Testing the weight capacity of our Ergo Office 2 Frame
I recently challenged myself to find new, unorthodox ways of showcasing some of our Ergonomicsdirect products. One of my personal favourites has always been the Ergo Office Two Dual Motor Height-Adjustable Desk Frame. On paper, it’s quite easy to identify all benefits and specifications of this product, but a common question we’re asked is “Can it really carry 120kgs?” as claimed. So we decided, let’s put it to the test! No surprise at all, our Ergo Office Two Frame effortlessly carried the 120kg weight of our tabletop and our pet food. Here are a few additional features of our Ergo Office Two Frame that you can look forward to: Dual motor technology. Control panel with up and down buttons and 3 programmable memory settings. LED display that indicates the current desk height. Alert button: The control panel has an alert button to remind users to change their position. The timer on the alert button can be set to the required timeframe, for example, 45 minutes. Anti-collision protection software. Low standby power consumption. A 3-stage column design allows the desk to adjust to 625mm which is lower than a standard desk height of around 720mm. Square column design. Quick installation: The foldable, pre-assembled legs ensure easy assembly and installation. The frame width can be adjusted/configured to use your own top of varying sizes. Customise your Ergo Office Height-Adjustable Standing Desk Frames Showing all 2 results Default sortingSort by popularitySort by average ratingSort by latestSort by price: low to highSort by price: high to low Ergo Office Two Dual Motor Height Adjustable Standing Desk Frame Rated 4.67 out of 5 R9,499.00 Or as low as R3,166.34 / month with Ergo Office One Standing Desk Frame Rated 4.80 out of 5 R5,799.00 Or as low as R1,933.00 / month with Load MoreLoad More Showing 1–3 of 7 results Default sortingSort by popularitySort by average ratingSort by latestSort by price: low to highSort by price: high to low Out of Stock Parquet-Style Wooden Top from Reclaimed Offcuts Rated 5.00 out of 5 R2,899.00 Or as low as R966.34 / month with Ergo Eco Reclaimed Wooden Tops (Stained) Rated 4.75 out of 5 R2,499.00 Or as low as R833.00 / month with Out of Stock Ergo Eco Reclaimed Wooden Tops (Aged) Rated 5.00 out of 5 R2,499.00 Or as low as R833.00 / month with Load MoreLoad MoreLoad More All pet food used to make this content was donated to a local NPO: Cheryl Lyn’s Rescue Organisation Written by Austin Harichuran – Head of Digital and Marketing at Ergonomicsdirect.
What we’re grateful for (2022 edition)
Featuring the Ergonomicsdirect Team Despite all the challenges 2022 has presented us with, we at Ergonomicsdirect stand together as a team full of gratitude for the support we’ve received this year from our customers, loyal subscribers, and our active Ergonomicsdirect community. We owe a huge part of our growth to you – our audience, and for that we thank you. We recently had an in-house exercise where we asked each member of our team to share what they’re grateful for this year. This is what each team member had to say. Piet Nel Piet is grateful for: Dedicated staff My and my family’s health Having a holiday to look forward to Jayson Chin Jayson is grateful for: The relocation and growth of our business To live in Cape Town – 11th top city in the world Arsenal and Rassie Erasmus Wendy van Wyk Wendy is grateful for: Ability to make a difference to people every day That we survived a pandemic! Summer, warmer weather Austin Harichuran Austin is grateful for: Grateful for myself and my mentality For coffee! Positive, challenging working culture Denvor Farao Denvor is grateful for: Inclusive working culture Freedom of speech To be able to learn from others Nafiesha Hendricks Nafiesha is grateful for: Technology and iPhones Support of friends and family Cars and racing Gene Gene is grateful for: Grateful for the opportunity that the company gave me. Grateful to go back home for holiday. Grateful for the busy season. Ralton Carelse Ralton is grateful for: Grateful to be part of the team To have a stable job Positive mindsets and synergy Exciting video coming soon! Stay tuned! We at Ergonomicsdirect have a lot of exciting news, content, and more planned for 2023. Again, we’d like to thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you in 2023 at our showroom! Wishing you all a safe festive season, and a Happy New Year. Yours in ergonomics, The Ergonomicsdirect team Our 2022 Staff Function ft. The Chin and Partners Team Tap to select the previous period Next
Ergonomics in the Tattoo Industry
Written by Austin Harichuran, (COEE) & Head of Digital and Marketing at Ergonomicsdirect Ergonomic furniture and accessories have taken our local market by storm. Office trends aren’t really “trends” anymore without ergonomics being featured in the conversation. Over the years, the focus of ergonomics has been mostly on everyday office workers. However, what we’ve discovered was that the need for ergonomic products across certain industries was much bigger than we had realised. Many different audiences and markets need our ergonomic products, and boy are we excited to discover them. We’ve found perfect homes for some of our products, in the most unexpected working environments. Many individuals who work in an office environment may need assistance identifying and understanding where their pain and fatigue comes from. For some other industries, identifying the cause is a little easier. Tattoo artists are creative, skilled, and a lot of the time, busy individuals. Many have clients who book 10–12-hour tattoo sessions, at a time. Without a proper seating solution that provides support for their forever-bending backs, imagine how many of them feel after these long sessions? Imagine how some of their backs feel after years of designing canvas on clients’ bodies? As expected, the common answer to “Do you frequently experience back pain/strain due to working conditions?” was of course, yes. We presented a few tattoo studios with a few of our ergonomic products to see if we could reduce strain, and the feedback was remarkable. Below is some of the feedback we had received from tattoo artists on using our products: “The Saddle Chair is perfect for tattoo artists. It’s so comfortable, that it feels like sitting on a soft bum. I love how I can just lower the height and slide the saddle chair under my desk or even under the tattoo bed when I’m done for the day.” “The Height-Adjustable Mobile Desk is a great table to place my ink and accessories while I tattoo. At night I use it when I’m in the mood to stand and conjure new designs.” “I attach my phone to the Ergo Flex Device Holder, hook it up to the tattoo bed, and start shooting while I tat’ my clients. I don’t have anyone to take content for me, so this product is cool for getting shots at a cool angle.” “The LED light is great. When you working on a small tattoo, you can just focus the light on the area being tattooed instead of bringing the studio lights out. It’s also small and doesn’t take up much space.” Some of our products at Blake Ink Tattoo Studio Tap to select the previous period Next Blake Ink Studio: Instragram Handle: @blakeinktattoos Ergonomics in the tattoo industry should strike a balance between keeping the artist healthy and providing efficient artwork. It means preventing musculoskeletal problems by enabling the artist to adopt a more natural and comfortable posture. Thereby achieving client-friendly work, improving efficiency, and achieving accuracy. We hope to one day offer our ergonomic solutions to all tattoo Studios and reach more industrial industries – saving one strained back at a time. Visit our Instagram page to see more exciting content on ergonomics in the tattoo industry. @ergonomicsdirect
Ergo Flex vs. Ergo Tray ft. (@tkskingdom)
Ergo Flex vs. Ergo Tray ft. (@tkskingdom) We had recently partnered with TK for our birthday giveaway, and boy was it spectacular. We’ve successfully sent out a whopping 30 Ergo Flexs’ to 30 lucky winners across the country, and their feedback was outstanding. Previous Next In case you’ve missed it, check out our recent Instagram collaboration with TK (@tkskingdom). https://ergonomicsdirect.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VID-20220324-WA0000.mp4 Receive 20% off your Ergo Flex when you use coupon code “tk-ergoflex” at checkout. (Limited time only) https://ergonomicsdirect.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VID-20220429-WA0000.mp4 Receive 30% off your Ergo Tray when you use coupon code “tk-ergotray” at checkout. (Limited time only) Working with TK was great! She understood our vision and the value of our products. She absolutely LOVES her Ergo Flex and Ergo Tray, and her contagious enthusiasm has made many new customers love theirs too. Not only did she find a unique way to showcase our product to her audience, but she also helped many people find us who really needed us. From the Ergonomicsdirect team, we’d like to thank you for partnering with us @tkskingdom, and we look forward to partnering with you again soon. We’d also like to thank everyone who has engaged with our competitions and recent campaigns. We value all of you and hope to see you soon at our new showroom. Yours in ergonomics, The Ergonomicsdirect Team Follow us on instagram (@ergonomicsdirect)
Hot-desking in a Home Environment
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of employees globally have started working from home either on a temporally or full-time basis. Many individuals unfortunately did not have a designated home workstation, so they found themselves working on the couch, dining room table, and some even in bed. When working from home, many individuals lean towards working in a space or environment where they feel comfortable. Unfortunately, most of these comfort zones can cause more harm to you than you think with a proper workstation setup. Will a properly set up home-office setup help you work more comfortably and productively? Absolutely! However, what if you have a home-office set-up already, but you are still not feeling comfortable working in it? First start by designating a space for your working environment. Once you’ve found your spot, optimise the environment with some ergonomic office essentials that meet your daily working needs. An added option to consider is allocating an area at home for a secondary “hot-desk” workstation, however we recommend having your primary workstation setup correctly first. Click here to download the ergonomic checklist for your workstation (pdf.) “Hot-desking” is a working arrangement where an employee has no assigned desk and instead can choose to use almost any workstation or surface during different parts of the day. That workstation usually meets most of the requirements a worker would need to work comfortably and productively. Minimal time and energy needed, easy plug-in and start working. 8- step ergonomic checklist for individuals who sit at their workstation In today’s world, with laptops, tablets, cell phones and other portable electronic devices, remote workstations are becoming more popular. The benefits of hot-desking at home not only conveniently provides its user with a simple plug-and-start working system, but is also great for a slight change of environment and scenery. If a secondary hot-desking workstation is possible, we’d recommend making it a standing workstation. Click here to check out our range of standing desks. Our ergonomic products are great for setting up the ideal hot desk workstation in your home or at the office. They provide comfort and support, and enables users to work comfortably, even for long periods of time. With a slight change in scenery and an optimised ergonomic workstation, working from home can be made easy. Need some help? Contact us at Ergonomicsdirect if you would like assistance or advice when setting up your ideal workstation, and we’d be glad to assist you! Contact number: 021 426 2378 | Email: info@ergodirect.co.za Happy hot-desking, and we at Ergonomicsdirect would like to wish you a happy, productive 2022! Yours in Ergonomics, Austin Harichuran (Ergonomic Evaluator and Head of Digital at Ergonomicsdirect)
Affordable Ergonomic Festive Gift Ideas
Are you struggling to find the ideal gift for a colleague or loved one for Christmas? We understand that shopping for others may not always be simple. To assist you with your holiday shopping, we have conveniently created a list of our 4 best-selling products (Under R1000), which we believe would be great gifting options. These great products are suitable for both home and office working environments. Curble Posture Corrector Help a loved one improve their seated posture and reduce back pain. Previous Next RRP: R999, click here to read more/purchase yours today. Ergo Flex Device Holder Tap to select the previous period Next RRP: R469, click here to read more/purchase yours today. Position your phone or tablet while sitting on the couch, working at your desk, sitting or lying in bed, or even cooking in the kitchen! It is the ideal product if you watch movies or videos on your device or need easy access to your phone or tablet screen while at work. With the use of the Ergo Flex you can at least ensure that you reduce the postural strain caused by the time spent on mobile devices. The Ergo Flex can carry a maximum device weight of 700g. The adjustable device clamp can accommodate gadgets with a width range of between 125-225mm. The attachment clamp can be mounted onto desk edges with a thickness of up to 75mm. *Best Seller* Both of these adjustable laptop stand options are compact and portable, and can be used to better position your laptop, tablet, books and more. Ergo Anywhere Laptop Stand Ergo Anywhere + Laptop Stand with USB ports Tap to select the previous period Next Tap to select the previous period Next RRP: R369. Click here to read more or to purchase yours today. RRP: R699. Click here to read more or to purchase yours today. Ergonomic Footrest Tap to select the previous period Next Our height-adjustable footrests can, Improve Seated Posture by helping you utilise your chair’s backrest. Reduce Lower Back pain, footrests improve posture and reduce back pain by facilitating more ergonomic postural angles through the entire body. Improve Circulation, using a footrest dramatically decreases the chance of developing circulatory issues. Increase comfort levels, allowing you to rest your feet on a stable surface while working. Kelly Footrest – RRP: R829.00. To read more/shop now, click here. Ergo Dynamic Frame and Board Footrest – RRP: R799.00. To read more/shop now, click here. Ergo Height Adjustable Footrest – RRP: R949.00. To read more/shop now, click here. Investing in the health, comfort and productivity of your loved ones is a great way of showing them that you care. Spoil them with the gift that keeps on giving this December at Ergonomicsdirect. Happy shopping, we wish you all a safe and jolly festive season. Yours in Ergonomics, The Ergonomicsdirect team.
3 Benefits of an Ergonomic Footrest
By Austin Harichuran (Ergonomic Evaluator, Head of Digital and Marketing at Ergonomicsdirect) This article is ideal if you’re interested in learning about the benefits of a footrest, or if you can relate/have experienced any of the following: (Swinging feet while sitting on a chair; back pain; poor posture; low productivity while working; fatigue; poor blood circulation; difficulties in concentration) For a long time, ADHD has controlled my ability to focus and be present in the moment. Besides the mental impact it had on me, I’ve developed a few physical habits over the years which have been more challenging to get rid of. Over the years, I’m happy to say that I’ve outgrown many of my mental challenges and I’m continuously aiming to improve myself whilst building new positive habits. From a young age, whenever I’d start to feel anxious or overwhelmed, my legs would start to shake rapidly and uncontrollably (imagine what campus life was like). Although emotions like anxiety aren’t exactly easy to outgrow, I’ve found a solution that helps control my anxiety and “happy feet” while I work. Besides the major impact ergonomics has had on my ability to focus, to my surprise, I’ve found myself getting “attached” to some of my products – more specifically today, my ergonomic footrests. https://ergonomicsdirect.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/20210921_132503_1.mp4 Here are the 3 benefits that I’ve found while using a footrest Promotes dynamic movement for my happy feet The “Tap-dance Foot Dance” (when my feet are on the ground), or “Swinging-Leg Shoo Dance” (when feet are hanging about) has been distracting over the last FOREVER. Knowing how disruptive it is and not being able to control it has been distracting and quite embarrassing at times. The Ergo Dynamic Frame and Board Footrest has been my top pick whenever my feet are in the mood to go somewhere, and I’m not. The easy-glide movement somehow allows my feet to dance around as they please. This allows me to stay at my desk longer without feeling the need to get up and walk about too frequently Improves blood circulation With my feet being as busy as they are, I’ve found that my feet tend to automatically go under my body onto the base of my chair. With the back of my knees then squashed against the seat pan for long periods, it’s no surprise that it affected my circulation, which caused pins and needles, along with fatigue. With my feet on a footrest, I no longer want to fall over when I get up from my desk. Happy to say – Monday only happens once a week for me now. Reduces back pain, when used with an ergonomic chair Back to basics. Because of the position of my feet, I wasn’t sitting right back in my chair and therefore wasn’t utilising the backrest or lumbar support my chair offers. This resulted in back pain, fatigue, and poor seating posture over time. A footrest helped push me further back in my chair, enabling me to use the backrest optimally. I’ve found that after two weeks of using the Ergo Height Adjustable Footrest, I’ve started to feel more comfortable, sitting right back in my chair for longer periods. The Ergo height adjustable footrest is dynamic and moves/tilts as you move your feet and legs, and it also has above-average height settings. For many years, footrests have been advertised as solutions for “shorter individuals” who work behind a desk. Although a footrest does provide a solid or dynamic higher platform on which individuals can rest their feet, it can be equally beneficial to taller individuals who require dynamic movement or improved circulation while seated. In summary, my advice would be: Maximise your chair’s lumbar support and reduce back pain by investing in an ergonomic footrest. To view Ergonomicsdirect’s range of ergonomic footrests, please click here. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort while you work, please contact us – our Ergonomicsdirect team will be happy to assist you in selecting your ideal ergonomic workspace solutions. Contact number: 021 426 2378 Email: info@ergodirect.co.za Wishing everyone a happy October 2021. Kind regards Austin (Ergonomic Evaluator, Head of Digital and Marketing at Ergonomicsdirect)
Post-lockdown office spaces –What COVID/2020 has taught us about our workstations
Working from home has been vital in slowing the spread of coronavirus, but many businesses are now looking forward to re-entering their office space and returning to as high a level of “business as usual” as they can in a time of global crisis. Connectivity issues, isolation from our colleagues and an inability to clearly separate our home and work life has made remote working a necessary but less than ideal reality for many of us over the past few weeks. Indeed, remote workforces are already beginning to report that they miss the structure and community of the office, with issues such as health and wellbeing coming to the fore during COVID-19. As a result, when we do return to work, employers should foster workplaces that offer the best of both worlds, from optimal connectivity and elements that promote wellbeing to design that encourages a sense of community. There’s no question that COVID-19 has provoked a change in the way we work, as well as how we will view and use “the office” in the long term. What this prolonged period of working remotely so far has taught us is that, while we can work from home, we are unlikely however to ever give up the office completely. As many nations cautiously make their way toward relaxing Covid-19 lockdowns, many of us are starting to envision a time when we can return to the office. Yet, in the absence of a vaccine, aspects of modern workplaces will have to change if employees are to safely return to their desks. Experts suggest this could involve a combination of short-term fixes aimed at boosting worker confidence, reducing the number of staff in the office at any one time, and longer-term design upgrades and modifications that put hygiene at the heart of workplace planning. In the short-term, it seems likely that many of us will remain working from home even after government orders to do so are lifted. Dual workplaces, with a staggered workforce may become standard, with smaller groups coming in on alternate days and shifts that avoid rush-hour traffic peaks. Companies should be subsidising home offices, given the home is now considered a legitimate workspace. This is something that could potentially decrease concerns about health impacts from ergonomically inadequate set-ups. At Ergonomicsdirect, we can help by assessing and improving the ergonomic setup of home workspaces with our great range of versatile ergonomic products. Employee wellbeing has been in the spotlight for a while, but with the current crisis, it is important that employers recognise the various challenges faced by their employees. Employers need to consider how to best adapt working practices in order to accommodate a diverse range of employee circumstances. Working from home will ultimately become a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, the office. While remote work can provide flexibility for employees, office work allows for collaboration, connection and culture—essential ingredients for enterprise growth, risk management and control, and employee development. Wishing everyone a happy festive season, stay safe out there and let’s hope 2021 will be a prosperous and successful year. Happy holidays from all of us @ergonomicsdirect. Yours in Ergonomics Wendy
Tips for working from home
Create a dedicated workspace and keep it organised Create a mini-office where you can focus on work. It doesn’t have to be a large area, but a dedicated workspace helps create familiarity and discipline in your day. Once you have created a spot for work, don’t let the mess of everyday life take over. A clear desk equals a clear head. Make time for yourself before your work start time Set aside the time you’d normally spend commuting on self-development. Exercise is good for mental health and for maintaining a positive attitude. You could also spend time focusing on a hobby or expanding your knowledge in your field of work. Dress comfortably – but no pyjamas! When in the comfort of your home, don’t give in to the temptation of rolling out of bed and working in your pyjamas. Don’t give your brain the wrong signals. Although working from home is convenient, try not to change your daily work routine. Set boundaries to ensure a work-life balance is maintained. Take regular short breaks – MOVE Being super productive for a long period is difficult, so make sure you take short, regular breaks to re-energize. Movement is life, and the more you move and vary your workplace positions, the better off you will be. Try and do some movement or change of position every 20 minutes. Communicate Even when in a normal office, effective team communication is not always easy to achieve. When you maintain a distance from others for a long time, it’s especially important to find a way to touch base with colleagues. Online platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Skype are handy for maintaining a line of communication. Using video calls and not only talking over the phone makes it more personal and allows employees to interact better and feel part of the team – especially for those living alone. Be grateful It is important in these tough and uncertain times to find something to be grateful for every day – your health, your family, technology to be able to communicate with your loved ones. There is always something to be grateful for! Stay Home, Stay Safe, and let’s flatten this curve.
Ergonomics in Development/Digital agencies
Some studies have shown that 81% of office employees spend between 4 and 9 hours a day sitting behind their desks. This equates to about 67 sedentary days per worker annually. We are aware that developers and individuals in the creative space in most digital agencies have 45-hour weeks like most of us, however, there are times when deadlines require a certain few to extend their time at their workstation. Some employees sometimes find themselves working up to 12-hours sitting behind the desk. Although the monetary compensation for the extra work done can be rewarding, the additional time spent sitting behind your desk can cause strain which may lead to various muscular-skeletal discomforts in the neck, back, shoulder and other regions. Here are 3 product recommendations that we’ve seen work well within a digital/creative agency to help reduce these discomforts. Flexispot F7DB Dual Screen Height Adjustable Monitor Arm Mount – As many developers/creatives use two or more screens to increase productivity, this monitor arm is ideal to position the screens correctly to reduce neck and eye discomfort and strain. The height, distance, and angle of the monitors can all be adjusted using this monitor arm. Ergo Office Chair with/without headrest – Since you’re spending substantial amounts of time behind your desk, the chair you’re seated on is quite important. Working for long hours on a chair that doesn’t offer you the correct lumbar support and adjustability your body needs can strain your back and neck over time. Our ergonomic office chairs are adjustable and have quality lumbar support while offering comfort at an affordable price. Ergo Office Compact Sit-to-Stand Height Adjustable Workstation– Are you already experiencing a nagging discomfort in your back region? Maybe it’s a sign that you need to re-optimise your workstation. The Ergo Office Compact Sit-to-Stand Height Adjustable Workstation has enough space for you to place both screens on top of the work surface (depending on the size of your screens). It offers a hole where you can install a monitor arm if desired. It is proven that alternating between sitting and standing can relieve pressure off your back which can reduce discomfort – one of the many benefits that come with investing in a standing desk. If your current profession requires you to work long hours behind your desk and you’re looking to optimise your working environment in order to work more comfortably and maximise your productivity, then invest in ergonomics. If you would like to view our other product options, visit www.ergonomicsdirect.co.za/store. If you would like to know more about what we can do to optimise your current workstation, contact us at info@ergodirect.co.za / 021 426 2378.
