Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

The cost of a [programmers] chair

jeremyhutchings.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 41 posts

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#11

Post by wanderr »

lsc wrote: post #8
Dylanlacey wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because that's where most of the money is made for ergonomics experts, serving as witnesses in trials.

clearly. However, there should be some lower-end services targeting small businesses. I mean, most money in outsourced IT is made selling to giant companies... but I can still call up 'geek squad' or any number of services targeted at the small business market that may not give me the same level of service large corps get, but they are often better than nothing for people who know little of IT. My question is where i…

Search for ergonomics training rather than ergonomics experts.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#12

Post by kapilkaisare »

I bought a chair recently and opted for a vanilla, non swivel, no-wheels model. The swivel function was useless to me in the previous models I used, and I found I could get better value for my money once the swivels and wheels were out of the way.

My chair is a durable, heavy duty cast iron frame with artificial leather cushions and is close to my ideal of a perfect chair for me.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#13

Post by jrockway »

lsc wrote: post #2

yes, we all understand that ergonomics are important. But adjusting the proper chair properly and desk height are just as important for programmer comfort and health. How come there isn't much discussion of this? most of the hits on a google search for "ergonomic experts" are for 'expert witnesses' for workmans comp trials.

I think everyone knows you are supposed to adjust your chair correctly. I recently bought an Embody chair, and it came with a link to a video on how to adjust everything.

Something I don't understand, though, is how many desks are around that don't adjust at all. I bought one for use at home and am going to have to replace it soon; its height is unusably high. I've found that if you can't adjust your chair, desk, and monitor, you might as well not be able to adjust anything.

Strangely, I have an Aeron chair at work, but of course, the desk does not adjust at all. 8 hours is about my upper limit for dealing with it, so while there are many times when I'm at work and really want to stay late and finish something, my body simply says no. When people want to work for you for free but the $20 desk you bought them doesn't allow it... that's kind of a waste of money.

(My company solves this problem by hiring more and more developers. So much for the mythical man month...)

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#14

Post by jrockway »

zdw wrote: post #6

I actually replaced my chair today with one of these: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50178864 I'm 6'2' and this is the first chair I've had that's tall enough for me - the headrest doesn't hit below the neck. Hopefully it'll wear well. It doesn't have too many controls, which is a feature IMHO. I've tried Aeron's before and frankly find them to be confusing and uncomfortable, but that's from limited expos…

It's not a feature; it means your body has to adjust to the chair instead of the chair adjusting to your body. That said, I had an IKEA desk chair for many years and found it to be quite comfortable.

I recently replaced an IKEA chair with the Herman Miller Embody, and it makes a huge difference. What I've found is that the adjustments need not be made once and left forever, you can move the adjustments around throughout the day and vary how your chair feels. It's nice.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#15

Post by lsc »

wanderr wrote: post #11
lsc wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

clearly. However, there should be some lower-end services targeting small businesses. I mean, most money in outsourced IT is made selling to giant companies... but I can still call up 'geek squad' or any number of services targeted at the small business market that may not give me the same level of service large corps get, but they are often better than nothing for people who know little of IT. My question is where i…

Search for ergonomics training rather than ergonomics experts.

turns up a lot of interesting free information and chiropractic companies. also a few personal trainer websites. I guess that's about the level of service I got last time I worked at a big corporation.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#16

Post by substack »

I personally can't stand office chairs. Give me a sofa and a short table or a barstool and a counter, ideally both so I can switch between them, and I'm content. The article just assumes that everybody works best in chairs, but there are variations in how programmers best get work done. It's not simply a matter of running a cost-benefit analysis on how much to spend.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#18

Post by lsc »

jrockway wrote: post #13
lsc wrote: post #2

yes, we all understand that ergonomics are important. But adjusting the proper chair properly and desk height are just as important for programmer comfort and health. How come there isn't much discussion of this? most of the hits on a google search for "ergonomic experts" are for 'expert witnesses' for workmans comp trials.

I think everyone knows you are supposed to adjust your chair correctly. I recently bought an Embody chair, and it came with a link to a video on how to adjust everything. Something I don't understand, though, is how many desks are around that don't adjust at all. I bought one for use at home and am going to have to replace it soon; its height is unusably high. I've found that if you can't adjust your chair, desk, and…

but what is "correctly?" what feels best in the short term is not always best in the long term... for example, those wrist rests feel pretty good for a little while, but long term, if you actually rest your wrists on them, they will cause serious problems for your wrists.

As for the desk problem, Ikea sells adjustable desks (that can adjust from "on the floor" to "standing desk" in what looks like 1.5" increments) for under two hundred bucks, though you need two guys and fifteen minutes to adjust it. Me, I just set my keyboard on my lap and call it a day.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#19

Post by zach »

When I finally set up a proper office this year, I was too daunted by the prospect and cost of buying a proper chair. I just bought a used standing desk setup off Craigslist and a foam mat from Amazon.

I haven't had back problems so I wasn't the usual standing-desk advocate. But it has been great, and the low-tech desk will hold its value better than this year's fashion in ergonomic chairs. Highly recommended.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#20

Post by wyclif »

For those without the cash to drop on Herman Miller, consider what I believe is the lowest-cost, leanest solution to good ergonomics: the standing desk. Don't wear shoes, stand up straight, and adjust the surface to where your arms drop down and relax on the home row of your keyboard. After a brief adjustment period it's possible to find yourself feeling better, with better posture, breathing, and general well being.

Sitting in chairs too much is bad for your back. Ergonomically speaking, sitting with your spine at a 45 degree angle to your legs is harmful to your back, and it decreases mobility, even though people continue to spend large sums of money on fancy ergonomic office chairs.

http://saveyourself.ca/articles/chair-warriorism.php

Winston Churchill used a standing desk in recognition of their benefits. There are Japanese companies that have already implemented standing desks and standing workspaces. Fortunately they are simple, inexpensive, easy to implement and easy to adjust and adapt.

Post reply on HN