Things have completely changed from 10 years ago, many people are now
working from home full time and part time. Many home offices are
squeezed into a small bedrooms, or a corner of the living room or
kitchen. The office furniture that was used then was often bony old kitchen chairs, and tables, which is simply not adequate these days to accommodate computers printers filing etc etc.
Now that more people are working from home they tend to work longer
hours as they save time on the commute down the stairs. A comfortable
work environment is now essential such as an ergonomic chair such as the Ergohuman Mesh Chair or the Enjoy Mesh Chair.
These chairs are excellent value and very comfortable giving you a
better posture. The desk is also so important and these days a Computer
Workstation is useful to facilitate all of your home office essentials
such as computers, printers, scanners, media storage and filing. The
Computer Hideaway does all that the workstation does but closes up into
a cupboard when you are done for the day.
The latest addition to the Ergohuman chair range, the Mirus chair boasts the ingeniously simple single lever control which operates the three most frequently
used chair functions. Seat height, seat depth and back tilt can all be operated
from a single point of contact.
Mirus Office Chairs Head Rest
The design concept of the Mirus chair also incorporates a multi-directional
interactive neck roll which can help to relax tired neck and shoulder muscles. The
3-dimensional automatic flexible lumbar support system provides full support to
the lumbar region with interactive and dynamic movement, intuitively adjusting
to your needs. A ‘zero pressure’ seat cushion helps to distribute weight evenly across the seat pad to provide maximum comfort.
Mirus Office Chair 3D Headrest
The Mirus chair is 98% recyclable, has Greenguard Indoor Air Quality certification
and meets EN 1335. Available in a choice of white and aluminium frame, black
and aluminium frame or all-black frame with a mesh back and fabric seat, the
colour combinations are contemporary and exciting.
Mirus Office Chairs
The Mirus Mesh Chair is available in three frame finishes – white, black and
polished aluminium/black; with the choice of the unique MD-flex
headrest, adjustable 3D headrest or headrest-free, combined with an
extensive selection of coloured mesh and fabrics creating an almost
unlimited variation to suit your requirements. Mirus Mesh Office Chair Flexible Lumbar Support
Ergonomics is all about choosing something that fits the individual like a Height Adjustable Desk Similar to choosing a suit or a pair of jeans, if the item feels good, then so do you. That’s why ergonomic desks come in all shapes and sizes, taking on board the person and the responsibilities of the job.
The height of a desk or table normally falls within 24 and 27 inches and, with an ergonomic chair, the set-up should be that the user’s lower arms lie horizontally on the armrests, to meet the desk comfortably. But a chair is height adjustable, meaning that if a tall person is sitting in the ergonomic chair, there may be little clearance for the legs under the desk and the forearms may be on a downward slope, as they reach the keyboard. It therefore makes sense that desks are also height-adjustable.
So, when the ergonomic chair and the height-adjustable desk come together, they should be covering the following points:-
• The legs slide comfortably under the desk and the person’s feet sit firmly on the floor (someone with restricted growth may make use of an ergonomic footrest, to achieve ideal posture)
• The forearms are positioned horizontally, using the armrests for full support, so that hands meet the desk comfortably, without any need to bend the wrists unnaturally
• The monitor is placed directly in front of the user but set back at least 20 inches and its height should be such that the eyes look down ever so slightly, to read the screen. Some ergonomic desks have an extra shelf attached to the back of the desk top, on which a monitor can stand, though getting the eye-to-screen mathematics right is paramount, when making a desk choice. There are also monitor lift arms, which can mount a monitor at the right height for the individual
• The desk is not too deep, that reaching becomes an issue.
Ergonomic desks come in a variety of shapes – the normal rectangular, L shaped, curved front, rounded edges, split level and also with suspended keyboard tray. Height-adjustable tables also cater for work which is better done standing up e.g. looking at plans and pointing to information being discussed, or sorting information into folios or piles where, without that extra height, stooping would be necessary.
Working out what’s right for you may seem a bit of a challenge but, with the above information, you can see what ergonomics is all about. Like that suit or pair of jeans, you now know what you’re looking for.
If you sit poorly, it doesn’t take your muscles long to think that this position is the way it’s going to be and your muscles work alongside this bad posture, causing an imbalance in muscle support. Also, if you slouch, you are restricting digestion, circulation and breathing and your bones aren’t too happy about it either.
Knowing about good posture is very important but, whilst looking for this information, I came across a mention of how bad posture affects more than just your back.
Once the aches and pain start in places like your neck, shoulders and back, maintaining a sitting position for any length of time becomes difficult and you may have to restrict sitting to twenty minutes or so, then move around to give your muscles and your skeletal frame a change of position, before returning to your earlier task.
If you have a job that allows regular movement e.g. a shop assistant, moving and changing position is part and parcel of the requirements of the post. If you are in a sedentary job (the list is endless!), that earlier acquired bad posture and its accompanying aches and pains is going to cause havoc e.g. discomfort, irritability, distraction and concentration problems.
The truth is that we probably don’t know what good posture entails i.e. does it mean more than sitting with a straight back?
So, these points indicate a good sitting posture but that’s not the end of the story. The chair is only good for you if it’s ‘user-friendly’ in relation to the height of your table or desk, as your forearms need to reach the task in a horizontal position.
Good posture includes having your feet firmly on the floor: dangling feet and crossed legs are definitely ‘no go’ areas. Your tailbone should be right up to the back of the chair and so should your back, unless you are slanting slightly forward, in which case the line between your head, chest and pelvis should be straight (not curved).
This is where ergonomic office chairs are worth their weight in gold. They adjust not only to support your back but also to meet your height. The arm rests can be adjusted to ensure horizontal support for your hands and, together, you are sitting comfortably and working well.
There is quite a range of adjustable chairs, as each of us is different and an ergonomic chair means that the chair fits you and not the reverse! When choosing a suitable office chair, it will pay you to call on the advice of someone knowledgeable in ergonomics, to make an assessment of both your skeletal frame and the duties of your job. This will make sure that you choose the office chair that meets your needs.
Elementary, don’t you think?
Choosing an office chair is difficult, so lets start with a good all rounder. Enjoy Office Chairs are very popular as they are comfortable and excellent value for money. The best selling Enjoy Chair is from the same range of Mesh Office Chairs as the Ergohuman Office chair.
The Ergohuman is a tried and tested office chair with extra lumbar support helps to support the back thereby influencing better posture. Take a look at the Ergonomic Office Chairs for more information on the different choices
The New 2010 model Enjoy mesh office chair with headrest is designed and made with the total comfort of human-kind in mind. The Enjoy ergonomic chair fuses art and science with flex zones that ensure constant support of back and lumbar, multi-dimensional adjustable arm rest for unparalleled support and a height-adjustable pivoting headrest for full crane support. The Enjoy ergonomic mesh office chair was designed specifically for those who are in an office chair for 8 hours a day, and require “intensive use seating” to keep comfortable for long periods of time. Aesthetics, form and function allow this ergonomic chair to utilize a synchronous tilt mechanism with 3 position lock, sliding seat and pneumatic height adjustment all in one very unique single lever control lever.
Enjoy specification :
* Enjoy mesh chair with five star polished aluminum base.
* New sleeker, improved mechanism
* Full Synchronous movement.
* One single lever control which means all chair adjustments can be carried out using one lever
* Breathable comfortable mesh seat and backrest.
* Seat height control.
* Seat depth adjustment (seat slide)
* Backrest tilt tension control.
* Backrest tilt angle adjustment.
* Backrest height adjustment.
* New design armrests with soft polyurethane pads.
* Armrest height & angle adjustment.
* Headrest height & angle adjustment.
Enjoy ergonomic office chair available in Black Mesh. The New Enjoy mesh office chair also available with headrest.
It can get very difficult to differentiate between some ergonomic office chairs, particularly when the names are very similar but, suffice to say, the Ergohuman Plus is the top of the range in the Ergohuman stakes, with plenty to offer the health-conscious office worker. The Ergohuman Plus is the top of the rangemesh office chair.
This model is ninety eight percent recyclable and has more aluminium detailing than its close relatives, so it’s a smart looking chair with a strong frame. Its long list of adjustment possibilities mean the Ergohuman Plus can be altered to suit everyone.
One lever controls the three main adjustment areas of seat height, seat depth and back tilt, all of which get the chair to fit the smallest or tallest person. The height adjustment can cater for five foot to six foot four inches and the seat depth is particularly important, as correct adjustment keeps your back in contact with the back rest, while reducing any pressure that could fall on the knees, if the seat pad didn’t match you leg length. Like in a car, the back tilt gets the body in a good position for the arms to reach their place of work comfortably.
Arm rests are really important, as they support your arms and therefore also reduce any pull on your shoulders, guiding your hands to the desk or computer keyboard. The arm rests on the Ergohuman Plus offer multidimensional adjustments, meaning up, down, backwards, forwards and also in and out. Making sure that your elbows are placed comfortably near your body rather than splayed at a wide angle makes a huge difference to overall support.
The Plus has a seat tilt option which helps take pressure off the spine but only when adjusted correctly for its user. It really does pay to get all adjustments set to meet your needs, or the ‘ergonomic’ quality of the chair will be there in name only.
Lumbar support is essential and this ergonomic office chair boasts autoflex zones for added comfort and that important support. Adjusting the seat back will get this important feature to work for you and make long days seems less stressful.
With a matching headrest, this office must-have oozes comfort and, in a choice of either mesh or leather upholstery, you really do feel loved.
Choosing an ergonomic office chair can be difficult due to the complexities associated with the functions and features available.
Sitting in the correct posture while you are working is paramount and will help in the short-term and more importantly in the long-term. Once you have accepted that posture is important for a healthy back, the right chair should go further than simple ergonomic by training your body to sit correctly. Some ergonomic chairs provide ergonomic features but if you keep sitting with the wrong posture you will have the same problems prior to using an ergonomic chair.
There are 2 examples of bad practices that instantly come to mind: having a pad between you and your keyboard will force you to lean forward and you will lose the back support of the chair. Some people will even sit with one leg folded on the seat pan. Nowadays ergonomic engineering and technology is pushing new boundaries and some of the most recommended ergonomic chairs will promote a good posture simply by not letting you sit incorrectly. How do they do that? Basically, you will feel very comfortable and supported if you are sitting correctly. However if you are sitting in the position which gives you no back support, for instance on the edge of the seat, within seconds you will feel like correcting your posture because of the lack of comfort.
Once you get used to the chair, you will soon feel the benefits. After a few weeks you may also feel that the chair helps to strengthen your body. This would come from the back-rest of the chair pushing gently against your back giving you support. As a natural response your body will push back against the back-rest of the chair using your back muscles – in essence working out the muscles in your back and strengthening them.
If you suffer from back pain a good ergonomic chair combined with regular gentle/slow stretching exercises to loosen your back will go a long way. If you had back pain treatment from a physiotherapist you would have been given treatment for the problem and probably a sheet of recommended exercises to strengthen your back. For some people, when the weather gets cold and damp, aches and pains start to appear like clockwork – as if they were by direct debit. If such is the case, you should make sure you do the stretching exercises especially during that time of the year.
Then it’s back to being conscious of your posture again, key to this is the ergonomic chair. So which is the best chair for you? What else do you need to complete you ergonomic office configuration to create the perfect ergonomic working environment whether at work or at home?
Once you have the right ergonomic office chair, and the right ergonomic desk, the items you use on your desk need to come to you rather than you reaching out repeatedly all day long. Try and pause for a moment and plan how to rearrange your desk so that what you use the most is easily reachable. Do you have to reach out in an odd position to grab a pen? Do you have to twist yourself downwards to target the bin? Is your phone close enough and on the right side of the desk? Is your monitor at the right height or do you find yourself looking down and tensing your neck muscles over time? All these are considerations that will need to be addressed to create the perfect ergonomic set-up. There are also a range of ergonomic accessories which will perform these necessary adjustments to get everything just right!
Today business is not only limited to office in fact it has spread its dimensions to home as well. People today prefer to work from home rather than travelling long distances. In such cases they need to feel the environment of office at home and hence construct such an atmosphere. Furniture contributes a lot and termed home office furniture. The advantage here is that you are free to try and can be creative as much as you can. However, make sure that while shopping for home office furniture keep one thing in mind that it should be strong and long lasting. Moreover, home office furniture should serve dual purpose of functionality and style. In addition, appearance matters a lot. It connotes appearance you want to give t your room. If you have contemporary style home you should contemporary office furniture. If your home is modern looking then purchase modern office furniture.
Home office desking is the primary element while shopping home office furniture. To work either from home or office desk is must. But as far as home office desk is concerned varieties are available but you have to choose the one which suits and fits your work. While selecting home office desks take into account the amount of room where the desk will be located. Besides, if you want stylish and executive home office desk check out executive home office desk models. Executive desks have large storage space..
Next comes your home office chair. Selection of home office chairs depends on its usage i.e. how much you use it. If your work is occasional then don’t spend hefty sum of money on chair but if your work consumed your hours then it is recommended to use ergonomics chairs. Now which ergonomic chair? That depends on your budget and choice. After all comfort also matters. Moreover, how your room looks and what is the style of your desk also affect buying decision associated with home office chair.
Besides desks and chairs, home office furniture includes wall units, book cases, lighting, textiles, rugs and accessories. These items are bought depending upon one’s personal choice and demand of the room. Each and every item should be chosen carefully as your client should feel business environment leading to better business prospects. In addition, only comfortable home office will give you the feeling and mood of office at our home which will help you to work actively.
Following factors should be considered well while going to buy home office furniture:
Space: Keep in mind the space available to locate your furniture. It will help you in anticipating the items to be bought.
Kind of furniture: Once space is determined, list out the items required depending upon the space and your work requirement.
Budget: Third and the most important is budget. Varieties are numerous but financial resources cannot be ignored. Make judicial use if your funds while purchasing home office furniture.
Comfort: Possibly consider your comfort and posture if you intend to work long hours. To first thing to consider is you chair, so identify a good ergonomic office chair. Possibly the best ergonomic office chair is the BMA Axia Plus. Once the chair has been setup correctly you will find that most other chairs don’t come close
Desk: Once you are set up with your ergonomic chair, then look at your desk. A electric height adjustable desk is the most practical and the best for getting the perfect posture as standard desks are on the whole wrong for most people.
Choosing the correct home office desk is difficult and sometimes limited by space. Ergonomic desks come in a lot of variations, sizes, shapes and heights. One growing in popularity is the height adjustable desk. Some users say they stand for the morning and then sit down in the afternoon. The reason they choose to stand as they feel more dynamic when on the phone. Its also good to be mobile if possible rather than sitting down for long periods. Then the next think would be the ergonomic office chair. They vary from 300 to 2000 pounds and have different strengths and weaknesses. The range of ergonomic office chairs is huge, so its important to find the right chair.
What are the most important things you want from a computer workstation. Its where you run your operations from that unit, so it has to have what you want for storage, computer accessories and all your other systems. Computer workstation desks come in various sizes. Some are gigantic while others are small. But the more shelves your workstation desks hold the better would be your workstation. Besides primary equipment, it must accommodate printer, scanner, and other important and related equipments. More the shelves more will be the storage area leading to better utilization of workstation. Moreover, wheeled workstation desks are preferred over those without wheels. The biggest advantage of workstation desk is that it uses the available space rational and wisely and hence put your employees in healthier and friendly environment.
Ergonomics for workstations:
Monitors: Monitors should be placed in such a way that it should not affect the eyes and musculoskeletal system adversely. Monitors should be placed at a distance of approx. arm’s length. Brightness and contrast should be set to most favorable point.
Keyboard: Your keyboard should be at around 1 to 2 inches above your thighs. Generally, this requires a desk which is 25 to 29 inches in height (depends upon individuals’ height). It should be close to user to avoid extended reaching.
Mouse: While using mouse your wrist should be in neutral position. Don’t rest the hand on mouse while not using it.
Chair: Chair’s level should match the workstation’s desk level. Chair being used should be comfortable and flexible.
Following are the guidelines concerning computer workstations. These guidelines should not be ignored.
The work surface area should be adequate so as to accommodate computer components and accessories. Moreover, space should be available underneath the work surface area for operator to adjust and make free movement of his legs and feet.
The keyboard and mouse should be positioned in front of the operator at a height that supports neutral posture i.e. 23 to 28 inches. Though different alternatives like adjustable keyboard platform, raising the chair but it is good to have a proper workstation.
The monitor should be placed at a distance of arm’s length and in front of user. The top of the screen not be higher than user’s eye level.
The chair being used should be well designed as it will not only affect posture, movements and stress on back. Make sure that the chair being used has features such as pneumatic seat height adjustment, 360 degree swivel, seat depth adjustment, etc.
Footrest should be used as feet cannot be placed on the floor for long. Moreover, task lamps should be used to illuminate the working area when the room light is switched off or reduced.
It is preferred to go for Workstation desk constructed out of wood as its sturdy construction will last longer. Some of the best desks are made in Europe to a high standard. They cost a little more but make up for it.
