Abstract: A seating unit for supporting a body or part of a body comprises a base part and at least one supporting part for supporting the body or part of the body. The supporting part is situated or can be placed in a set nominal height position relative to the base part. In addition, the supporting part is movable at least in the vertical direction over a certain movement range relative to the nominal height position, in such a way that within this movement range the supporting part can take up various positions of equilibrium when there is a certain weight on the supporting part. The supporting part is preferably supported by a balancing mechanism, in particular a spring compensation mechanism.