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.
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.<p>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.<p><a href="http://saveyourself.ca/articles/chair-warriorism.php" rel="nofollow">http://saveyourself.ca/articles/chair-warriorism.php</a><p>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.
I actually replaced my chair today with one of these:<p><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50178864" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50178864</a><p>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.<p>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 exposure.
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.<p>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.
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.<p>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.
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.<p>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.
I'd argue that the most important piece of equipment you can give a programmer is a good chair. Not only are the bad ones bad for you, but they break easily IMO. I'm 175 pounds and have gone through 4 chairs in 3 years of service. The chairs are conformable though so it wasn't that bad. But I ended bringing my own chair and when asked about it, I got reimbursed.
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.<p>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.
Anyone used a kneeling chair somewhat extensively? I've been interested, in part because they take up less room, but they're always over my college-status price range.
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).<p>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.<p>there are many aspects in a workstation that can be improved upon. every little bit helps.