Introduction

When shopping for a high-end office chair, you'll more than likely end up choosing between the Steelcase Leap V2 and Gesture, Haworth Fern, and Herman Miller Aeron or Embody. This short list especially applies to people who spend eight or more hours a day in a chair and view the cost of a good one as an investment in their long-term health. Only those users are likely to justify the high price tags these chairs command—the Herman Miller Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair, a convoluted name which I'll refer to as "Embody" for the remainder of this review, costs a staggering $1,500.

The Embody is built around an unconventional concept and design philosophy. Originally launched in 2008 after years of research in physiology, biomechanics, and ergonomics, the chair has remained virtually unchanged ever since. Its most striking feature is the exposed rear exoskeleton that connects the seat to the upper backrest. From this spine-like structure, a series of plastic 'tendrils' extend across the entire backrest surface.



Some people find this look unbearably ugly. Others love it. If you're in the former group, the Embody will be a non-starter – even if you're ready to invest serious money in a high-end chair. Over the years, this design choice has become one of the most polarizing elements of Herman Miller's aesthetic language. The point of this kind of backrest—referred to as the "pixelated support system" by the manufacturer—is to support and encourage micro-movements of the body while sitting, naturally adapting to them. During the development of the Embody, it became clear that no one actually sits completely still, which implies that the ideal chair should be able to respond to all of our subtle shifts in posture.

If you're in the latter group, then read on to discover the quirks, challenges, and standout features of owning this chair. Unlike most other products I review, this wasn't a loaner—I bought it with my own money, after more than a decade of using the Steelcase Please and swearing by it. That chair eventually gave in to my above-average size, and that's when I decided it was time to try something different: the Embody.

Specifications