Salli SwingFit

by Salli

Specifications Usage Tips

The Salli SwingFit is the only freely moving adjustable split saddle seat chair offered on the market today. It combines the concepts of upright stance and movement and provides many of the benefits currently being attributed to Standing Workstations without the need to stand throughout the day.

Note: If the concept of movement and upright stance have appeal but the cost of the Swingfit is prohibitive there is the option of considering the Swing or its economical cousin, the Salli Sway. These models offer the same movement and upright stance benefits of the SwingFit without the adjustability of the split saddle.

The unique rocking mechanism enables the seat to freely and continuously tilt or 'rock' on the left-right and front-back axis (and all angles in combination) in response to the movements of the user without any adjustments to the chair. This stimulates muscles in the abdominal and pelvic area, realizing benefits for the user similar to those which can be obtained through use of an exercise ball. It also adds to the mobility and metabolism of the lower back while still getting appropriate support from the split saddle seat design and maintaining the natural curvature of the spine.

In addition to the Swing mechanism the SwingFit offers the user the option of adjusting the width and angle of splay between the two halves of the saddle seat. This enables each person to customize chair to their specific body requirements. Although not necessary for many users it does offer extra customization that other models with the Swing mechanism do not.

Height adjustment of the gas spring lift is accomplished through a standard hand-controlled height adjustment lever. Available lift sizes and the corresponding user heights they accommodate are as follows: Short (4'0" to 5'2"), Mid (5'1" to 6'1") and Tall (5'8" to 6'5"). The SwingSeat can be purchased upholstered in either genuine leather or polyurethane faux leather, each available in a range of colours.The 5-point star base and lift are in an attractive chrome finish. The total weight of the chair is 10.9 kg (24 lb)

Ergonomic Benefits

Freedom of Movement The design of the Salli Saddle Seats encourages the entire upper body to move more freely than a traditional chair. In the absence of side or back constraints users are able to freely lean, stretch, and arch as they wish. This freedom translates into improved back mobility as it remains in constant flex. The upward stance of this style of seat also increases alertness as the entire body becomes involved in the sitting experience.

Core Strengthening The unique rocking mechanism on the Salli SwingFit strengthens the core of the user as it is able to adjust to every movement of the body, following the natural movements as the user leans and shifts. This free movement also ensures that the muscles are in constant action as they ensure the user remains completely stable on the saddle seat. This movement can also be employed to a greater extent to consciously exercise the core by having the user train themselves to actively shift and counterbalance throughout the course of the day. The level of resistance to movement can be adjusted to the personal preference of the user.

Adjustable Width and Splay The Salli SwingFit adds the ability to adjust the width of the seat and change the splay of the halves so that the user can customize the seat to their personal tastes. Combined with the Swing motion of the seat this provides an exceptionally personal seating solution.

Correct Spinal Alignment (Improved Posture) All Salli Saddle Seats are designed to restore the correct alignment of the spine . This is accomplished when the user's pelvis is tipped forward due to the 45° downward angle of the thighs. The forward tilt of the pelvis restores the natural "S-Curve" of the spine, positioning it where it can best provide the support necessary for the torso, neck and head. Traditional chair seats actually force the lumbar portion of the spine outward (creating a 'C-Curve'), exerting unnatural and unsupported stress on the soft tissue muscles and ligaments of the lower back. The improved alignment of the spine which the Salli Saddle Seats promote alleviates or removes that stress, reducing fatigue by enabling those tissues to relax and rest. The "swing" mechanism on the Salli SWINGFIT offers a greater degree of comfort as it permits the seat to follow the body as it moves. Salli Posture versus Traditional Seating Problem Posture.

Ability to Deviate from Upright Position Securely For users such as Dentists or Chiropractors the Salli Saddle Seats can provide a significant posture improvement over other types of seating. This is due to the anatomical position yielded by a correctly positioned saddle seat, angling the thigh downwards rather than directly in front of the user (i.e. 90°). The enables the practitioner to move significantly closer to the patient, hovering over them while maintaining a stable seating posture. This ability to 'move in' enables them to maintain a more upright posture which in turn reduces the strain on the lower back - an issue which is common in both of these groups or anyone else who performs repetitive forward or side-reaching tasks. The unique movement of the SwingFit makes this movement even more natural as the seat moves with the user, further extending the reach. It also enables them to exert greater force when necessary while at the same time reducing the effort required. The closer positioning also provides users with a greater degree of hand and finger control since the arms can be held closer in to the body in a more neutral position.

Reduced Potential for Lower Back Pain By positioning the spine in its naturally strongest and correctly aligned position the continuous tension and stress which traditional chairs place on the lumbar portion of the spine is relieved. Much back pain is a response generated by the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc) to notify us that overuse, overstressing, or damage has been done to these tissues. This is a natural response by the body in an effort to advise us that something needs to be addressed. Ligaments and muscles are not designed to be held in constant tension. Over time ligaments lose their resiliency and are unable to return to their natural length (much like a rubber band will lose its original proportions once it is repeatedly stretched or held in an extended position). This will result in a greater stress on the muscles which are now required to exert extra continuous effort in order to aid the ligaments in providing the necessary support. Associated with this extra stress, muscles

Reduced "Overreach" A complaint commonly associated with traditional seating is that it is difficult to reach items positioned to the sides or front. Doing so requires a significant rotation forward or outward from the shoulder, often combined with a forward bend from the waist. This can be a cause for concern for two reasons. First, the extreme reaching of the arms and the high degree of rotation necessary to accomplish this can lead to the development of shoulder-related issues. Usually this is addressed by trying to adapt the work area to the user by bringing frequently used items and equipment closer. However, there is always a limitation to the comfort zone of the user so this is usually only partially effective as a solution. The second area of concern related to the overreach is that when items are out of reach users will attempt to extend the limited range of their arms by 'bending' or 'stretching' forward from the waist. This exerts unnatural and unnecessary stress on the lower back, increasing the potential for development of lower back pain. A Salli Saddle seat addresses both of these concerns by providing a significantly increased reaching zone. The forward tilt of the pelvis immediately provides several inches of additional forward reach that cannot be available when seated in a traditional chair as the upper body is brought into closer proximity to the work space. In combination with this is the fact that a saddle seat position permits the entire torso to accomplish the reach, rather than relying on a single joint such as the shoulder. By spreading the reaching movement throughout the upper body not only are users able to reduce the angle of the shoulder rotation but also the potential for stress on the lower back. The result of this is that the reach of an average user can easily and comfortably be extended 12" - 18" beyond what they could normally reach from a traditional chair.

Achieve Sit/Stand Benefits WITHOUT Standing Due to the unique posture and active seating position which the Salli SwingFit offers, the user is able to realize many of the benefits attributed to an active standing posture without some of the accompanying concerns. The rocking motion of the seat can improve core muscle tone, posture is improved, blood flow is increased due to the greater degree of movement offered, and improved overall abdominal activity due to the open and upright stance ensures improved bloodflow and increased metabolism. This automatically results in a greater degree of alertness and the ability to better focus on the tasks at hand.

Avoids the Risk Factors of Standing When Working Standing to work is rapidly gaining in popularity due to solid scientific evidence that extended sitting in the traditional office environment greatly increases numerous health risks. Current media coverage which is to a great extent fueling this movement has almost solely focused on the "benefits" of standing to work, ignoring the equally compelling evidence that extended standing can also be extremely detrimental to one's overall health. Studies have shown that extended standing can result in blood pooling in the lower legs due to the static state of the leg muscles, resulting in edema (swelling of the feet and lower legs) and a corresponding increase in varicose vein problems. This also increases the load on the circulatory system which has to push this pooled blood back out of the legs. There is good evidence that this can exacerbate existing or possibly lead to heart and circulatory problems. Many people who stand extensively, especially on hard floors (concrete, ceramic tile, etc), develop heel problems that can manifest as bone spurs or plantar fasciitis. Standing is also more tiring, something which is has been well-known in industry for many years. While standing does burn more calories it is also rated to consume 20% more energy than sitting which can result in fatigue. Industry has addressed this by providing anti-fatigue mats, anti-fatigue footwear, and chairs to sit on during rest breaks - each of which is aimed to reduce the tiring effects of standing. Salli Saddle Seats enable users to maintain the upright posture which is most beneficial to their health while at the same time reducing their exposure to the risk factors described above. Since the Saddle Seat carries the majority of the weight load the leg muscles are no longer required to remain in 'tension' mode in order to support the user. Instead, these muscles are now free to relax and flex as needed to move the chair around the work area. This movement activates the 'pumping action' that aids in moving blood from the lower legs. By transferring the majority of the weight to the Saddle Seat, the feet are also permitted to rest, reducing the ongoing strain that occurs with extended static standing.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Working in a Salli Saddle Seat will generally require some modifications to the workstation. Since it elevates the torso of the user there will be a requirement to ensure that keyboard, mouse and monitor are all able to be brought into an appropriate height position in order to maintain a neutral posture for the hands, arms, and neck. For shorter users this might be able to be accomplished by elevating the desk using specialized lifters such as Raise-Its which can safely raise a desk by up to 3". Standard keyboard arms and trays may also provide enough elevation or may be utilized in combination with a product like the Raise-Its. The monitor mount may have enough range to elevate the screen to the desired greater height or a few simple monitor risers in combination with it's integral movement may provide the necessary elevation. For more complex scenarios such as taller users it may be necessary to provide an elevating workstation that can be raised enough to bring these devices into the correct alignment. The advantage that a Saddle Seat offers over a Sit/Stand workstation is that the user is still in a seated position and the monitor and keyboard do not need to shift throughout the day as the range of motion and viewing angles do not change. However, for a Sit/Stand Workstation to be properly equipped it will need to accommodate the changes which occur when the user switches from Sitting to Standing. These include small but significant changes in the hand/arm positions and more significant changes in the viewing angle required for the monitor. This may often require a monitor arm with a fairly wide range of elevation adjustment, adding additional cost to the adaptation.

Features

Split Seat for Comfort: The patented 'Split Seat' design of the Salli SwingFit is designed to provide firm but comfortable support for virtually all adult users. The shape of the seat ensures that pressure is focused on the sitting bones rather than the legs and seat (rear?). The split design provides a comfortable seat for both men and women and also offers a cooling effect that standard chairs or one-piece saddles cannot provide.
Adjustable Height Options: Three different lift heights are available - enabling the Salli SwingFit to meet the seating heights of users ranging from 4' to 6'5" or over.
- Short fits 4'0" to 5'2"
- Mid fits 5'1" to 6'1"
- Tall fits 5'8" and over
Adjustable Movement: The unique rocking motion which the SwingFit provides is able to be adjusted to the individual preferences of each user, enabling lesser or greater degrees of resistance.
Quality Upholstery: Available upholstery options are:
Black Genuine Leather
Other Colours of Leather and Naugasoft Surgical Vinyl are available by Special Order

Easy Rolling: Five 65mm casters (for hard floors) on the polished aluminum base enable users to use their feet in a push/pull motion to roll around a work area with minimal effort.

Weight Rating: The Salli SwingFit is designed to safely support users up to 264 lbs (120kg). The Salli Strong is recommended for those exceeding this rating.

Images and Multimedia

Salli SwingFit	Salli SwingFit mech image (old)	Salli Split Saddle closeup image	Salli Swing Motion Image
Salli Swingfit Spec Image	Salli Saddle Seat in use image	Salli Saddle Seat in use image - 2	Traditional Seats Damage Posture
Salli Seats Improve Posture

Models

For related products, visit our online product listing.

Model #	Description	Synnex SKU
SS-SF	Salli Swing Fit Chair, adjustable width divided seat, free moving tilt (front-to-back and side-to-side), medium pneumatic chrome lift, polished aluminum base, soft 65 mm casters, accommodates users up to 264 lbs (120 kg), available in Genuine Leather or Polyurethane Faux Leather

Accessories

Model #	Description
43565H	Salli Hard Standard Caster Accessory, 65 mm, for soft floors or wall-to-wall thick carpets (Note: Price is for 1 unit, order 5 if you want a complete set for a Salli Chair).
440	Salli Hard Caster Glide Accessory, converts Salli chair for stationary use, permits chair to glide when not loaded (Note: Price is for 1 unit, order 5 if you want a complete set for a Salli Chair).