I think better when I sit.
I crank out volume when I stand.
Switching between them is pretty great.
Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
111–120 of 174 posts
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#112I don't use one ... I am fine with sitting as long as I workout regularly. That means I'm definitely doing squats or leg press as well as upper and lower back exercises. I need this not only to tire me out so I don't get restless sitting but also for posture and support. Eat little or no lunch -- light salad or soup or just yogurt and fruit -- to avoid fatigue and digestive troubles.
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#113I built a standing desk[1] about 3 or 4 years ago that I used exclusively for most of that time.
For me the purpose was actually to relieve arm pain, because when you rest your arms against anything for extended periods of time, it aggravates the nerve and causes long-lasting pain from your fingers to your elbow and sometimes higher.
Overall I found it pretty helpful, not because I'm standing all the time, but because it encourages me to move around more (shift legs, walk away and come back, etc) which keeps me from being in a bad posture for too long at once.
The thing cost probably $250 to build out of parts from Menard's, using four 4x4s for the legs and a butcher block for the top, and some metal to keep them together. I'm not a handy guy so assembling it was too confusing and difficult and I almost swore I'd never build anything again in my life. But I'm glad I have this thing.
[1] standingdesk.image = https://www.dropbox.com/s/7acc2jkc6zgrow7/standingdesk.jpeg?...
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#114Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have a desk from the Human Solution made with reclaimed wood. It wasn't cheap, but it's solid and it looks great. Friends are always complementing me on it. It's been working well for about two years now. http://www.thehumansolution.com/stand-up-desk-with-reclaimed...
I've taken a look at that same desk. Are the surface and edges smooth, or are there rough patches that could snag/splinter? Can you write on paper on the desk surface smoothly?
Good question. Yes, there are rough patches. You couldn't write on paper without something like a book underneath.
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#115I have a standing only setup that is based off IKEA's hand cranked standing desk (I take advantage of the empty space below the desk for storage). I started with a makeshift platform on a table to make sure it was not a fad for me before getting my current setup. I found my posture improved while standing. Having said that, I don't know if my health or anything like that improved significantly by standing. I love wor…
> If you're thinking of getting the IKEA hand cranked desk, be aware that the table top that comes with it is not solid. I originally wanted to cut a hole in it to permanently mount my dual monitor stand, but doing so would have compromised the structural integrity of the table top.
For this exact reason, I made my own tabletop. I went to Home Depot, bought a big piece of hardboard (4ft x 8ft x 2in) and had them cut it to size. I bought a random orbital sander, a can of stain, and some spray-on top coat. I rounded the corners with the sander, wiped down the wood, stained it with 2 layers, and sprayed on 2 layers of top coat. Desk is waterproof, light, and much more sturdy than particle board. Total cost (not including time and labor): $85
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#116I've been using a standing desk at work for about a year and a half now. I stand all day, except for meetings and lunch. I'm definitely a fan; I just ordered a standing desk for home.
Regarding concentration, I'm reminded of an interesting article about concentration and standing desks: https://qz.com/957311/why-cant-i-focus-using-a-standing-desk...
"When standing in an office—especially one where others are sitting—your range of vision is far wider; you can see a lot more faces from a higher vantage point than you do sitting down. The more people you can see both directly and peripherally, the more faces you are unconsciously trying to interpret. And the more you process this information, the more likely you are to take those emotions on yourself."
I've avoided this problem by facing a partition where I can't see anyone and wearing noise-canceling headphones.
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#117I have a sit/stand desk at work and home. I tend to stand about 4-6 hours a day, and haven't noticed any difficulty concentrating when doing so. I feel more alert and prefer standing unless I have foot pain.
I deal with that by shifting weight balance (by leaning, or putting one foot on a box or up against the wall) and I have a pretty comfy mat to stand on. If it's uncomfortable I'll just switch to sitting for a while.
I also walk ~3 miles a day.
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#118I purchased a standing desk about a year ago. I've found that I use it a lot less than I thought I would. On average, I spend about 1 hour a day standing. Why?
- I find it difficult to stand for long periods of time, much more difficult than walking or running for the same duration of time. I tend to get tired of standing after about 40 minutes, and just want to sit down. I can run for hours.
- I find it more difficult to concentrate. If I need to really think about a hard implementation, or a tricky design solution, I find my desire to sit down is very strong.
Negatives aside, I actually wish I used it more.
As I've gotten older, I've noticed lower back pain at night when sleeping. Researching the problem, it appears the culprit is tight hamstrings. Sitting for prolonged period can cause tight hamstrings, leading to lower back pain. In the past couple of weeks, I've been stretching and rolling my hamstrings, and trying to stand more. The results have been very promising: The more I stretch, and the more I stand, the less pain I have at night.
I just wish I could stand for longer periods. There's something about it that my body doesn't like, it's just draining.
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#119I've been using a standing desk for about five years now. I generally use it for 8 hours per day. The only time I don't is when I'm doing a video conference and that's just because I don't have an external camera at the moment.
I will say that I preferred my treadmill desk. Standing can be a little tiring. I use a mat and good shoes, but I still feel it in my hips at the end of the day. (I'm about to turn 50).
With the treadmill desk, I could feel it in my calves and thighs, but it felt good and was much less tiring. The treadmill was just too heavy to move when we came to Texas, but I hope to have one again.
I never had any trouble concentrating on the treadmill. I do find myself sitting to think sometimes from the standing desk, but I think that is the soreness issue in another form.
Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?
#120I purchased a standing desk about a year ago. I've found that I use it a lot less than I thought I would. On average, I spend about 1 hour a day standing. Why? - I find it difficult to stand for long periods of time, much more difficult than walking or running for the same duration of time. I tend to get tired of standing after about 40 minutes, and just want to sit down. I can run for hours. - I find it more difficu…
Not just you. A few years back, I served as a docent for a week-long introductory course in bioinformatics tooling - almost all of which time I spent standing, and very little of it moving around. It was exhausting, and it hurt. I can do ten miles on foot in a day, up and down hills, through streams, and generally all over creation - and even so feel better the next morning than if I spent the same time standing still.