The Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace

The Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

August 16, 2013

Did you know that thousands of workers in the USeach year suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders that prevent them from working for an extended period of time?  Do you realize that these disorders cost an average of $45-54 billion annually?!

Take a moment for that to sink in, and then go ahead and answer the following question:

Imagine you are the head of a large company.  Would you to like to have the ability to reduce worker’s compensation and healthcare costs for your company and ultimately increase the productivity of your employees??

Regardless of whether you are actually the head of a large company or at the bottom of the totem pole, I am going to assume that your answer to the above question was yes.  Consequently, I am going to tell you that in order to reduce costs and increase worker productivity in a given company, you should seriously consider the benefits of ergonomically optimizing the company’s work environment.

Now, if you have read our post titled “Ergonomics – What Is It, and Why Is It Important?”, you already know what I mean by the term ergonomics.  If you did not read this post, just know that, generally speaking, ergonomics in the workplace is the ability to maximize productivity by minimizing employee fatigue and discomfort. The goal of ergonomics is to find the best fit between an individual and the conditions of his/her work environment. With that said, let us now go over the 6 specific benefits that result from ergonomically optimizing the workplace:

Benefit #1 – Ergonomics decreases costs

For starters, we know that ergonomics aims to reduce stress on the body and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with muscle overuse, bad posture, repeated movements, and overall discomfort in the workplace.  Interestingly enough, studies have shown that approximately one-third of all worker’s compensation costs can be attributed to musculoskeletal disorders that result from the aforementioned causes.  Since the application of proper workstation ergonomics reduces the risk of developing such expensive musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics can therefore be seen to reduce worker’s compensation and healthcare costs.

Benefit #2 – Ergonomics increases employee satisfaction

Employees notice when the company they work for makes strides to improve their health, safety, and comfort in the workplace.  If and when this happens, employees generally appreciate the efforts that are made to meet their individual needs and preferences because it makes them feel like their health and happiness matter.  Accordingly, they begin to perceive that the company they work for cares about their well-being, and they ultimately become more satisfied with their jobs.

Benefit #3 – Ergonomics increases productivity among workers

An ergonomically correct workstation is one that allows for good posture, less stress on the body, fewer repeated motions, and greater adjustability. In other words, an ergonomically correct workstation provides its users with maximum comfort which, in turn, improves health and increases happiness. This is understandable because if you are as comfortable as possible and putting less stress on your body throughout the duration of your workday, it makes sense that you will be happier and your body will be healthier than before.  Even further, it has been proven that happier and healthier employees are more productive and efficient than those who are miserable and uncomfortable on the job.  Therefore, it can be concluded that an ergonomically optimized work environment ultimately results in increased worker productivity.

Benefit #4 – Ergonomics enhances product quality

Without ergonomics, workers become uncomfortable, fatigued, and dissatisfied with the current conditions in their workplace. As a result of their discomfort and overall discontent, people who work in an office environment that fails to meet the guidelines of proper workstation ergonomics cannot do their best work no matter how hard they try.  These people will not be optimally productive.  However, once the needs of a worker’s body are met in the workplace, the chances of this individual performing his/her job to the best of his/her ability become much greater.  As soon as each worker’s individual preferences and bodily needs are satisfied through the ergonomic optimization of each workstation, product quality will improve and profits will increase.

Benefit #5 – Ergonomics improves employee involvement

In our explanation of Benefit #2, we discussed how when a company strives to meet the guidelines of proper workstation ergonomics, employees recognize their company’s concern for their well-being which makes them feel appreciated and ultimately more satisfied with their jobs.  Not only this, but once the workplace is ergonomically optimized, as long as fatigue has been reduced and discomfort has been relieved, employees will become even more content and satisfied in the workplace.  As a result of such increased worker satisfaction, employees will become more engaged and involved in their work. They will begin to want to do their job instead of just doing it out of obligation.  Successful ergonomics will also reduce turnover and improve worker morale in the long run.

Benefit #6 – Ergonomics emphasizes the importance of safety in the workplace

Last but certainly not least, a company’s interest in proper workplace ergonomics demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the health and safety of its employees.  This results in the development of a safer and healthier work environment in which employees will find themselves engaged in routines that will benefit their health and no longer put their comfort and/or safety in danger.

So overall, if you work in an office environment, it can’t hurt to introduce proper workstation ergonomics in your workplace because what could be bad about reducing costs, increasing satisfaction, improving productivity, enhancing quality, improving employee engagement, and focusing more on safety in the workplace?!

For more information about innovative ergonomic work space solutions, please visit the Ergotech website at www.ergotechgroup.com.  

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Why Use A Standing Desk? Part 3: The Next Hottest Thing in the Workplace

Why Use A Standing Desk?
Part 3: The Next Hottest Thing in the Workplace

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

August 12, 2013

The final chapter in the BIG question…”Why Use A Standing Desk???”

How would you respond if someone told you that you no longer have to sit at your desk for hours at a time in order to get your work done each day?   You would say they were crazy, right?   And then you would probably tell them to quit wasting your time and let you get back to your work.

But what if they were telling the truth? What if it were actually possible to get your work done from a position other than a sedentary, passive one? What if you could engage in natural activity throughout your workday in order to keep your body healthy and active while simultaneously getting your work done? That would be ideal, wouldn’t it?!

Well, thanks to the rapidly expanding market for adjustable desk systems, this ideal scenario has become a reality!!

In our last two posts, we have discussed the numerous risks associated with too much sitting and the importance of integrating healthy movement into your day. We also talked about research and studies that have been done on the consequences of too much sitting as well as on the benefits of switching between sitting and standing in the workplace. We mentioned that it is this research that has been driving companies and individuals today to turn to nontraditional desk systems as the solution to prolonged sitting in the workplace. These desk systems are considered “nontraditional” because they allow users to alternate between sitting, standing, and sometimes even walking at their workstations throughout the day. Pretty impressive, huh?

In addition to the research that has been conducted on sitting, standing, and alternating between these positions in the workplace, studies have been done to determine the importance of the adjustability of office workstations. Such studies have demonstrated that each component of an individual’s workstation should ideally provide a certain level of adjustability. This is because a workstation that is “best fit” for its user’s body type and individual preferences will result in the most significant improvements to the worker’s health, comfort, and productivity.

As a result of these studies, companies have been growing more and more interested in purchasing adjustable workstations for their employees. Not only this, but instead of buying these adjustable workstations only for those who are already injured, companies are starting to purchase them for all employees so as to prevent injuries from happening in the first place.

Moreover, it is becoming clearer than ever that in order to run a productive company, the ergonomic needs of all employees in the workplace must be met. Even further, companies are realizing that in order to meet the ergonomic needs of a productive workplace, they need to focus on creating healthy office environments that encourage activity and exercise by investing in the latest innovation in ergonomics – height-adjustable workspaces and desks.

A height-adjustable desk is one that allows you to raise and lower your work surface at any given moment with just the push of a button, thus enabling you to alternate between sitting and standing whenever you choose throughout your workday. Height-adjustable workspaces create the ideal balance between the demands of the workplace and the needs of your own body. They are designed to promote health and maximum comfort for users of all different sizes. All employees should be given the option to use a height-adjustable desk because everyone should have the ability to be as healthy, comfortable, and productive as possible in the workplace.

With a height-adjustable workspace solution, you will never again feel trapped sitting in that same slumped-over, stiff position at your desk all day. Instead, you will be able to sit, stand, and change position with ease at any point in the day without having to pause your work for one second! By enabling you to switch positions at any given moment throughout the day, a height-adjustable desk system will encourage healthy movement and natural activity. This will increase your circulation and energy levels, speed up your metabolism, and stimulate brain activity. It will also improve posture and employee engagement, fight fatigue, and increase productivity in the workplace.

The demand for height-adjustable workspaces is rapidly increasing today as more people are learning about the dangers of too much sitting (discussed in Part 1: The Bad News About Too Much Sitting) and the benefits of being able to switch between sitting and standing in the workplace (discussed in Part 2: The Good News About Standing). Evidently, the height-adjustable desk is the new must-have for the office environment in today’s market. In an effort to improve the health, comfort, and productivity of employees, companies worldwide are jumping on the bandwagon of installing adjustable sit-stand desks in their office environments, and as they are doing so, it is becoming evident that the workplace will never go back to the stagnant desk.

With that said, it seems necessary to introduce the all new Sit Stand by Ergotech Group’s Freedom Line, an easy to use and assemble workspace solution that enables you to raise your work surface up to 20 inches off your desk. This is the highest range of vertical travel of any system in today’s market!! Unlike other designs, Ergotech’s state of the art modular monitor mounting system is a tool-less design that can hold up to four 30-inch monitors and rear-mounts to your desk as-is. This allows for the use of the entire workspace and prevents you from having to do away with your current desk. You can convert between 1, 2, 3, or 4 monitors and move the system from one desk to another with ease. The rock solid stability of this height-adjustable desk system is designed to support up to 150 pounds, the greatest total weight capacity of any adjustable workstation today! Powered by an electric motor, the Sit Stand by Ergotech requires just the push of a button to keep you and your employees ergonomically happy and productive throughout your workday!!

To learn more about the Sit Stand, please visit our website at  http://ergotechgroup.com/sit-stand/

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Why Use A Standing Desk? Part 2: The Good News About Standing

Why Use A Standing Desk?

Part 2: The Good News About Standing

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

August 5, 2013

In our last post, we discussed the health hazards and risks that are associated with too much sitting.  We emphasized how these risks unfortunately apply to everyone, no matter how healthy and active you are outside of work.  In other words, even the health of those who exercise regularly can be negatively affected by too much uninterrupted sitting.  We also mentioned at the end of our last post that too much sitting can be considered a modifiable lifestyle factor.  This means that, in order to protect our health, safety, productivity, and level of comfort in the workplace, too much sitting is something in our lives that we can and should change. And this brings us to our latest topic: the good news about standing.

A study was performed on people who sit for many hours at a time, and the results showed that those who took short but frequent breaks from sitting had smaller waists and better metabolism of sugars and fats than those who sat for long, uninterrupted periods of time.  Now, these people who took many short breaks from sitting throughout the day were not using these breaks to run laps around their office building.  They were simply standing up, stretching, changing their body position, getting their blood flowing, and sometimes walking down the hall.  And that was all it took to be healthier than the others.

Relatively speaking, compared to sitting, standing is hard work.  Standing requires you to tense your leg muscles, engage your back and shoulder muscles, and even shift your weight from one leg to the other from time to time.  All of this burns calories!!

Now you may be rolling your eyes and thinking…

Just go to the gym and run if you really want to burn calories!

… But I’m not suggesting standing as an alternative for regular exercise. Rather, I’m suggesting standing as an alternative position to sitting in the workplace. Let me explain…

You may not realize it, but standing requires you to actively contract many of the muscles in your body.  Consequently, in comparison with a sitting position in which most of your muscles are relaxed, standing results in higher calorie burn and better posture.  In addition, the contraction of muscles while standing triggers the production of many substances in your body that aid how you use and store sugars and fats.  This is why your metabolism speeds up when you spend more time standing.  As a result, spending more time on your feet in the workplace can make the difference between staying slim and gaining weight.  The choice is yours.

Even further, I think that pretty much everyone can agree that when you’re standing in one place, you’re typically not staying in the same position the entire time.  Instead, you’re moving around to a certain extent and changing your body position without even intending to do so.  This explains how standing at your desk, as opposed to sitting, would encourage healthy movement such as fidgeting, pacing, and even simply shifting the distribution of your weight between legs.  By enabling you to move around more freely, standing allows for more natural activity throughout your workday and thus more calorie burn!!!  Not to mention, an increase in healthy movement will inevitably improve circulation, increase energy levels, and stimulate brain activity.  Now what could be bad about that?!

Furthermore, studies have shown that switching between a sitting position and a standing position at work will not only speed up your metabolism, improve your blood flow, and sustain energy, but it will also reduce stress on the body and, in turn, significantly decrease the amount of injuries that are caused by too much sitting. It has also been proven that greater bone density and improved sleep at night are direct results of workers spending more time standing throughout the workday.  Additional research has revealed that standing meetings in the office tend to progress much faster than sitting ones because standing stimulates more active participation and sharing of ideas.  It is this kind of research that has been driving more and more companies and individuals worldwide to take interest in the rapidly expanding market for adjustable desk systems that allow users to alternate between sitting, standing, and, in some cases walking, while simultaneously getting their work done. 

So with all of that said, as long as you want to be healthy, productive, comfortable, and injury-free at work, you should keep in mind that healthy movement throughout your workday is crucial, and you should think about investing in the next hottest thing in the workplace – the height-adjustable workstation – which will be the topic for our next post.

Now I just want to warn you that if you do decide to test out the whole standing-at-your-desk thing on your own, you may initially experience some muscle aches in your legs and/or feet. If this happens to you, do not worry!!! This should actually be expected because you will finally be using and engaging all of the muscles in your legs and feet throughout your workday – something that you have probably never done before.  If you do experience such muscle aches, just think of them as a clear sign that you are on your way to becoming more healthy and active in the workplace! This will get better with time as your muscles will strengthen and adjust to this change in your work style.

For more information about a height-adjustable workstation that will give you the freedom to choose whether you want to sit or stand at your desk at any given moment, check out the all new Sit Standsystem by Ergotech Group at www.ergotechgroup.com/sit-stand/

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Why Use A Standing Desk? Part 1: The Bad News About Too Much Sitting

Why Use A Standing Desk?

Part 1: The Bad News About Too Much Sitting

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 29, 2013

Yes, this is your average desk chair.  Now you might be thinking that you have worse enemies than your desk chair, perhaps real people who are living and breathing and enjoy making you miserable.  I am here to tell you that you are wrong.  You are wrong because your desk chair is indeed your absolute worst enemy.

But how, you might ask, can an inanimate object like a desk chair possibly be considered my worst enemy??

Well, for starters, let me just tell you that your body was not designed to spend 45 hours a week sitting still in a chair.  Sitting is one of the most passive things you can do, and your body benefits most when you are active, not passive.  The human body needs movement in order to stay awake, energized, and healthy.  And unfortunately, by movement, I do not mean simply hitting the gym once a day for an hour.  As healthy and athletic as that may sound, that just won’t cut it.  Your body needs frequent movement throughout your day in order to function properly, and that includes during the 8 or 9 hours you spend each day at work.

Now you might think that this is all irrelevant to you because you have this super fancy ergonomic desk chair in your office that your body melts into every time you take a seat.  Wrong again.  Even in a customized ergonomic chair that was designed specifically for your height and weight, prolonged sitting is incredibly bad for you.  Not to mention, no matter how comfortable your chair may be, it’s pretty hard not to slouch when you’re in a sitting position. 

Now your next question might be something like… How can too much sitting really be that bad for me though?!

Let’s start with slouching.  Sitting for too long can result in the assumption of awkward and harmful postures, such as slouching, hunching over, twisting, and straining, which can all lead to leg cramps, stiff muscles and joints, back pain, headaches, and fatigue.  Slouching is a passive activity that results in an unhealthy curving of your back, slumping forward of your shoulders, and closing of your chest.  The curving and slumping forward position can result in a straining of both your back and your shoulders, while the closing of your chest will result in shallow breathing.  Sitting for hours on end almost always results in slouching, which can cause you to feel drowsy and lethargic, two feelings that will certainly not help your level of productivity.  Further, in the long run, it is these awkward postures, which have been shown to contribute to musculoskeletal disorders.  And unfortunately that’s not all.

The key problem with too much sitting is that you’re not using as much energy as those who are spending more time on their feet. Because of this, it becomes easier for you to gain weight, and you ultimately become more prone to all of the health problems that are associated with weight gain. 

In order to measure the effects of too much sitting on your metabolism, a study was performed on men who normally walk a lot.  These men were asked to significantly cut back on their walking for two weeks.  Once the two weeks were over, it was determined that as the men had decreased their walking, the ability of each man to metabolize sugars and fats had worsened, and each man had become noticeably fatter around his middle section. Therefore, this study shows that when you spend less time on your feet, a crucial part of your metabolism slows down. 

Additional research has recently shown that sitting for long periods of time has many other significant health risks, even for people who eat right and exercise outside of work.  This means that it doesn’t matter if you go for a run every morning before work or if you’re a regular at the local gym.  Regardless of your daily exercise regimen, if you spend most of the rest of your day sitting – whether it’s in your car, at your desk, or on your couch – you are at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, several cancers, and an early death.  More specifically, some statistics have estimated that people who work in environments that require them to sit for prolonged periods of time are 125% more likely to develop heart disease.  Even further, WebMD has reported that these same people are twice as likely to develop diabetes. 

Have you heard enough yet?  Are you convinced to stop sitting for uninterrupted periods of time???

The plus side to all of these awful facts is that too much sitting is a modifiable lifestyle factor.  In other words, fortunately, prolonged sitting is something that can be changed.  So, with that said, I urge you to keep an eye out for our next post in which we will discuss the good news about standing!!

For more information about how to put an end to prolonged sitting in the workplace, check out the all new Sit Stand system by Ergotech Group at www.ergotechgroup.com/sit-stand/

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Transforming Your iPad into the Most Versatile Gadget You Own, With the VersaStand for iPad!

Transforming Your iPad into the Most Versatile Gadget You Own, With the VersaStand for iPad!

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 26, 2013

In our last post, we discussed the upcoming release of Ergotech Group’s VersaStand, the “best iPad desktop accessory yet” according to CNET’s 2013 Product Review.  We had mentioned how the product will increase your ability to utilize your iPad in many different environments, so let’s now go over the four different mounting options that the VersaStand will provide in order to make this possible.

Let’s start with the Desk Stand – the most anticipated VersaStandmounting option which will be released by September 2013.  This folding aluminum Desk Stand is compatible with the iPad 2, 3, 4 and Mini.  Once your iPad is attached to this desktop accessory, the Desk Stand will secure stability for your device and display it at optimal, ergonomic, glare-free viewing angles.  The Desk Stand facilitates the fluid 360 degree rotation of your iPad which allows you to effortlessly switch between portrait and landscape orientation.  Composed of industrial strength aluminum and weighing just slightly over 1 pound (1.2 pounds with the rubberized hard case included), the Desk Stand will be the first portable iPad stand on the market.  The Desk Stand fully extended is 9.5 inches tall, and the maximum width of its legs is 11 inches.  When folded, the stand is 9 inches in length, 3.25 inches in width, and 1.5 inches in height.  Its ability to fold down so compactly enables you to easily store the stand in a small bag for travel.

The Desk Stand has 3 fully articulating movement points which enable effortless rotation and adjustment of your iPad’s orientation.  Each joint is sturdy enough to ensure that your iPad will remain wobble-free in all positions.  With your iPad attached, the Desk Stand fits perfectly on a desk next to a laptop or desktop setup, and its sleek, silver finish which matches the color of the iPad will keep your workstation looking as professional as ever!  You can even set up a keyboard at your desk in front of your iPad and VersaStand and watch as your Apple tablet transforms into that incredibly lightweight desktop you’ve always wanted.  The remarkable stability that the Desk Stand provides for your iPad can also simplify still photography, video, and Facetime, and even serve as a sturdy holder for watching movies or TV shows.  Evidently, this one mounting option alone will provide you with endless possibilities for the use of your iPad.

In addition to the Desk Stand, the VersaStand Side Monitor Mount is designed to conveniently mount your iPad alongside your workstation monitor, thus allowing it to serve as a second monitor or viewing option for your desk.  The difference between this and the Desk Stand is that the Side Monitor Mount will allow for easy viewing and use of your iPad at your desk while simultaneously freeing up valuable desk space!!  The Side Monitor Mount can be adjusted to fit 17” standard and 24” widescreen monitors, and it will enable full rotation of your iPad as well as full range of motion along multiple planes.  So if you like the idea of using your iPad at your desk, imagine how great it will be to have the ability to do so without cluttering your desk space!!

Next, we have the VersaStand Surface Mount which will provide a whole new level of display for your iPad.  The Surface Mount will allow for hands-free viewing of your device by mounting it under the kitchen cabinet, office cabinet, or directly on a wall or desk at home or in the office.  Just like the Desk Stand and the Side Monitor Mount, the Surface Mount will allow for the 360 degree rotation of your iPad.  Not only this, but the Surface Mount will also rotate 360 degrees at the base of the unit.  It will consist of an articulating arm that will provide maximum flexibility for your iPad and thus enable you to view your device at optimal ergonomic angles.  You will be able to fold this mount to within 1 inch of your mounting surface.

By enabling you to mount your iPad under any cabinet and to any wall that you choose, the Surface Mount will remarkably increase the variety of the environments in which you will be able to use your Apple tablet.  If you enjoy reading recipes and listening to music in the kitchen while cooking, the VersaStand “under cabinet” Surface Mountwill be the perfect iPad mounting solution for you!!

Finally, if you enjoy capturing pictures and videos with your iPad camera, you will love the VersaStand Kickstand/Hand Mount.  This mount consists of a unique rubberized Kickstand foot that will attach to the back of your iPad, securely hold it in place, and prevent any slipping.  With this Kickstand foot, you can position your iPad on any flat surface or you can easily hold your iPad while picture or video taking.  This mount is perfect for capturing that special moment with your iPad camera as it can be used to maximize your camera angles!  The Kickstand/Hand Mount conveniently folds down to a thickness of just one half of an inch and is therefore portable for easy transport.  It doesn’t get much better than that!!

So if you’re looking to enhance the versatility of your iPad, Ergotech’s VersaStand is, without a doubt, the answer for you.  As the four different mounting options are released over the next several months, watch how the VersaStand will transform the way you use your iPad on a daily basis!!!  While theDesk Stand will be coming out in September, the release dates for the other three mounting options have not yet been determined.  But you can keep an eye out for more information on these incredible iPad mounting solutions on the Ergotech Freedom Line website: www.ergotechgroup.com

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VersaStand - The Portable Mounting Solution for Your iPad

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 24, 2013

It is no secret that Apple’s iPad is one of the hottest technological devices on today’s market.  In fact, the iPad tablet computer has become so popular that it can be considered partially to blame for the slowing of today’s PC sales.  The popularity and growth of the iPad was unprecedented from the very beginning.  The device was first introduced in April of 2010, and by June of 2011, Apple had already sold 25 million of them.  Even further, in the first seven full quarters after the release of the iPad, Apple had sold 55 million of the devices.  Talk about a popular gadget.

With the extraordinary success of Apple’s iPad came the inevitable production of countless accessories for the device.  The great number and variety of iPad accessories on the market today can actually be quite overwhelming when shopping for a case or stand for your own iPad.  Fortunately for you, Ergotech Group has exponentially simplified the process of choosing the right accessory for your iPad by inventing the VersaStand.  According to CNET, this “full-on bendable multi-angle armature for the iPad” is the “best iPad desktop accessory yet”.

But what’s so special about this stand??  You might ask.

The VersaStand is a one-of-a-kind folding aluminum Desk Stand for the iPad 2, 3, 4 and Mini.  It is perfect for students, business professionals, healthcare professionals, and just about anyone else who owns an iPad. Composed of industrial strength aluminum and weighing just slightly over 1 pound, the VersaStand is the first portable iPad stand in today’s market.  Its ability to fold down to a thickness of just 1.5 inches enables easy transport during travel.  CNET considers the VersaStand to be “aces in design” as it provides secure stability for your iPad and allows its screen to be viewed at optimal, ergonomic, glare-free angles.  The Desk Stand has 3 fully articulating movement points which are all sturdy enough to keep your iPad “wobble-free in all positions”, according to CNET’s VersaStand review.  The stand allows for 360 degree rotation of your iPad which enables you to effortlessly switch between portrait and landscape orientation.   It comes complete with a rubberized hard case that is Smartcover compatible and provides comfortable non-slip grip for your device.

Connecting your iPad to the VersaStand takes just seconds thanks to its quick connect interface.  All you have to do is simply place your iPad into the rubberized hard case and snap it into the stand with ease!!  Then you can watch as your iPad becomes the most versatile gadget you own while the VersaStandincreases your ability to utilize your iPad in multiple environments.

With the VersaStand connected, your iPad will fit perfectly on a desk as a second monitor next to a laptop or desktop setup.  You might even set up a keyboard in front of your iPad and VersaStand so as to allow your iPad to become that remarkably lightweight desktop you’ve always wanted in your office.  Connected to your iPad, the VersaStand will also make for a portable yet sturdy holder for watching movies or TV shows, for video chatting with friends and family, or even for reading recipes or listening to music while cooking in the kitchen!!

In addition to being ergonomically correct, lightweight, flexible, portable, and extremely easy to use, the silver finish of the VersaStandperfectly matches the color of the iPad, thus giving the stand a sleek and professional look.

According to a VersaStand review by Jim Lewis, “the VersaStand is just great all around. […] It’s hard to find anything really wrong with the VersaStand.”  At the end of his article, Lewis concludes, “Need an iPad stand? This one is the only one you’ll want!”

So thanks to Ergotech Group and the upcoming release of the VersaStand, the search for the perfect accessory for your Apple iPad will no longer be a stressful one.

To learn more about the VersaStand, please visit our Ergotech Freedom Linewebsite.

Keep an eye out for our next post in which we will discuss the 4 different mounting options for the VersaStand!

To read CNET’s full review on the VersaStand, visit http://reviews.cnet.com/tablet-accessories/ergotech-versastand-for-ipad/4505-33460_7-35667036.html

To read the rest of Jim Lewis’s article on the VersaStand, visit http://versa-stand-accessory.articles.r-tt.com/

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The Apple iMac and the Freedom Arm

The Apple iMac and the Freedom Arm

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 22, 2013

Have you ever been frustrated with the lack of space that your current iMac monitor mount provides you with on your desk? Have you ever wished you had more space at your desk to effectively complete other tasks while simultaneously working on your iMac?

If your answers to these questions are yes, then the Freedom Arm by Ergotech Group is the solution for you! The Freedom Arm for the iMac is a unique monitor mounting arm that easily mounts to any standard desk, frees up the valuable desk space that you deserve, and allows your iMac monitor to move freely around the workspace. With the Freedom Arm at your disposal, you can sit in a perfectly comfortable upright position at your desk and bring your iMac monitor to you with “just the flick of a wrist”, according to Sarnie McCaskill of NBucketTV. By enabling you to extend your iMac screen out directly in front of you and position it at any angle that is most comfortable for you, the Freedom Arm allows you to work in complete ergonomic comfort as the versatility it creates for your iMac prevents any strain on your eyes, neck, shoulders, or back.

In a YouTube product review video, Sarnie McCaskill mounts his iMac using the Freedom Arm and then demonstrates the ease with which he is able to move his iMac once it is mounted. Using only one hand, he marvels, “I can move my monitor wherever I want on my desk, however I wanna move it. See that? Easy. [The Freedom Arm] gives you all kinds of movement. […] It’s just one of the best products I’ve ever reviewed.” McCaskill gives the Freedom Arm a 6 out of 5 and calls it a “must have”. At the end of the video, he concludes, “This device, I can’t see myself without one of these now.”

The Freedom Armline offers a single monitor solution for the iMac. With this solution, you can adjust your iMac monitor height, enjoy full range of motion for your iMac monitor, and be able to tilt it up 90°, down 45°, pan 180°, and rotate 360°! Ergotech provides you with everything you need to install the Freedom Arm, including the adaptor plate for the iMac (a $39 value). All Freedom Arms come with a 3 Year Warranty!

For more information about Ergotech’s Freedom Arm line, please visit http://ergotechgroup.com/monitor-desk-wall-mount-arms/

To watch Sarnie McCaskill’s product review video for the Freedom Arm, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Q53ZJ3RiE

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Proper Workstation Ergonomics

Proper Workstation Ergonomics

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 2, 2013

In our last post, we discussed ergonomics and how the implementation of proper workstation ergonomics has been seen to significantly increase employee productivity and satisfaction. So let’s now go over the specific guidelines of proper workstation ergonomics in an office setting by taking a look at how an individual’s workspace should ideally be set up.

As you proceed, try and compare the ergonomically correct workstation setup that is described below with that of your own workspace.

First, let’s discuss the ideal desk chair. In an office setting, fully adjustable chairs are essential. Not only should the seat height be adjustable, but you should also have the ability to adjust the lumbar support, the arm rests, and the seat pan of your desk chair with ease. The seat height should be adjusted so that the entire soles of both of your feet can rest flat on the floor, the highest point of the seat should be just below your kneecaps, and you should be able to bend your legs comfortably at the knees. The height of the backrest should be modified to ensure firm support of the small of your lower back. The height of the armrests should allow your elbows to rest lightly at the same height as the keyboard in order to allow your wrists to be in a neutral position while typing. The upper arms should be generally straight up and down, while the forearms are horizontal or angled slightly downward. Finally, the depth of the seat should be altered by moving the backrest forward or backward in order to enable complete and comfortable thigh support. Ideally, the chair should have five or more legs at the base and a full 360 degree swivel.

Next, you should have adequate space on your work surface so that your most frequently used items can be conveniently and comfortably reached. The proper placement of your computer monitor on your work surface will help prevent eye strain, neck pain, and shoulder fatigue. First, your monitor screen should be strategically positioned so as to prevent any overhead or window light from causing a glare. In order to avoid straining your neck, the top edge of your monitor screen should be exactly at eye level. This will allow you to see everything on your screen clearly without having to look up at all. Next, your monitor should be placed approximately 18 to 28 inches, about an arm’s length, away from your eyes, and your body should be perfectly centered in front of your monitor and keyboard. Additionally, you should position a document holder either between your monitor screen and keyboard platform, or right next to your monitor screen on the same side as your dominant eye and at approximately the same angle and height as the screen. This will allow you to store any important documents within easy reach so as to avoid any unnecessary twisting and prevent from painfully straining your neck.

Regarding a keyboard and mouse for your workstation, you should first select a mouse that fits comfortably within your hand and is as flat as possible so as to minimize any strain on your wrist. Your keyboard and mouse should be placed together on a platform directly in front of you and beneath your monitor. This platform should easily move from side to side, up and down, in and out, and lock securely in place. The height of this platform should allow you to rest your hands lightly on your keyboard or mouse with your forearms still supported comfortably by your chair’s armrests. It should allow you to keep your wrists straight and maintain approximately a 90 degree angle between your upper arms and forearms while operating both keyboard and mouse. Your wrists should not rest while typing, but rather they should remain in a neutral position. Finally, your keyboard and mouse should have a wrist rest which will only be used when you are taking a break from typing or operating the mouse.

Generally speaking, you should try to avoid remaining in one position for an extended period of time and repeating the same motions over and over again. Try to vary your tasks in order to switch up your body position and encourage different movements. The space beneath your work surface should have sufficient room above your legs to allow for different positions, such as the comfortable crossing of your legs. Keep in mind that the human body is not designed to sit still for long periods of time, even if you are in perfect posture. You should be able to take regular breaks to stand up, stretch your muscles, and even walk around as often as you like in order to increase energy levels, stimulate circulation and brain activity, fight fatigue, and keep you alert and focused throughout your workday. 

With all of that said, how does this description of the ideal workstation compare with your own working environment?? If you have noticed a significant amount of similarities between the two, then you are well on your way to a healthy and productive work style!! If you have found more differences than similarities, you might be asking yourself…

How can I improve my workspace to make it more ergonomically correct?

Or in other words…

What can I do to improve my performance, safety, comfort, and satisfaction at work everyday???

I have three words for you: Invest in Ergotech.

Ergotech Group, Inc. is the leading full service provider of ergonomic workspace solutions.  Ergotech’s innovative solutions are designed to make the workplace more comfortable, more functional, and more productive.  Ergotech’s product line includes a folding desk stand and protective case for the iPad, single and dual monitor mount solutions, large multi-screen mounting solutions for up to 15 flat panel monitors, desk stand systems, keyboard tray and arm combinations, CPU and Laptop ergonomic solutions, and a wide range of desk accessories. In addition, Ergotech is now introducing the all new Sit Stand, an easy to use and assemble adjustable workstation that enables you to raise your work surface up to 20 inches off your desk, thus giving you the freedom to choose whether you want to sit or stand at your desk at any given moment! Ergotech’s Sit Stand has the greatest total weight capacity and the highest range of vertical travel of any adjustable workstation, and it is the only electrically actuated Sit Stand Modular Monitor Mounting System on the market today!!!

For more information about Ergotech’s innovative ergonomic workspace solutions, please visit the Ergotech Freedom Line website.

 

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Ergonomics – What Is It, and Why Is It Important?

Ergonomics – What Is It, and Why Is It Important?

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 1, 2013

In order to work efficiently throughout the day, it is important that employees have everything they might need in their working environment to optimize their productivity, avoid any illness and injury risk, and ensure that they are comfortable and satisfied.  This is where ergonomics comes in to play.  Ergonomics in the workplace is the ability to maximize productivity by minimizing employee fatigue and discomfort.  Ergonomics examines the relationship between workers and their environments by looking at what kind of work an individual does, what tools he/she uses, and his/her level of satisfaction with the work environment.  The goal of ergonomics is to find the best fit between an individual and the conditions of his/her work environment.  Specifically speaking, ergonomics aims to improve employee performance, safety, comfort, and satisfaction, and also reduce stress and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with muscle overuse, bad posture, repeated movements, and overall discomfort in the workplace.  Ergonomic practices are considered successful as long as the following three points remain true:

1. High levels of productivity are maintained
2. Painful employee injuries are avoided and expensive worker compensation and health care costs are decreasing
3. Worker satisfaction and comfort are increasing

Ergonomics emphasizes the importance that all furniture and accessories in the workplace, including the desk chair, the workstation itself, and even the lighting, should be adjustable in order to satisfy each individual worker’s needs.  The ideal workstation should allow you to work in natural positions that will minimize any strain on your body.  A workstation that does not meet your physical needs will most likely result in you assuming uncomfortable, unnatural, and awkward positions, which may ultimately lead to musculoskeletal injury as well as the performance of unproductive and inefficient work.

Studies have shown that ergonomic-related injuries typically account for approximately $20 billion in worker’s compensation costs each year. $20 BILLION!  That is not a small chunk of change!!!  Thankfully, new studies done by the Office Ergonomics Research Committee (OERC) have shown average productivity increases of 18% in employees who are provided with appropriately designed ergonomic furniture and are trained to use it properly.  Such significant increases in productivity levels among employees are not only a result of their use of well-designed ergonomic furniture but also of their successful implementation of proper workstation ergonomics.  Since promoting proper ergonomics in the workplace can be seen to result in increased employee productivity and satisfaction, keep an eye out for our next post in which we will go over the specific guidelines of proper workstation ergonomics!!

For more information about innovative ergonomic workspace solutions, please visit the Ergotech Group Freedom Line website: www.ergotechgroup.com

 

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Coming Soon: The all new Sit Stand by Ergotech Group

Coming Soon: The all new Sit Stand by Ergotech Group

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

June 28, 2013

Have you ever felt exhausted, stiff, uncomfortable, or even been in pain after sitting at your desk for an extended period of time?  Have you noticed yourself slouching, growing fatigued, becoming antsy, or losing focus on the task at hand as a result of sitting at your desk for too long?  If your answer to one or both of these questions is yes, you are not alone.

Most people tend to agree that too much sitting makes them feel stiff, drains their energy, and decreases their productivity.  Even further, research has found significant health hazards that are associated with sitting for prolonged periods of time.  Studies suggest that uninterrupted sitting can slow down a person’s metabolism and lower levels of good cholesterol in the blood which can ultimately contribute to heart disease, blood clots, poor circulation, diabetes, and obesity.  An American Cancer Society study shows that the more people sit, the shorter their average life span.  Quite surprisingly, these harmful effects of sitting for extended periods of time are the same for everyone, regardless of a person’s athletic prowess and physical activity when he/she is not sitting down. 

With all of this said, it seems safe to conclude that you cannot possibly live a healthy lifestyle without simultaneously leading a healthy work style.  And a healthy work style must include a daily work routine that does not involve hours of uninterrupted sitting.

But how can I get my work done every day if I’m not sitting for several hours at a time?? You might ask.

Fortunately for you and everyone else across the world who works at a desk, the market for adjustable workstations, which gives you the option to sit or stand at your desk and to switch positions whenever you choose, is on the rise.  Your next question might be something like…

But with so many different companies out there manufacturing their own versions of a sit stand workspace solution, how will I know which one to choose?!

Well, the answer to that question is actually quite simple.  Ergotech Group’s Freedom Line is now introducing the all new Sit Standwhich provides the largest workspace surface in the market today!!!  With up to 900 square inches of work surface in the standing position and continued use of your complete desk in the sitting position, how can you go wrong?!

Ergotech’s Sit Stand is an easy to use and assemble workspace solution that enables you to raise your work surface up to 20 inches off your desk!  This is the highest range of vertical travel of any system in today’s market!!  Unlike other designs, Ergotech’s state of the art modular monitor mounting system is a tool-less design that can hold up to four 30-inch monitors and rear-mounts to your desk as-is.  This allows for the use of the entire workspace and prevents you from having to do away with your current desk.  You can convert between 1, 2, 3, or 4 monitors and move the system from one desk to another with ease.  The rock solid stability of this system is designed to support up to 150 pounds, the greatest total weight capacity of any adjustable workstation today!  This system enables the user to move each monitor up, down, fore, and aft independently to suit his/her preferences, and it is ergonomically designed to meet the Health and Safety requirements in the workplace.

Ergotech Group’s Sit Stand is the most innovative workspace solution yet, as it gives you the freedom to choose whether you want to sit or stand at your desk at any given moment.  This effective solution to reduce unhealthy prolonged sitting guarantees complete ergonomic comfort in the workplace.  Ergotech’s system is one of the few adjustable workstations in the market day that is electronically actuated.  It features a one-touch electric height adjustment which, with the push of just one button, enables you to effortlessly raise and lower both your workspace and your monitor.  This height adjustment button runs on a quiet durable motor which travels at a speed of 1.3 inches per second and ensures that the entire system will both raise and lower smoothly, stopping at any desired height increment.

With the Ergotech Freedom Line Sit Stand solution, you will never again feel trapped sitting in that same slumped-over, stiff position at your desk all day.  This Sit Stand system will encourage healthy movement throughout your day and enable you to switch positions so that you will effectively be able to sit or stand as you like without having to pause your work for one second!  By allowing you to change position with ease at any point in the day, this system will increase energy levels and metabolism, improve posture and employee engagement, and stimulate brain activity. It will fight fatigue, enable workers to stay more alert and focus better throughout the day, and ultimately increase productivity in the workplace.

Now that you have learned all about this revolutionary system that has been strategically designed by experts to keep you healthy, the next question for you to ask might be…

Why not invest in the all new Sit Stand system by Ergotech Group????

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PC Touch Screens and the Freedom Arm

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

June 21, 2013

The consumer market use of touch screens first exploded in 2007 with Apple’s adoption of touch screen technology for the iPhone.  Ever since then, touch screen technology has expanded rapidly due to increasing demand for touch screen interfaces, particularly in mobile consumer devices.  Today, touch screen PC monitors are becoming the new norm in a variety of settings as well as the new must-have technological device for consumers and companies across the globe.

Interactions with your PC have been made faster, easier, and even more entertaining with the development of touch screen PC monitors.  The tapping and swiping that is required on a touch screen display results in more direct, immediate, and intuitive interactions with your device.  If you’ve grown accustomed to the fluid nature of working with the touch screen on your smart phone or tablet, a touch screen computer monitor will be just as easy to use, which is why PC touch screens are becoming such a sought-after innovation!

However, critics of the PC touch screen claim that its users will suffer from “Gorilla arm”, a term that has been used to describe the tired arms that users of touch screens will get as a result of reaching out and touching a screen for an extended period of time.  Fortunately enough for the many consumers and companies across the world that are eager to keep up with the hottest trends in technology, there is a solution for this so-called “Gorilla arm”!!

The Freedom Armby Ergotech Group is a unique monitor mounting arm that easily mounts to any standard desk, frees up the valuable desk space that you deserve, and allows your monitor to move freely around the workspace.  The Freedom Arm can be used to mount a touch screen computer monitor and thus forever do away with the “Gorilla arm” issue.  This is because with the Freedom Arm at your disposal, you can sit in a perfectly comfortable upright position at your desk and bring your touch screen monitor to you using only one hand.  Once your monitor has been extended with ease so that it is directly in front of you, the Freedom Arm will allow you to position it at any angle that is most comfortable for you.  You can even position it in front of you on your desk as flat as a keyboard!!!  Then you will be able to use your touch screen monitor to do your work comfortably and efficiently without having to awkwardly reach out or strain your body in any way.  Not to mention, this solution frees up your desk space even more than using the Freedom Arm with a regular PC or iMac monitor would because the touch screen monitor allows you to get rid of your clunky keyboard and mouse!

 

         

The Freedom Arm line offers a Single monitor solution for the iMac and both a Single and Double monitor solution for the PC.  With all of these solutions, you can adjust the monitor height, enjoy full range of motion for your monitor(s), and be able to tilt your monitor(s) up 90°, down 45°, pan 180°, and rotate 360°!  All Freedom Arms come with a 3 Year Warranty!

For more information about Ergotech’s Freedom Arm line, please visit: ergofreedomline.com/monitor-desk-wall-mount-arms/

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Written by Julia Cavaliere
Ergotech Group, INC.
June 14, 2013

Believe it or not, the difference between gaming with a multi-monitor configuration and gaming with only one monitor is colossal in the gaming world. No matter how the monitors are positioned, several monitors mounted together will undoubtedly result in a much more fascinating and authentic gaming experience than a single monitor would. Let’s say you’re a gamer with three monitors mounted horizontally side by side in front of you. Compared with using a single monitor, this multi-monitor configuration will triple the horizontal resolution that is available for your gaming endeavors. This enlarged resolution will immensely transform your gaming experience as your field of vision will expand greatly and you will feel yourself becoming immersed in the action that is taking place on the screens before you. If, in a given game, your enemies are attacking you from multiple directions, your multi-monitor configuration will provide you with a significantly wider view with which to protect yourself! But of course this multi-monitor gaming experience would not exist without a multi-monitor mounting solution! Ergotech Group has teamed up with WSGF (Wide-Screen Gaming Forum) to produce custom and highly supportive multi-monitor stands for gaming. In particular, the WSGF Edition Stand is designed for ultra high-resolution 27-inch monitors and uses a unique 5-segment arm to mount each monitor.

This stand can be modified to create different arrangements of up to six 27-inch monitors depending on your particular gaming needs! Not to mention, this product comes with patented Quick Release Pivot mounts which facilitate one-step mounting and dismounting. The WSGF Edition Stand “as is” with no modifications or customizations features a standard “1 over 3” setup and supports a total of four 27-inch monitors. This arrangement will effectively enhance your gaming experience by providing you with an extremely wide field of vision and ultimately altering your perception of reality to the action that is happening on the multiple monitors before your eyes! To learn more about Ergotech’s Wide-Screen Gaming Stands and other Ergotech Freedom Line products, please visit our Ergotech Freedom Line website. To purchase the WSGF Edition Stand, please visit www.wsgf.org. 

DO YOU USE AN ERGOTECH MULTI-MONITOR GAMING SOLUTION?  IF SO, RESPOND WITH PICTURES...WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR SETUP IN ACTION!


 

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Why Use Two Monitors At Once??

Written by Julia Cavaliere & Kate Fucci – 
Ergotech Group, INC.
June 10, 2013

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 The Freedom Dual Desk Stand by Ergotech Group requires minimal desk space and ensures increased productivity when two monitors are used at once in a single workspace. “But why??”… You ask…“would I need to use two monitors at once?” We all come across the need to effectively compare two full-size documents side by side.  It becomes frustrating having to constantly minimize one and maximize the other.  Alternating between the two can be a hassle, and you never actually get to view the two side-by-side next to each other…at least not in full-size! Ever want to view an extremely wide webpage without having to scroll back and forth with each single line you read?   How perfect would it be to read the whole webpage with ease across two LCD monitors in horizontal position side-by-side?! Don’t forget those super wide spreadsheets that require tons and tons of never-ending scrolling!  With our various configurations available, LCD monitors can be aligned left to right in horizontal position or even one on top of the other in vertical position for those long documents! Each of these workspace tasks can be made possible with a remarkable amount of ease thanks to Ergotech’s Freedom Dual Desk Stand, which provides stability and support in mounting up to four 24” monitors!  Not only does this product ensure productivity by enabling the simultaneous use of multiple monitors, but the patented quick-release adjustment pivots that come standard allow you to position each monitor in a way that suits your custom needs and guarantees complete comfort in the workplace. The Freedom Desk Stand line offers both a Dual and Triple monitor solution.  The Dual allows you to mount up to four 24” monitors, while the Triple (which offers Telescoping Wings as an option) allows you to mount up to six 27” monitors! To learn more about the Freedom Desk Stands and other Ergotech Freedom Line products, please visit: www.ergofreedomline.com. FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ergotechgroupTWITTER: https://twitter.com/ErgotechGroupGOOGLE+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106457146526098842989/about

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