Buzz
America stands out as one of the most fast-paced nations globally: we work longer hours, take fewer breaks, and deal with more stress than most other developed countries. The toll of all those working hours is undeniable. If you've ever gotten up from your desk after a lengthy day, only to be met with an aching back, or felt the piercing pain and strange numbness caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, you already know how deeply your work environment can affect your well-being. And if you ever seek to improve both that environment and its effect on your health, the term 'ergonomics' is likely to come up. Mention a sore back, and someone will almost certainly recommend an 'ergonomic' office chair, for instance.
So, what exactly is an ergonomic chair? What defines its ergonomic qualities? Ergonomics is one of those buzzwords that people often mention, but few truly grasp—similar to the idea of 'the Cloud'. Here’s what 'ergonomics' really entails.
At its core, ergonomics focuses on redesigning the workplace to suit the individual’s needs
For the majority of human history, the expectation was that the body would adjust to the workplace. People were forced into all kinds of settings—coal mines, assembly lines, office cubicles—that were built for efficiency, with little regard for the comfort or health of the human body. One of the most common examples of this unfortunate aspect of capitalism is the dreadful office chairs that many of us endure in our jobs: After just a few hours in a cheap rolling chair, you feel like your body has been permanently damaged.
Ergonomics is a Greek term made up of two words: Ergon meaning 'work' and nomos meaning 'laws.' Ergonomics is the practice of analyzing the systems we interact with (whether it's an office or a factory) and how humans must adapt to those systems, then finding ways to either improve or adjust those systems to better suit the human body, rather than the other way around. In essence, an ergonomic approach to workspaces takes into account five factors: Safety, productivity, ease of use, aesthetics, and comfort. The goal is to design work environments with these priorities in mind, rather than simply plopping you in a cubicle with an uncomfortable chair and leaving you to figure out how to save your back with pillows.
Science!
There’s a scientific basis for all of this: Discomfort and pain at work negatively impact both productivity and the quality of work. Your company doesn’t embrace ergonomics because they care about your well-being—they have a practical economic reason for doing so. A workspace designed with ergonomic principles in mind can lead to the following benefits:
Reduce injuries—which leads to fewer sick days and disability claims.
Boost performance and morale, leading to higher productivity.
Lower healthcare costs.
True ergonomics involves considering the entire work environment or system, not just throwing in one expensive chair into a chaotic setup. To create a truly ergonomic workspace, every element must be taken into account: from a chair that provides support for your back and elbows, promoting good posture, to a keyboard that lets your hands rest comfortably without straining your wrists, to a monitor placed at the right height to prevent neck strain, and even a schedule of brief breaks to stand up and move around.
The key point is that each work environment and individual is unique, so ergonomic solutions must be tailored. For instance, a standing desk might be ideal for some, helping them avoid sitting all day. But if standing for long periods causes you back pain or discomfort, it’s not a suitable ergonomic solution for you. While safety (avoiding injury) is crucial, comfort and ease of use are equally important. The same applies to a stylish ergonomic chair: if the lumbar support beam is uncomfortable or the armrests aren’t positioned right for your specific tasks, the label 'ergonomic' doesn’t hold any value. A beautifully designed Herman Miller chair may look great, but if it doesn’t meet your needs, it’s not ergonomic for you.
Ergonomics is about designing systems, and systems are inherently complex. If you're looking for a more ergonomic approach to your workspace, remember that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work, and you are part of the system. Your personal needs and preferences must be taken into consideration for a truly effective setup.
