvis to assume the correct position to improve the users posture with ease, no slumping! Additionally, circulation is not restricted and, in fact, with the motion one experiences on Swopper, circulation is actually improved “while sitting.”
Swopper, when used under normal conditions for an individual user (or under single-shift commercial applications), is guaranteed to the original purchaser to be free from defects in material and/or faulty workmanship for a period of up to five years from the date of purchase (multiple-user, 24-hour commercial applications carry a one year warranty). This warranty extends to the chair base, coil-spring and height-adjustment piston, and seat frame. Seat cushioning material (foam) has a one year warranty. Cover materials (leather, and fabric) have varied warranty (see below for more info). This warranty does not apply to items subjected to abuse, misuse, neglect, alteration, damage caused by storage, accident, fire, flood, or act of God. This warranty shall be exclusive and shall be in lieu of any other express warranty, written or oral, including but not limited to merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
In the unlikely event that service is required, Swopper.com will, at its option, repair or replace this product free of charge. Simply return the item to Swopper.com, via insured, prepaid UPS or US Mail with proof of purchase and an explanation of the problem.
Leather carries a one year warranty, which extends only to workmanship.
Please note: No two pieces of leather are alike; variations and marks occur naturally and are not considered defects subject to replacement under warranty. That is the very nature of our high grade 8, natural leather.
Special Edition Alcantara (suede-like fabric) carries a 10-Year Limited Warranty against defects occurring when used in a typical residential/ single-user office environment (one year when used in any other environment such as manufacturing and hospitality). From the date of purchase to the end of the third year, Alcantara fabric will be replaced free of charge. From the fourth to the tenth year, Alcantara fabric will be replaced at a 50% discount (on cost of material only). Coverage begins from the date of purchase. The buyer will be responsible for all upholstery costs and for packaging and transportation costs from the purchasers residence to Swopper.com.
Irresistible Micro Fibre two year warranty.
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