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How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

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Re: How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

#61

Post by toast76 »

unignorant wrote: post #27
jordanb wrote: post #22

I switched to a standing desk about six months ago. I started by piling a bunch of books on my desk and putting my laptop on top of them. Later I bought this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MS70Z2/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp... It's a tolerably good desk, except that it's a bit small and, while it's veneered to look like plywood, it's actually made of pasteboard with a laminate veneer (that was a big disappointment when i…

I entirely agree with you, excepting for your comment about shoes. In most circumstances, the best way to avoid foot problems is not to "buy better footware/orthotics" but rather to strengthen your feet. If you are skeptical, look into the "minimalist" running movement. There is quite a bit of research which suggests that the human foot is itself a better support system than any external aid. The problem is that, liv…

I can certainly attest to the "strengthening" argument.

I had been working standing for about 6 months after a back injury. No matter what I did it hurt for the first month or so, but eventually I got used to it.

I just got home from 3 months working in Sydney at a sitting desk, and now I'm back almost to square one. It's amazing how quickly you lose conditioning just by not standing all day.

As with anything, movement is the important part, not the standing part.

And 100% do not wear shoes if you're working standing. Your body is smarter than shoe designers. In time your body get's back to working they way it was designed (or evolved) to work.

Re: How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

#63

Post by ranebo »

rationalbeaver wrote: post #18
run4yourlives wrote: post #12

Google the Ikea Jerker desk. They discontinued the standup model - or rather the model that could be configured as such - but you'd probably be able to find one used on craigslist or ebay. It is designed for this specifically, although it is big, so you need a good deal of space. I've been using one in my home office for about 7 years now.

There's actually a current model at Ikea that works awesomely as a stand up desk: The Fredrik. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00115992 I own one and enjoy it greatly.

Totally agree. This desk is the one I'm currently using and couldn't ask for more.

I'm exactly 6ft and this it works great for me in this configuration: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/77657/Photo%20Apr%2013%2C%2011%2037%...

Re: How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

#64

Post by tremendo »

I've been standing for about two months now. The thing to keep in mind is that yes, it's an improvement over sitting for 8 hours straight, but not a "cure", or something that somehow will save us from the health-related problems of sitting for too long, if all we do now is just stand, also for too long.

Anyway, it's been mostly good for me but I've made adjustments. After a couple of times in which I worked for 12-14 hrs in a day, standing the whole time, mostly with locked knees and not really moving much, one morning I was surprised to look down and see my ankles swollen a bit. I ended up buying a cheap wooden stool, not comfortable for more than 20-30 minutes, so I can now take breaks from standing, sit for a little while then naturally gravitate back to the standing position once that becomes uncomfortable. The stool also conveniently has rests where I can put a leg or foot, then switch, etc. I was probably lucky to find one that is the right height so when I sit I retain the same vertical position in relation to the desk.

Re: How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

#65

Post by forkrulassail »

georgieporgie wrote: post #48
forkrulassail wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To further stack my own mini-thread: I had a hernia two years ago, 31 year old developer. I've seen some treadmill standing working hacks, I've tried the balance ball idea (I'm 1.92m - knees to high up for biggest balance ball). I use Workrave consistently to lock me out of my PC out every 30 minutes, to force me to walk around and avoid pain medication. Recommendations, tips, tricks, and and easy to build schematic…

Do you have a circular saw, a drill, some screws, and access to 2x4s?

I do.

Re: How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

#66

Post by petermarks »

I just hacked together a large standing desk this weekend using cabinets from Ikea:

http://petermarks.info/2011/04/11/the-spaceship-2-0/

The criteria for this project was 1) Cheap 2) high enough to rest my elbows on, 3) large enough for all my gear, 4) Good looking enough to not embarrass my girlfriend.

Re: How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

#67

Post by toto »

Forget that hypster hype.

The problem is not the position but the length working in the same position. Whatever position.

If you stand the whole day, your legs will suffer (ask people working in shops); in the long run you will have "heavy legs" issue. You may lower the effects with a proper setup of your bed (feet should be 2-4 cm higher).

The only real solution: * A good physical activity: cardio + strengthening the muscle for "body protection". * Streching all the muscle groups.

Re: How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

#68

Post by mise »

elasticdog wrote: post #57
jtemplestein wrote: post #10

Most of these hacks (and the comments in this post) miss a crucial point about standing desks. They are supposed to be ergonomic. [1] Putting your laptop on a bunch of boxes puts a lot of strain on your arms. Of course this also doesn't work if you have a big display on your desk. I'd be interested in hacking a standing desk that is 1) ergonomic 2) offers support for both laptops and big displays 3) has a usable keyb…

I've tackled most of those with my cheap standing desk...although it's height is not easily adjustable. To switch things up, I have a futon with a lapboard in my office as well: http://elasticdog.com/2011/01/shelf-made-standing-desk/

Great thinking with the light above the keyboard.

Re: How to hack yourself a standing desk - an illustrated guide

#69

Post by mrzerga »

motorized table base can be bought for ~500$ ( http://www.tablelegworld.com/Motorized-Table-Legs )and then any spare table top can be attached to these - not that expensive in my opinion - and you get a working thing rather than some book or brick based hack which sucks in the long term
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