A standing desk killed my productivity | Hacker News Reader

A standing desk killed my productivity

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Cheap alternative to motorized sit-stand desk: standing desk + tall chair, like one you get in pubs. I wish I had tried that before investing into motorized one - it would be more hip.

For about month after I moved I've used a ghetto standing desk (https://plus.google.com/115482397571066363629/posts/1gvjDnfJ...). I would stand for most of the working day with a two hours sitting break in a nearby cafe.

I'm using sit-stand desk for two years and it's the only reason I'm renting an office again after moving and not using co-working places.

I'm switching every hour or two and never sit-down until I'm ready to focus on code (no sitting while doing email, procra^H^H^Hresearch. Then I switching the desk to sitting position, turning off IM and email, start pomodoro timer, put on a headset and play some music and switch terminal with Vim to full-screen.

In a startup I'd probably get one or two spare standing desks so that people could move there with their laptops for a while (besides mandatory couch).

OP: how tall are you, how much do you weight, you much do you squat?

There must be some common stats that will predict wether you're ready for a standing desk.

The weekend trips sounds like serious exercise. Maybe you don't eat enough afterwards?

If you can bike far but your squat or deadlift is low, then expect lower back pain. Pain in feet is strange, what are you standing on in what footwear?

Hi Detrus,

Interesting point.

I'm 5 ft 10 in, I weigh 12 stones (168 pounds), I can squat 75 kg (165 pounds) dead lift 90 kg and bench 55 kg. So although not amazing, but not awful either.

I'm barefoot or socks in general when standing and it is straight on to carpeted floor which I am beginning to think isn't padded enough.

Suggestions would be useful

I got comfy with standing at 5'9" 160 pounds. My squat was 150 x 12 reps, deadlift around the same. I use only the coffee table, no DIY keyboard add on. I have a laptop at the far end of the table from me, hands stretched out, leaning on desk. I stand on hard wood floor in slippers or sneakers. I change posture and foot position often. Don't need to think about it. And I don't stand all the time, maybe 6 hours a day.

Some people get a special mat to stand on, say you really need it.

Thanks Detrus, good to hear input from someone of similar size/shape/fitness etc. Hardwood floor? Blimey, I think that would kill me.

Should I try standing desk again I think I'll take your advice and get the special mat. Also, reducing my standing time would be an improvement

I recently got a very nice motorized standing desk. It definitely helps to be able to lower it and sit when I get fatigued, though after having it for more than a month, I find I spend most of my time standing now.

I have polished concrete floors in my apartment. Concrete is VERY hard and very fatiguing to stand on for long periods. I got a large cork mat (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QGYIDW/) to stand on which makes a big difference -- I think standing on something too spongy is just as bad as standing on something too hard. Many of the commercial standing mats looked too soft.

I'm also in very good physical shape (I routinely squat more than my body weight of 180), but there is an adjustment period when you go from sitting all day to standing. Taking frequent breaks is key -- every hour or two, sit or walk around for 10 or 20 minutes.

Yea, for me standing desk feels like a must. If I am living in computer land for long periods I'll get lethargic and unproductive sitting. I don't do cardio, only strength training. Got my deadlift at 340 lb now but probably can't run 5 minutes.

So if you feel fine with your level of exercise and sitting don't sweat it.

Do you have your feet in 'duck position' pointing out when standing they should be pointing forwards if you do they you've tight hip flexors see mobilitywod.com

Feet are normal, I used to suffer from the opposite but that sorted it's self out the more I worked on it - thanks though

Do you have good posture? Can you do the hollow rock see gymnasticswod.com. I've been using a standing desk for many months and it takes a long time to adjust.

EDIT - Do you wear shoes when standing? I only wear socks/bare feet on a thin carpet over a wooden floor. Shoes raise your heals slightly.

Alot of the suggestions from people who are saying to get an anti fatigue mat probably have tight hip flexors it shouldn't be necessary have a look at this link

http://www.mobilitywod.com/2011/06/episode-274-the-standing-...

What about your thoracic mobility in extension, Can you hold the yoga asana 'the bow' easily and without tension? What about holding a bridge or as it's called in yoga 'the wheel'. Both are good predictors of thoractic and shoulder mobility. If you've been sitting at a desk for 20 years you've probably got your thoracic spine trapped in flexion (called kyphosis).

I've never heard of a single person who switched to a standing desk fulltime. It seems as if the key is to have a setup which easily facilitates both standing and sitting with as easy/fast a switch between them as possible.

Yes: change is the key. It's not only about how much standing can your "endure" - standing for prolonged periods is not healthy at all.

I use a standing desk at home. I find my feet hurt if I stand still for long, but not if I walk. For me, running the treadmill at about 2km/h is ideal.

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