Apparently standing desks can hurt too • Hacker News Board

Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too

#61

Post by klebba » Fri, May 17, 2013, 3:06 AM UTC

JoeKM wrote: post #58

klebba wrote: post #52

Hi, I'm Casey Klebba from the article. Just adding a little flavor to the story: I have worked in an Aeron chair for most of my career. The majority of my day is spent sitting down -- sometimes at my computer and sometimes in meetings. That's what my job is like right now. If you're like me, when you get home from work you go right back to the computer like a moth to a lamp. Advice about moderation is completely lost…

> * I walk several miles a day to and from work.* You don't wear flip-flops a lot walking long distances, do you? The lack of heel-support is a huge contributing factor to over-pronation and probably Plantar Fasciitis. If you're not wearing flip-flops, are you walking several miles with proper support shoes for that distance if you have a flat foot? Something like the Asics Kinsei or Kayano series. I'm a runner and r…

> You don't wear flip-flops a lot walking long distances, do you?

No, I wear clown shoes. Actually I walk in various Salomon shoes designed for distance trekking. As for the desk, it's built to my measurements and I did my research.

In short; I really just use the computer too much. I appreciate your analysis but the answer is that no amount of perfecting my daily routine will circumvent that truth.

Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too

#62

Post by marcinw » Fri, May 17, 2013, 3:57 AM UTC

tptacek wrote: post #40

As '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.

We've solved this in the Matasano NYC office by:

* Going downstairs for coffee

* Playing a round or two of darts

Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too

#63

Post by marcinw » Fri, May 17, 2013, 4:02 AM UTC

jlgreco wrote: post #43

tptacek wrote: post #40

As '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.

I hear people say all the time they drink a lot of water, but when you ask them to measure it out, it's a joke.

The answer to this problem is to sit at your desk with a gallon of water. You'll find you've finished at least 3/4 before the end of the day contrast to the 2-3 cups you'd usually drink.

Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too

#64

Post by jlgreco » Fri, May 17, 2013, 5:27 AM UTC

marcinw wrote: post #63

jlgreco wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I hear people say all the time they drink a lot of water, but when you ask them to measure it out, it's a joke. The answer to this problem is to sit at your desk with a gallon of water. You'll find you've finished at least 3/4 before the end of the day contrast to the 2-3 cups you'd usually drink.

Yeah, the difference between the amount of water I drink if I am not paying attention to it and the amount of water that I drink if I am actually making a point to drink water is fairly stunning; often up to 3 liters difference.

Re: Apparently standing desks can hurt too

#65

Post by toasterlovin » Fri, May 17, 2013, 3:11 PM UTC

clarkevans wrote: post #44

toasterlovin wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

> This is way easier to do than just standing... I can do this for hours without pain or fatigue.

Thanks for the response. I also find standing to be be incredibly fatiguing and not really a workable solution, so I was wondering if a treadmill would just be the same thing, but with a much larger investment before learning that it wouldn't work.