A chair for the little lady

February 6, 2007 7:32 AM

What are some inexpensive, ergonomic home-office options for a smallish woman?

I'm finally actually writing my dissertation, which means that for the first time in my graduate student career, I'm actually spending several hours every day sitting at my desk, typing away on my laptop. And it is destroying my body. My back aches. My left elbow throbs. It hurts to move my left pinky. I'm pretty sure that I really need a better desk chair and an ergonomic keyboard.

I have two problems here. The first is that, being a grad student, I don't have a lot of money to throw around, so I need cheap options. Ideally, I wouldn't like to spend more than $200 on both a new desk chair and a new keyboard.

My second problem is trickier. I'm a smallish woman. I'm pretty short, and I have exceptionally tiny hands. My sense is that most ergonomic stuff is made for the average person, and I'm considerably smaller than the average person. How can I find keyboards and desk chairs that will work for my particular body?

If anyone can suggest any particular chairs or keyboards, that would be fab. Otherwise, where should I look? What should I be looking for?

posted by craichead to Shopping (12 answers total)

I'm short too (5'1"). Unless you have a low desk, you shouldn't use a low chair. Both your elbows and knees should be at right angles when you're working. Adjust your chair height so that your elbows are at right angles, then use a footrest (or improvise with something you already have around) to keep your knees at right angles. Another reason not to use a low chair is that you should be looking slightly down onto your keyboard. If you are looking straight ahead or up, you will suffer eyestrain.
posted by textilephile at 7:55 AM on February 6, 2007

Looking down onto your monitor, that is.
posted by textilephile at 7:57 AM on February 6, 2007

I am also small with little hands. I use a laptop, and find that much easier to type on than a traditional desktop computer. If that's not an option, at least try finding a keyboard that doesn't require you to press very hard on the keys: for me, that makes a big difference because I'm using most of the "effort" of typing to stretch to the keys, rather than to press them down (does that make sense?).

With regard to the chair, I just use a simple, cheap $20 Staples special (basically the cheapest chair that was remotely comfortable and on which I could adjust the height) but the crucial thing to have is a footrest. A professor of mine's partner is a physical therapist and she passed along that it's one of the best things you can do for yourself when sitting at a desk, even if it's just a box on the floor that's a comfortable height for you to put your feet on. I'm not sure what the reasoning behind it is, but I'm a lot more comfortable at my desk since I've started using one.
posted by AV at 7:57 AM on February 6, 2007

I want to echo the importance of a footrest. You may also be able to continue using your chair if you purchase a back-support cushion. You can find these at stores like Staples, Target, Office Max, and even Brookstone.
posted by tastybrains at 8:08 AM on February 6, 2007

Fourthing the footrest! I'm 5'3" and it makes a world of difference. I made myself a footrest out of a bunch of 5x8 sections (then I wrapped some foam and fabric around them). If you're feeling handy, I recommend this because you can adjust the height to exactly where you like it and it's pretty cheap.
posted by stefnet at 8:19 AM on February 6, 2007

Have you tried using a laptop stand? The angle is more conducive to sitting up straight and if you normally lean on the corner of your desk, helps prevent it. Personally I prefer the smaller keyboard/flat keys involved with laptops.

I have this chair--super nice. A little short for my desk so I added a pillow.
posted by shownomercy at 8:27 AM on February 6, 2007

If your left elbow is throbbing, it might mean you're leaning on it a lot and hurting the little tendon or whatever that's exposed. If you're doing that, you really need to stop. I did it for several months a while back and I still have elbow pain because of it. It may help to get something soft to rest your left arm on.

I would very highly recommend getting an ergonomic keyboard. I program and spend a lot of time on the computer, and for a while I had constant, severe wrist pain. I would actually stop using the computer for a few days so it would go away. This problem pretty much vanished when I got an ergonomic keyboard. I have big, mighty man-hands, so the increased size doesn't bother me, but you can give them a whirl at your nearest office supply\computer store to see how they work for you. I have a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, which is quite nice, but also rather large and expensive. I do believe that Microsoft in general has a good reputation, so you could get one of the less-crazy models. Personally, if I had a limited budget, I'd spend a lot more on the chair.
posted by !Jim at 8:39 AM on February 6, 2007

Are you left handed? Try mousing right handed. You will feel like a n00b for a week, but it should reduce the stress.
posted by mrbugsentry at 9:09 AM on February 6, 2007

4'11" here. I am a big big big fan of genuine Microsoft input devices. I'm typing this on a cheapassed Microsfot keyboard and a 7 year old Intellimouse Explorer. No worries! My gaming rig has another Intellimouse and a Microsoft ergonomic split keyboard (which takes getting used to for general typing but is fabulous for gaming even for tall guys).

As far as seating goes, I've not tried footrests. But I do know that you need a chair that you can put your butt all the way in the back and still be able to fully bend your knees. Mostly, this means either really cheap secretary chairs or really expensive designed for Asians executive chairs. Yes, you need to plan on spending an hour at the office supply sitting in every single chair. Either way, make sure that it has a height adjustment. Mine spends its time fully jacked up.

Oh, and this may sound stupid, but use a mousepad.
posted by ilsa at 10:24 AM on February 6, 2007

nthing the footrest, oh my god.

There are also smaller office chairs that you can buy but you do kind of pay a premium. I'd say get something very adjustable.

I also found that my arms felt a lot better when I bought a keyboard and typed with it in my lap.
posted by crinklebat at 10:29 AM on February 6, 2007

Ikea has a desk (basically just a table) that has telescoping legs, so you can adjust the height. It's awesome.

If you go that route, first adjust your chair so that your feet rest comfortably on the floor. Then adjust the table height accordingly. Adding a keyboard tray might help even more. You also might have to raise your monitor a bit.

From one shorty to another, good luck.
posted by shifafa at 1:28 PM on February 6, 2007

Yep, footrest. You also need to be conscious of your position and try to sit straight, etc. You may be the type of person who needs to get up regularly to shake out, stretch, etc.

With keyboards, go to as many computer/office/electronics stores as you can and try them out.

Solutions for Humans has a selection of small keyboards that may fit your hands better.

McKenzie makes a number of fantastic variations on their Back Roll.
posted by radioamy at 4:25 PM on February 6, 2007