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Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

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Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#81

Post by DontSueMeBro »

drfuchs wrote: post #74
nathcd wrote: post #51

A couple years ago my co-worker and I each built the $22 IKEA standing desk from iamnotaprogrammer.com[1]. We also each got a nice standing mat and stool (about $100 each), and I got a monitor mount (about $50). It's been excellent. I'd say I spend about half my time standing and half sitting on the stool. For me, rather than losing focus when I'm standing, sometimes I'll just pace around my office a bit, which I've…

Many folks mention standing on a mat. Anybody care to give specific advice on what to buy (brand, material, thickness, link, whatever)?

At work I've used an Imprint CumulusPRO mat and it was very comfortable and took a lot of abuse like using my chair on top of it half the time.

Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#82

Post by westoque »

ue_ wrote: post #43
westoque wrote: post #24

Have you tried working in a tatami desk? I found that it works well for me. Working in a tatami forces you to sit in a seiza style, which in turn forces you to straighten your back. The Japanese say it's supposed to be a "proper" way of sitting.

For those more inexperienced, it can really hurt after a while to sit like that, and even for those experienced it's probably not recommended to stay in such a position for a long time. I think all of these solutions miss one of the problems with working at a desk: you're sedentary, and that's ultimately bad for the heart. I can't find a source at the moment, but I read an article here a while ago by the AMA which di…

I completely agree. I don't necessarily stay in that position all day. I make sure to take lots of breaks, either by standing up and walking around or taking a cup of coffee.

And yes, exercising definitely helps with most, if not all the posture problems. Make sure your exercise program involves some good stretching and strength workouts.

Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#83

Post by adamb_ »

Everyone on my team has an automated sit-stand desk. Just walked around the office and not a single one is in "stand mode", and that's not likely to change. It's a neat idea, and I've known people who swear by it, but in practice it's one thing extra to have to think about.

Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#85

Post by scrdhrt »

corpMaverick wrote: post #42

Standing hurts my lower back within 10 minutes. Probably a mobility issue. The pain is similar as if I try to do an overhead press. I have been squatting for 60 seconds twice a day. I should probably try hanging too. Any other ideas ?

Check these out: http://backapp.us

Awesome standup chair with a balance ball that makes you move your back all the time and creates energy, and thus prohibits stiffness in the back and neck. They also have a standing board for a good combo.

Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#86

Post by aidenn0 »

I stand about 2 hours per day. At first an old knee injury bothered me, but that knee is better than it has ever been.

I wish I had room for a treadmill in my office, but I don't.

Topo standing mat was $50ish and worth every penny. I can stand for about 15 minutes without one and 2 hours with.

Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#87

Post by jelder »

If you're thinking about standing instead of your task, you may need a foot rest or better antifatigue mat (or both).

I have a Humanscale Float (non-electric adjustable sit/stand desk) and I love it. It was a bit expensive but being able to very quickly transition between sitting and standing means I'm more likely to do it.

Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#88

Post by 33W »

adamb_ wrote: post #83

Everyone on my team has an automated sit-stand desk. Just walked around the office and not a single one is in "stand mode", and that's not likely to change. It's a neat idea, and I've known people who swear by it, but in practice it's one thing extra to have to think about.

My office has these as well - maybe 1 in 20 people use it as standing on a regular basis.

We do use them more often when someone swings by your desk to look at some code or troubleshoot. Having everyone at the same height balances the dynamic and makes the screens easier to see.

Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#89

Post by samuell »

Second the experience about better focus while sitting. But I prefer to stand for a while (~30min) when just arriving at work, coming from a meeting, or back from lunch.

It helps me stay "active and focused" on taking control of what I'm doing ... which is super for making sure I get started with actual work rather than drifting off onto some lazy web surfing or whatever.

And then, after getting properly into my work (opened the IDE / tmux/vim setup and started to code), I tend to slip down in my seat pretty quickly, to get into proper un-distracted focus.

Getting back to standing mode occasionally if getting too drowsy etc.

Re: Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

#90

Post by sinak »

akulbe wrote: post #75

Can't beat this drum enough. Consider using a treadmill desk. Alternate between sitting and walking. Moving is better than standing still. See my setup. https://www.dropbox.com/s/089qqvaa7j5ob77/office_setup.jpg I've lost a lot of weight with this setup. Still have a long way to go. I've found the key to concentration is walking slow. It has a max speed of 4MPH (which is way too fast). I walk at a pace of 1.2 - 1.4 m…

Similar, but I went a bit overboard with my setup and created a sliding platform for my chair: https://cl.ly/2e3q0B0f2O3o
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