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The cost of a [programmers] chair

jeremyhutchings.com

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Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#31

Post by babeKnuth »

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've ran into some personal pains lately (14 hrs + programming sessions), so have done some legwork:

http://www.thehumansolution.com/ergonomic-office-desk-chair-...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu8vgHp3Cgs

ignore the fact both offer things for sale. informative and insightful nonetheless. good starting points.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#32

Post by JerryH »

sp4rki wrote: post #10
JerryH wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If they break they must be unsafe as well, I dare say there is some kind of argument there for sure.

Hah! You should see our chair graveyard, since I'm not the only one that breaks them. We have probably around 12 broken chairs in a corner.

Sounds like something out of Office Space the movie.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#33

Post by babeKnuth »

getting up to stretch for 5 mins every hour or so can be important (primarily hands and arms), even if you use an ergonomic chair. i find it helps the "flow" rather than interrupt it (as the link claims).

i'd also recommend switching to an editor which minimizes keystrokes, such as vi(m), emacs, etc. less wear and tear on the hands and arms.

there are many aspects in a workstation that can be improved upon. every little bit helps.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#34

Post by babeKnuth »

lsc wrote: post #18
jrockway wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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) fo…

unfortunately, the more you look into ergonomics research, the more you'l find that every person's situation of "comfort" is different. you can start with some basic guidelines (see my other reply to your parent post) and then work from there.

it basically becomes a dialogue with the user and trial-and-error of many different approaches/setups.

another factor is whether someone is coding for 18 hours straight, or 2-3 hours here and there throughout the day.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#35

Post by wyclif »

PStamatiou wrote: post #27
wyclif wrote: post #20

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.…

I have a regular desk that converts to a standing desk on my command.. http://picplz.com/user/stammy/pic/gntn/ Hacky, but it works and I can't tell you the number of other startup folk I've met with that have the same kind of setup. Although theirs is usually more permanent with reams of paper or textbooks. I used to have a Herman Miller before I moved to SF, now I'm on a $47 office max chair. It's only so comfortabl…

Nice hack, I like on the fly solutions like that, and best of all you didn't have to buy anything new. That's the origin of the setup I have now, which is semi-permanent. For a dedicated approach, I've heard people with a lot more money than me rave about the Steelcase Airtouch: http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/tables/adjusta...

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#36

Post by PStamatiou »

wyclif wrote: post #35
PStamatiou wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a regular desk that converts to a standing desk on my command.. http://picplz.com/user/stammy/pic/gntn/ Hacky, but it works and I can't tell you the number of other startup folk I've met with that have the same kind of setup. Although theirs is usually more permanent with reams of paper or textbooks. I used to have a Herman Miller before I moved to SF, now I'm on a $47 office max chair. It's only so comfortabl…

Nice hack, I like on the fly solutions like that, and best of all you didn't have to buy anything new. That's the origin of the setup I have now, which is semi-permanent. For a dedicated approach, I've heard people with a lot more money than me rave about the Steelcase Airtouch: http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/tables/adjusta...

I think the SF SimpleGeo office has those desks (along with a bunch of $$$ HM Embody chairs). Definitely a pleasure to work on.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#37

Post by wccrawford »

This is, of course, assuming that those really are minutes of lost productivity. Truth is, you have to get up once in a while anyhow, for various reasons. And taking time to move and think can be beneficial to code, too.

It's also assuming that it takes time to get -back- into the groove after a walk-around. For me, it doesn't. If I have an idea in my head as I approach the computer, I'm right in there.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#38

Post by GiraffeNecktie »

PStamatiou wrote: post #27
wyclif wrote: post #20

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.…

I have a regular desk that converts to a standing desk on my command.. http://picplz.com/user/stammy/pic/gntn/ Hacky, but it works and I can't tell you the number of other startup folk I've met with that have the same kind of setup. Although theirs is usually more permanent with reams of paper or textbooks. I used to have a Herman Miller before I moved to SF, now I'm on a $47 office max chair. It's only so comfortabl…

Gee thanks. Now I've got a big red mark on my forehead where I smacked myself saying "Why didn't I think of that?" It's not hacky, it's beautiful.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#39

Post by bjhess »

wyclif wrote: post #30
rodh257 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've got one of these at home, my main PC has 5 monitors (throwouts from work, so most were free), 2 of which sit on top of the tower. I simply put a couple of shoeboxes under my keyboard/mousepad and use the top 2 monitors when I want to use a standing desk. My feed and knees really hurt though, I find wearing shoes helps alleviate this discomfort for a bit longer, but eventually I sit down (for some more Back Pain)…

Yes, you should always be standing on a mat, do not do this on hardwood or cement floors. Fortunately they are not expensive and are easy to move. http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/558061/Genuine-Joe-Air... I had one of those hollow doors with a smooth surface, and bought a couple of adjustable aluminum sawhorses (Stanley FatMax is a good option). I spent about 15 minutes making small adjustments to the height of…

FYI, I picked up the same mat as linked above at Amazon for a smaller chunk of change:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EFK9KM/

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been standing for several months and really enjoying it. Hoping this mat helps with the occasional foot/ankle pain.

Re: The cost of a [programmers] chair

#40

Post by wsimmons »

PStamatiou wrote: post #36
wyclif wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nice hack, I like on the fly solutions like that, and best of all you didn't have to buy anything new. That's the origin of the setup I have now, which is semi-permanent. For a dedicated approach, I've heard people with a lot more money than me rave about the Steelcase Airtouch: http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/tables/adjusta...

I think the SF SimpleGeo office has those desks (along with a bunch of $$$ HM Embody chairs). Definitely a pleasure to work on.

We actually have these: http://www.geekdesk.com/

They are pretty awesome, but the full size ones are pretty huge.

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