Thomas Jefferson, Donald Rumsfeld, Ernest Hemmingway, Winston Churchill, and many others have spent their working hours on their feet. Today, more people make a stationary living than ever before. The computer age has given rise to a truly sedentary lifestyle, as the work traditionally done by craftsmen and laborers has been automated or eliminated. With more folks tapping away at the keyboard, more folks are experiencing repetitive stress injuries. Stand up desks can offer some relief.
Popular historically, stand up desks have been uncommon over the last century. The increase in time spent working at computers and the related repetitive stress injuries have given rise to the field of ergonomics. Ergonomic experts analyze the way we work, and how we can do so more effectively and with less stress. It turns out that the stand-up desks of history are extremely good for reducing injury. Standing doesn’t allow the leaning and slouching that is possible in a seated position, your back and neck remain straighter, and a properly positioned monitor allows users to look straight ahead, minimizing neck movement and strain.
Another reason that many are choosing to migrate to standing desks has to do with energy. Mid-morning and afternoon slumps are a common and well-known issue for the average office worker. Diet and exercise can help minimize these slumps, but the afternoon break that is a common part of so many cultures attests that the slump has some evolutionary validity. While the species may well have justification for nodding off a bit in the afternoon, this is an excuse the is unlikely to get you very far with your boss. He reality is that most of us must find a way to power through the afternoon slump and maintain productivity throughout the day. The stand up desk can help. Working while standing does provide more energy, and eliminates the afternoon doldrums almost entirely – in fact, some proponents use their stand up desks only in the afternoons, finding that sitting through the morning appeals to them.
Try It – Should you give a stand up desk a try? If you suffer from the issues addressed above, you clearly have good reasons to try a stand up desk. While the design and work style may seem foreign and strange, I can only ask – what can it hurt? Try standing for a while, and see how you like it. I’ve seen some pretty ingenious “try it before you buy it” approaches to the stand up desk. Anyone who commits to the practice will likely want to purchase a specially made desk, and we’ll look at a few sources in a moment, but if you’re curious, here are a few ideas that might help you to get the effect without making a financial commitment. If you do decide to try it out, I strongly suggest that you give it a couple weeks before making up your mind, adjusting to standing all day can take a little bit of time.
– Cubicles – For once, the cube-dwellers are blessed. Many, if not most cubicles have build-in adjustable desks, drawers, and shelves. If you work in a cubicle, you should be able to raise all or just part of your workstation to standing height in just a few minutes, and back to normal just as quickly.
– Cinderblocks – It’s a pretty ghetto solution, but it will get the job done, and it’s how I decided to test-drive the concept. Find some cinderblocks, bricks, or wooden blocks and just lift a conventional desk up onto it. At the very least, it’s an extremely reversible way to kick the tires on the stand up desk thing.
– Podium – A podium is a ready-mad standing workspace, and many companies have them kicking around. Snag a podium, either desktop or free standing should work fine, and try working from there during much of the day. Of course you’ll have more room with a larger desk, but a podium should give you a good idea of how this whole standing thing works.
Buy It – Once you give standing a chance, you may not want to go back. The next step is purchasing a stand up desk that meets your needs and fits your sensibilities. Many users of stand up desks use furniture that harkens back to the stand up desks of years gone by, and there are some truly attractive pieces available in this genre. If you’d prefer something more in keeping with a modern office décor, you have options, as well.
Versatables offers convertible desks with a modern utilitarian sensibility. Much of their furniture can be converted from sitting height to standing, but requires partial disassembly to do so. A great solution once you’ve made up your mind.
Ergonomics Connection has some very cool adjustables, also in keeping with the look of a modern office. These folks are serious about conversions, offering fast, seamless switches from sitting to standing via hand-cranks, manual lifting, and even electric motors.
Levenger – Really beautiful wooden old-fashioned stand up desks. Many of their pieces are based on historically accurate desks. The craftsmanship appears to be quite impressive.
The Stand Up Desk Company – Maybe I’m a sucker for the little guy, but I find this place to be fantastic. Hand-made wooden furniture, made to order. The site actually tells you who’s physically making your desk, and I like that.
standupdesks.com has a selection of even more quality old-fashioned wood stand ups. They all appear to be beautiful.
Adjusting – More than anything else, folks making the move to a stand up desk complain about tired feet. Like waiters and warehouse workers, your feet will take more of a beating if you choose to stand. Comfortable shoes and frequent changes of your inserts will make all of the difference here. Even with good footwear, though, expect some achy dogs for the first week or two. Your whole boy will be making a pretty serious adjustment, and that takes time. After a couple of weeks, though, you’ll begin to feel better. The increased energy, productivity, and improved circulation will speak for themselves, and like Rummy, you won’t look back.
