Should You Really Take a Seat?

A recent article from Business Week has brought the ergonomics of the office chair back into the spotlight. It argues that the very act of sitting in your office chair for 8-9 hours a day can wreak havoc on your spine and cause permanent bodily damage.

Now, this isn't anything I hadn't heard before. But what I found interesting were the alternatives to sitting that were laid out in the article:

• Perching: "a half-standing position at barstool height that keeps weight on the legs and leaves the S-curve intact"
• The Swopper: "a hybrid stool seat" (more info here)
• The HAG Capisco chair: described as "funky" and "high" (here's an image)
• Treadmills: They suggest having employees walk on low-speeds while working or while in conferences.

I don't know if I buy into the argument that our chairs are going to kill us. Really, shouldn't we take responsibility for our own health? I mean, is a $400-$1000 chair or treadmill really going to solve your problem? If you sit/stand in any position for a long period of time, it's going to cause your body stress. (I do think the treadmill approach has some merit - minus the costs.) Once the novelty has worn off, my guess is that there will be just as many experts and research studies that condemn these new practices as dangerous/unhealthy as well.

I also think it's our sedentary lifestyle that harms us more than the chairs in which we sit.


I suggest simply taking regular breaks. Actually get up from your chair/perch/Swopper and walk around for a few moments throughout the day. It doesn't cost a thing, and helps you burn off some calories - as long as you don't stop at the vending machine.
 
What are your thoughts about these or other alternatives to the traditional office chair?

Dust Off Your Jump Rope

 

 Remember recess from back in your school days? Climbing all over the jungle gyms, flying out of swings, picking teams for kickball or basketball, and 15 minutes of much needed freedom.

Well, why should kids have all the fun? UCLA Doctor Toni Yancey brought up the idea as part of a White House summit on childhood obesity. According to this article, Dr. Yancey's idea for bringing "short bursts of physical activity into the regular workplace" garnered a highly positive response from the attending audience.

It sounds like a good idea to me! Heaven knows I could use a little bit of physical activity during my workday.

I just hope I don't get picked last for office kickball.