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Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

nytimes.com

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Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#91

Post by sebleon »

savanaly wrote: post #82
jm__87 wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks. I stopped reading the article here: > Research, however, suggests that warnings about sitting at work are overblown, and that standing desks are overrated as a way to improve health. Who cares what research says. If someone says it helps them and they prefer it to sitting, that is enough proof for me.

By that logic, I guess homeopathy is also perfectly proven as effective?

Yes, if someone has a home remedy that gets great results, why switch to a substance from someone in a lab coat?

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#92

Post by jboy55 »

AstralStorm wrote: post #31
hmuskat wrote: post #6

I suspect people aren't going to read the entire article or are going to be put off by the rather aggressively-opinionated title. I was expecting a more extreme conclusion than: - Sitting all day isn't great, but just sitting won't kill you - Standing all day isn't great, but just standing won't kill you - Standing isn't exercise - As long as you exercise and take breaks during the work day, it doesn't really matter…

The last point is not mentioned in the article at all.

It is, "Too much sitting over the course of a day is not healthy — let’s be clear. And as I’ve written before, exercise is the closest thing to a wonder drug. Few things provide such a health benefit."

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#93

Post by JshWright »

jm__87 wrote: post #69
netcan wrote: post #68

You know what the problem with problems is? I'll tell you the problem with problems... :) Imagine Jules. Jules likes to put her laptop on the counter and work standing for an hour after lunch, while having her coffee. ...helps her digestion, or neck or something.. Personally, I like standing and/or walking while working too. I think better, it feels like. I like walking meetings, especially if we're going to be schem…

Thanks. I stopped reading the article here: > Research, however, suggests that warnings about sitting at work are overblown, and that standing desks are overrated as a way to improve health. Who cares what research says. If someone says it helps them and they prefer it to sitting, that is enough proof for me.

Turns out, you and the author agree...

> Sit-stand desks are not exactly inexpensive, but like many things in life, they’re fine if you like them. And if it helps alleviate some back and neck pain, so much the better. It’s just that most people probably don’t need them.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#94

Post by JshWright »

sebleon wrote: post #91
savanaly wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By that logic, I guess homeopathy is also perfectly proven as effective?

Yes, if someone has a home remedy that gets great results, why switch to a substance from someone in a lab coat?

Exactly, that's what I keep saying about my bear repellent rock I keep on my front porch. Haven't seen a single bear yet.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#95

Post by malnourish »

pc86 wrote: post #43
malnourish wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anecdotal, but be wary. I drank a lot of water for a long time (120+ ounces a day of water, plus whatever else I would drink). I was constantly thirsty and was worried I had diabetes. It turns out I was drinking _too_ much water and was flushing out valuable electrolytes from my system. Drinking less paradoxically left me feeling quenched, but it took a doctor's visit and blood work to resolve.

If you are physically active with either intense cardio or weightlifting 3-5+ hours a week, you need to eat enough that 120 ounces is basically the starting point the proper hydration. As with most things physiological, the system is a balancing act with a lot of independent variables that need to be taken into account. If you eat two meals of 800-1k calories each, and you don't work out, a gallon of water a day is p…

Good to know. I've been intentionally getting a lot more active and have had to fight a bit of thirst for fear of repeating my folly. I won't be so afraid to drink a bit more.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#96

Post by Chris2048 »

wild_preference wrote: post #73
netcan wrote: post #68

You know what the problem with problems is? I'll tell you the problem with problems... :) Imagine Jules. Jules likes to put her laptop on the counter and work standing for an hour after lunch, while having her coffee. ...helps her digestion, or neck or something.. Personally, I like standing and/or walking while working too. I think better, it feels like. I like walking meetings, especially if we're going to be schem…

This kind of thinking extends to the sort of Reddit/HN comments that think they're tearing down someone's argument by pointing out a single exception. It's some sort of "gotcha" culture. Imagine how ridiculous discourse would be if we couldn't make a claim without enumerating every single possible exception, or if every claim had to be prefixed with "there are exceptions, but." Absolutely insufferable. Almost wish th…

> or if every claim had to be prefixed with "there are exceptions, but."

I don't think that's ridiculous. Why not? People shouldn't be making trash general claims - now you say "don't point out exceptions"? so what's such a claim worth?

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#97

Post by malnourish »

asib wrote: post #70
malnourish wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anecdotal, but be wary. I drank a lot of water for a long time (120+ ounces a day of water, plus whatever else I would drink). I was constantly thirsty and was worried I had diabetes. It turns out I was drinking _too_ much water and was flushing out valuable electrolytes from my system. Drinking less paradoxically left me feeling quenched, but it took a doctor's visit and blood work to resolve.

Just as a counter anecdote, I drink about 6-8 litres over the course of a day (generally 2 litres in morning before I go to work, 4 during work and 1-2 after work) and have never experienced this. Bear in mind I do 1.5 hrs cardio when I get up, maybe this makes me thirstier throughout the day. Only time I ever had symptoms of over-hydration (very similar to symptoms of dehydration, classic one is a headache) was when…

Yep, I would often get a headache and think, "boy I should drink some water!" and it didn't go away. But then I would eat a salty snack and it improved.

I'm getting more active, but still not great yet. Good to know it's something that flexes with activity.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#98

Post by [deleted] »

aj_g wrote: post #16
bpicolo wrote: post #3

Best strategy is just drinking enough that you need to hit the restroom with reasonable frequency. You stay hydrated and get well-timed walking/headspace breaks. Win-win.

This is my strategy as well. Keep a Nalgene topped up with water and pee like 10 times a day. Coworkers might raise an eyebrow, but who cares. It works great because of the power of habit--it's easy to sip a little bit of water every few minutes, and then of course you're forced to get up and move around/pee when the urge is strong enough.

[deleted]

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#99

Post by nimbius »

Coming from a blue collar job (I work as an engine repair mechanic) ive never understood standing desks. most of the articles are right up there with either crystal chakra magic or "our ancesters were healthier!" crap.

I stand 6-8 hours a day. so do most of my coworkers. Simple observation of a chubby mechanic or a fat construction worker will tell you that the "standing desks are healthier" line is complete bullshit.

Re: Why Standing Desks Are Overrated

#100

Post by malnourish »

AstralStorm wrote: post #42
malnourish wrote: post #9

Interesting. I'm always a fan of research challenging wisdom, although I'm not sure who really thought standing alone was exercise. I've found greatly improved comfort with my standing desk at work and I want to upgrade my home desk once I move. I hope that the lack of evidence for specific health improvements doesn't encourage companies to stop offering the desks.

I'm waiting for the desks with integrated threadmill and bicycle. Ooof, apparently no one wants sweaty and loud coworkers.

If they can solve head and arm bob, I'm all in.
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