A gel matt, good shoes, and a little leaning can make a huge difference.
Apparently standing desks can hurt too
41–50 of 65 posts
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#42It was unclear from the article how long they've been using the standing desk to start having these problems.
We've been using standing desks for 6 months now and it's been great. Though we read up on it a lot before implementing, so we knew to start with the gel mats (and they really do help). We also knew the best solution was to stand and sit. Rather than invest in desks that raise and lower (which are expensive and seem like more effort than it'd be worth), we found some nice drafting chairs, so it only takes half a second to switch between standing and sitting.
Perhaps I'll do a writeup soon about our sit/stand workstations.
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#43As 'tzs has pointed out repeatedly on HN: it's possible, and, considering the evidence, perhaps even likely that standing desks are worse for you than conventional desks: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4307722 From what I've read, the best approach seems to be to sit , but also to set a timer to get up and walk around for a minute every half hour or so.
That is my take on it as well. I figure that humans probably developed fatty buttocks for a reason.
I find that a good way to "set a timer" is to drink large amounts of water. It's good for you regardless and staying well hydrated should keep you from accidentally sitting still for many hours on end.
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#44We have treadmill desks at our office, I don't use it all day, but will hop on it for around 1 hour usually. I feel like that is a pretty good compromise.
How difficult do you find typing while walking on the treadmill?
I have the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5, and it's quite lovely.
I get on it in the early morning and mid-day when I'm a bit sleepy, for 3-4h/day total.
1/2 MPH (slow crawl) permits you to use the mouse reliably and keep your shoulders level so that no one knows you're on a walking treadmill during a conference call. This is way easier to do than just standing... I can do this for hours without pain or fatigue.
1-2 MPH (steady walk) permits you to do reading and typing without any problem. I usually go 1.5, and then only for a half hour at a time -- but then again, I'm kinda lazy.
3-4 MPH (brisk walk) permits you to close your eyes and get out some frustration when it's cold outside, take a call with a colleague, or, read non-intensive (Hacker News) material. My knees hurt after a very short while... so I hardly ever do this.
The lifespan's desk has a built in arm-pad that really, really helps the movement/shock so that you can type ... even at 3MPH. If I were to buy it again, I'd get the more expensive model though, I find myself lubricating the track all the time and it's irritating.
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#45I use a standing desk and I have never used a standing desk without proper sneakers that have nice soles. I also use the anti-fatigue mat. But above all, I have a high chair which I use to change my position and sit on if I am tired. Alternating between sitting and standing is the best thing.
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#46“Whatever you do, do it in moderation” An old proverb that may be, but applies too as a simple system to avoid repetitive strain injuries. Sit, stand, change positions. Rotate to a different input device (mouse, tablet, trackball) each week. Take your eyes off the monitor and stare out the window for 90 seconds every hour. Walk to lunch once a week, or go to a bathroom on a different floor of the building. Over relia…
For me one of the main benefits of an adjustable desk is exactly that I can move around, and if I think, I don't have to stand up to shift elsewhere, for example.
Pure standing desks are murder.
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#47If you're feeling stiff, get a lacrosse ball and smash it out. http://www.mobilitywod.com/2010/11/episode-77-plantar-fascii...
Agreed. If you don't have a lacrosse ball, a golf ball will also work. You can wrap it in elastic bands (those thick ones used to bunch broccoli up) to help reduce it sliding around.
The key is to really grind your heel into it - it should hurt. My PT says this is basically breaking up the scar tissue that is causing the symptoms.
I have gotten PF from running (stupidly did not give myself a break after setting some PBs) and this is the one treatment that's working. Best thing is that it can be done on your own time, while sitting at your desk, for example...
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#48I switched to a standing desk almost a year ago. Didn't take me long to decide that I wanted a nice thick gel mat to stand on. No, not a yoga mat. Something really thick and cushy, made for this purpose. (My 8yo daughter thinks it's awesome BTW.) I have also always taken breaks and switched to using my laptop on the sofa or loveseat for a while. It's also worth mentioning that I have a freakishly strong lower back. Maybe something to do with slinging 40lb boxes of books around a lot when I was younger. Anyway, when I used to frequent health clubs I'd always push 20% more on the lower-back machine than even the most hard-core lifter types. And I still get a sore back if I stand too long. Just don't do that to your body all day.
More recently, I switched from my ad-hoc pile of boxes to an adjustable-height desk (Ergotron Workfit-S). It's freaking awesome. I can switch between standing and sitting almost effortlessly, which makes a huge difference. Now I've settled in to a rhythm of standing 65-75% of the time, and sitting the rest, without ever having to break my concentration. It's really a lot better than either position alone, or expensive "context switches" between the two. I highly recommend trying it. If you don't like it, you can just leave the stand in your preferred position permanently.
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#49Wait till standing desks have been in fashion for some decades and you'll start seeing stories about people getting Thrombophlebitis in their legs.
Seriously, get a good chair and sit in it. Get up every half an hour or so, also strech your legs while sitting. Raise your toes forcefully to get some blood flowing through your lower legs (this should be done automatically every couple of minutes without thinking). Put your feet on the desk every now and then.
Do some rigorous exercise every couple of hours or so.
And you should be fine.
Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too
#50It was unclear from the article how long they've been using the standing desk to start having these problems. We've been using standing desks for 6 months now and it's been great. Though we read up on it a lot before implementing, so we knew to start with the gel mats (and they really do help). We also knew the best solution was to stand and sit. Rather than invest in desks that raise and lower (which are expensive a…
I've been using a mix of standing and using either a high drafting school or a geek desk with a firm chair for about 2 and a half years.
I never have back pain like I used to and never have foot or ankle pain. Whenever I get uncomfortable in any way, I switch from sitting to standing. I figure this is a pretty good sign from my body that I could use a change.
That said, the first week of standing including some restlessness and foot/calf pain. This went away pretty quickly. Additionally, I've used a GelPro mat at both workplaces with standing desks.