Standing desks are on the rise(online.wsj.com)
online.wsj.com
Standing desks are on the rise
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904199404576541011003270644.html
88 comments
I care! But alas, dropbox is giving me that 403 error.
Hey! I went the exact same route, except I put it in front of a treadmill.
About half the time I don't even turn it on, but when I do, I find that .7mph (the lowest setting) is just enough to keep me moving without having to think about it.
I keep my cpu's on a cart on the floor, and if I ever get tired of the arrangement, I still have a shelving unit. I'm about 1 month into this arrangement, but no problems yet, and it definitely helps to keep me alert and focused.
About half the time I don't even turn it on, but when I do, I find that .7mph (the lowest setting) is just enough to keep me moving without having to think about it.
I keep my cpu's on a cart on the floor, and if I ever get tired of the arrangement, I still have a shelving unit. I'm about 1 month into this arrangement, but no problems yet, and it definitely helps to keep me alert and focused.
Yeah but can you play the Xbox standing up? I always find that I need to rest my forearms on my thighs / chair-arms for optimal fragging comfort.
Very nice. I thought about shelf systems, but none of the standalone options seemed nice enough (I rent, and wanted to stay away from drilling into the walls).
Here are a few more pics of what I ended up with: http://imperialwicket.com/diy-adjustable-stand-up-desk-for-u...
Here are a few more pics of what I ended up with: http://imperialwicket.com/diy-adjustable-stand-up-desk-for-u...
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Are you powering both external displays off the iMac? I didn't know that was possible; the tech specs on the current 27" show it can power just one external....
The right one is powered by a mini display port -> DVI and the left via a USB > DVI converter.
The leftmost one is rather slow to refresh, so I use it mostly for our company geckoboard dashboard and for autotest output. The right monitor is a Dell Ultrasharp with component inputs from the Xbox and Wii.
The leftmost one is rather slow to refresh, so I use it mostly for our company geckoboard dashboard and for autotest output. The right monitor is a Dell Ultrasharp with component inputs from the Xbox and Wii.
The Thunderbolt 27" iMac can do. It uses Light Ridge chipset, which can power two DisplayPort links. It has two Thunderbolt ports on its back.
It can do two external displays, as there are two Thunderbolt ports on the back.
I have two 24" screens hooked up to my 27" iMac.
I have two 24" screens hooked up to my 27" iMac.
Maybe he's using one of those DisplayLink USB video adapters?
I'd love to see this pic and maybe a small write up for people that'd use this desk at the 100$ price point. Can we get this link fixed?
I was thinking of doing the same thing. Would like to see the pic for inspiration/ideas, if possible.
Fixed the link to point to the dropbox gallery for the standing desk. Sorry about that.
I was considering getting a Milk table (http://www.milk.dk/). I know the guy who designed it and it's awesome but I decided against it because of the column in the middle. I need to stretch my legs. So I bought an X12 instead (http://www.holmris.com/htm/..%5Chtm%5Csortiment%5Cx12%5Cx12....).
Both of these are from Denmark and for the past 14 years of working as a software developer there, I have always had adjustable desks. They are simply everywhere and it was only recently that I realized that this is not the situation world wide (I currently live in Spain and I had to order mine from Denmark!).
This makes me wonder if there is an untapped market in, say, the US for these? I could never go back and I think most people who have tried wouldn't. It's not only the matter of standing up -- just making small adjustments during the day when you change position a bit feels really good and I am sure is good for the back etc.
Both of these are from Denmark and for the past 14 years of working as a software developer there, I have always had adjustable desks. They are simply everywhere and it was only recently that I realized that this is not the situation world wide (I currently live in Spain and I had to order mine from Denmark!).
This makes me wonder if there is an untapped market in, say, the US for these? I could never go back and I think most people who have tried wouldn't. It's not only the matter of standing up -- just making small adjustments during the day when you change position a bit feels really good and I am sure is good for the back etc.
I'm Danish and have often wondered about this too - there are so many options here for electric height adjustable desks and everyone has them, from banks to car dealerships. I would never work somewhere that didn't offer this, I even got one for my home office: http://imgur.com/A1eS2. Set me back about a thousand dollars, about what I spent on a cell phone every other few months.
Mine is from http://www.conset.dk (Danish) by the way. Huge selection of frames (one, two or more columns) and you specify your tabletop yourself (size, position and dimensions of the cut-in, bezel, finishing (oak/maple/cherry)), all online.
Mine is from http://www.conset.dk (Danish) by the way. Huge selection of frames (one, two or more columns) and you specify your tabletop yourself (size, position and dimensions of the cut-in, bezel, finishing (oak/maple/cherry)), all online.
It's too bad that kneeling chairs are often unmentioned in these discussions - they offer the main benefit of the standing desk (a natural/healthy position for the spine) with much less cost (< $100), set-up and foot/joint strain.
You can see a variety of these with a simple Google image search. Your legs just rest comfortably underneath your body, so you don't strain your back trying to counterbalance your leg (the main problem with chairs). I have a cheapo office chair and a $75 kneeling chair that I switch between (basically just when I feel any twinge of discomfort). After getting used to this setup, I don't really have any back pain.
You can see a variety of these with a simple Google image search. Your legs just rest comfortably underneath your body, so you don't strain your back trying to counterbalance your leg (the main problem with chairs). I have a cheapo office chair and a $75 kneeling chair that I switch between (basically just when I feel any twinge of discomfort). After getting used to this setup, I don't really have any back pain.
I agree, I bought a Varier Balans five months ago and it improved my posture a lot and I don't have back pain anymore.
The first weeks I had some knee pain though, now I try to remember to stretch the legs every half an hour.
Reading this reminds of pg's article about how PR works: http://www.paulgraham.com/submarine.html
It reads as an ad as much as a newspaper article.
It reads as an ad as much as a newspaper article.
Before clicking through, based on the title alone I was fully expecting a quote from a manufacturer on how they're selling desks like hotcakes, but didn't see any desk brands mentioned which surprised me.
If it's actually a PR plant, being in the top results (or ad I suppose) in Google for related queries might be enough. Unlike the suits example from the essay, people looking for standing desks probably aren't going to go to a local store and instead will use the Internet to look up brands/models and where to buy. Sure, you are sharing with your competitor, but if it's the difference between the story getting published or not it would still be worth it.
I recently got a standing desk and quite enjoy it. They are definitely viral; once a few people get them in an office, everybody wants one.
I even wrote a set of Perl scripts to keep track of how much time I spend sitting vs. standing, and how it changes over time.
The only problem is that I don't know of any good studies on what stand / sit ratio is medically recommended. Too low and you get back and other muscle problems; too high and you get joint problems.
I even wrote a set of Perl scripts to keep track of how much time I spend sitting vs. standing, and how it changes over time.
The only problem is that I don't know of any good studies on what stand / sit ratio is medically recommended. Too low and you get back and other muscle problems; too high and you get joint problems.
So I'm reading through this thread, and I see:
> I even wrote a set of Perl scripts to keep track of how much time I spend sitting vs. standing, and how it changes over time.
And my first thought was "that's totally something raldi would do".
I didn't notice your username until two more comments down.
> I even wrote a set of Perl scripts to keep track of how much time I spend sitting vs. standing, and how it changes over time.
And my first thought was "that's totally something raldi would do".
I didn't notice your username until two more comments down.
You shouldn't be getting joint problems standing around all day. If you are getting something like that, these issues might be arising from fatiguing of the muscles from having to support yourself standing all day. When your muscles are fatigued, you end up supporting yourself less with the muscle and more with the joint, so you get weird "wear" patterns, things misaligned slightly. For example, the front of the thigh pulls more on the thigh bone than the rear of the thigh. That can cause kneecap soreness (patellofemoral tracking gets all whack). Muscles in your core can fatigue, and they are also essential to maintaining correct posture.
The fix in that situation would be to work on basic leg and core strength. A set of ankle weights, straight leg raises, side leg raises, calf raises, some basic "good all around" core exercises (forget the crunches, think plank) can really help you avoid joint-related issues from standing all day.
The fix in that situation would be to work on basic leg and core strength. A set of ankle weights, straight leg raises, side leg raises, calf raises, some basic "good all around" core exercises (forget the crunches, think plank) can really help you avoid joint-related issues from standing all day.
I'm not feeling joint problems now; I'm concerned about ones later in life.
See also: http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/13/the-dangers-of-sitting...
See also: http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/13/the-dangers-of-sitting...
From a article from two years ago, when this rage wasn't at its peak: http://www.hazards.org/standing/index.htm
FWIW I have both a standing desk and sciatica due to a bulging disc injury. My physician, chiropractor and physical therapist all agree that I should stand and walk as much as possible (all day at work is fine) because of the benefits for my back.
Mainly, they claim that I will spend a lot of time making small movements -- shifting weight from side to side, repositioning myself, etc. -- and these movements of my spine are beneficial. Evidently, these kinds of movements (and also a lot of walking) move the fluids and nutrients in the spinal cord that keep the intervertebral discs vital.
Mainly, they claim that I will spend a lot of time making small movements -- shifting weight from side to side, repositioning myself, etc. -- and these movements of my spine are beneficial. Evidently, these kinds of movements (and also a lot of walking) move the fluids and nutrients in the spinal cord that keep the intervertebral discs vital.
I've been loving my adjustable desk. I spent the majority of my time standing, but sometimes it's great to sit down.
I purchased a (relatively) inexpensive hand-cranked base from http://www.kitchensource.com/table-bases/gb-1000-1001.htm. I also got a cheap ($30) 48" x 24" x 2" wooden tabletop which I was able to sand, finish, and easily mount to the base. I added a desk-mounted monitor arm (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IWOBGI). The price for all of this compares extremely favorably to most other adjustable desks I've found.
This setup has been a huge help for my back issues. If I were to try to quantify the cost of having a sore back that renders me unable to be active, it'd be vastly higher than what I payed for this setup. If I am offered a position where I need to go into an office, I would make offering me a similar setup a precondition of me accepting the offer.
I purchased a (relatively) inexpensive hand-cranked base from http://www.kitchensource.com/table-bases/gb-1000-1001.htm. I also got a cheap ($30) 48" x 24" x 2" wooden tabletop which I was able to sand, finish, and easily mount to the base. I added a desk-mounted monitor arm (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IWOBGI). The price for all of this compares extremely favorably to most other adjustable desks I've found.
This setup has been a huge help for my back issues. If I were to try to quantify the cost of having a sore back that renders me unable to be active, it'd be vastly higher than what I payed for this setup. If I am offered a position where I need to go into an office, I would make offering me a similar setup a precondition of me accepting the offer.
I found an easy way to try this out a couple of weeks ago: five cinder blocks. Stacked three high to hold the monitor, and two high to hold the keyboard. Their mass forms a very solid support, yet it's light enough to use on almost any desk.
I needed to find a separate small stand for the optical mouse too, and I do sometimes wish I had a little more surface area at keyboard height. Still, it's cheaper and easier to install than a dedicated standing desk... and very easy to "uninstall" if you change your mind.
If you try this, be sure to put a piece of cloth or paper underneath the blocks, so that they don't scratch the desk surface. You also will probably want to get something decorative to cover the blocks; molded concrete isn't the most attractive office decor :)
I needed to find a separate small stand for the optical mouse too, and I do sometimes wish I had a little more surface area at keyboard height. Still, it's cheaper and easier to install than a dedicated standing desk... and very easy to "uninstall" if you change your mind.
If you try this, be sure to put a piece of cloth or paper underneath the blocks, so that they don't scratch the desk surface. You also will probably want to get something decorative to cover the blocks; molded concrete isn't the most attractive office decor :)
Reams of copier paper are also great for propping up your monitor. No scratching and easy to find in a lot of offices.
They're called workbenches and have been around for years.
Yeah I picked a nice cartography desk setup for $1 each a few years ago. People where just ditching them.
I had one set up for standing, and a second set low for computer (so my rising chair could be used).
Following all the rage around these I might look at grabbing a tall saddle stool and adjust the computer desk unto standing height as well.
I had one set up for standing, and a second set low for computer (so my rising chair could be used).
Following all the rage around these I might look at grabbing a tall saddle stool and adjust the computer desk unto standing height as well.
Yes, workbenches. Here's an example of what I think is a good option, with adjustable height: http://goo.gl/atffO
Funny, I went as far as the credit card entry form of http://www.geekdesk.com today but stopped short of sending the order. I looked for cheaper alternatives, and found http://www.ergodesktop.com, which is still pretty damn spendy.
What I want is a solution that's easy to setup, and is portable. I work at a variety of locations and would like some mechanism for turning any surface into a standing workstation. I think I may whip up a few prototypes in my spare time.
What I want is a solution that's easy to setup, and is portable. I work at a variety of locations and would like some mechanism for turning any surface into a standing workstation. I think I may whip up a few prototypes in my spare time.
Ikea sells a motorized version of their "Galant" desk for about 500 Euros. You can mount any kind of surface on it. I bought one 3 years ago, and it's great.
However, it's not really advertised in any of their catalogs, but I've been told they still carry it and you have to ask for it. Not sure about availability in the US.
However, it's not really advertised in any of their catalogs, but I've been told they still carry it and you have to ask for it. Not sure about availability in the US.
I made 2 boxes out of plywood and put my desk on them. It was free (I had the scrap plywood). And it wasn't quite high enough (lower back pain) so I added 1x4s until it was high enough.
Pretty portable too I guess. You'd need someone to help you lift the desk on/off the blocks.
Pretty portable too I guess. You'd need someone to help you lift the desk on/off the blocks.
Ha. I'm talking portable as in airplane portable.
On portability...
I've been thinking that a laptop tripod would be nice. Googling around, I see that there are some out there, but they are too short and look too flimsy.
I think a solution could be rigged up with a good, sturdy surveying tripod.
I've been thinking that a laptop tripod would be nice. Googling around, I see that there are some out there, but they are too short and look too flimsy.
I think a solution could be rigged up with a good, sturdy surveying tripod.
I've only seen a few models of surveying tripods, but the ones that I did see didn't have locking legs. Their stability comes from points on the bottom of the tripod legs which you drive into the ground when setting up the tripod. I'd imagine driving three stakes into your floor at home wouldn't be optimal for you.
You could probably find a used astronomy tripod (used to hold a large telescope and then position it precisely) that's out of spec for astronomy use but that would hold your laptop just fine.
You could probably find a used astronomy tripod (used to hold a large telescope and then position it precisely) that's out of spec for astronomy use but that would hold your laptop just fine.
Standing desks seem to be the new fad. I don't believe that sitting for 10+ hours a day is healthy, but I don't believe that standing that long is healthy either.
The bigger problem lie in what motivates us to spend so long at our desks without breaks. I think there's a culture of "strap the developer to his chair" that we need to break out of.
If you're taking breaks every 2 to 3 hours to stand up, get a drink and walk around a while, I can't really see it being as bad as everyone's making it out to be.
The bigger problem lie in what motivates us to spend so long at our desks without breaks. I think there's a culture of "strap the developer to his chair" that we need to break out of.
If you're taking breaks every 2 to 3 hours to stand up, get a drink and walk around a while, I can't really see it being as bad as everyone's making it out to be.
I don't believe that standing that long is healthy either.
I'm a lot more likely to take a break from standing than I am from sitting.
I've had a standing desk for the last 2 years (ikea fredrik mentioned in another comment) and find I walk away from the desk much more often than I did while sitting. Even with the increased breaks, I think I am more productive.
I've had a standing desk for the last 2 years (ikea fredrik mentioned in another comment) and find I walk away from the desk much more often than I did while sitting. Even with the increased breaks, I think I am more productive.
When I moved into an empty office last year to work on my startup, I had a dilemma. I didn't have a desk or chair. At my last couple jobs I had an Aeron and I knew that a good ergonomic chair is worth the expense. I haven't had back problems and I like it that way.
I wanted to get a "good" chair like a Leap but, as a cheapskate, I didn't want to spend the $400 they cost (used of course). So instead, I cut the Gordian knot and spent the money on the desk instead of the chair. I managed to score a well-used custom standing desk and barstool-height chair on Craigslist. Paired with a thin standing mat, it's been awesome and has even helped me sleep better.
The sore feet at the end of long days went away after a month, I'm always shifting position and I generally feel like I have more energy. Standing or perching on a stool both feel better than sitting and you never have that "I have to get back up? I just sat down!" feeling.
I haven't missed flopping into that desk-chair gravity well, so adjustable height isn't that exciting. If you think you want to stand, go for it.
I wanted to get a "good" chair like a Leap but, as a cheapskate, I didn't want to spend the $400 they cost (used of course). So instead, I cut the Gordian knot and spent the money on the desk instead of the chair. I managed to score a well-used custom standing desk and barstool-height chair on Craigslist. Paired with a thin standing mat, it's been awesome and has even helped me sleep better.
The sore feet at the end of long days went away after a month, I'm always shifting position and I generally feel like I have more energy. Standing or perching on a stool both feel better than sitting and you never have that "I have to get back up? I just sat down!" feeling.
I haven't missed flopping into that desk-chair gravity well, so adjustable height isn't that exciting. If you think you want to stand, go for it.
I switched to a standing desk a year ago and love it. I didn't want to invest too much into it at first, since I didn't know if I'd like it, so I got the Fredrik desk from IKEA (~$149).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60141484
I'm just over 6' tall and it work perfectly for me. The only detraction is that you cannot adjust the height after you build the desk (unless you take it apart again).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60141484
I'm just over 6' tall and it work perfectly for me. The only detraction is that you cannot adjust the height after you build the desk (unless you take it apart again).
I wanted to get a standing desk. Does anyone have experience with one of those desks in hospitals that are used to serve meals to patients ? That would be a solid piece of furniture for me.
Edit : I mean something like this : http://www.amazon.com/Invacare-Over-Bed-Table/dp/B000QA0EHI/...
Edit : I mean something like this : http://www.amazon.com/Invacare-Over-Bed-Table/dp/B000QA0EHI/...
While not flimsy, they do not need much pressure to deform and flex. If you type heavily the table may bounce a bit. Not much, but enough to be distracting. Keeping your laptop closer to the side with support might help.
Got one of these 4 months ago. Works perfectly well, as long as you only put a laptop + mouse + mousepad on it. Put the weight (e.g. the laptop) on the support side.
Make sure what you put on it does not slip easily, e.g. by putting an anti-slip rubber on it - when it is extended to maximum height, a small bump in the leg area could send stuff gliding otherwise.
Also, the wheel locks are far from perfect. Doesn't bother me much, but don't expect the table to be still.
Make sure what you put on it does not slip easily, e.g. by putting an anti-slip rubber on it - when it is extended to maximum height, a small bump in the leg area could send stuff gliding otherwise.
Also, the wheel locks are far from perfect. Doesn't bother me much, but don't expect the table to be still.
I am interested in starting a company that builds and sells standing desks. I'm a technical guy, but ideally I'm looking for a partner who knows far more than I do about marketing, manufacturing, and supply-chain logistics. My goal is to do it lean startup-style, and develop an MVP first. My email is in my profile, or reply in this thread.
What do you want from a standing desk? What would get you to buy a standing desk?
What do you want from a standing desk? What would get you to buy a standing desk?
My treadmill desk:
https://rwmj.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/treadmill-desk-part-6-...
Yes I'm still using it, about 1 year after making it. I moved it to a different part of the house so I can look out of the window though :-)
https://rwmj.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/treadmill-desk-part-6-...
Yes I'm still using it, about 1 year after making it. I moved it to a different part of the house so I can look out of the window though :-)
For the viral popularity of stand up desks, the available products leave much to be desired. The general consensus in the comments is that a few of the offerings are great, but quite expensive for what they offer.
I recently joined the crew of diy stand-up deskers with this: https://plus.google.com/105852617539894761688/posts/F4sN8nUd...
By my specs you get shelves/desktop 48" wide, where you have one 28" deep desktop, one 24" deep large shelf, one 14" deep display shelf, and two 12" deep accessory shelves. It's pretty modular, so you can configure however you like. It is nowhere near as adjustable as something like the geekdesk, but for about $300 you could build two...
I recently joined the crew of diy stand-up deskers with this: https://plus.google.com/105852617539894761688/posts/F4sN8nUd...
By my specs you get shelves/desktop 48" wide, where you have one 28" deep desktop, one 24" deep large shelf, one 14" deep display shelf, and two 12" deep accessory shelves. It's pretty modular, so you can configure however you like. It is nowhere near as adjustable as something like the geekdesk, but for about $300 you could build two...
That looks pretty cool. What's on the adjustable arm to the left of the desk? Mic?
Thanks, it definitely meets my needs. The arm is a halogen lamp.
I forgot to mention the build supports desk heights from 30" to 52".
I forgot to mention the build supports desk heights from 30" to 52".
I'm a fan of using standing desks and wanted to figure out how to convert my home desk [which had 4x4" wooden legs] to a standing desk. I did so by: getting 4 12" 4x4s; nailing beam caps (http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/BC.asp) onto one end of the 4x4s; lifting the desk while my wife slipped the 12" 4x4s under the desk legs. $30 and 15 minutes work -> nice wooden desk -> standing desk.
* Note: I didn't attach the beam connectors to the desk legs since my desk is lodged in a corner and I didn't want to mess with the legs, but I'd recommend attaching them...
* Note: I didn't attach the beam connectors to the desk legs since my desk is lodged in a corner and I didn't want to mess with the legs, but I'd recommend attaching them...
I work in my bedroom with a notebook computer.
It took no convincing for me to throw out the desk and chair, because I was so weary of sitting all day.
My solution is simple. I slapped a desk top onto my chest of drawers, with a nonslip mat underneath to keep it from sliding. Pardon me for not running to grab the measuring tape, but it's at about my elbow height (I'm 6'2").
I stand at it most of the day, and when I get tired I just unplug everything and move to my bed for awhile. I can't take my external display to bed, but so far that's never really bothered me.
I think later on I may get crazy with some square steel tubing, and build myself a standing monstrosity.
My solution is simple. I slapped a desk top onto my chest of drawers, with a nonslip mat underneath to keep it from sliding. Pardon me for not running to grab the measuring tape, but it's at about my elbow height (I'm 6'2").
I stand at it most of the day, and when I get tired I just unplug everything and move to my bed for awhile. I can't take my external display to bed, but so far that's never really bothered me.
I think later on I may get crazy with some square steel tubing, and build myself a standing monstrosity.
I switched to a standing desk 3 months ago. It has been a great thing for me.
My thoughts to those who want to try it:
+ Give it time. The first 3 days were hard. After a week, it started to feel normal.
+ Get some padding. I'm using a cheap Yoga mat. I've heard gel mats are ideal.
+ Suck in that gut. If you practice keeping your lower stomach muscles tight when you start. This will help your back muscles learn to be straight.
+ Put both feet on the ground. Leaning on one leg isn't good.
+ Move around. Sway from side to side. Pick your feet up regularly. This helps keep your body and legs healthy.
My thoughts to those who want to try it:
+ Give it time. The first 3 days were hard. After a week, it started to feel normal.
+ Get some padding. I'm using a cheap Yoga mat. I've heard gel mats are ideal.
+ Suck in that gut. If you practice keeping your lower stomach muscles tight when you start. This will help your back muscles learn to be straight.
+ Put both feet on the ground. Leaning on one leg isn't good.
+ Move around. Sway from side to side. Pick your feet up regularly. This helps keep your body and legs healthy.
I found an old half medicine ball (not sure what it's called) laying around my parents house and I stand on it at my desk. It felt weird at first but I'm used to it now and it seems to keep my muscles working.I'm not sure exactly what it'll do to me in the long run though.
I think the most ideal would be a desk which can be moved up or down via a mechanical handle bar. I have seen them in practice. That way if you get too tired you can lower it and sit.
I agree. Fewer moving parts and nothing to replace. Sounds like good engineering to me. I have looked around a lot at various options and nobody is really making what I want: a large, simple, workbench-like standing desk with lever hand adjustment (no electrical motors or power needed) with an additional fine adjustment so you can elevate the surface of the desk precisely.
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I just have a recliner next to my standing desk.
Same here. I tend to cycle between my homemade standing desk (a chest with two amazon fresh boxes on it), my 70s style recliner chair, and a couch.
Geek Desk is the standing desk I own, and you can lower or raise it.
I used a standing desk with eye level dual monitors on clamp-on arms for 45 days this summer. I felt like a check-in person at an airline. I found it uncomfortable in my lower legs but I think it was better for my spine and hip alignment. Since I have gone back to the chair I am more productive.
See occupational hazards of standing at work: http://www.hazards.org/standing/index.htm
See occupational hazards of standing at work: http://www.hazards.org/standing/index.htm
I decided to prototype a standing desk before buying, to make sure it was something I'd really use. The prototype is just a cardboard science fair display on top of an adjustable keyboard stand:
http://distillery.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2011/06/22/f59c2c49...
It actually fits me so well that I haven't bothered to upgrade.
http://distillery.s3.amazonaws.com/media/2011/06/22/f59c2c49...
It actually fits me so well that I haven't bothered to upgrade.
That looks like it would be painful on the neck after a couple of hours.
Id recommend getting a monitor and keeping it at eye level.
Id recommend getting a monitor and keeping it at eye level.
I'm addicted to the L-shaped IKEA Galant desks, so I just extended the legs all the way and then put a bunch of my old PHP and Flex books underneath for extra height. I find it helps significantly to raise the monitor so that the top edge is at eye level. You definitely need some kind of stool to sit on occasionally, or it is very tempting to just go back to a sitting desk.
I recently got into building with grid beam. (Found out about it at a Maker Faire.) Consider grid beam an open source version of Erector Sets or a life-size Lego Technic. Building your own standing desk out of grid beam would be the super cool thing to do. Grid beam is a very old idea, but I think it's due for a comeback. Maybe DIY standing desks is the killer app?
Wow, I love the idea; thanks for turning me onto grid beams. I need them!
Yeah, grid beam is (alas) a highly underrated tech. I've also created my own version recently -- a Lego Technic compatible version I'm calling "bitbeam" - bitbeam.org. Don't know where it'll go, but it sure is fun!
I have wanted one for some time, especially with the threadmill attached (I never get any exercise ever, so it would be a cheap way to get into shape and properly be my only real chance).
For those of you who already have a standing chair, how often do you use it in the standing position versus sitting down? How long time does it take to get use to using a standing chair?
For those of you who already have a standing chair, how often do you use it in the standing position versus sitting down? How long time does it take to get use to using a standing chair?
I have a standing desk, and my biggest problem is sore foot soles, of all things. Fixed with lots of foam padding underfoot.
I tried it for a week and enjoyed it, but I needed to split the time with sitting too. On the hunt for an electric height adjustable as my current setup is not practical! https://plus.google.com/109940267018696224506/posts/B144cQj7...
I see nobody has mentioned the Ergotron Workfit yet. I am very pleased with mine.
I think the adjustability, allowing you to move from sitting to standing at a moment's notice, is pretty important. If it weren't for that the various DIY solutions would be as much as you really need.
I think the adjustability, allowing you to move from sitting to standing at a moment's notice, is pretty important. If it weren't for that the various DIY solutions would be as much as you really need.
I just purchased some shelving parts from Ikea and made my own. It's supposed to be a bookshelf, but it works great as a standing desk. I love it. Had to buy a mat for my feet though. My floor is hardwood, and I was surprised by how much my feet hurt!
Varicose Veins are on the rise.
Doc here. True. However, the societal health care burdens of obesity and chronic back pain are far higher than varicosities. Personally, I opt for the standing desk and a bar stool on standby if I want a break.
Occupational standing is probably the number one risk factor for varicosities, even ahead of gender
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21846281
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14531170
However, the role of prolonged sitting on varicosities (mechanistically plausible due to such factors as pelvic venous congestion and increased intraabdominal pressure) is simply unknown.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12934754
Occupational standing is probably the number one risk factor for varicosities, even ahead of gender
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21846281
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14531170
However, the role of prolonged sitting on varicosities (mechanistically plausible due to such factors as pelvic venous congestion and increased intraabdominal pressure) is simply unknown.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12934754
Standing for long periods of time negatively affects your blood circulation and may cause varicosis. Not that sitting eight hours a day is healtier, but its one hidden risk of standing that you should know.
Yeah, both my mother and my father are biologists who do a lot of laboratory work. They, along with chemist friend have told me that one typical health issue in laboratories is circulation problems due to extended standing periods.
That's why I approached the half and half idea of standing/sitting for my work :)
That's why I approached the half and half idea of standing/sitting for my work :)
Amazon has had these for a long time. They are just the normal door desk with longer legs.
They are no frills. Just a door, with 4 (4inx4in?) wooden legs attached. I loved the look of them when I was there this summer.
They are no frills. Just a door, with 4 (4inx4in?) wooden legs attached. I loved the look of them when I was there this summer.
I set up a standing configuration yesterday by putting a side table atop my desk and it's been great. If I keep liking it, I'll do a more complete solution that actually costs me money.
I had a local carpenter build me a custom standing desk for about $300 including supplies. This is IMO the best way to go for the value.
I put my keyboard on top of my iMac and just stand up at work sometimes. Works just as well. Sitting for so long cannot be healthy.
Here is my ASCII art rendition of my sub $50 standing desk, from the side and from the front:
The upper monitor/laptop deck is a 48" long, 16" deep, 3/4" thick pine board. It's wide so that I can fit multiple monitors, though I'm finding that a single monitor is better for my neck (less twisting). The keyboard platform is a 36" long, 16" deep, 3/4" thick pine board. These are laminated boards, consisting of several strips glued together. They're sold shrink-wrapped at home stores and you can get them paint grade or stain grade.
The keyboard platform is about 44.5" off the ground, and they monitor platform is about 53.25". I currently have about 9" height difference between the keyboard and monitor platforms, which works well for the monitor and monitor stand I'm using (a swinging stand from Monoprice).
The keyboard and monitor platforms are supported by L-brackets made out of glued-and-screwed 2x4s. I made it a point to support the pine boards for about 3/4" of their depth, so that they don't break under stress.
Here is a crude drawing of the L-brackets which support the monitor and keyboard platforms:
I built this particular desk so that I can disassemble it. As such, it uses a series of holes drilled 1" apart in the uprights and the L-brackets. This allows me to move the platforms up and down. Of course, it turns out that this is a bit silly, since the holes don't really line up all that well (i.e. get out the hammer and whack away to get that bolt in), and once I found the position I like, it's not moving. If I were doing this over again, I would use several QuickGrip clamps (and maybe a drilled hole + a screw for safety) to hold everything together while I figure out the geometry, then I would run just drill the necessary bolt holes at that point.
As it stands right now, the desk is a bit wobbly (the monitor sways very slightly as I'm typing this). Using the Ikea metal cross-brace will probably help with that. A simpler solution (which would be important in earthquake-prone areas, btw) would be a small L-bracket at the back of the monitor stand, screwed into the wall behind the desk.
+-- ---------- <== monitor platform
| | |
--| +----+ <== keyboard platform
| | |
| +----+ <== cross-brace
--+-- | |
The upper monitor/laptop deck is a 48" long, 16" deep, 3/4" thick pine board. It's wide so that I can fit multiple monitors, though I'm finding that a single monitor is better for my neck (less twisting). The keyboard platform is a 36" long, 16" deep, 3/4" thick pine board. These are laminated boards, consisting of several strips glued together. They're sold shrink-wrapped at home stores and you can get them paint grade or stain grade.
The keyboard platform is about 44.5" off the ground, and they monitor platform is about 53.25". I currently have about 9" height difference between the keyboard and monitor platforms, which works well for the monitor and monitor stand I'm using (a swinging stand from Monoprice).
The keyboard and monitor platforms are supported by L-brackets made out of glued-and-screwed 2x4s. I made it a point to support the pine boards for about 3/4" of their depth, so that they don't break under stress.
Here is a crude drawing of the L-brackets which support the monitor and keyboard platforms:
+------+
| * | <== asterisks are drilled holes
|--+---+
| *| / <== 45-degree cut block for extra bracing
+--+/
I built this particular desk so that I can disassemble it. As such, it uses a series of holes drilled 1" apart in the uprights and the L-brackets. This allows me to move the platforms up and down. Of course, it turns out that this is a bit silly, since the holes don't really line up all that well (i.e. get out the hammer and whack away to get that bolt in), and once I found the position I like, it's not moving. If I were doing this over again, I would use several QuickGrip clamps (and maybe a drilled hole + a screw for safety) to hold everything together while I figure out the geometry, then I would run just drill the necessary bolt holes at that point.
As it stands right now, the desk is a bit wobbly (the monitor sways very slightly as I'm typing this). Using the Ikea metal cross-brace will probably help with that. A simpler solution (which would be important in earthquake-prone areas, btw) would be a small L-bracket at the back of the monitor stand, screwed into the wall behind the desk.
Great job! I used a similar design, and love it so far.
[deleted]
Just built my own. Nice to see silicon valley following my example.
The biggest obstacles were that I'm 6'4" tall and need a desk that can support 3 big monitors.
I ended up making my own (admittedly non on the fly adjustable) standing desk out of shelf track - the closet shelf system they sell at Home Depot or wherever.
My keyboard shelf is 40 inches high and the monitor shelf is 52 inches high.
Total costs were around $100 and it only took an evening to put together.
[EDIT] - Pics of build and final desk at - https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/3175742/1/StandingDesk?h=8d1...