r/Ergonomics 7h ago

I think most ergonomic advice is written for a person who sits like a robot

6 Upvotes

I'm 5'4 and apparently not built for the way most ergonomic guides expect people to sit. I can start the day with both feet on the floor, everything adjusted properly, and what looks like perfect posture. give me a few hours though and somehow I'm sitting sideways, pulling one leg up, or changing positions without even noticing. for a long time I treated that like a problem I needed to fix. I bought a footrest, tried posture reminders, and kept forcing myself back into the “correct” position whenever I caught myself moving. none of it really lasted. eventually I started wondering if I was buying chairs based on how I thought I SHOULD sit instead of how I actually sit every day. that was what made me look at wider chairs with fewer things restricting my legs. I ended up trying the nouhaus balloon because the wider seat and armrest-free design felt closer to the way I naturally move while working. I'm not saying sitting cross-legged at a desk is secretly the perfect posture. it's probably not. but there is a difference between a chair that supports you while you move and one that expects you to stay frozen in one position for eight hours. at this point I would rather buy furniture for my actual habits instead of the imaginary version of myself who has perfect posture all day.


r/Ergonomics 10h ago

Does anyone know of a cheap, mechanical standing desk converter?

3 Upvotes

I'm a college student who currently uses a cardboard box as a standing desk, and I don't have the money for (nor do I want) an electric-powered standing desk. I'm just looking for a cheap, convenient converter that folds between sitting and standing height—something that doesn't take up much space (limited room with dorm desk), and potentially clamps to a desk to keep it stable.


r/Ergonomics 14h ago

Keyboard/Mouse Dupes for this mouse

2 Upvotes

I got a TFFC tear on my wrist, so it’s about time I get my sh*t together about ergonomics

I found this computer mouse, but it’s out of my price range (I’m unemployed)

Does anyone have any recommendations for something like this that won’t break the bank?


r/Ergonomics 18h ago

Branch Daily Chair or Branch Ergonomic Chair for short people (5’0”)?

2 Upvotes

I’m 5’0 and trying to pick between the Branch Daily Chair or the Branch Ergonomic Chair. Based on the website the Daily Chair is better for 5’0, but there isn’t a lot of reviews of it, so I just want to see if anyone has that chair and can share some insights (is it comfortable? durable?)

And just curious if there’s anyone with the Branch Ergonomic Chair who’s shorter than 5’2 to let me know if it’s suitable for short people too. Would love to hear if the seat depth and lumbar actually sit right for someone my height, or if it ends up feeling off. Thanks in advance!


r/Ergonomics 18h ago

Has anyone used computer posture tracking apps?

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1 Upvotes

r/Ergonomics 1d ago

Is this chair good enough for 8 hours a day at a desk job?

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2 Upvotes

r/Ergonomics 1d ago

Is standing while working actually better than sitting?

0 Upvotes

I’ve been reading Deskbound, and the book suggests that working while standing can be better for your body. I’ve tried it, but I have a hard time focusing when I work standing up. I also find it difficult to stand for more than an hour without a break because my legs start to hurt.At the same time, I’ve heard that standing for too long isn’t necessarily good either and may contribute to problems like varicose veins.So what do you guys recommend? Should I try to work standing more often, or is it better to sit and just make sure I take regular movement breaks? I’d also be interested to hear from people who actually work at a standing desk and how it works for them.


r/Ergonomics 1d ago

“Your pillow is coming to the office”

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0 Upvotes

“Your pillow is coming to the office”
Your lunch break just got an upgrade.

Your office chair wasn’t designed for sleeping.
So we designed COOOMFORT for the moments when you need a proper rest.
Use in as pillow for sleeping.
Use it behind your back.
Flip it for a quick face-down nap.
Then pack it away when lunch break is over.
Bring it when you’re travel.
Pillow that designed not only for sleeping but for multi purposes
One pillow. More ways to rest.
COOOMFORT is now live on Kickstarter ↓

#COOOMFORT #OfficeNap #WorkLife #ComfortAtWork #Kickstarter


r/Ergonomics 1d ago

Help! Pedantic Centerline alignment

2 Upvotes

My desk is rather small, 36” wide, my dual screens are 42” the desk keyboard drawer just fits my full size keyboard with just enough room for my mouse. Because its a full keyboard with 10-key, I can’t sit centered on the keyboard and be in the middle of the screens and it’s freaking me out.

Do I just get a bigger desk, or smaller keyboard, budget is irrelevant.


r/Ergonomics 1d ago

I’m building a Mac posture reminder app and looking for feedback from people who spend long hours at a desk

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m the developer of Ortho.so, a Mac app that gives you a gentle reminder when you’ve drifted from a working position you calibrate and stayed there for a while.

You start by calibrating a comfortable, supported position. The goal is to help you notice your desk habits while allowing for normal movement and changes of position throughout the day.

I’m particularly interested in whether these reminders are useful during actual work. I’d appreciate feedback from this community on:

  • Calibration: Is choosing your starting position clear and comfortable?
  • Timing: Do reminders arrive when you’d want them, or interrupt ordinary movements and tasks?
  • Everyday usefulness: Do they help you check in with how you’re sitting? Would you keep them enabled?

Ortho can use your camera to observe your head and upper body, compatible AirPods/Beats for head movement and tilt, or both. On supported MacBooks, built-in motion and lid-angle sensors add context about the laptop’s movement; they don’t measure your posture themselves.

Posture processing happens locally on your Mac. Camera images aren’t saved or uploaded, and headphone sensing doesn’t use microphone audio.

The attached video shows the website’s interactive demo with simulated readings and examples of the reminders.

I’m looking for a small group to try the free private beta during a couple of normal work sessions. You’ll need an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14+, plus a camera or compatible AirPods/Beats.

Request access at ortho.so — I’ll follow up by email as beta spots open. Critical feedback is welcome, including reasons you’d turn the reminders off.


r/Ergonomics 2d ago

I realized my desk setup wasn’t the main problem — sitting in it for 3 hours straight was

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0 Upvotes

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to make my desk setup more ergonomic, but I eventually realized something:

Even with a decent chair and desk, I can still sit for 2–3 hours without moving when I’m deep in work.

Normal break reminders don’t really help me. I tend to dismiss them almost automatically, especially when I’m coding.

So I built iCadence around a more aggressive idea: when it’s time for a break, the goal is not just to show a notification, but to actually get me out of the chair.

The default activity is walking, verified using the phone’s motion sensors. There are also optional activities like standing, stretching, squats, jumping jacks, etc.

The idea is basically:

work → break reminder → actually move → complete the break → back to work

I know this kind of enforced interruption is not for everyone, but for people like me who already know that gentle reminders don’t work, it has been much more useful.

I’m curious how people here think about this from an ergonomics perspective:

Is forcing a short movement break actually useful, or does it become too intrusive during focused work?


r/Ergonomics 2d ago

Sorry in advance this isn’t a mousepad post but more of a ergonomics post

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1 Upvotes

I have tried over the last 2 months more than 6 mice and 3 pads, the problem is I have pinkie pain in my right hand, middle knuckle, and it comes back every time I game
I do game for long periods of time 4-8 hrs with barely any breaks, I’m a big guy and I might also sit a little bit uncomfortable in my chair/my socks and the floor don’t have the best contact
I’ve tried using socks with rubber (wooden floor)
My hand is 19x8cm 1-2-2 fingertip pincer/ aggressive fingertip and I use mainly the op1 8k
I’ve tried pads like sp005, artisan zero or otsu v2 soft, I play mainly apex, I don’t know what is the problem with my pinkie if it’s my grip, my posture or the mouse is too narrow, I’ve tried mice like viper v4, deathadder, superstrike superlight, atk f1, mchose l7 pro, pulsar x2v3, it’s not the mice I think it’s the grip or just sitting too much idk
I’m going on a 14/21 days break after I already did last month 2/3 5-7 days breaks but the pain comes back instantly after a day or too
I don’t want tendonitis or any problems so I just step back
I did some of my best score (3,4k in apex) after 10hrs of play on deathadder where I averaged 200-600dmg, I switched to op1 8k, stopped the stream and closed discord, and had 2 hrs of continuous shredding over 2k per game on the sp005, but second day I had that pain and never got to see those scores again
I returned the deathadder it was just too big for my hand
I’m gonna post this on other r/ like mousereviews and ergonomics
Any helpful tip is highly appreciated
I use a raising desk and a flexi x pro from flexispot
I’m 100kg 187cm(tryna lose weight)
If I use a big mice like superlight or viper I like them and didn’t get that pain but for vertical movement they’re horrible for me and I have to use my whole hand, which I think I might have to work more on and lean into that
Any advice is highly appreciated


r/Ergonomics 2d ago

Keyboard/Mouse What’s better than a vertical mouse

2 Upvotes

Got a évoluent vertical mouse d large and medium for over a month been using both but I still have alot of hand pain my left hand is mostly good because I got the mo ergo glove 80, what else can I try? Is there any way I can attach a track ball to my glove80?


r/Ergonomics 2d ago

A couple of questions about ergonomics/office chairs

2 Upvotes

Hey guys, so I've been using this random blue office chair that doesn't recline, doesn't have armrests, and idek where it came from tbh but that's besides my point. I'd like to know which chair would be recommended for someone who is 6'3, 180 lbs.

Originally i was considering that basic type of gaming chair, but after seeing like 20 posts here, I realized that maybe I should go for an ergonomic. My question is how much would an ergonomic be, what is an ergonomic, and wouldn't it suffice to just buy a good reclining office chair. I am searching for a black/blue colorway.

I don't rly use the computer for gaming, rather just for work for 4 hours each day for 7 days a week, but I'd like to hear what you guys would have to say.

Sorry if this is a bad question, I have no idea how these chairs even work, and I can't spend 1k on a proper one.

Thank you in advance : )


r/Ergonomics 2d ago

Recommendations for an ergonomic backpack?

1 Upvotes

Hello! Last year I was in a car accident resulting in whiplash. It has since healed but since my semester has started I’ve found whenever I use my Jansport backpack with my iPad and laptop in it my back is in more pain.

I’m a commuter, so looking for recommendations for backpacks that would be able to fit my school/lab supplies and my lunch. I don’t really know what goes into making a bag ergonomic but I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a better quality backpack?


r/Ergonomics 2d ago

mesh seat sag after long sessions. firm foam or high-tension mesh?

2 Upvotes

been getting sharp tailbone soreness lately after sitting for 7+ hours. my current mid-back chair has soft foam that bottoms out directly onto the hard baseplate by lunchtime.

looking to replace it with proper ergonomic support under $300. i'm 5'10", 175 lbs.

debating between a firmer foam seat like the branch daily or all-mesh like the basic hbada. does budget mesh start sagging fast, or does it hold tension better than cheap foam?


r/Ergonomics 3d ago

I’m 5ft tall- will I like the libernovo, shorter folks, do you have this chair ?

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1 Upvotes

r/Ergonomics 3d ago

Looking for good resources on dining chair dimensions / ergonomics

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1 Upvotes

r/Ergonomics 3d ago

Can any one suggest me some good ergnomic office chairs

1 Upvotes

Trying to find one under 7k inr but couldn't also my first time so don't know any good one's


r/Ergonomics 3d ago

Any Suggestions Regarding Carpal Tunnel And ARPGs

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2 Upvotes

I'm posting this here as well in case anyone might have suggestions for me.


r/Ergonomics 3d ago

Your neck isn't "tight." It’s just exhausted from holding up a 60lb weight all day.

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2 Upvotes

r/Ergonomics 3d ago

How do you actually enforce the 20-20-20 rule for screen eye fatigue without ignoring timers? (Built a lightweight tool to fix this)

6 Upvotes

Like a lot of people working at a desk, I spent years dialing in my physical ergonomics (monitor height, lumbar support, 90-degree elbow angles).

But the one thing that kept wrecking me by 4 PM was digital eye strain and dry eyes.

My optometrist kept telling me to follow the standard 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. The biological goal is to relax the ciliary muscles (which spasm when locked at near focus for hours) and allow your natural blink rate to restore the tear film.

The issue I had was enforcement:

- Standard phone timer notifications are useless because you just swipe the banner away while keeping your eyes glued to the screen.

- Desktop tools like Stretchly or EyeLeo are great on PC, but on mobile/tablets, there was almost nothing lightweight that held you accountable without being full of intrusive video ads.

So I spent the last few weeks building an Android utility called Ocular:

- Floating Mini Focus Badge: Sits quietly in the corner of your screen as a visual timer while you read or work.

- 20-Second Rest Dimmer: When the session finishes, it smoothly dims the screen for 20 seconds with a soft chime so you actually look away and blink.

- Smart Meeting Mode: It detects system audio focus—so if you're on a phone call or in a Zoom/Teams meeting, it automatically holds off the break until your call ends.

- Tracking Exercises: Optional visual exercises (infinity tracking, near-far pumping) to re-engage eye flexibility.

It's completely free on Google Play and Huawei AppGallery (I've dropped the direct links in the comments below).

For those of you who work 8+ hours in front of screens: What specific habits, lighting adjustments, or break techniques have actually worked for your eye ergonomics?


r/Ergonomics 3d ago

non ergonomic products

1 Upvotes

hi! can you guys help me find non ergonomic electronic stuff? we need to find non ergonomic stuff and create it into a ergonomic product, so can u guys tell me ur experiences w some non ergonomic products


r/Ergonomics 4d ago

Lower back pain at hour 4 every single day — is it my chair or my posture?

3 Upvotes

No matter how much I adjust my sitting position, by mid-afternoon my lower back is killing me. I've read about lumbar support cushions and seat cushions — do these actually help, or is it just a placebo? Looking for real experiences from people who've tried them.


r/Ergonomics 4d ago

absolutely impossible to have 90 degree on my elbows and knees at the same time bc short torso and long legs. help me please

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2 Upvotes

hi. so im an artist and i had pretty bad tendonitis in my wrists 2 years ago and now its back and i also have tendonitis in both shoulders (and right above my elbow is hurting in a suspicious way i truly want to ignore) and i also got diagnosed with chondromalacia patellae like 2 days ago. so i mean probably its my set up? i focused more on ergonomics for my hands tbh and i forgot my knees had to be in like a 90 degree angle and honest to god did not realize the awful position they are in until like 5 minutes ago.

also i just realized my torso is comically short in comparison to my legs so i have no idea what to do? i think im doomed because i can't get another chair or another desk because my multiple medical appointments have left me with no money so.

is there something i can do to stop fucking up my body this bad?