“I’ve been thinking about getting a standing desk.”
As have I. For years. I think I’ll sit and think on it some more……
Actually it’s true I’ve long thought that I would prefer a stand up desk. The only possible drawback is that I have 2 26″ LCD monitors on my desk, and it have a stand up desk made would be a pricey option because of the size. Still, maybe I can find a side by side mount for the LCD’s that don’t take up desk top real estate. That would even help the desk I use now.
The other issue (for me) is that I like semi-circular “surround” desks. It was hard enough to find one at 29″ that I could both like and afford. Would be a ghastly amount to have a stand up desk like that made….
yep…I think I’ll sit and think on it some more……….
Just put some concrete blocks under the legs?
“Just put some concrete blocks under the legs?”
That’s a lot of ugly cinder blocks 😉
It is also uncomfortable to merely stand in one place.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the treadmill is the optimal repacement for the chair.
(…or the eliptical for the low-impact types…with a generator for powering your workstation…)
I was told as an ATCS that when you need to think out a difficult problem standing up helps. Not sure why. It might have something to do with blood flow?
The chair I’d like to try is in a Dragon on it’s way to orbit.
No, it’s just easier to reach the whiteboard that way.
Is it lazy to have mini white boards scattered around your desk?
No, just eccentric.
I used a standing desk for 3 years. It made my ankles swell. Shifted to a ball chair about 8 months ago. Problems went away and I am more active than simply standing. Of course the mount and dismount gets a bit sporty. You can find them on Amazon.com. Cheers –
“I used a standing desk for 3 years. It made my ankles swell.”
So you used to have swell ankles? 😉
BTW, what happened to knee chairs?
They damage your knees. My doctor took mine away from me 20 years ago.
I’ve been using a standing desk for about 7 months now and I love it! I had heard about them, but kind of looked at it as a fad, like yoga balls or those weird kneeling chairs. Then, through a series of mishaps, I pulled a muscle in my upper glute area which made sitting uncomfortable. I started standing while I worked just to alleviate the discomfort, and soon discovered that I liked it. I started with a really ad-hoc desk made out of an exercise bike and the privacy screen from my hatchback, and after I continued to enjoy using it even after my muscle healed, I sought a permanent solution.
I started with my existing desk, then stood in front of it and simulated a natural typing posture with my hands. After taking a measurement, I discovered the exact height I needed to add to the desk.
I then went to IKEA with a tape-measure and found a coffee table that would fit on my existing desk surface and raise it up the appropriate amount. Also, it was only $40 or so.
I took the table home, built it, bolted it to the desk surface, then bolted the desk hutch on top of that, and am now standing at that very same productivity ziggurat. So here’s what I learned:
-With the use of the coffee table, I have an ABSURD amount of open shelving under my desk, which I use for documents and office supplies.
The most comfortable way to work is barefoot or in socks.
-I also bought two cheap IKEA stools to accompany the desk. I don’t use them very much, but if you’re going to watch something passively on your screen for a while they become a good option. I find that standing is wonderful when you’re actively engaged in a task, but a little less comfortable when you’re more passive.
-Your monitor seems a lot bigger when you can stand at your desk. Sitting for me always meant either hunching forward or leaning back at a 130 degree angle, which made the screen disappear into the distance. Now my 20-inch monitor fills my field of vision nicely.
-Also, say goodbye to sweaty backs and, uh, other areas. The airflow is much better this way.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to spread the gospel!
In one of my labs (a term I prefer over “garage”), we use workbenches tall enough to stand at, but have comfortable barstools for extended tasks.
I like sitting while I am writing… but I always stand in bars. Easier to meet new people and a counterweight to the time at the screen.
Of course — only the alpha pimp gets to make the pickups while seated. For all other players, the “approach” is literal.
Been standing at my work desks since December. It definitely takes some getting used to. Be sure to move now and then, and sit for a few minutes every hour, preferably reclined. I find I still need to sit if what I’m reading requires serious contemplation, but that I’m quicker to arrive at a decision if I’m standing.
I just built short risers from lumber after measuring typing height. They aren’t pretty, but both of them together were <$40 of materials, vs the $100+ I would have spend to build the same things via Ikea hacking.
BTW, if you’re going for a recliner, do splurge. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.
“I’ve been thinking about getting a standing desk.”
As have I. For years. I think I’ll sit and think on it some more……
Actually it’s true I’ve long thought that I would prefer a stand up desk. The only possible drawback is that I have 2 26″ LCD monitors on my desk, and it have a stand up desk made would be a pricey option because of the size. Still, maybe I can find a side by side mount for the LCD’s that don’t take up desk top real estate. That would even help the desk I use now.
The other issue (for me) is that I like semi-circular “surround” desks. It was hard enough to find one at 29″ that I could both like and afford. Would be a ghastly amount to have a stand up desk like that made….
yep…I think I’ll sit and think on it some more……….
Just put some concrete blocks under the legs?
“Just put some concrete blocks under the legs?”
That’s a lot of ugly cinder blocks 😉
It is also uncomfortable to merely stand in one place.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the treadmill is the optimal repacement for the chair.
(…or the eliptical for the low-impact types…with a generator for powering your workstation…)
I was told as an ATCS that when you need to think out a difficult problem standing up helps. Not sure why. It might have something to do with blood flow?
The chair I’d like to try is in a Dragon on it’s way to orbit.
No, it’s just easier to reach the whiteboard that way.
Is it lazy to have mini white boards scattered around your desk?
No, just eccentric.
I used a standing desk for 3 years. It made my ankles swell. Shifted to a ball chair about 8 months ago. Problems went away and I am more active than simply standing. Of course the mount and dismount gets a bit sporty. You can find them on Amazon.com. Cheers –
“I used a standing desk for 3 years. It made my ankles swell.”
So you used to have swell ankles? 😉
BTW, what happened to knee chairs?
They damage your knees. My doctor took mine away from me 20 years ago.
I’ve been using a standing desk for about 7 months now and I love it! I had heard about them, but kind of looked at it as a fad, like yoga balls or those weird kneeling chairs. Then, through a series of mishaps, I pulled a muscle in my upper glute area which made sitting uncomfortable. I started standing while I worked just to alleviate the discomfort, and soon discovered that I liked it. I started with a really ad-hoc desk made out of an exercise bike and the privacy screen from my hatchback, and after I continued to enjoy using it even after my muscle healed, I sought a permanent solution.
I started with my existing desk, then stood in front of it and simulated a natural typing posture with my hands. After taking a measurement, I discovered the exact height I needed to add to the desk.
I then went to IKEA with a tape-measure and found a coffee table that would fit on my existing desk surface and raise it up the appropriate amount. Also, it was only $40 or so.
I took the table home, built it, bolted it to the desk surface, then bolted the desk hutch on top of that, and am now standing at that very same productivity ziggurat. So here’s what I learned:
-With the use of the coffee table, I have an ABSURD amount of open shelving under my desk, which I use for documents and office supplies.
-One good addition would be an anti-fatigue mat, such as this: http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Joe-Air-Step-Anti-Fatigue/dp/B000EFK9KM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335979239&sr=8-2
Take a look behind the counter the next time you’re at a retail environment where people stand all day. You’ll probably see something like this.
The most comfortable way to work is barefoot or in socks.
-I also bought two cheap IKEA stools to accompany the desk. I don’t use them very much, but if you’re going to watch something passively on your screen for a while they become a good option. I find that standing is wonderful when you’re actively engaged in a task, but a little less comfortable when you’re more passive.
-Your monitor seems a lot bigger when you can stand at your desk. Sitting for me always meant either hunching forward or leaning back at a 130 degree angle, which made the screen disappear into the distance. Now my 20-inch monitor fills my field of vision nicely.
-Also, say goodbye to sweaty backs and, uh, other areas. The airflow is much better this way.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to spread the gospel!
In one of my labs (a term I prefer over “garage”), we use workbenches tall enough to stand at, but have comfortable barstools for extended tasks.
I like sitting while I am writing… but I always stand in bars. Easier to meet new people and a counterweight to the time at the screen.
Of course — only the alpha pimp gets to make the pickups while seated. For all other players, the “approach” is literal.
Been standing at my work desks since December. It definitely takes some getting used to. Be sure to move now and then, and sit for a few minutes every hour, preferably reclined. I find I still need to sit if what I’m reading requires serious contemplation, but that I’m quicker to arrive at a decision if I’m standing.
I just built short risers from lumber after measuring typing height. They aren’t pretty, but both of them together were <$40 of materials, vs the $100+ I would have spend to build the same things via Ikea hacking.
BTW, if you’re going for a recliner, do splurge. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.