Ergonomic Links Roundup: July 26th, 2012

We are fortunate enough to truly love what we do. Part of that passion means following what people are talking about around the web in terms of ergonomics, adjustable-height desks, and other healthy working topics. Below are links to some of the things we're thinking about this week:

• The Huffington Post has two features on sit-stand desks this week. The first is Chris Spurlock's take on standing desks. He has experienced back pain and feels that an adjustable-height desk is a great option if you have similar discomforts. Check out the desk he hacked together to see if he like standing here.

• We're all becoming more aware of the dangers of sitting too long at work, and unfortunately fitting in more exercise outside of work doesn't seem to fix the problem. The key is to change the way we work. From The Huffington Post's Healthy Living blog:

Unfortunately, research shows that extra-curricular trips to the gym -- running the mornings before work or hitting up a post-office spin class -- can't undo the effects of a day spent on one's behind. That means the only available option is to remake our work environments.

• Bloomberg Businessweek has a really neat slideshow of different workspaces. The photos aren't mean to be suggestions, but just a quick look at how people in New York City work. Definitely a change from our showroom. 

• We're all about staying healthy, in and out of the office. For those runners out there, here's a quick 30-second claymation video on proper running technique. Hat-tip to Lifehacker.

• Lifehacker also has a guest-post on the 10 Steps to a Healther Office. Guess what's number 3? We've mentioned this before, but one of the benefits of an adjustable-desk is that you aren't stuck at just one height. Sure, you can pile milk crates on top of your existing desk and have a standing desk, but the ability to move and vary your position is key to healthy working.

Research has shown that sitting in front of a computer all day can have negative effects on your short AND long-term health, so companies everywhere are catching on to the appeal of stand-up desks. At Boundless, most of our team rocks stand-up desks, and many have found that it makes them feel much more energetic than hunching in front of a computer all day. Standing up while working can also help prevent slouching and alleviate back problems.

• And finally, what would an ergo link round up be without another "sitting is killing you" link? Today's thanks go to CBS News.

Gravity Balans Video Review

Nearly every person who walks into our showroom spends a minute or ten in the Varier Gravity Balans chair. Here's a quick look at how it works.

It really doesn't get better than this. The designer, Peter Opsvik, has produced some of our favorite chairs. For more information on the Gravity Balans chair check out our product page, or give us a call.

Humanscale Float Adjustable Table Introduction

Humanscale’s eagerly anticipated Float adjustable-height table is sure to make an immediate impact in the sit-stand desk market. Sleek design, easy to use, and affordable are only three of the features we’re excited about from Humanscale’s newest product.

The main feature that makes this adjustable table different from our other popular sit-stand desk options is the way it raises and lowers. The counterbalance mechanism means that no motor or crank is required to move the desk from sitting to standing. If you’ve poked around the blog before, you know that we think effortless hight adjustment is key to getting people moving during the work day, and the Float table definitely meets our standards. Simply squeeze the level and release when you have found a comfortable sitting or standing height. It really couldn’t be easier.

Check out this video from Humanscale to see the Float in action.

New studies seem to come out weekly touting the benefits of height-adjustable desks. We've linked to several here on the blog, but the thread that ties each new report together is: sitting all day is unhealthy. Not only is it bad for your body to be in one static position for 8+ hours per day, studies have shown that increased physical activity increased mental aquity. Go ahead and copy and paste that sentence to your boss if he or she gives you a hard time about wanting to change out your desk.

We are currently accepting orders for the Float table. We’ll have more information and reviews as we get closer to the launch date, rumored for late August.  For now, here are some of the specifications we’re excited about:

• Robust 120lb. lifting capacity, in addition to the desk top weight
• Several frame and top colors
• 20" height adjustment, from 27" to 47"
• Adjustable frame widths from 47" - 72"

Humanscale Horizon LED Lamp Review

Introducing Humanscale's Horizon LED Task Light

We're taking a look at the Horizon LED task light the latest lighting offering from Humanscale. In keeping with all Humanscale products it's a beautifully designed lamp with great looks and simplicity in use.

Where many LED task lights use multiple arrays of LED bulbs, Humanscale has opted for a single lamp. It has combined this with the latest in lighting development, Thin Film Technology™ and is the first lamp to use it. The film on the underside of the lamp allows the light to be spread evenly over quite a wide area. Its light output is based on a neutral white light (3000 K).

With a dimmer switch built into the base it's very easy to control offering seven different light levels. At maximum output it consumes just 9 watts. It's actually possible to drop the light level right down to the equivalent of a night light where it only consumes a single watt of electricity. The switch glows in the dark making it easy to locate at low light levels.

Adjusting the lamp is very easy as both the head and the base have spherical ball joints. You literally just move the head and arm to exactly the position you want to illuminate. And its compact design means it doesn't take up loads of space either.

There is a choice of three color finishes, black, silver or white. And of course Humanscale's commitment to the environment means it's highly eco friendly. It's made from 95% recycled content and ultimately if you do ever wear it out it's good to know it's 99% recyclable. Mind you with a 10 year 24/7 warranty it going to last a very long time.    

Below is a video of the Horizon in use. Click here for further details on this great lamp.

Ergonomic Links Roundup: July 17th, 2012

We are fortunate enough to truly love what we do. Part of that passion means following what people are talking about around the web in terms of ergonomics, adjustable-height desks, and other healthy working topics. Below are links to some of the things we're thinking about this week:

• Bloomberg has become an unexpected proponent of standing desks and alternative workstations. This week their website features a new study (yes, another one) that concludes sitting less will add two years to your life expectancy:

The researchers pooled data from five studies that involved almost 167,000 adults. They combined the data with figures from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was used to determine how much time U.S. adults spent sitting and watching TV. Americans watch an average of five hours of TV a day, according to a June 2011 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The analysis found that sitting less would reduce premature deaths by 27 percent in the U.S., while spending fewer hours in front of the TV may reduce it by 19 percent, Katzmarzyk said.

• Bloomberg Businessweek also made a splash last week with their feature article Kill Your Desk Chair. We don’t see just sitting or just standing as the answer to being stuck behind a desk all day, but that a combination of the two is the healthiest option. If you were looking to make the most dramatic impact to your workstation, replacing your desk would be the first step. Next step would be to find a sit-stand chair that encourages you to move. From Bloomberg:

Like the proponents of macrobiotics and barefoot running, today’s antisitting crusaders argue that our modern lifestyle—with its roughage-free processed foods, foam-cushioned shoes, Barcaloungers, and swivel chairs—has, by cosseting the body, actually caused it to break down. When we sit our muscles atrophy, our back crimps, and our metabolism slows. As James Levine, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, has written, “[A] growing body of evidence suggests that chair-living is lethal. Of concern is that for most people in the developed world chair-living is the norm.”

• Mashable posted a link to a very convincing Infograhic that talks about the dangers of sitting all day. One resonant fact: Americans burn 140 fewer calories a day than they did 50 years ago. You can see the Infographic by clicking here.

• Lifehacker receives tons of great questions from readers weekly. This week they tackle how to ask your boss to consider an adjustable-height workstation. Not sticking out in an office environment is something that our clients take seriously, and Lifehacker touches on it:

If perception is an issue, offer to work with your boss so you can stand, but you're standing somewhere that doesn't draw attention or too many questions (you'd be surprised how often great ideas in workspace changes get nixed because managers are "worried about the way it looks to others.")

• Kickstarter is one of the best places to find new and innovative ideas to solve common problems. It looks like individuals are taking standing desks into their own hands. We like the idea of being able to move your entire desk top to avoid unnecessary strain on your back and shoulders, but some of these ideas are pretty neat.

See something online that we should know about? Send us a Tweet @ergodepot