Office chair with synchronous mechanism: The gold standard for healthy seating comfort
An office chair with a synchronous mechanism couples the inclination of the seat and backrest in a fixed, coordinated ratio - typically around 1:2 to 1:3. This coupling enables dynamic, healthy sitting with constant micro-movements and is therefore considered the gold standard for daily use in the office and home office.
Anyone who buys a new office chair will almost inevitably come across the term "synchronous mechanism" - often without a precise explanation of what it means and why it makes such a big ergonomic difference compared to simpler mechanisms.
What does synchronous mechanics mean in an office chair? Function & Biomechanics
The principle of movement explained in an understandable way
With the synchronous mechanism, the seat and backrest do not move separately from one another, but rather in a coupled relationship, usually 1:2 to 1:3. If the backrest tilts backwards by a certain angle, the seat only follows this movement with a correspondingly smaller proportion. This coordinated interaction ensures that the body remains sensibly supported in every leaning back position.
No “shirt-taking effect”
With simple mechanisms in which only the backrest tilts independently, the contact point between the back and the backrest shifts noticeably when leaning back - shirts or blouses are literally pushed up. Since the seat and backrest move together with the synchronous mechanism, this contact point remains largely stable and the annoying friction effect is eliminated.
Weight adjustment
So that the resistance when leaning back matches your own body weight, a good synchronous mechanism has an adjustable one Spring force regulation. It prevents lighter people from feeling excessive counter pressure or from heavier people tipping backwards without braking.
Synchronous mechanics in comparison: The chair mechanics at a glance
| Mechanics type | Movement sequence | Recommended sitting time | Ergonomics level | Ideal for whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous mechanism | Seat and backrest move together (approx. 1:2 to 1:3) | 8+ hours | Very high | Full-time office, home office permanent use |
| Rocker mechanism | Entire chair tilts around a common pivot point | Up to approx. 4-6 hours | Means | Short-term use, meeting areas |
| Knee rocker mechanism | Tilts around a pivot point near the back of the knee | Up to approx. 6 hours | Medium to good | Executive chair with occasional recline |
| Permanent contact mechanism | Seat is fixed, only backrest is movable | Up to approx. 6 hours | Medium to good | Casual users, simple jobs |
| 3D ergonomic mechanics | Additional lateral mobility in addition to the synchronous movement | 8+ hours | Very high | Users with an increased need for movement |
The most important advantages: Why the synchronous mechanism protects the shoulders and back
Promoting dynamic sitting
The constant change between upright, middle and reclined positions keeps the back muscles continuously active instead of letting them relax in a rigid position - a central protective mechanism against muscle tension.
Nutrient supply to the intervertebral discs
Intervertebral discs are formed via the passive process of Diffusion supplied with nutrients, which depends on a regular alternation of pressure and relief. The micro-movements of the synchronous mechanism support exactly this exchange, which would be significantly restricted if you sat rigidly.
Optimal opening angle of the hips
The coupled movement keeps the angle between the upper body and thighs in a favorable range even when leaning back - this supports unhindered blood circulation in the legs instead of hindering it due to an excessively acute hip angle.
Step-by-step instructions: How to set the synchronous mechanism correctly
Step 1 – Determine chair height & basic position: First, adjust the seat height so that your feet are flat on the floor and your upper and lower legs form a right angle.
Step 2 – Match counter pressure to body weight: As a test, lean back and adjust the spring force regulation so that the chair neither tilts freely nor offers noticeable resistance to leaning back.
Step 3 – Activate freewheeling: Release any active locking - only in freewheel mode can the mechanism develop its full dynamic effect in everyday work.
Step 4 – Additional adjustment of seat depth and lumbar support: Finally, adjust the seat depth to your thigh length and the lumbar support to your lumbar region so that the mechanics work optimally in conjunction with the other ergonomic features.
Purchase advisor: When is an office chair with a synchronous mechanism the right choice?
A synchronous mechanism is worthwhile for anyone who regularly 4 to 8 or more hours daily sitting at the desk - whether in a classic office, in the home office or at a professional B2B workplace. If you only use the chair occasionally and for short periods of time, you can usually get by with a simpler mechanism - however, the synchronous mechanism remains the basic technical requirement for everyday, healthy office life.
In the buerostuhl24.com range you will find a large selection of office chairs with high-quality, finely adjustable synchronous mechanics for dynamic, healthy sitting in the office and home office.