Did you know that the fastest typing speed was set by Erik Treider last year?
He scored an impressive 217 words per minute with 100% accuracy. While most people won't get to that speed unless they're preparing to break a record, there are ways you can make your job easier.
If you use a keyboard on a regular basis for work or pleasure, you could benefit from something with an ergonomic design. This will boost your efficiency and protect your health.
Are you hesitant to make the investment? Keep reading to learn all about the advantages of an ergonomic keyboard.
It'll Boost Your Speed and Improve Your Accuracy
An ergonomic keyboard is designed to give a more comfortable and natural typing experience for users. Since it's a keyboard that's built with the human body in mind, it takes into account the natural angles of the hands, wrists, and arms when typing.
Are you wondering what features you can expect in this product? Ergonomic keyboards are built with features such as split designs, wrist rests, and contoured key layouts. These valuable features are meant to reduce strain on the body and improve typing efficiency as a whole.
By placing the hands in a more natural position, ergonomic keyboards help to minimize muscle fatigue and discomfort, allowing users to type for longer periods of time with less strain. This can help to improve your general typing speed as well as your accuracy. After all, you're less likely to make mistakes or experience delays due to discomfort.
With contoured key layouts that are designed to fit the natural shape of the fingers, you can keep the amount of movement required to reach each key to a minimum. This makes it much easier and faster to type.
As if that weren't great enough on its own, ergonomic keyboards often have larger keys with more space between them. This design makes it a cinch to hit the right key without hitting adjacent keys by accident.
By boosting your speed and efficiency, you won't feel as bogged down by work anymore. You're sure to impress your boss and maybe even have an edge over your coworkers so that you'll get a promotion in no time. Looking at it that way, the investment in an ergonomic keyboard will pay for itself over time.
You can also save money by avoiding medical bills associated with repetitive strain injuries.
It Can Help Prevent Repetitive Strain Injuries
Are you often using a keyboard for your work every day of the week? If so, it's worth knowing that repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are a common problem for people who spend extended periods typing on a computer keyboard.
RSIs can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and neck. This makes it difficult to do everyday tasks.
One effective solution to prevent RSIs involves using an ergonomic keyboard. Unlike traditional office keyboards, ergonomic keyboards minimize strain on both your hands and wrists by promoting a more natural typing posture.
Are you wondering how it's possible for a keyboard to prevent this issue?
One way is by reducing wrist extensions. Traditional keyboards require users to angle their wrists upward. This causes strain on tendons and nerves in the wrist.
The good news is that ergonomic keyboards have a gentle slope. This keeps the wrists in a more neutral position and reduces the risk of wrist extensions and related injuries.
It also has better posture alignment compared with traditional keyboards. Ergonomic keyboards encourage a more natural alignment of the hands, wrists, and even your arms. This can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, a common RSI caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist.
You'll also get much more comfort out of this choice. The reason for this is that ergonomic keyboards often come with built-in wrist rests and other features that improve comfort during long periods of typing. Not only can this reduce stress on the hands and wrists, but it'll also lower the risk of developing RSIs.
Best of all, many ergonomic keyboards allow users to customize the angle, height, and other settings to suit their needs. This can help ensure a comfortable and healthy typing posture.
It'll Prevent Certain Preexisting Medical Conditions From Worsening
If you've been using a traditional keyboard for many years, it's possible that you've already developed one or more repetitive strain injuries. You might be asking yourself, "Why get the best keyboard if I can't prevent RSIs?"
While an ergonomic keyboard can't cure RSIs that you already have, it can go a long way toward keeping your symptoms at bay. By reducing the strain on your wrists and hands, you can help reduce your pain and prevent the condition from getting worse.
An ergonomic keyboard is also helpful for people who may have other preexisting medical conditions. For instance, arthritis is another condition that can make typing uncomfortable and painful. Many ergonomic keyboards have larger, more widely spaced keys that require less force to press. This makes it easier and less painful for those with arthritis to type.
With an ergonomic keyboard's contoured key layouts, you can even reduce the amount of movement required to reach each key. Every little bit helps when dealing with the symptoms of arthritis.
Before rushing to get your own ergonomic keyboard, it's a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. Since they're much more familiar with the specifics of your condition, they can let you know what course of action would be the wisest. They may even let you know if certain types of ergonomic keyboard styles are better for you than others.
That way, you can enjoy all the benefits of a cutting-edge keyboard and have a more pleasant time at work each day. By avoiding things that aggravate your medical condition, you're sure to have a better time relaxing at home after work as well.
The Main Types of Ergonomic Keyboards
Do you need more ergonomic ideas?
Before shopping for ergonomic keyboards, it's worth familiarizing yourself with the different types. Rather than only minor differences, each has its own unique design and features. The most common types are split keyboards, angled keyboards, and contoured keyboards.
Split keyboards have a design with a split down the middle. This allows you to position the two halves at a perfect distance from each other. That way, you can reduce pain in your hands, wrists, and even your neck. Some split keyboards also come with palm rests so that you can be even more relaxed.
Angled keyboards are like split keyboards in that they allow for a more natural hand position. The key difference is that they don't have a split down the middle. Instead, they're designed with a slight angle that positions the keys in a more ergonomic way.
This angle can be the key factor for reducing pain in your joints, arms, and more.
Are you wondering what's special about contoured keyboards? These have a design that fits the natural curvature of the typist's hands and fingers.
They often have a more complex design than split or angled keyboards. This makes for a key arrangement that follows the natural contours of the fingers. This can help reduce the need for reaching and stretching, as well as promote a more relaxed typing posture.
Are you stumped about which keyboard is the best choice for you? It's important to keep your personal preferences and needs in mind.
For example, some people may find split keyboards to be the most comfortable, while others may prefer contoured keyboards. To make a final decision, consider the size of your workspace, the amount of typing you do each day, and any existing medical conditions you may have.
How to Find the Right Ergonomic Keyboard Vendor
Finding the best ergonomic keyboard vendor can end up being a bit overwhelming if you're not sure what you want. Fortunately, there are ways for you to narrow your choices.
First, look for vendors who specialize in ergonomic keyboards. These vendors are likely to have a wider choice of ergonomic keyboards and can give more knowledgeable support. You can research vendors online, read reviews and forums, and check their websites to see if they specialize in ergonomics.
It's worth emphasizing that reviews are a great way to find the best keyboards. You should also look for vendors who have a history of selling high-quality, reliable products.
As you consider vendors, keep their customer service and support in mind. It is important to choose a vendor who will respond to your needs and questions.
You can read reviews or testimonials from other customers to also get a sense of the vendor's customer service. Don't forget to look for vendors who offer warranties or return policies in case you need to make a return or exchange. Even the best products could have a manufacturing error.
Your budget is yet another factor to keep in mind. While ergonomic keyboards are often more expensive than traditional keyboards, they're worth the investment because of the long-term comfort and health benefits. This doesn't mean you need to break the bank to find a quality ergonomic keyboard.
Research vendors and compare prices to find a product that fits within your budget. That way, you can get the best deal possible.
Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Ergonomic Keyboard Investment
Are you unsure of how you can get the most out of your ergonomic keyboard? If you don't use your keyboard as instructed, you won't get the benefits that are supposed to come with it.
For starters, it's crucial for you to adjust your desk and chair. This will ensure that your keyboard is at the correct height. Something as simple as height alone can help reduce strain on the shoulders, neck, and wrists.
Aside from an ergonomic keyboard, it's worth going the extra mile and getting an ergonomic mouse or wrist rest to further enhance comfort. An ergonomic keyboard tray can also go a long way toward enhancing the benefits of these tools.
Even though you'll have ergonomic tools, that doesn't mean you should type for hours and hours without stopping. Another office idea involves taking regular breaks throughout the day so that you can stretch and move your body.
Being in the same position for long periods of time can increase the risk of RSIs and other health issues. From standing up to stretching, extra movement can keep you safe and healthy in the long run.
Other than that, it's important to pay attention to your posture while typing. Make sure that your shoulders are relaxed and that you are sitting up straight. If you slouch or lean forward too much, this will give you extra strain on your neck and shoulders.
Are You Ready to Reap the Benefits of an Ergonomic Keyboard?
Now that you've learned all about the benefits of an ergonomic keyboard, you can do away with your old keyboard and replace it with a much better one. Be sure to let your friends and family know how they can improve their health and productivity as well.
Uncaged Ergonomics can give you all the tools you need to thrive. From ergonomic keyboards and laptop stands to standing desks and anti-fatigue mats, you can always count on our high-quality products.
Do you need help choosing products? Feel free to contact us so that we can get back to you soon.