Ergonomics begins with you and your body

Everything Kinnarps does in the field of ergonomics begins with the individual. A good example of this is Series[P], a flexible sit/stand desk that is easy to customise to different people, environments and work tasks. "A good start to a more mobile and healthy life," says Kinnarps ergonomist and physiotherapist Anders Lundahl.

Nowadays, most people probably know that we often spend too much time sitting still for our own good. A sit/stand desk is a good start to a more mobile and healthy life, but you also have to remember to actually use the desk, and alternate between sitting and standing.

   "One of the most important features of the sit/stand desk is that the height is easy to customise. This increases the chances that movement and variation will actually become a daily routine, before pains in your neck, shoulders and back remind you how important they are," says Lundahl. 

Silent height adjustment

This is a requirement Series[P] lives up to. The height is adjusted variably with a simple touch of a button. Underframes with extra-long stroke are available, making the desk extra-flexible and adjustable for people of all heights.

   Furthermore, the sound of the motor is reduced by Kinnarps' filling material Re:fill, a mixture of the company's own textile waste, polyester and PET, which has a lower environmental impact and means that all height adjustments are almost silent.

    "Sound is an important area of ergonomics. We all perceive sound differently, depending on who we are, what we are working with and how stressed we are, but we know that sound always has an effect on the working environment," says Lundahl. 

Movement and flexibility

It is also important for a sit/stand desk to be easy to customise to different environments and work tasks. Today's working life requires movement and flexibility, and we spend less time at fixed desks and work more in temporary workplaces.

   So when Kinnarps develops sit/stand desks, there is a strong focus on making the desks usable for tailor-made solutions, regardless of whether you are working alone, together with a colleague or in a project team.

    With four smaller desks from Series[P], for example, you can make a creative space where a team can go through ideas and suggestions together, and which can then quickly be converted into individual workplaces where everyone can work individually with frequent briefing meetings.

   The tables in Series[P] do their job regardless of whether you want to work for a long period or just a short while, and are ideal, for example, for creating touch-down areas with a focus on ergonomics and creativity. It's also perfectly fine to sit for parts of the day, if the sitting involves variation, movement and activity.   For example, combine your sit/stand desk with the Plus[6] and Plus[8] task chairs, which follow your body movements, are easy to adjust and allow you to sit in as many different ways as possible.

Customised to the situation

With a good sit/stand desk, you'll be able to create a working environment where a large group of people have space to work together, while both the individual workplace and the whole environment satisfy the functional and ergonomic requirements.

   During the course of a working day, we carry out a number of different tasks. We do focused work, have a quick meeting and answer emails. With modern technology, we can do this in different environments. So the big challenge is to create solutions that can be customised for different needs and different situations.

   "In this context, Series[P] has an obvious role to play, with its great flexibility and variation for both individuals and organisations. Everything Kinnarps does in the field of ergonomics begins with the individual and ends with all people," says Lundahl.   

Ergonomic tips!

Stand up for your health

A sit/stand desk is a good start to a more mobile and healthy life. 

Take an active break

Take an active break from time to time – gentle muscle tension sets off lots of positive processes in the body.

Hold your head high

By lifting your gaze and holding your head a little higher, you achieve a better posture and relieve pressure on the neck. Try to direct your gaze at an angle downwards when you're looking at a screen, without leaning your head noticeably forwards. 

Sit, by all means, but don't sit still

Supplement your sit/stand desk with a task chair that follows your body movements and allows you to sit in as many different ways as possible.

Think about what you can't see

We all perceive sound and light differently, so consideration and respect for other people's perceptions and expectations is a good starting point.