Redesigned office chair encourages micro-exercise

Buoy is a fun piece of furniture that replaces the office chair with a less stable — but just as functional — rocking stool, that encourages movement while working.

The number of hours office workers spend sitting in front of a computer isn’t great for their health, and we have already seen ideas such as the Stir Kinetic Desk ensure users regularly stand during deskwork. Now the Buoy is another piece of furniture that replaces the office chair with a less stable — but just as functional — rocking stool, that encourages movement while working.

Small movements throughout the day help to keep the body active, contribute to weight maintenance and can even help stimulate mental process. With this in mind, the Buoy is a cylindrical stool that is able to swivel, turn, tilt and move up and down, and actively encourages such motion thanks to a slightly rounded bottom. When users sit down, they immediately need to shift their body to ensure they stay balanced. As with a standard office chair, users can easily spin around and also adjust the height using a lever on the side. The stool weighs just 20 pounds and can be picked up and moved using handles. The Buoy is available in six different colors and 25 seat fabric designs, which can be customized upon order. The video below shows the device in action:

Designed for offices, but also suitable for other environments where more flexible seating is required, the basic Buoy costs USD 199. How else can offices be redesigned to keep workers healthy, ensuring they don’t slip into a sedentary lifestyle?