Almost two months ago, I decided that I wanted to try working standing up, rather than sitting down. When sitting in my comfortable, reclining office chair, my posture was terrible, my attention span was narrowing rapidly, and I was constantly battling fatigue. After looking around online a bit, it sounded like standing was the way to go.
So I propped my keyboard and mouse up on a few encyclopedias and gave it a go. The first week was rough on my feet and legs, which ached constantly. I kept a bar stool handy for resting periodically on, but I really tried to stand at least 80% of the time. After that first week, though, things improved rapidly.
My attention span improved, too. I noticed an immediate increase in my ability to focus on a problem for longer, and with greater clarity. When I was blocked by some problem, I was able to just walk away from the desk, whereas before the effort of getting up from my chair often made me prefer to just sit and stew in my frustration.
So now, nearly two months later, I am able to replace my book-stack keyboard platform with a real stand-up desk, and I love it. When I was shopping around for a new desk, I quickly realized that I didn’t want stainless steel or plastic. I wanted wood, being the xylophile that I am. And of all the places that sold wooden stand-up desks, Standupdesks.com (the web outlet for Amish Country Furniture Sales) was the most compelling. I purchased a 4-foot-wide variant of this computer desk, and am very pleased with it so far (it just arrived yesterday). The workmanship is top-notch, and I love its simple elegance.
Ryan Richards
on 29 Apr 08Jamis:
I’ve been considering a stand-up desk myself. Years ago i worked with CAD drafting tables which we similar in that they were also tall and you could sit (with tall chair) or stand. I’m wondering how often people sit at the desks with the tall barstool or drafting-type chairs.
thanks for the info Ryan
bryanl
on 29 Apr 08I was just talking about why I wanted a stand up desk in my office.
Dustin
on 29 Apr 08How tall are you? I guess it shouldn’t matter, but I’m 6’3 and it seems like it’s hard for me to stay standing in one spot for long periods of time. Not sure if other tall people have the same problem.
Maybe I’m just out of shape.
I can imagine if I were to work standing up, it would help if I could lean on something (that’s what’s great about the drafting tables) – but you can’t really lean on something if you have to type.
Brenton
on 29 Apr 08I definitely can have attention/motivation problems when sitting that don’t seem to exist when standing.
Here’s a fun exercise: Turn up some energetic music and dance around the room when you’re thinking. You’ll end up working in little bursts. I do this sometimes when I’m drawing or if I feel tired. Dance a bit, go draw a few strokes or type a few lines, dance some more. Great pick-me-up. You’ll work surprisingly quickly too.
Davide Benini
on 29 Apr 08Have ye folks ever heard about the alexander technique? It’s a way to remove unecessary tensions and to reestablish necessary ones, that is, to regain balance. The idea of working standing up is very alexander-like; I must say that all the 37signals “pragmatosophy” about finding problem and solving them the right way is very alexander-like; check it out. Davide
Nate
on 29 Apr 08Personally I wonder about just the statistics on concentration of just constantly moving work environments. Sometimes you site in an office chair, or at a bar stool at a tall desk, and then on the couch, and then standing. Thanks for bringing this up, I’m going to experiment more…
Joe
on 29 Apr 08Jamis – how tall are you?
Jamis
on 29 Apr 08I’m 5’ 7” (or thereabouts). The desk I got is 39” tall, just a hair shy of reaching my elbows.
Ericson
on 29 Apr 08Bartender! I’ll have another…
Andy Nardone
on 29 Apr 08I’ve been toying with this as well. But my layout will allow for seamless transition between a stand up work space and a seated workspace, I think you need that balance/choice over the long term.
Adam
on 29 Apr 08Any suggestions on how to “calibrate” the height of the desk? How high is best?
How high does the desk need to be (relative to me) for the keyboard and mouse to feel comfortable?
Bruno
on 29 Apr 08You and Donald Rumsfeld…
http://www.defenselink.mil/DODCMSShare/NewsPhoto/2003-10/031030-F-2828D-166_screen.jpg
Sam Barnum
on 29 Apr 08Standing is the way to go. It took a few weeks to get used to it, but now I stand full-time. I don’t have that slug-like feeling I used to get after sitting in a chair all day. When I’m thinking about a problem I’ll walk away from the computer for a few seconds. And eating lunch actually feels like taking a break, not like working on eating some food that you’re not even hungry for.
I’d also strongly recommend getting a gel mat to stand on, like you see in supermarkets. Oh, and a pull-up bar :)
-S
quandro pujammi
on 29 Apr 08Don Rumsfeld’s influence is vast and deep. Mysterious too, sometimes.
Daniel Higginbotham
on 29 Apr 08That’s pretty neat. $1295 is a bit steep for me though.
I’m pretty happy with my current desk. The top is just a 68”x30” (or so) wood piece from Ikea, with legs from Ikea as well. It’s very sturdy. And, while it’s not beautiful like the Amish desk, it does possess its own spare elegance.
It has no drawers or shelves or anything fancy like that. For storage I’ve just stuck a couple mobile file cabinets underneath.
Instead of using a keyboard tray I just put my keyboard in my lap, which actually is very comfortable and leaves me space in front of my monitor so that I can sketch ideas.
The total was around $200. It’s not a stand up table but I think it would be fairly easy to just get some new legs and bolt them on.
Tim
on 29 Apr 08I never thought about doing that, but it does sound like an interesting idea… At my desk, I don’t feel like it’s “right”. Maybe that would do the trick.
I can totally see getting more freedom in movement and how that can improve your work. Especially if you get to work with a tablet…
The more I think about it, the more appealing it is to me… and the desk you chose looks very nice!
One more thing: any suggestions from readers about how to set you up just to try the standing position? (like your encyclopedia but maybe other people have tried other things…)
Jamis
on 29 Apr 08@Adam, what I read suggested a surface that should be no higher than your elbows when your arms are at rest, and should maybe a little lower than that. Ultimately, the easiest thing to do is pile some books on a table until you find a height that feels comfortable to you.
rabble
on 29 Apr 08Let me get this straight, you bought an amish computer desk?
Mike Mathews
on 29 Apr 08You have found nirvana. I switched to a stand-up desk for the last three years I worked at Intel and it did wonders for my back. A back injury 25 years ago kept returning intermittently, but I could almost always track it to sitting for long periods. An excruciating back episode caused a four-month, doctor-mandated ban on sitting of any type and that finally switched me to standing for good.
I left Intel in 2006 with 10,000 of my best friends, but I kept the standing habit. Now days I only sit when in meetings, meals and the car. Standing is so much better for the back, as well as the attention span and for driving quick-thinking.
Mike
on 29 Apr 08@rabble: you bought an amish computer desk
It does seem a bit in conflict doesn’t it? It reminds me of an Amish store I always stop at when driving to visit my family a couple times per year. It is Keim’s Market and is candy and snack nirvana! They also have enormous kid playsets for sale and the coolest wood furniture I’ve ever seen. Man, if this what Amishness is about, sign me up!
Roy
on 29 Apr 08Check this desk out – it’s got push-button levitation rig. Nice design too:
http://www.milk.dk/
Fred
on 29 Apr 08@Rabble, (whew, I wasn’t the only one that caught that!) Yeah, he got an Amish computer desk,, but even better,, he got it online (anyone,,,?)
I like the standup thought though, I never thought about it, but my brain does function better up and moving. Also I second the thought on the gel mat! Otherwise your dogs will be burning pronto!
Anonymous Coward
on 29 Apr 08You should have a foot rest, that you can alternate putting one foot on at a time to relieve the strain on your back.
Melani Gordon
on 29 Apr 08I’m sitting here with my aching shoulders and too comfy chair thinking I should be standing! You took the words right out of my mouth!
Andrew
on 29 Apr 08Second to the comment above suggesting a gel mat like you see in supermarkets. I promise you, this is just as important to your overall comfort as switching to standing. Don’t skimp on this, either, get a really good one—think of it as a replacement for your chair.
Adam
on 29 Apr 08@Jamis Thanks. You’ve got me wandering the house looking for large books…
MattH
on 29 Apr 08I’m another “tall” guy and I’m sorry, this just isn’t right.
In fact, I find this so wrong I might just have to try it.
pwb
on 29 Apr 08Have there been on studies on this? I stood for awhile and really liked it.
The other thing I noticed is that I was much more confident and aggressive on the phone when standing. Like you somehow feel increased power…in a good way.
Judson
on 29 Apr 08I used to work retail, and when I switched to office work it drove me crazy, I would love to stand all day. It’s only tiring for like the first week. Unfortunately I don’t really work in a place that would let that happen.
Tim Connor
on 29 Apr 08I’ve got this adjustable sit-stand desk from the Relax the Back Store and I love it. I can sit or stand at need, which is good for mixing up postures. Also, you can use a barstool/drafting chair at a stand desk, for some of the same flexibility – but even better with the easy adjust of this desk.
Adam Landrum
on 29 Apr 08What timing. I had just decided to get a stand-up desk for the new office space.
Question: Stool? I know the idea is to stand, but does anybody also use a bar stool type setup (I would say that you’d still want it to rest now and again but still be at the height of the stand-up desk).
Also, I’ve seen the Amish site, any other URL’s where they sell stand-up desks?
Evan Jones
on 29 Apr 08Many years ago I did technical support at an ISP. They had height adjustable desks that I loved. A year or so ago I tried to find something like that, and the best I found were the desks from BioMorph. They aren’t cheap, but I went to the showroom and they looked great. Sadly, they broke my budget, so I was unable to purchase them. One day perhaps.
http://www.biomorphdesk.com/
Marcin
on 29 Apr 08We’ve got adjustable desks with an electric motor and buttons here in our office. Can go from a regular desk to stand up desk (or anywhere in between) with a click and a whir. It’s great! I probably don’t use it as much as I should.
Jim Priest
on 30 Apr 08Funny – before I started out in computers I did drafting and spent many hours standing at a drafting table. I never thought about standing while working on the computer. When I drafted I’d switch between standing and sitting/leaning on a stool. Probably work great for the computer as well – and eliminate the slouch I currently favor…
kitt
on 30 Apr 08Sure, standing is better than sitting, but try walking, which is even better than standing. The idea is called N.E.A.T. exercise, with the premise that you can walk slowly enough not to sweat, but be moving enough to seriously impact your health positively.
Stick a treadmill under that desk, stick it on one mile an hour, and start moving. The movement will be better than standing for your legs.
Chad Crowell
on 30 Apr 08I worked for WorkRite Ergonomics for awhile and am on my 2nd sit to stand electric adjustable workstation post-employment (2 different offices, 2 table sizes needed).
It’s not as much about standing while you work, as having the ability to sit or stand. I stand for about 10-15 minutes every hour or two, or when I am getting tired. I really can’t stand (heh) to stand longer than that, but it stretches me out and gets the blood flowing.
They aren’t cheap but are way worth it- especially when those super productive 12-15 hour days are happening on a great project!
Adi
on 30 Apr 08Coincidence… we got our height adjustable desks (like an office chair) for the office yesterday. So the hard week for our feet and legs is right waiting, thanks for the warning…
Arnold
on 30 Apr 08It’s not good for your body to stand all the time – ask people working that way all day. Almost all of them have flat feet; leading to bad knee and spine problems. At least get supporting inlays for your shoes and sit down every 30min or so. The tricky thing with feet deformation is: no pain, it happens silently. In the end, you’ll have more problems that executing proper sitting technique. Neither sitting nor standing is the best way for the body. It should be a combination of both. Most sane is: changing sitting posture every couple of minutes and standing up, stretching, walking a bit, etc. frequently (like, every hour for 15min or so). The best posture is: the next.
Neil Wilson
on 30 Apr 08Surprised you didn’t ask David to import one from Denmark. I’m pretty sure their health and safety laws require sit/stand desks and the Danes certainly seem to be the leaders in this area in the EU.
Keep us posted Jamis. I’m seriously considering sit/stand myself for the same reasons you have.
MEH
on 30 Apr 08There is an art to standing properly Check this out http://jadedragon.com/archives/martarts/yiquan01.html
John Topley
on 30 Apr 08Jamis,
I’m glad that you’ve found a solution that works for you. Out of interest, what sort of chair were you using before?
MiSc
on 30 Apr 08I am sitting on a gym ball. It’s nice for training the back and keeping your feet balancing.
Stephen Kelly
on 30 Apr 08I have had a stand up desk for approximately one year now.
I am tall (6ft 2”) and do not find it a problem working standing up. I have a custom made stool (it needed to be taller then off the shelf stools (86cm).
I alternate between standing and sitting, and find it works very well. (I read this article standing and then sat down to write my comment)
2 other advantages that have not been mentioned here are a) – quick access to the computer – I manage a team and am constantly in and out of my office, now I can walk past my computer, send a skype and keep walking – without having to ‘waste’ time sitting down.
b) – Multiple people on one computer – often we will have a problem here where several people are required to help – a lot more people can fit around a standing desk and see the screen, that can fit around a sitting desk
I still get sore feet from time to time, I would spend roughly 50% time standing and 50% time sitting.
one point to note is that shorter staff member have trouble seeing my monitors if I am trying to show them something.
I also have a spare stool so that two people can still work at this desk.
Stephen Kelly
on 30 Apr 08Depending on your requirements and office environments a normal chair can sometimes be handy as well as the standup environment – for things such as reading paperwork / watching media / long phones calls etc.,
I have 2 reclining chairs within cable distance of my computer (for Skype) – so I can sit very comfortably when doing those long calls
Trula
on 30 Apr 08This is really interesting, I am considering doing this. I hate sitting at computer all day. I thought my chair was the problem.
peter keane
on 30 Apr 08Hemingway, too:
“Writing and travel broaden your ass if not your mind and I like to write standing up.”
Letter (9 July 1950); published in Ernest Hemingway : Selected Letters 1917-1961 (1981) edited by Carlos Bakersource: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ernest_Hemingway
Nicholas
on 30 Apr 08At one of my old jobs there was a guy who had a chronic back problem. He was required by his doctor to stand for a certain amount of time per day. He had his cube arranged to have two work surfaces at different heights (one sitting and one standing). When he felt his back acting up he’d switch to standing, then when his legs got tired back to sitting.
Myself—I’ve tried to sit on one of those giant rubber exercise core-body balls, suggested by my trainer. It’s better than a chair because while you’re sitting it forces good posture and for you to use your stomach and lower back muscles to keep yourself balanced, etc. I tried it … and it really does work – you’ll find yourself with soreness you never felt before.
I don’t know if standing all the time is good, or sitting all the time, I think having a work environment that lets you easily change it up and use a variety of positions is probably best. Moderation in everything—the key to happy living.
Bear
on 30 Apr 08As long as we are throwing out stand/ sit desk suggestions. Might as well have one with a big flippin’ screen.
Justin Reese
on 30 Apr 08@rabble: As someone who used to work with a team of Amish computer programmers, I can attest to their existence… and their talents! In fact, one of them is a Prototype contributor.
Scott
on 30 Apr 08I’ve built a fairly cheap stand up solution using shelves from a home improvement store and the sliding keyboard tray from my sit down desk. Photo on flickr.
I used to work in electronics where we had stand up benches, so it’s only taken me a day to get used to it again. I’d normally be tired right now, but when standing I’m awake and focused.
Greg
on 30 Apr 08And now the next step is to walk. First saw this on brainrules.net:
http://www.steelcase.com/na/walkstation_products.aspx?f=30670
Standing Skeptic
on 30 Apr 08I haven’t given standing a try, let me first say that but I’m concerned that switching from sitting to standing is going to be unbearable for someone who programs sometimes 11 hrs a day. Does anyone here stand for that long a period of time AND is a programmer? I can see how it’s good for someone who’s a manager who’s always on the phone or someone who’s constantly in meetings or away from their desk, but for someone like me who’s sitting at his desk 95% of the working day, is standing a viable alternative? If it takes 2 weeks to adjust to it, I’m pretty sure I’ll be negative about the whole thing during that time and won’t be able to form an unbiased opinion.
GeeIWonder
on 30 Apr 08@SS: Get a pilates ball. It’s about 10 bucks, will strengthen your core+legs, and it’ll be less of a transition. Plus, less people will find the need to ‘cheat’ by e.g. locking their knees. And you can use your existing desk. It slides away more nicely than your current chair, and is very conducive to standing up/shifting positions.
As with most things, either ‘cheating’ or doing too much too soon is likely to lead to injury.
If a pilates ball is too much/too out there for you, a short stool works well to start.
Scott
on 30 Apr 08Doing anything for 11 hours a day is not really good for you, whether sitting, standing, lying, kneeling.
It really just comes down to what you’re comfortable with. For me, sitting all day would sometimes make my leg and lower back hurt, no matter what chair I used. Standing I don’t really get that. However, my primary motive has been one of attention and focus rather than ergonomics. Sitting I’m very tired in the afternoon, but standing I’m pretty awake. Hopefully it’ll stay that way.
There are several vocations that do not have the luxury of sitting down. Two that I’ve held in the (long) past were dish washer and line cook – no sitting there. It was only after I’ve become a lazy programmer that I thought I wanted to sit all the time.
One thing I’ve been doing is taking little 5 minute sit breaks – I use a timer and I don’t do work, I flip through a magazine, read a book, whatever. Just a few times a day, whenever I feel like I need it. Not only does it ease my body but it keeps my mind focused.
Standing Skeptic
on 30 Apr 08For those of you who stand already, do you rest your forearms on your desk or mostly in mid-air?
@Scott, of my past jobs that required standing, the one I remember most vividly was front desk at a hotel and I definitely did NOT like standing all day. Of course I was about 8 years younger, sans back pain, had to wear a heavy jacket and the coveted gel anti-fatigue mat was nowhere to be had. Now I’m older, grumpier, more sore and willing to give standing another go.
It’s ironic one of my favorite eateries is The Stand (for those of you in LA)
Ed Fladung
on 01 May 08does anyone have any good stats on standing height to desk height ratio? i’m 6’2”.
mech
on 01 May 08Study show that sitting or standing cannot be sustained. You cannot stand for 30 min and likewise you cannot sit for 30 min. You just have to remember to rest and stretch around for 15 min in interval. You should really practice this because sooner or later the next killer aliment is either your NECK PAIN or BACK PAIN.
Stress is everything. When you work and want to concentrate, you loose the ability to think for your body and health. So make the habit to detached yourself once in a while. Do not over-focus and think that it will help in your performance and efficiency!
Liam
on 01 May 08I have one of these:
http://www.auzspec.com.au/p188062392_HAG+Capisco.html
and one of these:
http://www.auzspec.com.au/index.php?doc187950009
at my new workplace.
The chair took a bit of getting used to, and I must admit I haven’t really used the desk that much in the standing position, but I will definitely give it a try after reading this article (and the comments so far).
Gordon R. Vaughan
on 01 May 08I seem to recall reading an article a few years back about Michael Dell, that he also used a stand-up desk, & that it helped him to get through a lot of stuff much quicker.
That was probably the first time I had encountered the concept, for typical office work. Maybe it’s worth a try, though it wouldn’t be that easy to re-arrange an already-cramped office.
Gordon R. Vaughan
on 01 May 08Here’s an old 1992 NY Times article that mentions Dell’s standing at his desk.
“Now married and a father, Mr. Dell no longer works the 16- to 18-hour days that marked his early years as chairman of PC’s Limited, the company that later became Dell. But he is not exactly taking it easy. Last year he got rid of his office desk and chair and now works standing up. “I’ve discovered that I think faster on my feet,” he said.”
Wonder if he still does that? Or does he even spend time at his desk, or just in meetings all the time?
David
on 01 May 08I’ve tried standing at my desk over the last couple days and think of it as a matter of shifting the emphasis: I still use my chair and sit from time to time, but standing is now the default.
Scott
on 01 May 08I do not lean on my stand up desk. It’s built out of shelves anchored to sheet rock – it’s rated to support 200lbs but I’m not going to put that to the test ;)
At any rate, I think mech touched on something worthwhile. If you’re following good ergonomics there may not be any advantage of one over the other. If you’re standing you need to sit down once in a while and if you’re sitting down you need to stand up and move around once in a while.
I’m more in the Michael Dell camp – I’m thinking faster, focusing better and I’m not falling asleep in my chair after lunch. If you can already do that sitting down there may not be any reason to stand up (or vice versa).
Sitting or standing I wish everyone great comfort and strong focus (like bull) throughout their work day!
Ardekantur
on 01 May 08I hope you don’t plan on breaking an ankle any time soon - if you do, you’re out of commission for who knows how long! :)
Jay
on 01 May 08@scott – I thought about mech’s comment (that neither can be sustained) and realized that I rarely get up and walk around (at best, every few hours). I almost think if standing were the default, I’d be more likely to sit for a few minutes to alternate my position than I am to stand now. Perhaps a good stool that allows me to continue to read something on the monitor or talk on the phone would fit the bill.
I think I’m going to construct something to set my monitors and keyboard on and give this a whirl for a bit.
Mark
on 02 May 08I wonder if Apple had thought about this when they designed their stores. Standing room only unless you’re playing with the kid’s software demo machines. Plus I guess if you let people sit down in front of a iMac in the store, they might not get up for a few hours.
Still, interesting.
Scott
on 02 May 08@jay – yeah I’d like to get a nice stool or drafting chair for the brief sit downs.
Angus
on 05 May 08Interesting. I’ve heard that many surgeons who are on their feet all day wear surgical stockings, to stop varicose veins.
This discussion is closed.