Ergonomics - Chairs - Desks

Marc Jayson · January 24th, 2007, 03:55 AM

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this thread. So please move it if it's wrong.

I was wondering what kind of chair and desk you are using for editing. I have a new desk that's adjustable in height.
I'm planning to buy a new chair but I don't if there are special ergonomic chairs for editing.

Can you editors out there tell me what kind of chairs you sit on?

Lisa Shofner · January 24th, 2007, 03:02 PM

Hi!

I am a programmer and editor. I use a kneeling type chair. I've noticed since I started using it that I can sit for longer times at the desk without setting a sore back (and i have back problems). They usually run about $60 at any office store.

Steven Davis · January 24th, 2007, 03:06 PM

I have a metal chair from the late 1970's. My wife has threatened many times to shoot it out of it's misery, but she hasn't. It really does need replacing. All of my equipment, monitors, desk and there it sits in the middle, this ugly metal chair.

I've look and looked into ergonomic chairs. I've yet to find one sub-800.00 or so that is worth the money. I'd actually prefer, if I could find it, to have an ergonomic chair with a foot stool. I think I could do some of my best work in more of a reclined position.

Waldemar Winkler · January 24th, 2007, 04:56 PM

I collect 1960's metal office furniture. I've got two desks and two monster arm chairs. I dearly love the chairs for editing, but until I have finished remodeling my garage into a studio all that stuff is in storage. Right now I am using a corner desk and a standard clerk's office office chair. It has a wide seat and the back rest can be positioned in terms of both height and forward/back. I have the height set low and as far forward for lumbar support. The chair has a very wide seat and has been around for ten or so years. I used one almost exactly like it in the last six years of my corporate career.

My health issue has always focused upon carpal tunnel pain which was finally resolved by using a mouse pad with a built-in wrist rest.

John C. Chu · January 24th, 2007, 05:51 PM

I read that Walter Murch likes to stand up while he edits...

But I think for a task chair, I will recommend a Humanscale Freedom Chair.
I love mine...and its very comfortable. [I didn't like the Aeron chair...too expensive and too many things to adjust.]

And I admit it...the Freedom Chair also looks really cool too.

You can see them in use on the set of "24".

Steven Davis · January 24th, 2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldemar Winkler

I collect 1960's metal office furniture. I've got two desks and two monster arm chairs. I dearly love the chairs for editing, but until I have finished remodeling my garage into a studio all that stuff is in storage. Right now I am using a corner desk and a standard clerk's office office chair. It has a wide seat and the back rest can be positioned in terms of both height and forward/back. I have the height set low and as far forward for lumbar support. The chair has a very wide seat and has been around for ten or so years. I used one almost exactly like it in the last six years of my corporate career.

My health issue has always focused upon carpal tunnel pain which was finally resolved by using a mouse pad with a built-in wrist rest.

Hey Waldemar, try switching to a thumb trackball. It has helped my issues 70%. I have three.

Marc Jayson · January 25th, 2007, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Davis

Hey Waldemar, try switching to a thumb trackball. It has helped my issues 70%. I have three.

I'm using a Wacom A5 wide tablet and I never had a problem again with RSI.
You have to get used to the pen and tablet but I'm never going back to a mouse!

Marc Jayson · January 25th, 2007, 03:37 AM

The Freedom Chair looks great!

I've also been looking at these chairs:

- The Haworth Zody, klick here for a flash instructional movie. The official Hawarth homepage

- Herman Miller Aero or Mirra.

Noah Hayes · January 26th, 2007, 08:39 AM

I have an Herman Miller Aeron that is great and I can sit editing for like 10-12 hours without getting up and still feel fine. The Knoll Life and Chadwick are also very comfortable. I don't have any experience with other brands.

Steven Davis · January 26th, 2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah Hayes

I have an Herman Miller Aeron that is great and I can sit editing for like 10-12 hours without getting up and still feel fine. The Knoll Life and Chadwick are also very comfortable. I don't have any experience with other brands.

Hey Noah, what specific chair do you have?

Noah Hayes · January 26th, 2007, 09:44 PM

The Aeron is the model of the chair. http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/...345-p8,00.html

You can view a pic of my editing desk that I posted a few months ago here
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=13127&page=16
My setup has since changed, but I'm still using that chair.

Michael Wisniewski · January 27th, 2007, 01:51 AM

I switched to a stand-up editing station November 2006 and I wouldn't go back. Keeps me more alert and focused.

Min Lee · February 2nd, 2007, 12:08 AM

Funny you should mention since I was just telling a friend that I had a professor at Berkeley that wrote a whole book on chairs (and how they're evil). I remember something about the body's natural position is a 135 degree angle. It's the same positions astronauts are in when they're floating in space. What dood said about the kneeling chair probably does that. Or leaning on one of them big exercise balls.

book: http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Rethinki.../dp/0393046559

Marc Jayson · February 2nd, 2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Min Lee

Funny you should mention since I was just telling a friend that I had a professor at Berkeley that wrote a whole book on chairs (and how they're evil). I remember something about the body's natural position is a 135 degree angle. It's the same positions astronauts are in when they're floating in space. What dood said about the kneeling chair probably does that. Or leaning on one of them big exercise balls.

book: http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Rethinki.../dp/0393046559

Thanks for the link.

January 24th, 2007, 03:55 AM	#1
Marc Jayson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Hague, The Netherlands Posts: 112	Ergonomics - Chairs - Desks - Workspace Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this thread. So please move it if it's wrong. I was wondering what kind of chair and desk you are using for editing. I have a new desk that's adjustable in height. I'm planning to buy a new chair but I don't if there are special ergonomic chairs for editing. Can you editors out there tell me what kind of chairs you sit on?

January 24th, 2007, 03:02 PM	#2
Lisa Shofner Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 373	Chairs Hi! I am a programmer and editor. I use a kneeling type chair. I've noticed since I started using it that I can sit for longer times at the desk without setting a sore back (and i have back problems). They usually run about $60 at any office store. Attached Images __________________ [http://www.ljparkerphotography.com] photos [http://www.youtube.com/darkdragonvegas] videos

January 24th, 2007, 03:06 PM	#3
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	I have a metal chair from the late 1970's. My wife has threatened many times to shoot it out of it's misery, but she hasn't. It really does need replacing. All of my equipment, monitors, desk and there it sits in the middle, this ugly metal chair. I've look and looked into ergonomic chairs. I've yet to find one sub-800.00 or so that is worth the money. I'd actually prefer, if I could find it, to have an ergonomic chair with a foot stool. I think I could do some of my best work in more of a reclined position. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

January 24th, 2007, 04:56 PM	#4
Waldemar Winkler Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Durango, Colorado, USA Posts: 711	I collect 1960's metal office furniture. I've got two desks and two monster arm chairs. I dearly love the chairs for editing, but until I have finished remodeling my garage into a studio all that stuff is in storage. Right now I am using a corner desk and a standard clerk's office office chair. It has a wide seat and the back rest can be positioned in terms of both height and forward/back. I have the height set low and as far forward for lumbar support. The chair has a very wide seat and has been around for ten or so years. I used one almost exactly like it in the last six years of my corporate career. My health issue has always focused upon carpal tunnel pain which was finally resolved by using a mouse pad with a built-in wrist rest. __________________ Waldemar

January 27th, 2007, 01:51 AM	#12
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	I switched to a stand-up editing station November 2006 and I wouldn't go back. Keeps me more alert and focused. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

January 24th, 2007, 05:51 PM	#5
John C. Chu Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rego Park , NYC Posts: 665	I read that Walter Murch likes to stand up while he edits... But I think for a task chair, I will recommend a Humanscale Freedom Chair. I love mine...and its very comfortable. [I didn't like the Aeron chair...too expensive and too many things to adjust.] And I admit it...the Freedom Chair also looks really cool too. You can see them in use on the set of "24".

January 25th, 2007, 03:37 AM	#8
Marc Jayson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Hague, The Netherlands Posts: 112	The Freedom Chair looks great! I've also been looking at these chairs: - The Haworth Zody, klick here for a flash instructional movie. The official Hawarth homepage - Herman Miller Aero or Mirra.

January 26th, 2007, 08:39 AM	#9
Noah Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 226	I have an Herman Miller Aeron that is great and I can sit editing for like 10-12 hours without getting up and still feel fine. The Knoll Life and Chadwick are also very comfortable. I don't have any experience with other brands.

January 26th, 2007, 09:44 PM	#11
Noah Hayes Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 226	The Aeron is the model of the chair. http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/...345-p8,00.html You can view a pic of my editing desk that I posted a few months ago here http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=13127&page=16 My setup has since changed, but I'm still using that chair.

February 2nd, 2007, 12:08 AM	#13
Min Lee Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 200	Funny you should mention since I was just telling a friend that I had a professor at Berkeley that wrote a whole book on chairs (and how they're evil). I remember something about the body's natural position is a 135 degree angle. It's the same positions astronauts are in when they're floating in space. What dood said about the kneeling chair probably does that. Or leaning on one of them big exercise balls. book: http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Rethinki.../dp/0393046559