Frequently Asked Questions

Before Buying

How is the CoreChair different from other ergonomic chairs?

Traditional ergonomic office chairs focus more on providing relaxed support and typically commit the user to a one fixed position that diminishes healthy movement. Similar to a lounge chair, a traditional chair allows the body to settle into a reclining position which in most cases results in poor alignment of the user’s body relative to their work station.

CoreChair promotes optimal sitting posture because it embraces the pelvis with an aggressively shaped seat complimented by snug support at the top of the back of the pelvis, near your belt level. With the pelvis supported in this manner, the user experiences a natural balance of their spine from their pelvis to their head. Most people using traditional chairs either perch on the front edge of their seat or completely slump into the tall back, causing excessive demands on their musculoskeletal structure.

CoreChair provides a pivot point immediately beneath the users’ center of balance which provides natural movement in all directions up to a safe range of 14 degrees.

Can I try it before I buy it? (Our Return Policy)
Selecting the right active sitting chair is not something that can be accomplished in a brief trial. CoreChair is happy to offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee to allow sufficient time to experience the benefits of this unique sitting solution.

*Please see Return Policy for details.

Be sure to keep the original packaging just in case you might want to return.

If CoreChair does not provide the sitting experience we know we can contact us and we will assist with any suggestions to optimize fit and function or we will arrange to have the chair picked up and returned.

In some instances, we may have an authorized CoreChair dealer who is able to provide a live demonstration.  Contact us for more details.

*60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee is only offered on our CoreChair Classic and Sport models. Please see our Terms and Conditions page for more information.

What can I expect after sitting in the CoreChair for a few weeks?

Most people immediately transition to the intended comfort and ride of their CoreChair and experience little if any side effects. For some, they will notice the results of this new and improved sitting position and the added movement, much like they might after their first few visits to the gym on a new exercise program.

Because the chair positions the user to sit taller and assume an ideal posture, the supportive soft tissues of the core begin to reprogram to accommodate this. For those who have realized this initial perceived discomfort, the vast majority report that this discomfort resolves within a few weeks. For persons who have a chronic back issue arising from a diagnosis such as a herniated disc, strained soft tissues or similar, the reported feedback in most cases is that the position and movement provide very quick relief.

In the therapeutic world “motion is lotion”. There are some individuals who have more significant back issues and have been seeking a solution for quite some time. While CoreChair is an excellent adjunct to a more traditional therapeutic treatment, it should not be considered an alternative. At CoreChair we encourage a variety of working positions through the day, from sitting to standing and walking opportunities.

We also encourage preventative and therapeutic complimentary solutions such as yoga, safe training, and massage as well as physiotherapy and chiropractic care.

How can I get my boss to consider purchasing for the office?

Have us join the conversation.

The CoreChair team would be happy to engage in a discussion on how CoreChair can be part of any workplace wellness program. We can even share documentation highlighting research validation that speaks to:

  • reduction of back pain,
  • stimulation of metabolism to combat “sitting disease”,
  • and increased productivity.

Talk to our team about arranging an overview presentation, demonstration of the benefits of CoreChair in an office environment and a quote on volume pricing.

What is the weight limit?

For warranty purposes, the CoreChair has a weight limit of 250lbs.

The CoreChair has been rigorously tested against 400lbs through 1 million cycles and did not present any change in the function.  Therefore, it can withstand weights up to 400lbs, but is limited by the 250lb maximum hydraulic lift. 

We suggest the Classic model for persons with a heavier stature as it is a more robust chair than the Tango and has adjustable resistance.  The advantage of the adjustable resistance is that you have the ability to control the amount of movement you get from the chair.

Is it an orthopaedic chair?
Yes. CoreChair is designed to provide an ideal combination of optimal support and positioning with safe movement. It can be a perfect orthopaedic intervention, supplement to other health care initiatives or even preventative measures. In contrast to traditional sitting solutions, CoreChair encourages healthy movement which is necessary to provide ideal nutrients to your supportive soft tissues (muscles and ligaments). CoreChair has proven to be a very effective contribution to persons with chronic back pain.
Why are there no armrests?

With arm rests most people have a tendency to introduce chronic leaning as part of their sitting habits. Arm rest dependency increases static lateral positioning of the spine and places unnecessary pressure on the forearm. CoreChair promotes more natural and balanced positioning of the spine. The resulting stability and supported position means there is no need for arm rests.

How big is the chair?

The external dimensions of CoreChair are similar to any traditional office chair and will nicely compliment most workstation set up.

The seating surfaces are designed to fit persons who range in size from approximately 5 feet to 6 feet 5 inches. Two different height options are available.

View more specifics here: Our Core Design

Will CoreChair allow me to burn calories while I sit?

“Sitting disease” has more to do with not moving than just sitting. When you do not move, you do not burn calories and your metabolic system becomes challenged as it requires movement to regulate your glucose production and vascular reactivity. Calorie measuring is a very simple method to measure work.

A recent Mayo Clinic Study found that passively sitting on a CoreChair at least resistance results in an increased caloric expenditure of 20% over sitting in a traditional chair that does not encourage movement. When the user engages in specific exercises designed for use on the CoreChair, the user can expect a caloric expenditure of 150% or similar to walking at approximately 2 mph.

Mayo Clinic promotes its NEAT program (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) and the fact that you don’t have to engage in excessive exercise to burn calories but that subtle and continuous movement throughout the day, will result in the type of metabolic stimulation to enhance your bodily functions.

Will I get tired if I sit in the CoreChair for too long?

Many people who have endured long periods of time on an exercise ball as a substitute for their office chair, will share that they feel fatigued over time. This is mostly due to the fact that in order to maintain an ideal sitting posture, they have to engage their core muscles at a high level, continuously.  This is exhausting and eventually fatigue sets in.

On the CoreChair, the pelvis is embraced and rendered in a neutral posture. This alleviates the need to over engage your core. This pivot point on a CoreChair is directly beneath your centre of balance. So with your pelvis and your thighs supported, and your feet stable on the ground, we have a very stable three-point base of support. Another misconception is that we might get tired from moving.

In fact, when we don’t move and don’t get optimized blood flow and the supply of oxygen and nutrients that accompany this blood flow, that is exhausting. When we assume a slumped sitting position, we also collapse our thoracic cavity that houses our critical internal organs. This, in turn, reduces what is known as our ‘vital capacity’ or the volume of air that we can pass through our lungs, which further affects the oxygenation of our blood.

Will CoreChair really strengthen my core?

While the CoreChair is not as unstable as an exercise ball, it does engage your core stabilizing muscles very much on par according to a study conducted by the Dept of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo.

When we collapse into a traditional chair, which may indeed feel comfortable, our core stabilizing muscles are too relaxed and tend to approach atrophy or muscle wasting. Continuous low level stimulation of these critical stabilizing soft tissues will definitely add to your core strength and you can expect a carryover effect to your other daily activities.

What is it like to sit in a CoreChair?

Reports arising from thousands of CoreChair users suggest that they feel:

  • More alert and productive throughout their work day.
  • Less stiffness in their hips and low back that they would normally experience when they stand up from a traditional chair after sitting for a period of time.
  • More comfort under their sit bones and tail bone
  • Reduced upper back and neck pain
  • Less strain on their back when reaching
Why is the back so low?

CoreChair is designed to embrace the user’s pelvis in an engaged sitting position and is not intended to be a lounging chair. When properly seated, users do not need a tall back.

In fact, the upper portion of the tall back is not used by most users, except when reclining. Sitting on a flat level surface with a flat back tends to promote slumping, where the pelvis tilts backward.

Traditional chair designs introduce lumbar supports in an attempt to correct the resulting flattened low back. This only addresses the symptom of slumping whereas CoreChair’s pelvic stabilizer addresses the cause by supporting the pelvis and reducing the slumping and low back flattening.

Want to learn more? Contact us for copies of the studies completed by the University of Waterloo that speak to the positive postural benefits of CoreChair.

What are the features and benefits of the chair?
How does CoreChair compare in quality against my current office chair?

CoreChair has been introduced as a very high-quality product supported with a 8-year warranty. The patented internal mechanism is a high precision component with a careful eye to final inspection processes to ensure optimal function over time. The product has been designed, engineered and tested to exceed 1 million cycles using the BIFMA/ ANSI protocol.

How will the CoreChair interact with my work station?

CoreChair operates optimally when the user assumes a more open hip angle. This means sitting with the chair at a height that results in the knees being lower than the hips. The resulting position makes the user sit taller and engaged in their work station.

Properly adjusted the user’s arms should hang at their side rather than reaching out to their work surface. This new sitting height will likely result in the computer monitor being lower than ideal.

We recommend that you adjust your monitor height by using a portable desktop sit stand station or a monitor attachment that allows for additional height adjustment.

Does the CoreChair require assembly?

Yes, however, it is minimal and only takes between 10-15 minutes. The only tool that is required during assembly is a hex key. This tool is provided to you and is located in your seat pan of your CoreChair.

You can watch this video here for an idea of the assembly process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZH2jmP5wF8

CoreChair Users

Where do I find CoreChair stretching routines?

You can find our CoreChair Fit stretching routines on our website at www.corechair.com/fit or on our YouTube channel.

What kind of workout can I perform on the CoreChair?

You can perform both low and high-intensity workouts using your CoreChair.

We’ve developed a series of workout routines that you can follow using your CoreChair. You can find them on our website at www.corechair.com/fit or by visiting our YouTube channel.

How do I know which setting I should use?

CoreChair is designed to provide an optimally supported sitting posture by embracing the pelvis and move in all directions up to a safe 14 degrees. Movement resistance is adjusted very simply and has five settings. The highest resistance results in very little movement with more emphasis on postural positioning.

If you are new to CoreChair, we recommend you begin with the high resistance and ensure that you have achieved the optimal adjustment to optimize your posture. Intermittent shifting through the day from high to low resistance will begin to demonstrate the feel of the movement.

Most users quickly adjust to the dynamic movement at the low resistance and use this as their default. The midrange adjustments for resistance are very helpful when you are sitting taller with a more open hip angle (knees below the hips) and avoids the sensation of sliding while maintaining movement in all directions.

Do you offer fixed feet?

Yes. Please send an email to info@corechair.com

I feel like I'm sliding forward in my CoreChair

If you feel like you are sliding forward in your CoreChair, you may have to make a quick and easy adjustment to your center of balance. Please watch our YouTube video to learn how to adjust your balance on the CoreChair.

Adjusting your Balance on the CoreChair

The casters won't go into the base

Here are a few tips to help you install your casters:

  • Make sure you flip the base over and place onto a flat surface
  • Position yourself directly over top of the casters
  • Use force to push the casters in (we promise you won’t break them)!
Do you have a referral program?

Yes! We would love to help your friends and family members start their active sitting journey.

If you would like to refer a friend or family member, please send us an email and we would be happy to provide you with a special discount code that you can send out to your friends and family members.

This will allow them to save on the purchase of their very own CoreChair and also help you feel good knowing you helped others improve their sitting experience!

How do I assemble my CoreChair?

Order-Related

Why did I get a Foreign Transaction Fee?

In some cases, credit card companies and banks in the United States will charge their customers a “Foreign Transaction Fee”. This can show up on your credit card statement as “Foreign Trans Fee” or “International Trans Fee” and will charge you a percentage of the purchase price. This is because CoreChair is a Canadian company, and even though your purchasing in USD they are considering it an international transaction. 

Unfortunately, this is beyond CoreChair’s control, and we have taken some measures to assist with this including decreasing the price of the CoreChair to lessen any charge, duty or import taxes that may be applied.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Send an email to info@corechair.com and we promise to get back to you!