Don't Buy That!

Now that working from home has become the new reality for many people, advertising for home office furniture and equipment is everywhere. Chairs and desks are on sale, especially now that it’s a holiday weekend, and more workers than ever before are eager to get themselves set up with workstations that will allow them to work comfortably. Fortunately, with online shopping booming, it’s easier than ever to get what you need. Unfortunately, however, a ton of money is being spent on items that do not work as expected. What a waste.

Remember, ergonomics is the science of fitting the work to the worker. Workers come in all shapes and sizes and that has to be taken into account. Would you order clothes or shoes online and expect them to fit perfectly if the only sizing option was “one size fits most”? Of course not.

The biggest waste of money and time I’m seeing so far is the purchasing of “ergonomic” sit/stand desks. Some of these standing desk manufacturers have way better marketing than actual ergonomic design. You can literally see uncomfortable, risky postures in their advertisement photos!

Please know this: unless you’re really lucky, many sit/stand solutions, especially those desktop converters such as the popular Varidesk, will not fit you. The keyboard and mouse will likely be positioned at the wrong height, encouraging awkward postures that will eventually lead to discomfort, pain, and/or injury. Adjustments may be too difficult or imprecise to deal with, therefore leaving you sitting most of the time, at a desk that was supposed to help you increase your movement.

Before you spend a dime, look closely at the specifications of any desk you’re considering and make absolutely sure it works with your body proportions and your workflow needs. Keep in mind, the average standard desk height of 29” fits seated workers measuring 6’4” in height. Don’t buy anything without knowing the height range that will work for you.

Another big spend that can backfire all too easily is a chair. So many chairs available online are described as “ergonomic” and “adjustable” but can actually cause more problems than they solve. The worst issues? Armrests that limit movement, seats that are too deep or too shallow, backrests that don’t fit or support the spine, and confusing adjustments that never seem quite right. There are great chairs out there, even at lower price points, but if it doesn’t fit you, it’s really not worth it.

Not sure how to make sure you get the right items? There are some great resources out there to help you find the right furniture and equipment for your needs. A simple desk and chair height calculator, such as this one from Humansolution, can help get you started in the right direction.

Overwhelmed? I don’t blame you! With so many options out there, it is quite a challenge to find the right fit before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars. We got your back. Please contact The Ergo Lady any time for help choosing the furniture and equipment that is right for you.