Fixing the computer guy posture [pdf]

This all looks unnecessarily complicated. I had really bad posture for most of my life and I fixed it with two things: deadlifts and cable rows. After the major muscular weaknesses are corrected (and those two exercises will correct them), it's just a matter of habit correction- stand while you work, walk with your stomach tight and shoulders back, don't let yourself slouch when you sit, etc.

This ain't rocket science. You don't need to spend an hour a day with 10 different exercises. You can fix the muscular weaknesses in 30 minutes, once a week.

Here's a startup idea: a hip site with daily exercises targeted at people like us. There should be two levels: no supplies and having basic weight set (so it gives me the option of doing it at work on home too). You could track fitness, and tie it to a mobile app which reminds you. I'm sick of fitness being geared toward getting tone, losing weight, body building etc. I am just concerned with living healthy, so I want a minimum workout.

Have you tried the penclic over a regular vertical mouse like an evoluent? care to tell us how you like it?

My experience with yoga is that it is not enough for serious structural issues. For a strength-building workout, it is not systematic enough at most schools. It also usually fails to correct the day to day movement problems at the root of many problems.

I've done a lot of research into correcting my issues and it seems like this is what is happening with me. After reading Mary Bond's New Rules of Posture and Esther Gokhale's book, I realized that the way I do everything is pretty much wrong. I walk wrong, sit wrong, lie down wrong, and stand wrong (which is why a standing desk also didn't help). A great example is after implementing what I thought were really healthy changes to my lifestyle- the standing desk and walking to work, I developed an unpleasant heel pain and a rather ugly callus on my right side. After reading the Bond book I figured out that it was because that side is my dominant foot, but I was getting all my energy from walking from the heel strike there, rather than pushing off from the non-dominant foot through the hamstring/toes. Correcting that got rid of the pain and also had the side effect that my rear is more toned. That's just one example, and I'm not done with improving my posture, but it has made a great difference in my life. I also have implemented more systematic weight training (making sure I get ALL areas worked out) and core training (pilates). I still do yoga for the mobility benefits. I also have seen a Rolfing and Feldenkrais coach, but I think those services are generally over-rated and overpriced and you can get similar benefits from taking an adult dance class. I would like to try Alexander too.

40 years old here...

Although not everyone likes them I do recommend shelling $$$ for an Herman Miller (or similar) chair.

The Mira seems to be great for the back. Me, I can't live without the "pellicle mesh" of the Aeron so the Mira is a no go for me. Hence I bought an Aeron with the adjustable posture fit (the new one, with the adjustable stuff that gently "pushes" the low-end of your back).

I realize HN is filled with negativity and a lot of people are going to criticize the Aeron (dot com symbol, not that ergonomic, bad for your health, bla bla bla) but honestly if you know how to adjust it it's a great chair. You hardly sweat in it and (when adjusted correctly), by pulling your arms behind your head the chair gently falls in "relax-mode".

The 12-year warranty is great too. I use that and a HHKB Pro 2 as my keyboard.