Testing out some new products: i.e. a bed, an ergonomic chair and orthotic shoe inserts

I am going to try and make some of the future posts to this (and other blogs that I run) more pertinent by providing some ongoing reviews covering a number of health and orthopedic related products that I have just purchased. There will also be links to useful websites and special blogs that I have set up for the review purposes (see near the bottom of this post).

The three main products that I have bought and intend to review are a gel bed, an ergonomic office chair and some orthotic shoe inserts.

At a first glance this selection may appear to be a somewhat eclectic mix, however they are most definitely not and here is why.

All of these products are concerned with body posture, the support and cushioning of the back and spine, the avoidance of damage to the body by impact stress, and the reduction of relaxing (and the collapsing) of the body’s skeletal frame due to bad posture.

To sum up there significance to me, my lifestyle and my activities, here are some facts: (and these will be duplicated by the majority of the population)

1. The bed: We spend over 1/3 of our life in bed and preferably asleep. This is the time when our body recovers and rejuvenates and it is the only time when we are (or should be) completely relaxed. It is a health critical item.

2. Ergonomic chair: Most of us work in an office (be it remotely or at home) and we spend prolonged amounts of time sat in a chair. This chair will be responsible for supporting the spine, preventing pressure point and facilitating our ability to use a PC, phone or other office tool. Again, this can account for almost 1/3 of a typical week day’s duration. It is a health critical item.

3. Orthotics: This terms simply refers to shoes insoles and shoe inserts designed with support, correction, posture and impact reduction in mind. If we are not in bed and not sat down, then the other 1/3 of our lives is spent on our feet making the shoe critical to good health.

I will end this post by giving a very brief summary of each product that I will be reviewing, starting with the bed.

1. The bed is a high end unit (Kaymed - Gel Nest Ultra 1800) with a UK retail price of £1725 in a double divan twin drawer format. It uses the latest technologies and combines pocket springs, high density visco elastic memory foam and gel. It is hand made and originates from Ireland. The blog review for this is at http://gel-beds.blogspot.com.

2. The ergonomic chair sells under various brands and I paid £230 for it in its cheapest (brandless form). I suspect that £400 will be closer to the typical retail price. This chair has 9 different comfort and posture setting adjustments. The idea is that you customise it for your size, weight, body shape and comfort requirements. The blog review for this is at http://my-ergonomic-office-chair.blogspot.com.

3. The orthotic shoe inserts cost me around £11 (inc p & p) and I ordered them online. They are for general use, e.g. walking, sitting etc, and are not designed for any specific problem. My main interest in them is for their impact absorption abilities and because they are another gel based product. The blog review for this is at http://gel-insoles.blogspot.com.

The background behind all of these product purchases is general health spurred on by continuous lower back problems resulting from an accident several years ago.