Learn the secrets to ergonomic keyboard positioning to elevate your comfort and productivity at work. Get expert advice and tips for perfect posture!
Ergonomic keyboard positioning requires you to keep your body in a good posture, ensure your monitor isn't too high or too low, and that the keyboard is in the right place for your computing style. If you ignore these vital positioning guidelines, you'll soon find that you're suffering from low productivity or even a preventable health condition.
With adults spending an average of 90,000 hours at work, you need to make sure your keyboard setup is optimized for your comfort and health.
We're here to help show you how. We've put together this guide so you can adjust your keyboard positioning into a setup that works with you and not against you.
90/90 Rule
The first place to start with ergonomic keyboard positioning is to keep the 90/90 rule in mind. This rule is a great way to remember how to position yourself and your keyboard for ultimate comfort.
The idea is to keep your elbows and your knees both at 90 degrees when you're sitting and working at your desk.
If you notice that your current setup doesn't allow for this, it's time to adjust and re-evaluate your ergonomics. With a few simple changes, you can find ways to keep those vital angles in place throughout your entire time using the computer. This not only will improve keystroke speed but will also help prevent future conditions from impacting your health.
Healthy Posture
A crucial piece of the ergonomics puzzle is to remember good posture. Even with the 90/90 rule as a reminder, it can be easy to slip into bad habits if you're not mindful of your posture.
To maintain your posture, remember to:
- Sit straight
- Keep your shoulders back and relaxed
- Avoid hunching over
- Keep your elbows aligned with your hips
- Keep your feet flat on the ground
- Take frequent breaks to stretch or walk around
Avoid the Desk Edge
When you place your keyboard on your desk, make sure it isn't too close or too far from the desk's edge.
Place it too close to the edge, and it's far too easy to rest your wrists on that edge. The sharp edge of the desk will constrict blood flow, leading to potential health risks more quickly.
Place the keyboard too far, and you'll mess with your posture. Reaching forward on the desk to type means that your back and shoulders will be in the wrong position to maintain a healthy posture.
This is even more essential to your overall ergonomics if you're using a standing desk. By standing, it's natural to rest your wrists on the desk more than when in a sitting position.
Under Desk Versus On Desk
Should your keyboard be under your desk or on your desk? This is a hot topic in the computer world, since so many people are used to using their keyboard on top of the desk. We believe that under the desk by using a keyboard tray is even better, and it's not even that difficult to get used to the feeling.
Keyboard tray benefits include:
- Natural 90-degree elbow positioning
- Eliminates the habit of resting wrists on the desk edge
- Easy keyboard height adjustment
- Reduces muscle strain
- Works well with both sitting and standing desks
- Allows more setup customization
With the right keyboard tray, you can transform your desk into something that improves your work life with ease.
Monitor Adjustment
Although the focus is often on the keyboard, you want to consider your monitor as well. If your monitor is too far from you, or too high, it'll impact your posture and ergonomics. It's natural to move your body to compensate for the monitor's poor position, rather than the other way around.
The trick is to get an adjustable monitor stand so you can move it into the exact position you need at any given time. Then, you won't fall into bad posture habits, and you can maintain your workflow all day long.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Keyboard Layout for Ergonomics?
If you're tired of using QWERTY keyboards, DVORAK keyboards were designed with minimal movement in mind. Since it gives you better access to the most common keys, you move your hands less. This means you're able to maintain optimal typing posture more easily.
Changing your keyboard layout can affect overall ergonomics. However, without the right setup, even a layout that's optimized for comfort can cause issues for you.
Using a new keyboard layout won't help if your posture, keyboard positioning, and monitor height are all wrong for your needs.
Is It Better to Have Your Keyboard Flat or Tilted?
A flat keyboard is often the best choice because it helps keep your wrists and hands at a flat angle as well. Tilting your keyboard upwards forces your wrists to bend to accommodate the awkward angle. It might feel okay at first, but eventually it can cause issues and even lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you do want to tilt your keyboard, tilting downwards is better when it comes to wrist support options. It allows your hands to lie in a comfortable position and doesn't cause you to hold your hands at a sharp angle for hours at a time.
Are 75% Keyboards Ergonomic?
Much like changing your keyboard layout, changing the style of keyboard will have a positive effect on your ergonomics, but only if you pair it with all of the tips we listed above. For some people, the switch to a more compact keyboard can impact their overall productivity due to not having access to vital keys they're used to working with.
Explore Uncaged Ergonomics for Optimal Ergonomic Keyboard Positioning Tools
With a focus on ergonomic keyboard positioning, you'll not only find yourself being more productive, but you'll also prevent common health conditions that arise from poor posture and positioning. It's a change that can make a huge difference in your work and home life.
At Uncaged Ergonomics, we take your computer ergonomics setup seriously. We make affordable keyboard trays, active desk chairs, balance boards, and even standing desks. With free shipping over 39$, we work hard to help you get the perfect computer setup for your health.
Browse through our catalogue of ergonomic tools today to start improving your computer lifestyle!