Sit n' Stand Desks - What's Your Opinion?

[stackcash]

I'm always trying to hack my health anyway that I can, and this seated / sedentary lifestyle has gotta go.

The easiest change I can make is to get a sit n' stand desk and stand while I work. I was hoping to get some feedback on how to integrate this kind of thing into my daily lifestyle naturally.

Can also use some desk suggestions / tips.

There's a pretty wide range in prices:

Moderate: https://www.autonomous.ai/smartdesk-sit-to-stand-height-adjustable-standing-desk

Super nice / expensive: https://www.retro.net/sit-stand-desks/

 

[ryandiscord]

 

[Sutra]

I use a Varidesk. It's fantastic. I love it. Enough space to fit two monitors, and can be adjusted to the height that suits you. If you're not used to standing, it will take about a week to fully adjust so your feet/legs aren't getting tired. But after that, it's awesome.

After lunch I used to get so tired but I was so used to it I never actually noticed it. It was just part of the day. After I had been using the Varidesk for a while I felt more awake but again, just thought it was part of the day. It wasn't until I sat for most of the day, one particular day, that I realized what was going on. That day that super tired and lethargic feeling came back. Tested a couple more days, and sure enough, the days where I stayed sitting were the days I felt more tired and lethargic. Days when I stand I feel more alert and awake. It's great. I'll never go back to sitting if I don't have to.

 

[stackcash]

I use a Varidesk. It's fantastic. I love it. Enough space to fit two monitors, and can be adjusted to the height that suits you. If you're not used to standing, it will take about a week to fully adjust so your feet/legs aren't getting tired. But after that, it's awesome.

After lunch I used to get so tired but I was so used to it I never actually noticed it. It was just part of the day. After I had been using the Varidesk for a while I felt more awake but again, just thought it was part of the day. It wasn't until I sat for most of the day, one particular day, that I realized what was going on. That day that super tired and lethargic feeling came back. Tested a couple more days, and sure enough, the days where I stayed sitting were the days I felt more tired and lethargic. Days when I stand I feel more alert and awake. It's great. I'll never go back to sitting if I don't have to.

That's so awesome. I feel excited for you. lol

Do you wear specific shoes or did you get a floor pad to help with any kind of lower back pain?

Do you know if you lost any weight simply from standing while working?

 

[prairiedog]

I have been testing this out as well and went the cheap route to at least try it - my desk was already a bit tall, so I grabbed some bed risers like this - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Adjustable-Bed-Risers/5148131 - to get my desk up high enough. I only have two complaints -

1. I find myself slouching when I am standing if I am not careful. This could be a function of height, however, so I might just need to get everything higher (or get a more respectable setup).

2. I have found that while I enjoy standing and working better, there are times where I feel the need to sit for a while. Maybe as Trankulity mentions above I just haven't adjusted to it yet.

 

[Sutra]

That's so awesome. I feel excited for you. lol

Do you wear specific shoes or did you get a floor pad to help with any kind of lower back pain?

Do you know if you lost any weight simply from standing while working?

No specific shoes, just regular running shoes. No floor pad either. It might be even more comfortable if I got better shoes or a floor pad, just haven't gotten around to doing that, hah. Don't actually feel the need to though.

I have lost weight since using the desk. I can't definitively say that most of the weight loss is due to standing, but I do believe it to be true.

I'm burning more calories standing, plus I tend to pace a bit since I'm already standing. So that's burning some more. It's not a ton of calories, but over time it adds up (I've been using the Varidesk for about a year now). Also, when I was sitting I was more prone to drink soda and eat gummi bears while working, hah. For whatever reason, since standing, I have less desire to eat/drink junk food. Reducing the junk food has absolutely led to weight loss. I can't directly tie that to standing, but the standing does seem to have influenced it.

 

[Concept]

Whilst I haven't bought a sit and stand desk, I've designed by work area so I can sit and stand if I choose to.

I originally made the change when I was getting back and shoulder pain which was due to slouching and long periods of sitting. So I changed my work area to allow me to stand.

When I made the adjustments, the back pain and shoulder pain subsided after a week. Yes, your legs will get tired, but this didn't last more than a week. I found wearing running shoes helps as well. I started in just bare feet, however, I was putting a lot of weight on my heals (which is what I do when I walk and run) so the joggers counteracted that and the aching in my feet and lower back subsided after time.

I found it helped with focus too. Being able to stand up after sitting down resets my brain and gives me a second wind. I tend to put music on too, so I end up dancing/shuffling my feet. Whilst entertaining to anyone watching, the movement helps me focus.

 

[Ryuzaki]

I've been thinking about this too. I'm going to build a standing desk for my laptop, but for my desktop I'm going to order this tomorrow I think: http://www.deskcycle.com

 

[finnegan]

I've been thinking about this too. I'm going to build a standing desk for my laptop, but for my desktop I'm going to order this tomorrow I think: http://www.deskcycle.com

It looks good, but I would think you'd bang your knees on the desk while using it.

 

[Stephen]

Hi Guys,

I've been using an electric adjustable desk from Ikea for several years now, I can say it certainly helps on a number of fronts. But one thing I would also ensure you have is something nice to stand on, I have a yoga mat that is doubled up. Make sure you vary between sitting and standing every so often and I also have a Swiss ball to use when I do feel like I want to sit down.

Do it, you won't look back!

I think this is the one I have http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S29022520/

 

[c4yrslf12]

I have both, a dedicated sitting and a dedicated standing. I most definitely prefer to stand. No shoes, just a nice padded carpet. I'm fit, so I never really felt much of the leg soreness or tiredness. Just take regular breaks if you do. No reason to stand in the same place all day, either. Move around. I have a headset and I pace a lot when on the phone.

 

[stackcash]

I've been thinking about this too. I'm going to build a standing desk for my laptop, but for my desktop I'm going to order this tomorrow I think: http://www.deskcycle.com

Nice idea. My problem is that I'm experiencing anterior pelvic tilt from sitting all day. It's making my spine look all wonky. Not sitting for prolonged periods of time + stretching is really the only way to fix.

Hi Guys,

I've been using an electric adjustable desk from Ikea for several years now, I can say it certainly helps on a number of fronts. But one thing I would also ensure you have is something nice to stand on, I have a yoga mat that is doubled up. Make sure you vary between sitting and standing every so often and I also have a Swiss ball to use when I do feel like I want to sit down.

Do it, you won't look back!

I think this is the one I have http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S29022520/

Good idea with the doubled yoga mat!

 

[daseoman]

I just made myself a standing desk to test it out (used a dresser, some boxes ). I did this like 6 months ago and I have been using it ever since.

I usually site a part of the day and stand the rest of it. I change my position every few hours or so. If I worked or something and my legs hurt then I sit a bit more In any case I have seen an improvement in my lower back pain and also my posture and overall feeling. I definitely suggest doing at least part of the day standing up.