GeekSugar

Geek Tip: Make Your Workstation a Little More Ergonomic

dannysf — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:42 PDT

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!

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!

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Feast Your Eyes (and Arms) on This Wrist Rest

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:03:36 PDT

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.

Sitting 101: Desk Ergonomics

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:00 PDT

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

Geek Gear: Ergonomic Mouse

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 13:30:39 PDT

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 cravinsugar has a couple great finds, including the Adesso SmartCat Pro USB Glidepoint Touchpad. Priced at $79.95, the Smart Cat Pro is all about comfort and control. It features one-touch scroll and zoom, and distinctive sounds for each operation. You can check out all the bookmarked ergonomic mice on TeamSugar.

Since Sitting is So Bad For Us...

FitSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 02:30:00 PDT

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.

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The BalanceBall Is Good For Your Back And Your Butt

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:00:34 PDT

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.

Ergonomic Beauty Products to Make Your Life Easier

Jaime Richards — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:01:55 PDT

When you think of ergonomics, you probably think of oddly shaped keyboards and office chairs equipped to reduce strain on the back, but you likely don't think of beauty products. However, there are a whole slew of personal care goods that feature such well-thought-out designs as swerved handles, smoothed angles, and curved mechanisms that can make your life a whole lot easier. Japonesque's ergonomic mini tweezer set ($29), for instance, is made specifically for maximizing comfort and control during hair removal.

And then there's Klhip's Ultimate Clipper, a hefty price at $70, but you'll have it forever. Its reversed lever makes cutting softer and smoother, so much that you'll find you probably won't need to file your nails after grooming. And thanks to its gentler pressure, you'll love that clippings won't go flying to no man's land during the process. To see more ergonomic beauty products and discover more, just click on any of the images above.

No More Neck Aches: 5 Ergonomic Stands For Your iPad 2

Anna Monette Roberts — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:34:08 PST

We tend to be hunched over while looking at our smartphones and laptops, but have you ever considered the damage you're doing to your neck and back while playing with your iPad? A new Harvard study shows the neck strain accumulated from hovering over your tablet. Rather than looking down to read or watch your stories, here are five ergonomic stands to keep your neck neutral and free of injury.

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.