This article includes a 1:09 video walkthrough.
Quick answer
The short answer: all the time. Sitting bolt upright means your body is constantly fighting the downward pressure of gravity, and eventually it fatigues and slumps forward. Working in the 5-degree tilt or Free Float lets you relax into the chair while keeping your chest open, your shoulders back, and your spine supported through long workdays.
How to tilt while you work
5-degree tilt: unlock the tilt, lean all the way back, lock it, and come forward until it stops.
Free Float: when you're tired of being locked in, unlock the tilt and use the front right knob to set the tension for your body weight, so you can move between upright and about halfway back.
Also called: how long should I recline, tilting all day, tilt tension, 5 degree tilt, free float.
Video transcript
One of the most common questions that our team gets is, "How much should I be tilting every day?" And the simple answer is: all the time. Let me tell you why.
When I'm sitting upright like this, I might be fine. I've got my chair adjusted for me. It's holding me. I might be fine for a while. But when you start feeling yourself coming forward, it's because your body's experiencing the downward pressure from gravity. So inevitably, your body will fatigue. That's why we incorporated our tilt feature.
We recommend, for tasking, getting into the five-degree tilt. It allows your body to relax into the chair and keeps your chest open and your shoulders back. And when you get tired of being locked in, simply unlock it and go into the Free Float tilt. You can adjust the tension of the tilt using the right front control knob. Adjust it for your body weight so you can move between upright and halfway. These are the two tasking positions that'll help you stay comfortable through those long workdays.