I've been in the photography business for a while now, and I've learned my fair share of tricks and shortcuts along the way to make my time spent at work more efficient.
One of the things that's been vital to me having the most productive day possible is setting up an ideal photography workspace - not just a place where I edit family photos on the weekend, but a place where I can talk with clients and do the heavy lifting of running a photography business.
Something I learned very early on is that the type of workspace you create can profoundly impact your state of mind when it comes to work.
When your workspace is organized and functional, a lot can get done in a day. When it's a cluttered mess, well, the opposite is usually the case.
There are a lot of components of having an ideal photography workspace - good lighting, peace and quiet, a nice, big monitor to see your work, and so forth.
But far and away the most important aspect of my workspace has been my desk.
About 10 years ago, I decided to invest in a tried-and-true (and very expensive) Workrite sit-stand desk.
At the time, this thing was considered the Rolls Royce of ergonomic desks. But it was time for a change.
In thinking about my experience with Workrite, I kept coming back to how incredibly difficult it was to put that desk together.
I love working with my hands and know my way around a toolbox, but that desk still required about four hours of my life to put together. It was a frustrating experience, to say the least.
So when I began looking for a new desk, one of the primary features I had to have was something that was easy to put together.
That brought me to iMovR.
iMovR Lander Desk Review: Assembly
I'd heard about iMovR before, but I'll admit - I was skeptical about the quality of a desk that costs less than a thousand dollars.
But all the feedback I got from people in the industry pointed to iMovR as being a slam-dunk as far as a great desk goes, so I pulled the trigger and got the iMovR Lander Desk.
Right out of the box, you can see the commitment that iMovR has to quality and craftsmanship. As a proud veteran, it warmed my heart to see the difference in quality between this high-tech, 100% American-made desk and the cheap Chinese-made desks that are heavily advertised online.
Each piece fit together perfectly without any fuss or muss on my part. In fact, these things show up 98-percent assembled. You don't even need any tools to put it together!
And where my Workrite desk consumed an entire afternoon to put together, I had the iMovR completed in less than 10 minutes.
Yep - you read that right! I put this desk together in just minutes. That fact alone was worth the price of admission!
I'm a tall guy, so I ordered leg extensions with my desk. Even factoring in the time it took to put the extensions on, I was still done within half an hour. In other words, there is no comparison between this iMovR desk and my old Workrite desk.
iMovR Lander Desk Review: Features
Aside from the fact that this thing was super easy to put together, something else that I appreciate about it is that it's loaded for bear with features and options.
You can choose from hundreds of size and color combinations as well as different types of desks - get a standard desktop or one with iMovR's patented SteadyTypeⓇ keyboard tray (shown below), which gives you the utmost in typing comfort, ergonomics, and stability.
The 3D-laminated desktops are incredibly durable and will stand up to the daily use and abuse of work.
Created using precision Computer Numerical Control equipment, these tops provide superior performance, including enhanced protection from moisture and warping. Not only that, but the corners and edges of the top are beautifully contoured, so they look great and offer you a more comfortable work environment too.
The Lander desk is incredibly easy to adjust from a sitting to a standing desk thanks to the intuitive Bluetooth-enabled height-control paddle with high-resolution LCD.
The paddle enables smooth height changes with a simple double-tap or you can raise and lower the desk remotely via a smartphone app.
Not only that, but this desk has a built-in health coach that gives you reminders to change position throughout the day. The frequency and duration of these changes is set by you via the paddle buttons or the accompanying app.
What's more, these reminders are subtle so as not to interrupt your work. You're gently reminded visually on the paddle display, via a push notification on your phone, or both. See the health coach in action in the video below.
The movement of the desk is gentle as well. With whisper-quiet motors, the desk can lift up to 360 pounds quietly and smoothly so you can continue your work.
The lifting and lowering action is fast, too - 1.6 inches per second!
If you get the desk and treadmill combination, you get the benefit of being able to walk while you work, which is a great third alternative to sitting or standing all day.
iMovR Lander Desk Review: NEAT Certification
Sitting at a desk all day has been proven to be bad for your health, which is why I got the Lander Desk in the first place.
Standing is one of the best alternatives to sitting at your desk, and as I explained above, the Lander Desk makes it easy to switch between the two positions.
Since using this desk helps combat the effects of being sedentary, it has earned a NEAT (Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) certification.
In other words, you'll find that since you have the ability to change positions so easily you'll be able to increase your heart rate and increase energy expenditure as well.
And while standing at your desk isn't the equivalent of going to the gym, it's certainly a better option than sitting all day long.
iMovR Lander Desk Review: Warranty
On top of all that, iMovR offers a 100-day satisfaction guarantee on all their products, so if for some reason you aren't as blown away by this desk as I am, you can return it.
As for warranty coverage iMovR leads the industry with their ten year warranty on the base and five years on the desktop, a reflection of their quality American-built componentry.
Final Thoughts: iMovR Lander Desk Completes My Office Space
I've paired my iMovR Lander desk with a Herman Miller Embody desk chair that's the height of comfort.
Seriously...I've had two desk chairs over the course of the last decade, and both of them have been Herman Miller Embody chairs.
Like the iMovR desk, this chair has smart features that make you uber comfortable while you work, including a design that helps distribute pressure, provide support, and facilitate natural alignment of your body.
In other words, I think I have the perfect photography workspace. I have a smart desk that allows me to sit or stand while I work. I have an awesome desk chair that cradles my body while I'm consulting with clients. I have a quiet, well-lit office space that I actually really love.
And all those things make the fact that I'm in my office 12+ hours a day a much more enjoyable experience!
But don't take my word for it...
Check out the videos throughout this article to see the iMovR Lander desk in action to see how amazing this desk is for yourself!