GeekSugar

The Herman Miller Embody Chair Feels Good All Over

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:00:03 -0800

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!

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Geek Tip: Make Your Workstation a Little More Ergonomic

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:42 -0700

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!

Pottery Barn's Smart Tech Goes on Sale

GeekSugar — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:04:29 -0700

I've had my eyes on Pottery Barn's Smart Tech line since it launched last year so I was thrilled to learn some of the collection's most practical pieces are finally on sale. The line includes gadget-friendly shelves, desks, chairs and even beds that incorporate easy plugs so your high-tech accessories can power up discreetly. Most of the furnishings have special MP3 player plugins with a recessed area for the device and play music with a pair of built-in speakers. The collection seems most appropriate for teen geeks, but the desk units and shelves are all adult approved. It might be time to redecorate my home office.

For a run down of more Smart Tech furniture, read more.

Trend: Pay For A Powernap In The YeloChair

GeekSugar — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:43:55 -0700

A new kind of spa, which offers a sleep therapy system of 20 to 40 minutes is targeting those of us that are easily tired by the "pressures of modern life." That phrase usually points to the internet-addicted, sit-at-your-desk- all-day masses, so I can only assume they want us to join them in their new concept in wellness.

Yelo is an upscale New York spa that offers body treatments designed to heal and alleviate specific conditions or ailments so that you can emerge balanced and energized. The concept airs on the techie side because the treatment takes place in a Yelocab, a "patented treatment cabin" and on a YeloChair, a custom-designed luxury chair that's thickly-cushioned and surrounded by LED lights and special angle settings. The chair reclines deeply to keep your legs elevated above your heart, so that your pulse slows down. Apparently, this prompts a feeling of weightlessness, which encourages full relaxation and sleep within minutes. Inside the YeloCab you get purified air, chromatherapy, aromatherapy, a diverse music selection and of course the technologically-advanced, luxurious YeloChair to help you get your nap on.

When your reflexology or nap treatment is over you are "gradually awakened by a sunrise, simulated by soft LED lights." Naps alone cost $12 (for 20-minutes) to $24 (for 40 minutes), while the full 60 minutes of Yelo Reflexology costs $100. For a close look at the chair and cabin, read more

According to the Yelo website, the nap program is so popular they now offer memberships. I'm all for making mid-day naps popular, but I can't help thinking paying someone to let you sleep in their special chair seems a bit unnatural. Then again, no one can deny the effectiveness of a power nap.

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The BalanceBall Is Good For Your Back And Your Butt

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:00:34 -0700

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.

Daybed: Workstation Of The Future

GeekSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:00:50 -0700

I was unable to attend ICFF 2007 last month, but my top secret spy was sweet enough to sneak a peek at the Humanscale Design Studio's prototype for its new chaise lounge workstation. It's geek, it's chic and sadly, we can't get our mittens on it yet.

The piece was designed to marry a modern lounge chair and ottoman with an ergonomically designed laptop computer support. The result, which is tentatively being called the "Daybed," is a sleek and simple workstation that's easy on the body and the eyes. It can be adjusted to suit any user - whether it's being used as a laptop desk, a full time work station or a coffee table.

According to the designers, Daybed’s high back curves around the user’s head to provide neck support and privacy, while built-in speakers positioned at ear height may be connected to a laptop computer or other peripheral device. While reclined, the backrest also supports the elbows, reducing stress in the arms and shoulders. For additional images, read more

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Daybed’s laptop tray is adjustable in both height and angle for a healthy, ergonomic work position. It has an integrated power strip, port replicator, and cable storage area, which are strategically positioned beneath a flip-up mousing surface on one side of the tray, while an extendable document tray may be slid out, as needed, from the other side. Essentially, the Daybed has more integrated power features than the Broberg and Ridderstrale's Electric Table and is about 9 bajillion times more chic than the iMedia chair. We already know that overheating laptops can cause fertility problems in men - not to mention the potential to burn your legs and cause damage to your computer- so I suspect more and more people will be in the market for ergonomic media tables that keep their laptops off their laps in the near future. Here's hoping this concept makes it onto the market.

The Wait Begins: iPhone Line In Downtown SF

GeekSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:29:20 -0700

San Francisco may be behind New York City when it comes to the iPhone launch queue, but the crowd has begun to assemble. At the very front of the line of downtown San Francisco's Apple Store is Jerry Taylor, who told us he has never stood in line for a gadget before. Taylor lives a couple blocks away and set up his blanket, chair and sidewalk desk this morning at 10 am. He said his friends were bringing him food later tonight and that he hopes to buy two iPhones tomorrow when they are released.

Second in line is David Young, an engineer at Slide, who said a bunch of his coworkers are joining him later (he's the guy in the Aviator glasses and black shirt). Third in line is Dale Larson, who is the director of mobile and internet marketing at Donordigital (he's wearing a blue colored shirt and black pants). Larson seems to be the manager of the line operation and is keeping a list of everyone's place. Fourth in line is a group of clowns from Peepshowminigolf.com that's been entertaining crowds with a small mini golf set up. Unlike 5th Avenue's Greg Parker, they all have their shirts on, but they promise they are going to "party San Francisco style" tonight.

To check out additional pictures from the iPhone line in San Francisco, read more

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Modular Speaker Double Shelf - $129.00	iChair - $399.00
Beadboard Smart Bedside Table - $299.00	Beadboard Smart Writing Desk - $699.00
Cushy Speaker Console - $399.00	Beadboard Basic & Smart Mega Desk - $1,499.00
iChair - $399.00	Beadboard Smart Desk - $399.00
Display-It Smart Bedside Table - $349.00	Beadboard Smart Dresser Topper with Mirror - $399.00
Beadboard Smart Dresser Topper - $249.00	iSwivel Desk Chair - $369.00
Bedford Smart Wall-Mounted Speaker Shelf - $199.00	Chelsea Smart Platform Bed - $999.00
Stuff-Your-Stuff Platform Bed & Plasma Footboard - $99.00	Display-It Smart Desk & Hutch - $399.00