What Is Gorilla Arm?

Gorillas have long been known to be strong, powerful, and clever creatures. Well, they are! Haven't you guys seen the size of those animals? Did you know that gorilla also have trouble with ergonomics? That's right: If you're using a vertical screen, like a tablet or laptop, you can get a "Gorilla Arm." Gorilla arm is a syndrome in which the muscles in your arm get tired from holding up the weight of your body and interacting with the vertical screen. It's called the gorilla arm because it is similar to how gorillas interact with the world around them—they use their arms to swing from tree branch to tree branch, and they do so by leaning forward and reaching down. Gorillas are known for manipulating objects with their arms, but they use this ability rarely—and only when necessary. However, they can do it quickly and efficiently when controlling their arms, so they don't experience gorilla arms! So remember: If you're going to interact with a vertical screen often (for example, if you're working on an essay or solving math problems), make sure that your posture remains upright. Make sure that your wrists are straightened out as much as possible. Gorilla arm is the phenomenon that occurs when you're trying to use a vertical touchscreen for more than 30 seconds. It's not a disease, but it's an annoyance. If you're used to using touchscreens on your phone or tablet, you know what I mean: your arm gets tired and aches after 10 minutes of scrolling or swiping. Touchscreens mounted above eye level don't support your arm — so you have no choice but to hold your arm up in the air as you interact with the interface. That's why gorillas have such long arms!