Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

The truth behind standing desks (2016)

health.harvard.edu

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 21 posts

Re: The truth behind standing desks (2016)

#11

Post by arresin »

athenot wrote: post #7

The setup that I adopted 15 years ago and still use today is the "bar desk". It's a standup desk that's positioned in such a way that my elbows rest naturally when I'm standing. But instead of a fancy mechanism to make the desk go up and down, I have a saddle stool. When sitting on it, my head is at the same level as standing, and my spine is straight. (Key point is monitor position.) What I like about that is I can…

That is simple but really smart.

One issue though is the lack of a back on the stool. You can make the case it’s a Good thing but when I really need to concentrate if I’m tensing muscles in my back to keep straight it won’t be the same—or you can slouch which also isn’t perfect.

Re: The truth behind standing desks (2016)

#13

Post by jerlam »

godelski wrote: post #5

My favorite thing about a standing desk is that I can actually sit and the desk be at the correct height. I'll admit, I spend most of my time sitting at that desk. I do like standing in the morning as I think it helps me wake up a bit more, but the absolute biggest difference it has made for me is actually being able to sit at my desk with a good posture. * Mix that with a good chair and a vesa monitor mount* and you…

Don't be like me and get a standing desk where the lowest position is still too tall. Apparently it's designed for people who are at least 5'10" tall, at the bottom I have to use a footrest.

Same with chairs, many are designed for the average male height and won't drop low enough.

Re: The truth behind standing desks (2016)

#14

Post by godelski »

jerlam wrote: post #13
godelski wrote: post #5

My favorite thing about a standing desk is that I can actually sit and the desk be at the correct height. I'll admit, I spend most of my time sitting at that desk. I do like standing in the morning as I think it helps me wake up a bit more, but the absolute biggest difference it has made for me is actually being able to sit at my desk with a good posture. * Mix that with a good chair and a vesa monitor mount* and you…

Don't be like me and get a standing desk where the lowest position is still too tall. Apparently it's designed for people who are at least 5'10" tall, at the bottom I have to use a footrest. Same with chairs, many are designed for the average male height and won't drop low enough.

I mean I'm 6' and my desk goes far higher than I'm comfortable with and lower than my 5'4" partner is comfortable with.

I guess I would say, don't cheap out on things you want to last a long time and that you use frequently. Things like a desk are one of your most important "tools" as a developer, right? Just like a chair, monitor, and keyboard

Re: The truth behind standing desks (2016)

#15

Post by sagaro »

I have tried standing desks, but not for burning calories like the article suggests. It was more for fixing my posture. But standing and working made my lean and support myself with my hands.

The best solution I like now is a knee stool. It fixes my posture without I having to try too hard.

Re: The truth behind standing desks (2016)

#17

Post by stubish »

M95D wrote: post #12

Standing desks are not good for the legs. Blood won't climb unless pumped - that's done by walking. Just standing with no walking damages the veins. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_muscle_pump

The article you cite has no mention that the skeletal muscle pump works by walking or only works when walking. Do you have any other sources to hand?

Re: The truth behind standing desks (2016)

#18

Post by M95D »

stubish wrote: post #17
M95D wrote: post #12

Standing desks are not good for the legs. Blood won't climb unless pumped - that's done by walking. Just standing with no walking damages the veins. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_muscle_pump

The article you cite has no mention that the skeletal muscle pump works by walking or only works when walking. Do you have any other sources to hand?

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213333X2...

Re: The truth behind standing desks (2016)

#19

Post by MattPalmer1086 »

arresin wrote: post #11
athenot wrote: post #7

The setup that I adopted 15 years ago and still use today is the "bar desk". It's a standup desk that's positioned in such a way that my elbows rest naturally when I'm standing. But instead of a fancy mechanism to make the desk go up and down, I have a saddle stool. When sitting on it, my head is at the same level as standing, and my spine is straight. (Key point is monitor position.) What I like about that is I can…

That is simple but really smart. One issue though is the lack of a back on the stool. You can make the case it’s a Good thing but when I really need to concentrate if I’m tensing muscles in my back to keep straight it won’t be the same—or you can slouch which also isn’t perfect.

You should not need to tense muscles in your back to sit straight, or stand from that position.

I spent some time learning Alexander Technique - which is mostly all about your spine, sitting and standing. I can recommend it.

Re: The truth behind standing desks (2016)

#20

Post by xtiansimon »

jerlam wrote: post #13
godelski wrote: post #5

My favorite thing about a standing desk is that I can actually sit and the desk be at the correct height. I'll admit, I spend most of my time sitting at that desk. I do like standing in the morning as I think it helps me wake up a bit more, but the absolute biggest difference it has made for me is actually being able to sit at my desk with a good posture. * Mix that with a good chair and a vesa monitor mount* and you…

Don't be like me and get a standing desk where the lowest position is still too tall. Apparently it's designed for people who are at least 5'10" tall, at the bottom I have to use a footrest. Same with chairs, many are designed for the average male height and won't drop low enough.

> “…get a standing desk where the lowest position is still too tall.”

I worked at a standing desk at a corp with a strong internal Ergonomics group. Our standing desks were pairs with adjustable chairs with a range of motion much greater than regular chairs. I remember this because I would have preferred using the Herman Miller Aeron, but the taller chairs were better suited for the adjustable desks.

Post reply on HN