This article includes a 2:09 video walkthrough.
Quick answer
Decompress Mode refers to the Anthros tilt options. Standard (how the chair ships) and Active are fine for short periods, but for longer work sessions we recommend the 5-degree tilt or Free Float. Both shift your center of gravity back so you can relax into the chair without slumping forward. Full Decompress, all the way back, is for resting and stretching, not for working.
The positions
Standard: how your chair ships, about 1 to 2 degrees of tilt back.
Active: tilts you slightly forward.
5-degree tilt (recommended for working): unlock the tilt, lean all the way back, lock it, then come forward until it stops.
Free Float (recommended for working): unlock the tilt and use the front right knob to set the tension for your body weight, so you can move easily between upright and about halfway back. Going further back tends to push your head forward.
Full Decompress: all the way back. Great for a break or a stretch, but your head comes forward if you try to work here.
Also called: tilt modes, recline, tilt lock, 5 degree tilt, free float mode.
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Video transcript
Decompress Mode simply refers to our five tilt options. Let me show you. When you get your chair, you're going to get it in Standard mode. So you can tell I'm pretty upright. I'm at about one to two degrees of tilt right now.
The other more upright position is Active. So you can see I've moved forward a little bit. It's slightly tilted forward. These two positions are good for short periods of time, but when you're upright like this, you're getting downward pressure from gravity. And ultimately your body fatigues, and it may cause you to go into a more forward position. And that's why we recommend tasking in the five-degree tilt.
To get to five degrees, the easiest way to me is to go all the way back, lock it, and come forward. Now I'm in the five-degree tilt. My center of gravity is back, my shoulders are open, my head is in a good position. This is a perfect tasking position.
When you get tired of being locked in, you can also use the Free Float mode. So unlock the tilt and adjust the tension using the front right control knob for your body weight, so that you can move easily between upright and about halfway. If you start going too far back, then your head goes into a forward position. So try and keep it between upright and halfway.
The last position is more for resting or stretching, just taking a break, and that's our full Decompress mode. When I'm back here, it's the perfect position to open up the front side of your body, get that good stretch during the day, but you don't want to work in this position because your head will come forward.
Play around with these positions. See what you like. Definitely task in the five degrees or Free Float mode, but enjoy our Decompress modes.