What is desktop ergonomics? SPROGA® Founder Dan Gottlieb, an OSHA Certified ergonomist explains

Dan Gottlieb, founder of SPROGA®, at home in New York at his ergonomic desktop.

ergonomics /ˌərɡəˈnämiks/

1

Noun : an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely

2

Noun : the design characteristics of an object resulting especially from the application of the science of ergonomics

For many of us, current events have officially blurred any remaining boundary line between work and home life - perhaps permanently. With this shift, the responsibility of creating a working environment that’s comfortable, healthy and conducive to productivity day after day now falls entirely on the individual worker, not on an employer. Ergonomics - the study of how humans interact with their work environment - may be a new concept for many who are navigating how to set up a functional home work space.

For a deeper understanding of ergonomics and how to set up your home work area for the best outcomes for your body and your work, we chatted with expert Dan Gottlieb. He’s an OSHA®️ Certified Ergonomist, Certified Posture Specialist, Founder of SPROGA®, an international yoga teacher with over 20 years experience. He also happens to be a lover of Venn chairs! Here’s what he said. 

Dan Gottlieb, Yoga Dan: Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders, which can develop over time and can lead to chronic conditions. All the while that could have been prevented with some minor adjustments from the discerning eye of an ergonomist.

On its own,  ergonomics is the study of interactions between humans and the elements of their working environment. Office ergonomics specifically examines the workstation with the goal of designing a working area that fits you most comfortably and sustainably, leading the way for maximum productivity and efficiency.

As a professional ergonomist, I’ve been brought into many corporate environments to identify what’s wrong with workstations. I’ve helped companies improve workstations in ways that meet each individual employee’s needs. Professional ergonomists approach workplace design holistically, applying theory, principles, data and methods to create a space that optimizes human well-being and overall system performance. 

This year, with the sudden shift to working from home, I find myself helping people make their home offices more ergonomic. A few important focus areas in office ergonomics are:

Optimization. Health, longevity, productivity are all areas of working life that can be improved and optimized with small and large ergonomic changes. The objects and equipment you choose to include in your workstation are a key component of optimization, as is the way these elements are organized within the space.

 Prevention. It may not be something that young, healthy office workers typically think about, but poor body position and poor workstation design can put you at great risk for severe injury over time. The type of chair you use, the height of your desk, the placement of your keyboard are just a few important things an ergonomist looks at when evaluating a workstation. I use and recommend a Venn Chair because it encourages active sitting and movement throughout the work day which is important for posture maintenance. A Venn Chair coupled with a SPROGA® Desktop setup creates the ultimate ergonomic work station at home.

Aesthetics. Function is first in ergonomics, followed by form and aesthetics. Equipment that’s both ergonomically designed and visually appealing makes the best fit for human happiness and productivity. Venn Chairs, for example  make an ideal seat for a work or home office - they encourage proper alignment and come in a variety of upholstered looks to visually mesh with your office’s unique look.

About Yoga Dan

Shop Yoga Dan’s Venn Air Chair - The Spinnaker - here.

Dan Gottlieb aka Yoga Dan is certified in Applied Functional Science, a Certified Posture Specialist, OSHA® Certified ergonomist, the founder of SPROGA®, and an international yoga teacher based in NYC. He’s worked with companies like WeWork, Cureatr, Peleton and, Linkedin to optimize their work stations, and has provided instruction to NBA, NFL, NHL, and Gold Medal Olympic Athletes. Follow him on Instagram at @sproga_