Why Standing Desks Are Overrated • Hacker News Board

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#131

Post by JshWright » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 6:43 PM UTC

mancerayder wrote: post #123

JshWright wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Turns out, you and the author agree... > Sit-stand desks are not exactly inexpensive, but like many things in life, they’re fine if you like them. And if it helps alleviate some back and neck pain, so much the better. It’s just that most people probably don’t need them.

See, and here lies the issue with an article like this, it's wishy-washy. I've been reading the NYT for years, and it's not just the NYT that does this: write committed non-committal pieces with lots of words, sort of like an English essay in university. Good thing this is non-committal standing-desk wordplay and not politics, this time!

I dunno about the NYT, but this is something Dr Carroll does a fair bit (I follow him both on his Healthcare Triage YouTube channel, and the Incidental Economist blog). He's not a fan of the "XYZ is the cure to all ills" fads that seem so common these days (not that they're anything new), and it's not uncommon for him to write stuff like this.

Many of his articles could be summed up as: "No, XYZ is not the (best|worst) thing ever. (Eat|do|use) it if you want, in moderation, and don't worry too much about it. Except exercise. Do that."

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#132

Post by Lio » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 6:49 PM UTC

By chance the treadmill to go with my sit/stand desk arrived today.

Having used a height adjustable desk some years ago I'd sort of written them off. I can't use one all day on its own, I find the blood just pools in my legs after a while and I just want to sit down.

Equally though I've also suffered sciatica in the past which I attribute to sitting for hours and hour before a log commute driving. It was agony. So to break things up I've got my own treadmill desk for my home office.

I'm walking right now as I type this. I can feel that my heart rate is definitely slightly raised but not so much I"m likely to start sweating. All in all seems pretty good so far.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#133

Post by freyir » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 6:50 PM UTC

mancerayder wrote: post #123

JshWright wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Turns out, you and the author agree... > Sit-stand desks are not exactly inexpensive, but like many things in life, they’re fine if you like them. And if it helps alleviate some back and neck pain, so much the better. It’s just that most people probably don’t need them.

See, and here lies the issue with an article like this, it's wishy-washy. I've been reading the NYT for years, and it's not just the NYT that does this: write committed non-committal pieces with lots of words, sort of like an English essay in university. Good thing this is non-committal standing-desk wordplay and not politics, this time!

It doesn't actually seem very wishy-washy? The article is focused on a single point: standing desks don't provide much health benefit to most people. The conclusion follows: use a standing desk if you like it, not if you've been wrongly convinced that you need it.

What more committed stance would you like the author to take? Since there are limited health benefits, nobody should ever use a standing desk?

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#134

Post by krooj » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 6:50 PM UTC

dana321 wrote: post #29

There are benefits to standing, for one is increased strength in the legs - just try it, it is a workout and you do burn more calories standing up than sitting down. Increased cognitive ability is another benefit, due to the increased blood flow. I think alternating is great, its what i tend to do.

The benefits of a standing desk are junk if taken on their own. Standing for extended periods is bad for you, just as is sitting all the time. Your calf muscles behave as a pump for getting blood back to your heart, so when all you do is stand, that pump isn't activated and blood will pool. Just ask people that need to stand for a living.

This isn't a simple solution: our bodies are meant to move, and extended sitting or standing isn't natural.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#135

Post by Symbiote » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 6:53 PM UTC

brightball wrote: post #33

WhompingWindows wrote: post #8

This article is by a pediatrician, not a physical therapist or a subject matter expert. The article basically consists of the author pointing to some studies on the subject and concluding that there's not yet definitive, decisive evidence as to the long-term benefits of standing desks. Anyone who reads about standing desks knew that already. And, as someone who is known amongst friends and colleagues for using one, I…

I actually have a Varidesk so I can alternate periodically because I found that I was much more tired towards the end of the day if I sat all day. Also experienced a lot of back discomfort. A lot of my motivation for getting the standing desk was that it seemed like an easier option than one of the really expensive chairs that are out there. I still use the standing desk every now and then, but after seeing some reco…

I have a sit-stand desk, which is fairly common in Denmark. Last time I spoke to an ergonomicist, she said the most important things was to change position. Standing all day isn't great either.

I'm trying to start a habit of raising the desk before leaving for lunch, and before leaving at the end of the day.

I bought the Ikea sit-stand desk for home, since I find I waste less time at the computer if I don't sit in front of it.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#136

Post by narrowingorbits » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 6:55 PM UTC

JshWright wrote: post #94

sebleon wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, if someone has a home remedy that gets great results, why switch to a substance from someone in a lab coat?

Exactly, that's what I keep saying about my bear repellent rock I keep on my front porch. Haven't seen a single bear yet.

People whose reactions when confronted with something new, unknown, and unexpected are to laugh at it or respond sarcastically, instead of to accept the surprise, approach with curiosity and humility, and question if there is something they're not understanding, are unlikely to ever discover anything new.

Everything that we call science today was once alternately laughable or mysterious.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#137

Post by brlewis » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 6:57 PM UTC

JshWright wrote: post #94

sebleon wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, if someone has a home remedy that gets great results, why switch to a substance from someone in a lab coat?

Exactly, that's what I keep saying about my bear repellent rock I keep on my front porch. Haven't seen a single bear yet.

Your employer wins because you're spending less time worrying about bears.

My employer wins because I spend less time thinking about whether I would benefit from a sit/stand desk...at the very least. I suspect I get a real productivity advantage from it at times.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#138

Post by brlewis » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 7:02 PM UTC

bpicolo wrote: post #3

Best strategy is just drinking enough that you need to hit the restroom with reasonable frequency. You stay hydrated and get well-timed walking/headspace breaks. Win-win.

I use this strategy, but still find the sit/stand desk useful. Certain types of work are best done in a standing position with my "Rhythm Energy" playlist playing through headphones.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#139

Post by pc86 » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 7:06 PM UTC

malnourish wrote: post #95

pc86 wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you are physically active with either intense cardio or weightlifting 3-5+ hours a week, you need to eat enough that 120 ounces is basically the starting point the proper hydration. As with most things physiological, the system is a balancing act with a lot of independent variables that need to be taken into account. If you eat two meals of 800-1k calories each, and you don't work out, a gallon of water a day is p…

Good to know. I've been intentionally getting a lot more active and have had to fight a bit of thirst for fear of repeating my folly. I won't be so afraid to drink a bit more.

It also helps to spread the drinking out (which makes it harder to do IMO unless you're pretty diligent). Anecdotally I feel much better drinking slightly less water but spread throughout the day as opposed to drinking the "right" amount of water but 2+ full glasses at a time.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#140

Post by choot » Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 7:29 PM UTC

I work remote. And i lay in bed most of the times.

Somtimes, I am laying in the bathtub with a coke and completing projects on my Dell XPS16 running Debian.

I never felt the need to sit or stand.