Office Chairs, Sit On This

Entries from October 2006

Posture Knee Office Chairs and How they Can Help Your Back at Work

October 31, 2006 · Leave a Comment

I have been asked many times by my customers over the years about how the posture knee office chairs can help ergonomically. With the kneeling style of chair becoming quite popular recently, employees have heard about them from friends or collegeages.  Although not simple, the answer can be stated shortly in that “it helps the body take the correct position while sitting to reduce stress on the lower lumbar (back) region”.

Posture Knee models are fast becoming popular as people spend more and more time in front of the computer. America is starting to see epidemic problems with back pain, carpal tunnel and various work related injuries due to all of this sitting in front of a workstation for longer periods of time.

Kneeling chairs are used differently then the standard task office chair with a typical seat and back. The kneeling chair models are used while sitting in position with your thighs dropped to an angle of about 60 to 70 degrees from the standard vertical. When sitting in a normal chair your posture would be more 90 degrees overall with your upper thighs 90 degrees from your lower leg and your upper torso 90 degress from your upper thighs. This would be the posture while sitting in a normaloffice chair. 

This posture no matter how ergonomic requires some of your body weight to be supported by your shins putting a strain, however small, on your spine.  When seated for long periods of time, a small strain can become a large problem eventually.The designs of these chairs, wanted to correct the body’s ergonomic posture to essential “open up” the angle of the body between the thigh and spine to retain the curvature of the back and keep the body in a more slightly reclined posture. Studies show that even in the standard office chair, a person should stay or lock their chair in a slightly reclined posture to maintain this lumbar curvature.

Even though the term “kneeling” is often used due to the appearance of the person when seated in a posture knee model,  a person is actually still sitting and bearing of the main body weight is really not placed on the knees at all. Some doctor’s have started recommending posture knee chairs for people with certain injuries or even diseases of the backbone or knees due to the extra benefit and lumbar support this positioning enables.

When seated in a posture knee chair, the body is really in a position which is between that of a person sitting or standing and keeps the curvature of the spine at a very realxed “place” and many people seem to be trying and loving this new mode of sitting at the workstation.

History:

Invented in Norway in the 1970’s the kneeling chairs seemed to stress finding a design that rid the problem of strain placed on a person’s spine when seated in the conventional right angled task computer chair.

One of the first designers was Hans Christian Mengshoel, who used experiments with different types of sitting devices which placed support under a person’s shins. Furniture designers Peter Opsvik, Oddvin Rykken, and Svein Gusrud followed suit, each developing their own version of the posture knee chair to promote.

More Info:

 http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

Categories: Ergonomic Info · Office Chair Info · Other

Ebay and Office Chairs, Ordering on Ebay Can Save You a Ton of Money

October 28, 2006 · Leave a Comment

Can you believe that you can buy a brand new Herman Miller Aeron Mesh Office Chair on eBay for under $700? An industry friend recently posed this question to me when a customer had scoffed at his retail price and told him about the online deal. With different brands, both new and used items, and a variety of ergonomic seating styles offered, ordering your chair through eBay can make comparison pricing and purchasing an office chair a breeze.
eBay has seen considerable growth recently in the business and industrial category where office furniture and supplies are listed for sale. With the Herman Miller Aeron Chair being the most widely searched for item in the chair category and executive, leather, mesh and ergonomic key terms leading close behind, a variety of different styles of chairs are being searched for by consumers. Both home offices and businesses have been turning to eBay to fulfill their office furniture and supply needs in order to save themselves time and money.
Recently a family friend remarked that they needed a bulk order of office chairs, 20+ and had looked online and couldn’t believe the deals they had found. He had gotten ready to order from an online office supply site becuase he had found the product he needed for 15% below the retail store price. His wife mentioned that she bought all of her electronics and appliances on eBay and he should check them out for pricing too.
Even with the low price on the other site, he decided to give his wife’s idea a try and looked up “office chair” on the eBay home page. He told me he pulled up over 500 listings and eventually came upon eBay stores where he was able to get a quantity discount price quote from one of the eBay sellers and purchase the exact same model of chair for 30% below retail or 15% less than the average online shopping site. With the ease of eBay stores and the option of paying now directly through Paypal, he was able to expedite his order and received the chairs within 12 days direct to his office.
He also remarked that it was not only the savings but the ease of purchasing and shopping on eBay that made it so simple to compare pricing and shop for different styles of chair. He plans to come back to eBay for his future office needs, from desk supplies to furniture to help his company save some more money.
When searching for an office chair or furniture on eBay, it is apparent that with all of the upgrades to the site and the security measures, it is easy to purchase almost anything on eBay.
No matter how you decide to purchase through the stores or auctions, it is a guarantee that you will find a terrific deal with the average office chair selling for 30-60% off of retail price. eBay is an ever growing marketplace, bringing in tens of thousands of new memebers daily. Ordering an office chair and getting a great deal can be a breeze the eBay way.
Ebay Office Chair Store & more Info:

http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

Categories: Office Chair Info

Office Chairs, Furniture and Supplies, Workplace Needs for the Average Office

October 25, 2006 · 1 Comment

Whether you are moving office spaces or are a new start up company, you are going to have needs in the office supply department. There are several considerations to take into account when deciding on what to purchase for your workplace environment. Even on a budget, with all of the office supply stores and online shopping sites, you should be able to spend your money wisely and get what is needed with some careful planning.
First, you should take into consideration the size of the space available and the number of employees. Do you need to break up the area into sections with more privacy and noise control? Perhaps it would be better for your situation if all of the employees shared a joint workspace. Cubicles are needed for most arrangements of four or more employees, due to the budget needs of not building additional walls and the mobility need to accommodate the area. Cubicles can also provide a terrific sound block if the right model is purchased and still allows the user to interact quite easily with the other workers.
There is a wide variety of styles, colors, fabrics and sizes available in office cubicles. Most complete office interior retailers will come to your workplace to help you with the layout, measuring and ordering of the cubicles and assist with most other office furniture needs. They usually offer chairs, keyboard trays, storage cabinets and other supplies to purchase all items in one spot. Online shopping sites are also carrying custom ordered products with all of the options and tons of great product lines and various categories.
Office Chairs are another office product that can be quite complicated, you will need different types of chairs and seating for different rooms and tasks. Some chairs will be used with multiple workers and adjustability is the key feature, other chairs will be used with one specific person in mind and fitting it to that person’s body type is considered most important. Make sure what the important main functions will be before deciding on a chair model
Ordering the correct number of keyboard trays, footrests, phones and equipment is based on the number of employees one has and the size of the space. If possible, try to order a few extras of the important supplies used in daily tasks. When ordering extras, you will never run out of equipment when an item needs warranty repair or maintenance.
Hopes are that with careful planning and making sure to factor in the workstation considerations, you will be able to start your new work arrangement well and comfortably. Ordering online can save a business time and money and with easy to compare pricing, direct shipping and extensive product detail pages, you will be done quickly. Make lists of the needs for your workspace before starting to shop and take each need into consideration when purchasing your office furniture, chairs and supplies.

More Workplace Info: http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

Categories: Office Chair Info · Workplace Needs

Humanscale, Allsteel, and Herman Miller are Office Chair Leaders in Ergonomic Design

October 24, 2006 · Leave a Comment

There are several leaders in the race for the perfect design, function and appearance of an ergonomic chair. The top designers of ergonomic chairs such as Humanscale, Allsteel and Herman Miller are at the top of their game now that ergonomics have become so important to both the workers and the employers.

High end ergonomic office chairs are similar in appearance but each has design features and unique elements to add to the ergonomic functionality. Each designer has added several mechanisms to help the body with better positioning and set it aside from the others.

The Humanscale Freedom Chair, Allsteel’s #19 Mesh Chair and the Herman Miller Aeron Chair are terrific examples of good ergonomic design and style. These chairs all move with your body while also helping to promote healthy body positioning. They have won countless design awards and can also be found online with custom ordering options, making shopping for ergonomic chairs a breeze.

According to the search engine analyzers, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair is the most specifically searched for Office Chair model. With both mesh style seating and ergonomics gaining such poularity in the last few years, the Aeron chair is having tremendous amounts of success.

The Herman Miller Aeron chair features breathable mesh material for the free flow of air to the skin, similar to how lace or window screens allow the air flow to move, keeping the body at a comfortable tempertaure. The Aeron model also features PostureFit, providing lower back support below the beltline for amazingly healthy posture and body position.

Humanscale is most well know for it’s Freedom Chair product line, winning several design and functionality awards. Offering a wide variety of customized features such as fabric color and type, frame color, headrest and gel cushioning, the Freedom chair is suited exactly to the user’s tastes.

The Freedom Chair model features an intelligent counter balance mechanism to provide support through the full reclining motion specific to the user’s size and weight. With one time adjustment and no further need for manual controls, the Freedom chair maximizes the natural movement of your body, promoting a healthy body posture and is the author’s pick for most comfortable chair.

The Allsteel #19 has not only a unique name for an office chair but also many completely original features in ergonomic design. Using mostly recycled materials in the making of this chair, Allsteel is looking out for the environment as well.

The #19 features a back-to-seat ratio that maximizes blood circulation and prevents muscle strain to add to the user’s comfortability. It also has a foam, technogel and tria compliant upholstery that creates a breathable seat and real comfort ability cushioning.

These chairs are all custom ordered from the manufacturer with your own choice of features making these chairs truly fit to your body type and style needs. Each of these manufacturers makes an outstanding ergonomic chair, now is the time to choose which one is right for you.

More Office Chair Info:  http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

Categories: Ergonomic Info · Office Chair Info

Online Office Furniture Shopping Saves Businesses Time and Money

October 24, 2006 · Leave a Comment

Due to the ease of online ordering and comparison shopping, more and more businesses purchase their office chairs and furniture online. The volume and product growth is expanding in the Business and Industrial Categories on eBay, Overstock.com and other shopping based sites due to consumer demand.
Some office supply e-commerce sites specialize in a single category such as computer desks or executive furniture and office chairs, while others offer an extensive array of office products in their catalog. Most of the office shopping sites have a wide variety of items, ranging from the great closeout deals to the high-end custom ordered chairs and equipment.
Search long enough and a business should be able to find an office chair or computer desk to fit any need or function. It seems that a company can not only find amazing discounts online but can also make sure they are getting exactly what is required. The average details in most good shopping sites include anything and everything you would want to know about the item.
When walking into your average office furniture and supply retail store, the presentation is an array of chairs and supplies with a price tag and a model number. Not very helpful in choosing the right chair. Normally, no one is on hand in order to help explain the different features, making choosing the right product difficult.
However, in today’s online shopping experience, most office items are explained in full. The adjustability features, dimensions, warranty and options are all listed on the product detail page. Such attention to details is just as important to a large business ordering a bulk number of leather chairs as to that small start-up needing that all important conference table.
Companies that are involved in an office space move or a new start up usually have a long list of supplies needed. With the high volume of work involved in any change, there is not always time for furniture shopping. An online office catalog can take care of that need and save time and energy, while working from the comfort of the office. Allowing businesses to find just what is needed with easy payment options and no hassle direct delivery.
Online competition is tough and pricing on some models can become very competitive, with most sites offering a price match guarantee. Searching different sites before making your purchase is also key, as price can differ greatly from site to site for the exact same models. Businesses can usually receive a quantity quote from most larger sized e-commerce sites for a great discount on bulk ordering.
Entire eBay stores are open with office furniture and supplies as their speciality and many online domains exist with a huge selection of office products. Large chain retail stores such as Walmart, Target and Office Depot are now offering their products through e-commerce websites with online ordering and direct shipment as well. This is all in answer to the growing demand from large business and home businesses to buy products online.
Many businesses have learned that with the ease of having the product shipped, sometimes even set-up through a delivery service, that they should order their products online and save that time and energy to work on building their own company. With all of the upgrades and security added to most online shopping sites, buying office equipment online can save valuable time while also allowing the business to make a more educated purchase.
More Information: http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

Categories: Ergonomic Info · Office Chair Info

Ergonomic Office Chairs – Choosing the Right One Can be Difficult

October 22, 2006 · Leave a Comment

Worker’s tend to spend the majority of their day sitting in an office chair, shouldn’t they be comfortable? A good ergonomic office chair is hard to find and even harder to choose. There are many factors to consider in finding the right ergonomic chair for your body type and workplace conditions. In example, a doctor has different ergonomic needs than a computer technician for the type of work performed.

Start by considering your body type. The average office chair will fit the average sized person but larger and smaller body types may need special equipment or adjustment features. Considerations for a larger sized person are things such as seat height and depth adjustment as well as chair weight capacity.

A larger sized person would also have to consider the arm adjustability in height and width, making sure that it gives them comfort ability and enough room for movement. A smaller sized person would also need to consider things such as seat height and arm adjustment as well as a foot-ring or footrest option in order to keep their body in ergonomic balance and feet firmly on the floor.

Studies have shown us that the upright position, completely straight, is not the best seating posture. In fact, a reclined posture of approximately 100-110 degrees makes the chair start to work FOR your body. This decreases postural muscle activity and disc pressure on the lumbar region. Sitting in an erect postion is not the desired outcome, be sure that your chair has a tilt mechanism with reclining motion, preferably that locks in several positions.

Take into consideration all of your workplace conditions, such as desk and computer monitor height, keyboard placement, foot space and hours of daily use. In order for any chair to truly work ergonomically, the workplace environment where it is located also needs to be adjusted and considered.

To be truly ergonomic a chair needs to provide the user with constant movement. A high-end ergonomic chair will offer things like adjustment mechanisms and specially designed features that move with your body keeping the eye level constant whether completely reclined or in a more straight-backed position. This movement of the chair keeps your body in the correct posture whether reclining or sitting upright. This is important to maintaining proper health and blood flow and can be worth the money.

Finding a great chair without going high-end and still having a chair with the right ergonomic features is also possible. Many economy or mid-grade models and executive style chairs have features needed for good ergonomics. Many features are available, such as leather, mesh, vinyl and fabrics, as well as headrests, footrings and frame color choices to pick a chair you also like to look at. Always remember that in order to have a truly ergonomic chair, an important part is to keep the proper heights for your workstation and office equipment.

The office chair that you are looking for might be needed for use with multiple users and adjustability is the number one concern, or used with one person for long periods of time and lumbar support is the main factor. Please see the features listed on the chair you are interested in and make sure that the model that “looks perfect” is the right one for you ergonomically.

More Ergonomic Info: http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

Categories: Ergonomic Info · Office Chair Info