ergonomic

Geek Tip

Geek Tip: Make Your Workstation a Little More Ergonomic

It doesn't take much to make your home workstation a little more body friendly.

It doesn't take much to make your home workstation a little more body friendly. So before you head back to school this Fall, add a few ergonomic touches to your home office. I have professed my love for the Ikea Dave Laptop stand many times before, so if you must work in front of the tube (like yours truly), put it on a stand and not on your lap! Add a desk lamp to save your eyes, and either an amazing chair or a fitness ball (or both!) to save your back and shoulders. Also, make sure you have a pretty keyboard wrist rest to prevent typing fatigue.

Have any ergonomic supplies you can't live without? Share with us your own geeky, body-friendly office tips below!

Reviews

The Herman Miller Embody Chair Feels Good All Over

When furniture designer Herman Miller sent me one of their latest and greatest creations, the Embody Chair — which is both body and blogging friendly — I couldn't wait to see if it felt as good as it looked.

When furniture designer Herman Miller sent me one of their latest and greatest creations, the Embody Chair — which is both body and blogging friendly — I couldn't wait to see if it felt as good as it looked.

With the help of physicians and professionals in such fields like biomechanics, vision, physical therapy, and ergonomics, designers Jeff Weber and Bill Stumpf created the Embody Chair with the office worker in mind, therefore making sure it was jam-packed full of health-positive benefits.

What instantly struck me about this chair was the fact that its entire backing looks like a real spine, with vertebrates and all. Once you sit down, you can actually feel it adapting to the shape and movement of your spine and it will move when you move. With adjustments for your back, seat height, arm height, arm width, the tilt tension (yes it can recline) and the seat depth, you can get the Embody to distribute your weight evenly and conform perfectly to your body. And even if your body moves, the lower back support always remains constant for perfect posture and back alignment.

Although the chair looks very dainty and delicate, it's actually quite sturdy and extremely heavy! So you don't have to worry about breaking it. The Embody is 95 percent recyclable, PVC free, and was made with 42 percent of recycled content. The chair is said to be available this January for $1600 — I know, pricey, but it is the Aston Martin of office chairs! And I can't confirm this, but I'm going to assume it will come in more colors other than yellow. Herman Miller even has its own Thoughtpile site where you can contribute solutions and creative ideas from topics ranging to the environment to urban design!


Shopping

Feast Your Eyes (and Arms) on This Wrist Rest

Sure, I bet you have a black or other primary colored wrist rest, and it suits you just fine.

Sure, I bet you have a black or other primary colored wrist rest, and it suits you just fine. But this is geeksugar, and I'm not interested in plain peripherals! I'm dazzled by this Wrist Rest Set ($11) and its turquoise geometric pattern. It's like a party on your desk, and who doesn't need that?

Not only is it a pretty sight, this rest has all-natural filler: buckwheat, flaxseed, and rice. And it's lavender-scented. Balance the party in the pattern with the soothing smell of the lavender, and you've got a perfect product, my friend.

healthy living

Sitting 101: Desk Ergonomics

I consider myself an active person and am definitely happier strolling about than sitting, but I sit for a large portion of the day.

I consider myself an active person and am definitely happier strolling about than sitting, but I sit for a large portion of the day. I blog – how could I avoid a chair? Like most things, there's a technique to sitting. A well-designed workstation can help keep you pain free while you toil away during the day.




Here are a few things to consider about how and where you sit:

  • Adjust the height of your chair so your hips are between 90 and 120 degrees. If adjusting your chair means your feet no longer rest comfortably on the floor, use a foot rest.
  • Your keyboard should be in line or lower than your elbow joint. The open angle of the elbow will help reduce elbow, wrist, and shoulder pain.

I have a few more suggestions, so read more

Geek gear

Geek Gear: Ergonomic Mouse

About a week ago I asked you readers to help me find an ergonomic mouse that's both hand and eye friendly.

About a week ago I asked you readers to help me find an ergonomic mouse that's both hand and eye friendly. My mom uses a simple mouse she bought with her laptop and is constantly bugging me about finding her a better option.

dali137 bookmarked this Logitech TrackMan Wheel, which seems to be a favorite among computer users seeking an ergonomic balance. "I use ONLY this mouse, I own one for home and one for travel with my powerbook," says dali137. "I can just lay back on the couch and prop the mouse on a pillow and geek away. It also comes in a cordless model as well as other configs of the trackball idea."

For another ergonomic mouse idea, read more

desk

Since Sitting is So Bad For Us...

We've all heard how bad sitting in a chair all day is - Well G-Tech has addressed this problem.

We've all heard how bad sitting in a chair all day is - Well G-Tech has addressed this problem.

No this woman is not at the dentist - she's working on her computer on the ergonomic Neber chair designed in Korea. It tilts you back, so the weight is distributed evenly throughout your body, instead of being focused on your lower back and bum (as with regular sitting).

This "Lazy Boy Recliner meets works station" could revolutionize the work place, creating happier, healthier men and women. Instead of complaining about their aching backs, workers can complain about their work load.

I have to say I would love to try one of these chairs since I am at the computer for so many hours in a row - how about you? Tell me in the comments section below.

BalanceBall Chair

The BalanceBall Is Good For Your Back And Your Butt

Anything that helps me get in shape while sitting down is something that grabs my attention because unfortunately, I am sitting at my desk for at least 10 hours a day.

Anything that helps me get in shape while sitting down is something that grabs my attention because unfortunately, I am sitting at my desk for at least 10 hours a day. The BalanceBall Chair is not your conventional office chair. Designed with help from the chiropractic expert Dr. Randy Weinzoff, the BalanceBall is a great way to strengthen your core muscles and improve your spinal alignment. The actual chair looks like a huge yoga ball on easy-glide casters with adjustable support for the lower back. It might not be the most stylin' chair but your back will definitely be thanking you! To purchase for $80 go to Gaiam.com.