What have you learned over time to make your desktop workflow easier on your eyes, back etc.?
I’m considering a sit/stand desk or a chair with the knee support pad, or one that leans forward somewhat…hoping to not spend too much but I need to make some adjustments and I’m looking all over.
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Standing desk. Never going back.
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Same.
I switched to a standing desk last year and love it. I was able to get a pretty good 72” standing desk system with a Vivo frame and IKEA countertop for under $300 US.
I also added some cable management, and that’s been helpful too.
A good chair is worth it, that’s next on my list (like, today actually).
If you’re using a mouse, use a vertical mouse. I switched several years ago and won’t go back. Best ergonomic decision I’ve ever made.
Standing desk is the way, get one where you can servo the height. Worth every euro. You can get these feets relativly cheap nowadays, and reurpose the table plate you already have.
I i switched to using my trackpad with the left hand years ago, and I no longer get pain in my right shoulder, wrist, and chest. Also, I take regular half hourly breaks and do stretches.
Another tip is that your desk is almost certainly too high for a computer keyboard. Almost all of them force your elbows into an acute angle.
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standing desk works wonders for me, the most important part though is the position memory and the ability to slightly adjust height quickly, sometimes I don’t wear any shoes and I always notice the height difference, so being able to adjust 1-2cm quickly is really makes a difference.
other then that if you use computer a lot get a comfortable mouse, it’s worth iterating several models just to figure out if it’s any good for you, I really like the logitech g pro series, they are really light and the shape sits perfect in my hand, I tried trackball and other ergonomic models but eventually a simple gaming mouse was the best fit.
A decent adjustable chair is probably what I’d target first. There are lots of different types - the ones with the knee pads are a little “marmite” in my experience - you may like them or dislike them. I found it difficult to get comfortable on one in the past. I was looking around for a 2nd hand Aeron or similar but wound up with a Hag Capisco that came up at a very good price locally.
I’d also look at vdu height - you might be fine here without any modification but sometimes a riser (some thick books if you want see what different height would be like) or an arm can make a big difference with relatively little expense.
Decent ambient lighting (curtains if glare is an issue) can make an environment more comfortable - you probably have these already, so consider how you might use them to their fullest.
After that, these days I wouldn’t be without a split keyboard (Kinesis Advantage) paired with a trackball (Kensington Slimblade)
Kinesis are eye-wateringly expensive now (they weren’t cheap when I bought mine, but I did double take when I looked at the prices recently) - if I was in the market again, the top of the requirements list would be something without a numberpad on the right. I’d then try and find a balance between price/split layout/switches.
A sit-stand desk is handy - I’m glad I went with motorised + presets - I’d definitely buy one again, but if you don’t want to shell out, make sure to get away from the desk and do something different altogether at regular intervals, go make a cup of tea, chat to colleagues, draw on a whiteboard, move around a bit, look at something on the horizon - maybe even a set of squats/stretches.
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I am also on a trackball and ergonomic chair, but the most difference made the desk for height adjustability - also a good way to play with grooveboxes after work.
Working with a gaming mice, is argueably faster, and i compared myself to coworker producitivity, its slower with a trackball, but i have to avoid problems with the hand nerve, so its definatly more ergonomic to work with this one - after a while you get used to it, and use keyboard shortcuts as often as possible.
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In addition to all the other good advice here about standing desks, screen height is important. I worked for years with my laptop flat on the desk, which makes you hunch over. A monitor or laptop riser is great for fixing this. This also creates a nice space under your screen for storing cables or smaller instruments.
Can also recommend the Håg Capisco mentioned by wriggy. Both the standard and Puls versions are extremely good at keeping you sitting upright and moving every now and then. The tallest lift available (265mm) will also let you sit way higher than is most likely ever actually necessary ( but good for multi-tier keyboard stands 
)
A standing desk is a good thing, but a chair that suits you and your working space whilst keeping you upright is the most important thing in my opinion.
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Second (third?) the Håg Capisco
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Kneeling chair + vertical mouse + wrist support
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This is a great thread idea. I’m always changing up my setup due to back or neck pain. It’s good to hear other people’s ideas on the topic.
I currently have two standing desks: one for work (computer and monitor) and another, very large desk for music, which has a rotating cast of instruments on it. I’m at the point where I only work on music standing up in the studio, but I struggle with the ergonomics of playing guitar while also using synths/samplers on the standing desk – I’m fine for a few hours, but there’s a constant tilt in my body, from the weight of the guitar and my tendency to hunch over it.
My favorite ergonomics are using the Dirtywave M8, just chilling on the sofa! Or a laptop. But this is more of an “outside the studio” experience in my case
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Great thread.
I have a standing desk with memory positions that for the most part gets used on the sitting position. Still, it is great to have the option to stand up as well.
The reason I don’t use it standing as much is mostly due to the back pain I get from standing up. I have considered one of those supporting stools, anyone here using them? Anyone else having lower back pain after standing for a while on the desk with the arms bent doing keyboard and mouse things?
I also got a kneeling stool that rarely sees any use, but also great to have to switch things up.
I used to use a standing mouse for a few years but my wrists don’t tolerate that anymore so I had to stop using it. Tried unsuccessfully to replace it with a trackball but it unfortunately made the pain even worse…
So now I’m on the pen tablet train and… although not entirely painless, it has become my main mouse device for everyday usage cause it’s the least painful option I’ve tried so far. Regular mice are a no go, same with standing. Trackball starts hurting after a while, and the pen tablet is the device that takes the longest before the pain starts to show up. It can take weeks at a time without significant pain as long as I remember to take breaks often and change positions often. Plus the extra buttons (plus the trackball buttons) on the tablet allow for a way more customisable and faster workflow.
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Be careful man.
I developed disk herniation on the neck level and already had 2 surgeries. They helped with herniation but I developed terrible persistent pain and I am on pain management from 2020.
Despite that I am still making some mistakes when it comes to ergonomics. The main problem is that I am not standing as much as I should at work. Anyway, I still consider desk with height as regulation as a must have.
I am a long-term trackball user. I started with Logitech M570 few years ago and didn’t returned to mouse. Few days ago I bought Kensington Expert Mouse. I am also using mechanical keyboard with Gateron Red switches which don’t require significant force.
Ergonomics is a topic that almost nobody takes seriously until he/she realize that something wrong has happened with hands, spine or anything else.
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another vote for laptop stand! that neck/shoulder hunch can do a number on your posture
Taking advice from a kinesiologist is practically a must at work. Don’t read forums for this kind of advice, seek advice directly from a professional.
A common suggestion here seems to be a standing desk, but in my situation a chair is essential for health reasons. I am currently preparing to move my setup from a corner desk, which is rather cramped, to a setup with two 140 cm long desks placed side by side to make one 280 cm long work area.
I plan for my computer to be on the right side of the leftmost desk, with my Analog Keys to the left of me, and one of my monitors above the Analog Keys so I can use the keyboard and see Live at the same time when required.
Anyone have any tips for gear placement that allows for easy and ergonomic working?
How about monitor (speakers, not screens) placement? I currently use a pair of iLoud Micros when not using my headphones, but with a more spread out setup I am likely to be moving my chair to different positions and it’s going to sound quite poor from some places in the room. Anyone have additional speakers placed along the desk for monitoring?
I wish my workplace paid more attention to ergonomics. Unfortunately, the computer desks / peripherals that are available are pretty lousy, and that’s not going to change there any time soon. The chairs are standard “decent” task chairs but nothing as nice as most of the examples in here.
However, I’m lucky that my job is very mixed labor, split evenly between standing / walking and upper body tasks, and sitting at a computer for data entry. I have the option / necessity to stand frequently to do other things, and I stay pretty active. If I had to work solely at the computer there for 8 hours, I’d be much more bothered by the lack of ergonomics in the desk setup.
More pressingly, we have some tasks in sample preparation (manually polishing mounted samples) that are very taxing on flexor and radial tendons in the forearm, as well as the hands and shoulders. I’ve learned how to adjust my posture regularly and take breaks but sometimes I wonder if I’m going to look back on this work in 20 years and have any regrets. I recovered from 2 fractured vertebrae a few years back due to a car accident - no surgery, and I’m pain free now, but later in life? 
I certainly would appreciate the option of an on-site kinesiologist! Slim chance of that, though.
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