Varier® Varier Variable – Knee chair with natural-coloured base

A tribute to the Varier Variable Knee Chair

Sitting, but with more movement in your day

The Varier Variable Knee Chair is the sort of chair that immediately asks something different of you. Don’t lean back and stay there, but allow yourself to make small movements instead. You sit more actively, naturally change your posture more often, and your body gets more space to follow its natural rhythm. For many people, that feels surprisingly logical. Nice and simple.

Why this product?

The original knee chair by Peter Opsvik

The Varier Variable Knee Chair is Peter Opsvik’s original design from 1979 and is considered one of the best-known knee chairs within the balance® concept. The basic idea is not that you remain seated in one perfect posture all day, but rather that your body is allowed to keep shifting, tilting and changing positions. That makes the Varier Variable Kneeling Chair different from many traditional office chairs, which tend to keep you in a single position.

Incidentally, many people still know this model as the Stokke Variable or Stokke Variable Balans. This is easily explained, as this design was previously sold under the Stokke brand and has been part of the Varier range since the split of that product line. This is useful to know if you’re looking for information, reviews or older product names.

Open seating area without complicated adjustments

The seat of the Varier Variable Knee Chair tilts forwards, opening up your hip angle. This allows your spine to more easily adopt the natural curve you have when standing. Varier states that this can help reduce tension in the lower back, neck and shoulders. At the same time, the Varier Variable Knee Chair has been deliberately kept free of mechanical adjustment parts. So you don’t have to fiddle with settings first to sit comfortably. You sit down, move around a bit, and quite quickly get a feel for how the chair is meant to be used.

Explanation of use

The kneeling position is just one of the options

When people think of a kneeling chair, many immediately assume that all your weight rests on your knees. That is not the intention with the Varier Variable Kneeling Chair. Most of your weight should remain on the seat. The cushions under the seat mainly support your shins and help you stay balanced. You can alternate between kneeling, sitting with one foot on the floor, both feet on the floor, or sitting in a more traditional position. It is precisely this variety that makes the Varier Variable Knee Chair so comfortable.

Rocking is really part of the experience

The curved wooden runners of the Varier Variable Kneeling Chair provide a gentle rocking motion. As a result, the chair moves with small changes in posture rather than working against them. Lean forward slightly when you’re focused on your work, then sit back and stretch out for a moment. The Varier Variable Kneeling Chair follows your movements naturally. That active nature isn’t just a bonus, but exactly what the Varier Variable Kneeling Chair is all about.

Ergonomic benefits

What makes the Varier Variable Knee Chair so comfortable is not just the more open seating angle, but above all the overall design. The forward-tilted seat helps your pelvis tilt more easily, the shin support provides stability without restricting movement, and the runners encourage subtle movement. As a result, sitting feels less static. For those who find that sitting still for long periods quickly becomes a strain on their back, neck or shoulders, the Varier Variable Kneeling Chair can be a welcome change.

Also handy: the Varier Variable Knee Chair is lightweight and easy to move. That makes it suitable for workspaces where you don’t necessarily want a large, technical office chair, but are looking for something that allows your body to be more active whilst sitting.

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A gradual approach often works best

Varier recommends not sitting in one position for too long, even on a kneeling chair. So change position regularly, stand up now and then, and take a short walk or stretch in between. If you’re new to the Varier Variable Kneeling Chair, it’s best to ease into using it gradually. Your body often needs time to get used to the more active sitting position, particularly your core and back muscles.

Designed for a standard workspace

The Varier Variable Kneeling Chair is designed for standard desks approximately 71 to 76 cm high. Varier also recommends a body height of approximately 150 to 205 cm and a maximum weight capacity of 110 kg. This means the Varier Variable Knee Chair fits in a surprisingly wide range of standard workspaces. To be on the safe side, do check your desk height. If you are significantly above or below this range, it may not be the best fit.

Easy to assemble

Pros and cons

•  Encourages changes in posture whilst sitting
•  Open hip angle thanks to the tilted seat
•  Gentle rocking motion via curved runners
•  Lightweight design with no mechanical adjustment parts
•  Less ideal if you want to sit in exactly the same position for a long time

In short: the Varier Variable Knee Chair is an ergonomic knee chair for active sitting at a standard desk. Important: suitable for desk tops of approx. 71 to 76 cm and for users of approx. 150 to 205 cm.

Key specifications

Key dimensions: 52 x 72 x 51 cm, seat height 50 cm, desk height 71–76 cm, load capacity up to 110 kg.

In short: the Varier Variable Knee Chair is particularly helpful for active and less static sitting. The table below shows where your body benefits most from this.

How much will my body benefit from this?

Score summary: Hips 5/5, Back 5/5, Neck 4/5, Shoulders 4/5.

Product features

•  Original design by Peter Opsvik from 1979
•  Part of the balans® concept
•  Also known as the former Stokke Variable
•  Supports kneeling and more traditional sitting positions
•  Curved runners for a subtle rocking motion
•  Tilted seat for a more open hip angle
•  Two cushions under the seat to support the shins or legs
•  Open construction with no mechanical adjustment parts
•  Made from beech plywood
•  Finished with an ash wood top layer
•  Varnished with water-based varnish
•  Designed in Norway, made in Poland
•  Lightweight and easy to move

Downloads

What’s in the box?

•  1 x Varier Variable Kneeling Chair
•  1 x Assembly instructions

Frequently asked questions