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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: msiegel on Tue, 18 January 2011, 23:15:48

Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: msiegel on Tue, 18 January 2011, 23:15:48: http://smarterware.org/7102/how-and-why-i-switched-to-a-standing-desk

(http://smarterware.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/mystandingdesk-225x300.jpg)
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: panda-R on Tue, 18 January 2011, 23:41:57: this i like! i hope it will reduce the size of my behind.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Wed, 19 January 2011, 00:12:24: Quote from: panda-R;280851
this i like! i hope it will reduce the size of my behind.

Some ladies like a little junk in the trunk.

As long as that junk isn't also in the beer belly and man tits.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: j_r on Wed, 19 January 2011, 00:14:30: Standing is a lost art, just like walking. That said, I spent 3 - 6 hours a day at school in arch studio, and if you do not take breaks and are not aware of how you distribute your weight, you can really cause undue stress to your hips and knees. I am still a big fan of standing, but I am mindful lest I lock my knees or put too much weight on one leg for extended periods of time.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Wed, 19 January 2011, 08:30:09: I've been trying this out (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=279591&postcount=211) for the last few weeks. I like it so far, and am going to keep doing it for awhile. There are a lot of little things which are nice about it, such as being able to just walk away and do something else. The way I'm set up, I'm also forced to forgo any wrist wrests and hover my hands over the keyboard and mouse, which feels much better after you get used to it.

If anyone tries this, just be aware: the first couple of days suck. Your feet and back will hurt after awhile, but you can just sit down for a couple minutes every hour or so and rest. But as with any physical activity, your body adapts. I used to do construction work, so I know I can work while standing all day, once I get used to it.

I'm still waiting for grad school to start, so I'm not doing any real work on it yet. We'll see how it pans out when I am actually being productive.

Quote
Standing is a lost art, just like walking. That said, I spent 3 - 6 hours a day at school in arch studio, and if you do not take breaks and are not aware of how you distribute your weight, you can really cause undue stress to your hips and knees. I am still a big fan of standing, but I am mindful lest I lock my knees or put too much weight on one leg for extended periods of time.
I have been studying up a bit on how the human body works lately (been doing some boxing and martial arts stuff), and it has given me a new appreciation of how everyday bad habits can really screw you up long-term. Years of physically sedentary college and desk duty have taken their toll on me, and I never really unlearned bad habits. Little things - slouching in your chair, bad form when running, bad desk ergonomics - those add up, and may be the cause of many malaise. What I like about a standing desk is how it can force you to use your body correctly. Your body punishes you much more for pad posture, and so there is a strong feedback loop pushing you towards good habits.

Some may see a similarity to the debate about switching from QWERTY to Dvorak (or Colmak, you rapscallions!). I think this is unfair. It is much easier to switch to a standing desk, and the benefits are greater.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 19 January 2011, 08:34:31: Quote from: Phaedrus2129;280867
Some ladies like a little junk in the trunk.

As long as that junk isn't also in the beer belly and man tits.

Dude, moobs are teh suck. It is one of my main motivations that keeps me in the gym. GTL, baby!
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Wed, 19 January 2011, 08:45:55: (http://mike.shannonandmike.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/meat_loafs_man_boobs.jpg) (http://www.marvelousmanboobs.com/)
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 19 January 2011, 08:48:26: I just threw up a little.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: NamelessPFG on Wed, 19 January 2011, 08:58:51: Brain Bleach! BRAIN BLEACH!!!

Anyway, I might consider a standing desk for my notebook, since it's a work machine. It might even work out better for writing and drawing on if set up properly. Just have to get some wood and put it together...

But it'll never be an option for my desktop, because how am I going to use rudder/car pedals while standing?
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: kidchunks on Wed, 19 January 2011, 10:18:23: Interesting article, I eat most of the time standing up (habit). I might give this a try at home. Especially since I have the same chair as Daniel Beaver (sold my old one). That thing makes you want to stand up.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: steeef on Wed, 19 January 2011, 11:37:18: Har har. I've got a Jerker desk with a couple of shelves and wire management attachments taking up way too much room at home. I was thinking of selling it, but I might just bring it into work and set it up as a standing desk like the one in the picture.

Only problem is the dude sitting across from me gets to see me towering over him.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Wed, 19 January 2011, 13:47:38: I love Jerker desks; I've got one in storage up in the states. But the name deserves mockery.

If you don't want to go through to trouble of raising up your current desk, you can simply raise your work surface (http://lifehacker.com/5220094/create-a-simple-standing-desk-for-20). This is a super easy solution if you're using a laptop, though you lose any table space.

Quote
Especially since I have the same chair as Daniel Beaver (sold my old one).
It's an awful chair. Sitting in it motivates me to stand.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Lanx on Wed, 19 January 2011, 14:52:20: This shouldn't be an issue for anyone that has worked retail, when i worked retail 12ish years ago, I was lucky enough to work in the business software section, it was weird to know that an 18 yr old pimply kid was giving software advice to wall street ppl (I'm largely responsible for selling netnanny to many wall st offices, you won't believe how many bosses came in and said, "i gotta stop my employees from watching porn"). Anyway business section is boring and no one comes in so i'd always sneak in a book from the book section. All the magazines, html4/ learn to... books i had access to. It came to the point that i'd study standing in the library too, my GF thought I was nuts but I couldn't sit down reading for a year or 2.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 19 January 2011, 14:58:02: **** that. I worked grocery retail in our stores for 8 years, and I couldn't wait to sit down.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: bugfix on Wed, 19 January 2011, 15:00:35: Yeah, I worked in a kitchen last summer and all the standing sucked.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: steeef on Wed, 19 January 2011, 16:18:07: How about buying a drafting stool and switch between standing and sitting? Seems a lot better than just doing one or the other.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: RoboKrikit on Wed, 19 January 2011, 16:33:01: Quote from: steeef;281351
How about buying a drafting stool and switch between standing and sitting? Seems a lot better than just doing one or the other.

A lot better than trying to do both.

(http://i.imgur.com/SkO6i.jpg)
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: raeb on Wed, 19 January 2011, 17:35:30: Quote from: itlnstln;281291
**** that. I worked grocery retail in our stores for 8 years, and I couldn't wait to sit down.

<-- WinCo

Never again.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Brian8bit on Thu, 20 January 2011, 12:26:00: I'm interested in the Fredrik. However the Ikea website says it only supports up to a 19" monitor. Will it hold a 21.5" iMac?
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: db_Iodine on Thu, 20 January 2011, 12:38:24: Quote from: brian8bit;281756
I'm interested in the Fredrik. However the Ikea website says it only supports up to a 19" monitor. Will it hold a 21.5" iMac?

Their wight limits on those tables refer to CRT's. Yes it will hold your iMac without any trouble.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Brian8bit on Thu, 20 January 2011, 12:39:09: Quote from: db_Iodine;281763
Their wight limits on those tables refer to CRT's. Yes it will hold your iMac without any trouble.

Excellent, thanks.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Brian8bit on Mon, 24 January 2011, 09:03:08: (http://i.imgur.com/nNhmZ.jpg)
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Brian8bit on Mon, 24 January 2011, 09:33:49: I've only been standing at the desk for half an hour and already my calves are smarting and the small of my back. Not to bad, but I suppose in a few hours time I'll be cursing that I threw my broken chair out.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Mon, 24 January 2011, 10:16:33: Quote
I've only been standing at the desk for half an hour and already my calves are smarting and the small of my back. Not to bad, but I suppose in a few hours time I'll be cursing that I threw my broken chair out.

Give it a few days, you'll get used to it.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: kill will on Mon, 24 January 2011, 11:00:51: the fredrick is a cheap second rate replacement for the

LEGENDARY JERKER

but seriously, ive owned both and theres no comparison.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Brian8bit on Mon, 24 January 2011, 11:05:10: Unfortunately there were no Jerkers available in the local small ads or on gumtree. It's what I was originally aiming for. But it cost me less to drive to the Ikea in Belfast and pick up the Fredrik than it would of to buy a Jerker somewhere and get it shipped. And there was only one on fleabay for pickup only.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: EverythingIBM on Wed, 26 January 2011, 00:01:51: Quote from: msiegel;280842
http://smarterware.org/7102/how-and-why-i-switched-to-a-standing-desk

Show Image
(http://smarterware.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/mystandingdesk-225x300.jpg)

At first I thought this was Matt going to expound on trying out a stand-up desk... I was thinking, this will be interesting because:
(http://geekhack.org/image.php?u=1625&dateline=1239568169)
Matt, perhaps you have to go in the opposite direction and start eating more Big Macs ;)

I myself am skinny as a twig, too tall for any standup desk, and my feet often get too much blood rushing in them if I stand up too long: especially with uncomfortable shoes.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: msiegel on Wed, 26 January 2011, 00:08:36: Quote from: EverythingIBM;284912
start eating more Big Macs

funny you should mention that...

i've put on about 5 pounds lately, eating extra ice cream and whatnot XD
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Brian8bit on Wed, 26 January 2011, 03:27:04: The soles of my feet (particularly the heel) are absolutely ruined today. I'm having to sit down every 15 minutes to take the load off. Agony :(
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Lanx on Wed, 26 January 2011, 04:09:32: just force yourself to not be able to stand for 4hours, sit for 1 then another 4 hours. I mean how do you think retail ppl do it? If you do that for 3 days in a row, you'll be a pro at standing for 8hours straight.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: urlwolf on Thu, 27 January 2011, 12:33:30: I have switched and I can only say good things. Way better than sitting, I feel I actually solve more problems. At night I'm very tired, but I don't feel the need to sit during the day. If I do, it's only 5 min...
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Fri, 28 January 2011, 00:10:10: I hate standing. I'd rather be walking, running, jumping, swimming, or even sitting. Oddly enough, standing makes me sore faster than any of the above.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: jaynoon on Fri, 28 January 2011, 00:31:50: I think standing is only half the battle. You guys need to be standing with good posture.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Brian8bit on Fri, 28 January 2011, 00:43:36: Well, for the most part, the pressure on my heels is nowhere near as bad as it was 2 days ago. There's still slight pressure on my heels, but nothing that can't be alleviated by shifting my weight around. It'll probably take a few more days before I don't notice it. My thigh and calf muscles hardly feel it at all now either and if they do it's great to be standing up and just perform stretches every so often to soften them up. The pressure in the small of my back is no longer a problem at all.

I've spent years sitting in front of computers and my posture was all wrong. At 6ft 6 it was putting a lot of pressure on my lower back and stomach from being hunched over desks all the time. Even if it's been only a few days I think it's done wonders for how I stand and various points of discomfort.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Lethal Squirrel on Fri, 28 January 2011, 15:51:23: O.O standing at the computer! could never do such a thing.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Keymonger on Mon, 31 January 2011, 10:51:37: This is interesting, but I'd like to know more about the changes you'll feel in doing this. Not necessarily health stuff, but changes in behavior. I could imagine this might make you more active in doing other things. Maybe it also helps you keep focused?
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: jpc on Sat, 01 October 2011, 13:05:59: Standing desks are great. They promote circulation while you work. They let you pace around and fidget :)

This is my home setup, based on cinderblocks, IKEA plastic lifters, and a Steelcase from last century. 40" surface height.

That's a Kinesis and a Contour Rollermouse Pro 2, on a shim to raise them an inch higher. The monitor needs a book or two underneath to raise it up. That's next.

The dog likes it, there's more room for him underneath.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 02 October 2011, 22:13:29: Hmm, I think I'm going to try this. It'll make a good use for all my old textbooks (to raise up my laptop (main computer) and keyboard).

I'm usually pretty awful at standing still (knees not locked, I think I have pretty good posture.) but if I shift around (or walk) then I'm good.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: hashbaz on Sun, 02 October 2011, 23:00:31: I'm lucky enough to have a Workrite adjustable desk at work. When I want to stand I push a button. When I get tired, I push the button next to it. Love it.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 02 October 2011, 23:30:25: Currently, I have two old computer towers set up on my desk, The keyboard is on one. On top of the second is the other tower, then a stack of four 2*160MM fan assemblies I got from somewhere. I have a tablet, which is in tablet mode on all that. To the side are some textbooks I'm not using for the mouse, though I plan to use the tablet mode the most.

We'll see how it works out.

It's already really helping my touchtyping skills, as well as forcing me to use my mechanical keyboard. I also have more space in my room since I moved the laundry to under the desk.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Bilbin on Mon, 03 October 2011, 00:23:06: Worked for a year as a service cashier, 5 hours a day. Would wear Doc Marten's and put two mats under me. The 15 minute breaks were highlights of my life.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Lanx on Mon, 03 October 2011, 00:42:50: standing desk=wearing crocs cuz your feet start to hurt. I worked retail for 4 years standing 8-10hrs a day, why the heck would i ever want to ever do that again. Just buy a good chair.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Glockateer on Mon, 03 October 2011, 03:46:00: ^Real men go barefoot anyway.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: shrap on Mon, 03 October 2011, 15:30:02: Just get a chair that works with a standing desk: Steelcase Stools (http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/seating/stools/pages/grid.aspx) (expensive but just an example). Then you can switch between standing and sitting as much as you want.

A nice side benefit I've found is that when other people come and talk to you, a standing desk means you're at eye level (instead of the other person towering over your seated position).
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: dorkvader on Mon, 03 October 2011, 23:02:18: I realize today that I sit too much. In class, at work, at home, on a bike (if that counts). Standing up is pretty cool, I especially like the keyboard/mouse positions on my wrist.
Title: article: Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk
Post by: Malphas on Tue, 04 October 2011, 14:12:21: Quote from: shrap;425673
Just get a chair that works with a standing desk: Steelcase Stools (http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/seating/stools/pages/grid.aspx) (expensive but just an example).
Ooh! Cheers for posting that link, shrap, I love corporate style furniture (that might sound sarcastic but it isn't meant to). I might get a few things from here.