I’ve taken the plunge and am on the standing desk kick. I have been asked about it no less than 30 times, so I’m putting it in writing.
For my health. I’ve made a lot of lifestyle changes over the last year. I’ve lost fifty pounds so far. This is just another small step to make me a better me. There seems to be a lot of research around this, and there are many benefits to standing. When I’m in the office, I would normally sit for about 6 hours each day. A Men’s Health article cited a study that people that sit for 6 hours a day are 68% more likely to be overweight. Furthermore, the article indicated standing will burn an additional 60 calories per hour. While that may not seem like a lot, every little bit will help me.
It’s better for my back. I don’t have the back problems that some people have. I do have lower back issues, though. If this will help in any way, then count me in.
It’s better for my posture. I’ve not been slumping as much. It’s even easier to maintain a good posture. While I can sit in a good posture, I find myself slumping very quickly.
There seems to be a lot of research in support of it, though I think some of it leaves room for interpretation. For example, the American Cancer Society website article cites more time spent sitting linked to higher risk of death. While many of the standing desk advocates read this as ‘stand at your desk’, I read it to mean that a sedentary life is bad and movement is good.
I do get more movement while standing as I’m shifting, pacing, doing toe-ups, and generally getting some movement and exercise instead of slouching in my chair.
It’s only Day 3 – what have I noticed so far?
First, the positives. I seem to be able to type faster. I don’t know if it’s actual or imagined, but it seems to be so. I haven’t been getting my late afternoon tiredness. I seem to be more awake the entire day.
Downsides? My legs are a little achy. I’m committed to trying it for 3 weeks, so I’ll see if this helps. My normal dress shoes weren’t going to cut it, so I’m sporting my Asics today.
Who else uses a Standing Desk?
A lot of people. There are apparently schools in Minnesota or Texas have tried them. Lifehacker founding editor Gina Trapani and Lifehacker editor Jason Fitzpatrick; former Twitter developer and founder of BankSimple Alex Payne; TreeHugger leader Graham Hill; creator of Instapaper Marco Arment; novelist Philip Roth; former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
What are your thoughts? Should I get the treadmill going and walk all day?
John –
How’s the stand-up desk going, now that we’re approaching the middle of February? I’m giving it some thought and would welcome your comments. Thanks.
Steve Burlew
Harrisburg, PA
Whoa, hardcore. I use one of those ab balls–but only for like, half a day. Don’t your feet hurt by the end? And by the way, I really love your site’s look and feel! So nice to see a tech blog with aesthetic appeal.
I’m on day three with your program after reading about the solid research backing it up. And it really does seem to make sense that sitting so long is just not right somehow. Seeing some positives and a few negatives (mostly lower back pain). But as in the previous comment above would enjoy learning how you’re progressing. Great post. Thanks.
So what did you buy, build, or modify? Looks nice.
I’ve actually bought and modified. The one in the photo was purchased by a previous employer. Since then, I’ve modified my home treadmill with a $7 Ikea end table to be a ‘walking desk’ that also has a ‘standing’ mode (when the treadmill is stopped). I’ve found that I can comfortably read and type while walking at a VERY SLOW pace. If the treadmill starts moving very quickly, I can’t read or write!