Finding the right seat height: HAG Capisco

HAG Capisco Puls, open hip angleSometimes a few inches can make a big difference in comfort when working at your desk. Many clients look to the popular Capisco saddle chair to help alleviate some of the discomfort that comes from sitting at a desk all day. The innovative and ergonomic design of the Capisco chair encourages movement in ways traditional task chairs simply fail. However, the key to unlocking some of the features of the saddle seat is the ability to sit a bit higher than a standard office chair allows. A taller seat height encourages an open hip angle, a crucial component to healthy and active sitting.

The perfect seat height / desk height combination will be slightly different for everyone. Below we’ve outlined the guidelines we work with when talking to clients.

Most task chairs have a maximum seat height ranging from 19”-22”. The standard pneumatic lift on the HAG Capisco and Puls chairs start at 19” and goes up to 26”. A low pneumatic lift is available on the Capisco (16”-21.6” of range) but the benefits of sitting higher in a saddle seat are unmatched at lower heights. We very rarely recommend the low lift for the Capisco.

For a fixed height desk, the target work height range when looking at a Capisco is about 32”. If your work surface (table top) is close to 32” you’ll have no problem getting comfortable in the standard 200mm pneumatic lift.

One idea for adding those crucial few inches is ESI’s desk risers. They are stackable and can add up to 3” to your desk. This can be the difference between a standard 29” desk and the 32” needed to feel the benefits of the Capisco.

Of course, if you have an adjustable height desk 32” is likely to feel incredibly low. I am sitting on my Capisco 26” high, with my adjustable-height desk at 39”. If for whatever reason a sit-stand desk won’t work for you but you are still interested in the Capisco chair, look into something like ESI’s desk risers, or maybe a couple of bricks to add the height you need to maximize the benefits of the Capisco.

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.

Standing Desk User Review

Dave Hamilton of incredibly popular Mac Observer's Mac Geek Gab podcast decided to give a sit-stand desk a try. He had rigged his own version, but wanted something that would allow him to move from sitting to standing with ease. Here's what he started with:

From TMO blog:

Dave decided late last year to switch to a standing desk setup. He was unsure about wanting to stand full time so he purchased the Ergo Depot Medium Duty Adjustable Height Desk, which is motorized to allow the user to change from standing to sitting-level heights. Although it took him a few days to get used to it, Dave now loves standing while he works and has only lowered the desk to sit four times since he received it.

Despite not sitting very often, Dave still recommends an adjustable height desk for users interested in this method of working. With a regular desk, a user can simply adjust the height of their chair to reach a comfortable and ergonomic position. That’s not possible with a standing desk so if you are particularly short or tall, you’ll want to make sure the desk can be adjusted to the proper height.

Dave's desk, formerly known as the Medium Duty desk, is our AD117 frame paired with the large cutout top:

This combination offers plenty of space for all of the things you need close at hand and stable enough that you trust the desk to lift valuables like a couple of iMacs and an iPad.

We love seeing our desks in use. If you have some photos of your setup, please send them over for us to feature here on the blog. And of course, if you are a fan of Apple check out Dave's podcast.

Selecting a Sit-Stand Desk: Standing Elbow Height

There are many things people take into consideration when switching to an adjustable-height desk. How does it adjust? What’s the lifting capacity? How high does it go?

The last question might not seem as important as the first two, but a desk that isn’t tall enough can make the difference between ergonomic and not.

Luckily, it’s pretty straightforward to determine how high you need your desk to raise. We call this measurement: Standing Elbow Height. Nothing fancy, just a clear measurement to make sure your decision is the right one.

As we discussed last week, one of the key components to an ergonomic workstation is the neutral reach zone. If your work surface is too low you’ll likely spend time reaching and straining at the shoulders, rather than resting comfortably with your arms parallel to the ground.

Our desks are in the 45” - 53” height range which works for the vast majority of clients. People over 6’2” would want to take a look at something like the Adjustable Desk 129 model, as it raises to an industry-leading 53”. That probably wouldn’t be necessary for many of you, but but if you are planning to use the desk with something like a treadmill (more on this idea coming soon—hint, we’re not convinced it contributes to healthy working) you’ll need something that moves taller than some of the other options out there.

If the desk you are interested in is right on the edge of not being tall enough for you, think about adding casters (if available) to get another 2 - 3” of height.

Click here for a very quick video on how our desks adjust to standing elbow height.

Ergonomic Keyboard System

Ergonomic tools are a great addition to your sit-stand desk and ergonomic workstation. We've talked this week about the neutral reach zone, so we thought we'd put together a quick video illustraing how easy and adjustable a keyboard system is.

Keyboard systems have grown as a category since the drawers you might be used to. Take a look at our favorites from Humanscale and ESI. Adding flexibility to your workstation, wherever you can, makes a big difference.