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Please get an ergonomic computer desk

deskfair.com

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Re: Please get an ergonomic computer desk

#11

Post by bitwize »

dasboot wrote: post #9
joeld42 wrote: post #7

Another cheaper option is a standing desk with a high office chair. I used one of these for about two years and it did make a positive difference. You can stand or sit and it costs no more than a regular desk. (My workplace uses desks from Ikea, they are cheap and comfortable) Unfortunately, I like to switch between 'sit', 'stand' and 'slouch'; slouch being reserved for when I'm really "in the zone". I missed that op…

The slouching when in the zone is true for me as well, which is why the pure standing or standing / tall sitting are not a good option for me personally. They just kill certain types of productivity. Adjustable sit-stand desks are just unbeatable in terms of being least disruptive. Whether the cost can be reasonably written off as an investment in better health and productivity really depends. Long term, I think it's…

What about standing desk + high bar stool style seat to rest your ass on?

My dad's drafting table setup was similar to this.

Re: Please get an ergonomic computer desk

#12

Post by midnightmonster »

My treadmill desk, built from a $400 walmart treadmill, pieces of my former Ikea 'Jerker' desk, and a $30 metal shelf from Costco.

http://letterblock.com/images/treadmill_desk.jpg

So obviously I can do walking at various speeds and inclines (usually 2 mph at 4 degrees) or standing. I have an ergo standing mat that I put on top of the treadmill if I'm going to be standing for a bit. Whenever I get the rest of this office cleaned up enough, I'll look for a small easy chair for occasional resting or iPad use. Off camera there's also a stand fan, which you may need if you walk for hours and your office window faces south in Florida. (My office has always been hot, and I find that moving actually makes it more bearable.)

Re: Please get an ergonomic computer desk

#15

Post by dasboot »

bitwize wrote: post #11
dasboot wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The slouching when in the zone is true for me as well, which is why the pure standing or standing / tall sitting are not a good option for me personally. They just kill certain types of productivity. Adjustable sit-stand desks are just unbeatable in terms of being least disruptive. Whether the cost can be reasonably written off as an investment in better health and productivity really depends. Long term, I think it's…

What about standing desk + high bar stool style seat to rest your ass on? My dad's drafting table setup was similar to this.

I've played with that setup as well and it works ok, but not great.

One problem is that the bar stools are hard to get on and then move to be positioned properly.

Another problem is that leaning against the edge often doesn't work well, because a) the chair keeps slipping back and b) you rest your butt on a narrow edge which presses on nerves, blood vessels and bones, making it very uncomfortable.

I've tried lab stools, ironing chairs, bar stools, etc. and the problems are similar. Drafting chairs could work, but are too short for me - made for tall sitting desks (drafting table), not standing height.

I can think of two potentially comfortable solutions I haven't really tried yet:

1. A thick, padded round bar like they have on the London tube and other trains to lean against. This could be mounted on a wall, which eliminates the sliding away problem.

2. There are (expensive) saddle chairs - where you sit upright on a wide and split bicycle type seat that puts you at ergonomically healthier angles (135 degrees from thigh to back instead of 90 degrees of "normal" sitting). No leaning/slouching possible on those though. Further problem: Sitting on your reproductive organs for long hours may be uncomfortable and unhealthy.

Re: Please get an ergonomic computer desk

#16

Post by zephjc »

midnightmonster wrote: post #12

My treadmill desk, built from a $400 walmart treadmill, pieces of my former Ikea 'Jerker' desk, and a $30 metal shelf from Costco. http://letterblock.com/images/treadmill_desk.jpg So obviously I can do walking at various speeds and inclines (usually 2 mph at 4 degrees) or standing. I have an ergo standing mat that I put on top of the treadmill if I'm going to be standing for a bit. Whenever I get the rest of this off…

How do you find coding while walking? It seems like one's body would jostle too much to be able to concentrate well.

Re: Please get an ergonomic computer desk

#17

Post by dasboot »

midnightmonster wrote: post #12

My treadmill desk, built from a $400 walmart treadmill, pieces of my former Ikea 'Jerker' desk, and a $30 metal shelf from Costco. http://letterblock.com/images/treadmill_desk.jpg So obviously I can do walking at various speeds and inclines (usually 2 mph at 4 degrees) or standing. I have an ergo standing mat that I put on top of the treadmill if I'm going to be standing for a bit. Whenever I get the rest of this off…

This is something I want to experiment with as well. I tend to play music and shuffle, dance and pace around for movement while standing.

The thing that keeps me from going with a treadmill desk is that I switch from casual tasks (email, etc.) into highly focused work (coding, writing) seamlessly and for the focused tasks I prefer to sit most of the time, and even unplugging my laptop from speakers, power, monitor, etc. to take it to a chair or lower table just feels disruptive.

In terms of back health walking is hard to beat though. That's why I do my desk dances or even stand on unstable surfaces (a firm pillow or piece of foam in the simplest case) - to "diversify" my standing posture.

Re: Please get an ergonomic computer desk

#18

Post by binspace »

dasboot wrote: post #8
binspace wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey, are there any cheaper options that you have found? For example I would be happy with a desk that can be manually adjusted.

There are two significant aspects for these desks: 1. Do they cover the sitting and standing range (or just some variable sitting range)? 2. Can you adjust the height without taking everything off your desk? Regarding 1: There are some desks with hand cranks that may be marginally cheaper - but the ones I can think of right now don't cover the standing range, they are only good for sitting positions for people of dif…

I have been noticing some cheaper desks that cover 1 & 2 using google.

http://www.ergoindemand.com/pneumatic-sit-stand-adjustable-c...

http://www.amazon.com/Balt-Inc-Ergo-Easy-Workstation/dp/B000...

I also found a DIY tables, but it does'n quite fit #2. http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60365

This one does but the plans cost $17. http://www.leviteq.com/

All that ikea piece needs is pneumatic adjustment. It' amazing how difficult it is to find an adjustable desk in the right price point ($150-$400).

Re: Please get an ergonomic computer desk

#19

Post by dasboot »

marijn wrote: post #14

Can anyone recommend something that can be ordered in Europe (Germany) without paying a fortune in shipping costs?

The brand situation in Europe is very different. One of the cheaper ones that looks decent (haven't seen it IRL though), is the below for 499 Euros.

http://aktivshop.de/catalog/elektrisch-hhenverstellbarer-sch...

The following page has a listing, but I can't say anything about quality/credibility of products/suppliers:

http://www.bueromoebel-werksverkauf.de/inwerk_bm/steh-sitz-t...

If more people are interested I can investigate European options as well.

If you find anything, it would be nice if you could share it with me via the contact form on my site, so I can look into adding it.

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