Ergonomics Can Affect Price

Did you ever wonder why that simple computer chair costs a $1,000? It could be the fabric they used, or the brand, but those are certainly not the only reasons.   The comfort and functionality of it, that is the “ergonomics” will also increase the cost.  But 100% for the better.

Ergonomics in the workplace is a fairly obvious idea to understand in its most basic form; the harmony of a worker’s body and the worker’s working condition. The better the harmony, the better it is for the worker as well as the work. But the term ‘ergonomics’ itself was coined as recently as 1857 by the author Wojciech Jastrzebowski while Frederick W. Taylor developed the ergonomics theory into a practical sphere by developing gear in factories that matched the work at hand. And like the thought of ergonomics dictated, Frederick W. Taylor managed to not only brings safety levels up but also increased production for the company and helped workers make more money. As corporate culture and a new age of industrial revolution gained momentum in the last century, ergonomics steadily gained attention.

Somewhere in the last 75 years or so, ergonomics has become more than just an industrial domain. After all, it is applicable to any situation where a human interacts with almost any thing. So it is not at all surprising that ergonomics has taken over the furniture industry too; furniture for factories, offices, and homes.  It is not just for industrial purposes, but for domestic consumption as well.

The most common and perhaps popular example can be the ergonomic computer chair. Of course there are tons of designs and makers of chairs that are designed specially for use with computers. But not all of them are good for your body, especially your back and your hands. This is where ergonomics comes in. Computer chairs that are ergonomic friendly cost more, but they are worth it. “Ergonomic” chairs are adjustable and provide good support for your back, your arms, and your legs and maintain your body in a good posture that is natural without you having to put in much of an effort. This reduces the chances of muscle aches while using computers for long stretches of time. A good “ergonomic” chair will cost several hundred to more than a thousand dollars.

But it is not limited to chairs alone; tables, beds, kitchen utensils, your chopping board, TV remote control; everything can be more ergonomically friendly than it is today. Anything that can be made more efficient by putting as little pressure as possible on one’s muscles or bones when using it is a good example of an ergonomically-friendly product, be it a factory line machine or a simple item like the iPad. And not everything will have its price shoot up just because of that fact.

The possibilities of where this philosophy can be used are almost endless. And you can’t really put a price on your health. If good posture means better health and a better working atmosphere, that pricey chair might not seem too pricey after all.

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