GeekSugar

Cool Idea: ROSSIN L@p Chair

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:00:53 PDT

While there's something charming and nostalgic about an old-school desk chair, it's about time it had a modern makeover. The ROSSIN L@p Chair (inquire for price) by German-based Design Ballendat is the second coming of the school desk chair. But, instead of a hefty compartment to store pencils and paperwork, and a writing surface, you can set your notebook computer on its curved arm and call on your hard drive for storage. I think these chairs would be ideal for Internet coffee shops, but I'd love one in my living room, too. My Macbook is practically a permanent resident on my sofa.

The Herman Miller Embody Chair Feels Good All Over

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:00:03 PST

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!

View 5 Photos ›

Earn More Money By Changing Up Your Office Space

LearnVest — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:15:07 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most of us spend about 40 hours per week at work - in other words, the majority of our waking hours.

And nearly all of those hours are spent sitting at our desks. It’s a definite problem - and not just because we’re missing happy hour or quality couch time at home.

There’s no shortage of discouraging research pointing out the evils of a sedentary lifestyle and claiming that sitting will actually shorten our lives.

But, conversely, making a few tweaks to the way you sit - and the space you sit in - all day has been proven to make you a happier, healthier worker, busy earning your killer salary.

And, scientists say, the happier you are, the more you tend to earn.

In an effort to make the time spent at our desks as productive (and as profitable) as possible, we’ve combed the research for the easiest, most effective tips to soothe your mind and body when trapped in a cubicle . . . or corner office.

Just follow these four steps.

1. Make It Comfy

When we say “comfy,” we mean “ergonomic.” It’s an unfriendly word for a friendly concept: basically it means “intended to provide optimum comfort and to avoid stress or injury.” Friendly, right? Besides, an awkward workspace can lead to major health issues, including disorders in your joints or tendons, so a little tweaking of your cubicle can go a long way for your well-being. Line up your body correctly by following these two principles:

Your feet should be flat on the floor and your elbows should be even with your desk. This can be achieved either through adjustable chairs or - if chairs are a hot commodity at your office - a combination of step stools and pillows.

Read on for more tips.

Work it Girl: Chair Spinal Twist

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:30:00 PDT

Take a break from working already! I love doing a spinal twist at my desk because it really loosens up my lower back and gives my eyes a rest. I try to do this every half hour or so.

Push your chair slightly away from your desk and then sit down gazing forward. Bend your left knee and plant your foot on your chair - slip your shoes off if you're wearing heels. Reach your right arm up and cross your elbow over the outside of your left knee. You can increase the intensity of the twist by pulling with your hands and putting weight into your left foot.

Stay here for a few breaths or as long as you want. Then slowly release your torso back to center and place your left foot on the ground. Don't forget to do the other side! Twisting is so important for the health of our spines. This feels good and is so good for you. Try it right now and let me know what you think.

6 Ways to Sit Less Every Day

Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:03:42 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Sarah Kehoe

Need help being less sedentary? Here are the best ways to sit less and move more, from easiest to hardest.

Pace on the phone
Invest in a two-way speakerphone, a superlong phone-to-ear cord, or a quality headset so you can be more mobile while you chat.

Even if you simply stand while on the phone, you'll naturally shift from leg to leg.

Health.com: Little Ways to Lose Big Pounds

Putter after eating
Or take a quick walk postmeals. The fat levels in your bloodstream are highest after eating, and simply moving around afterward increases the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which spurs your metabolism.

Opt for bar seats at restaurants
Sit on the front third of the bar stool. Spread your feet just wider than hip distance, so they're supporting a fair bit of your weight, and gently roll your hips forward, arching your back slightly.

This position is called "perching" - it maintains an S-shape in your spine and distributes your weight more evenly.

Health.com: 20 Ways to Torch 200 Calories

Leave the seat at home
Whether you're going to a concert, tailgate, or park, don't bring a chair.

You'll find that if you don't have one, you stand the whole time or naturally move back and forth between your blanket and standing, says Marc Hamilton, PhD, a microbiologist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

More suggestions for giving up the chair after the break.

5 Healthy Breaks to Take Every Workday

Leta Shy — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:43:48 PST

If you're prone to sitting down most of the day at work, chances are you're often in need of a break. Here are five ways to keep your body feeling healthy and happy during those eight hours in your chair.

Rest your eyes: Those pupils need a rest. Reduce eye strain by closing your eyes or looking away from your screen for a few seconds every 15 minutes. Here are more tips for keeping your eyes healthy when using a computer.
Do some desk stretches: Chair stretches energize and relieve tension. Get in the habit of stretching when you feel tense or notice your posture is failing. We've got lots of stretches you can do at your desk to relieve neck and shoulder tension.
Exercise with a purpose: Being deskbound for so long can make us forget that we should be moving more. Try taking a five-minute walking break every hour or so when you need to get things done - take the longer route to the kitchen or bathroom, or go up and down a few flights of stairs while you're brainstorming. It's a good way to combat the dangerous effects of sitting down for so long.
Take a noncoffee break: Warm up with a cup of green tea; it'll help fill up your stomach to curb cravings, and you'll be getting a lot more disease-fighting antioxidants than if you reach for the coffee pot.
Relax the wrists: If you've been feeling twinges of pain, cramps, or other discomfort while you type away, be sure to regularly stretch your wrists. Here are five stretches to do to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Strength Train at Your Desk (Without a Soul Knowing!)

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:56:17 PDT

Sitting at a desk all day long is one reason your job is making you fat. If you can't break away for a session at the gym on your lunch break, here are four toning moves you can do at your desk - without your co-workers even knowing. If your chair is on wheels, you can still do these exercises; just be more conscious about moving slowly and with control so as not to lose your balance and roll away.

Source: Thinkstock

Beginner's Guide: How to Sit on a Stability Ball

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:24:32 PST

You may think it's all fun and games sitting on a stability ball while you work, but you should implement these important guidelines to help protect yourself from accidental injury. While the stability ball has its advantages, you should avoid using one if you have an acute back injury, especially if your quadratus lumborum, the major back muscle that runs from your 12th rib to the top of your pelvis, is compromised. The ball offers no back support, forcing you to heavily depend on the QL for support. If you notice any sharp or discomforting pain, forgo the ball for an ergonomic chair.

Five Rules For Proper Stability Ball Usage:

Right size: Buy a ball that is intended for your height. Inflate the ball enough so that when you sit down, your legs create a 90 degree angle, at both the hip and knee, and your entire forearm can rest easily on your desk when typing.
Wide stance: Place your feet flat on the floor about six inches from the ball. Open your legs to about the ball's width (wider than hip distance). You'll notice that if you place your feet closer together, your hip flexors will tighten up, and that lower back pain will creep up.

See more tips.

Sneak in a Little Diet and Fitness With These Easy Tips

Leta Shy — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:29:38 PST

A healthy lifestyle isn't just about how many miles you've logged on the trails or how many cookies you didn't eat this week. It's also all the small choices you make that add up to big results. Want to sneak in a few saved calories or extra exercise? Here are three easy ways to sneak in a little dieting or fitness.

Save a few calories, here and there: Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean perpetually being on a diet. Whether you live by your cheat days or give yourself a few treats a day, you can always benefit from shaving a few calories here or there. To save calories with only a little thought, make a few, but still tasty substitutions, like nixing mayo for yogurt, getting the sauce on the side, or grilling instead of sautéing meats. Here are more ways to shave calories at every meal.

Walk a little (it adds up): Vigorous exercise may be the most effective type of workout for weight loss, but don't knock those little things you should be doing to keep yourself active and out of your desk chair. It all helps you burn those calories, stay healthy, and keep the pounds off. Looking for creative ways to keep you up and walking? Save phone calls until you have time to take a walk or park farther than you need to so you're forced to move more.

Slow down: Whether you're wolfing down your lunch or imbibing drink after drink at happy hour, here's a reminder that eating and drinking quickly is never a good idea. Not only does eating slower allow you to focus on what exactly you are eating, it's also better for being able to gauge about how full you actually are - which means less overeating. And if you can't get enough of happy hour, alternate drinks with club soda or a glass of water - not only will you be saving on calories, but you'll also be hydrated (not to mention hangover-free).

Reasons to Give Up Your Desk Chair For an Exercise Ball

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:08:06 PST

This week I replaced my office chair with an exercise ball. Aside from being fun to bounce around on while blogging, sitting on a ball over a regular desk chair has other benefits. If you're desk-bound, here are some reasons to consider swapping out your chair for a stability ball.

Better Posture
With no chair back to slouch into or armrests to lean on, you're almost forced to keep your back straight, which can encourage better posture. Although there's no scientific evidence to back this up - studies show that sitting on a medicine ball can still lead to slumping - I have to say that my posture has definitely improved since I started using a medicine ball instead of a chair. Using an exercise ball doesn't automatically result in better posture; you have to remain aware of your torso and maintain a straight spine. Of course you can do this on a regular chair too, but sitting on a ball with no back or arms acts a constant reminder.

Stronger Core
Sitting up tall forces you to use your core muscles, which not only tones your midsection, but can also help prevent back pain. Remember to actively sit on the ball with a straight back - slouching forward on a ball will not give you a six pack!

Continue reading to find out two more reasons you'll want to sit on an exercise ball at your desk.