Anyone ever tried a stand up desk?

[bmine30]

My office has offered up the option of a standup desk and I have never tried one - -but it sounds like the healthy move to make.

Has anyone ever tried it? pros? cons?

Any advice is helpful! thanks!

[steff]

hmmm, a stand up desk....I don't know that there would be that many benefits.  ACE (American Council on Exercise) determined that sitting on an exercise ball didn't really burn more calories.  Your muscles become accustomed and then the advantage disappears.  I would think that  walking when you talk on the phone, doing deskercises (office exercises that can be done at your desk), pacing when you are thinking out a problem, etc would be more beneficial.  But as I said before, I think it may depend on your job. 

[SunsetRunner]

My ex-wife had some back issues so she was offered a convertible desk - it would raise or lower depending on her needs that day. She found that she used the sitting position more often than standing, but on those days when sitting was difficult, she could stay at work and continue her job by raising it. It was very expensive but she is an adjuster for a health insurance company so they made sure they practiced what the preached.

Check out Wikipedia on Standing Desks. It says that a study found that persons using a standing desk have a heart rate 10 beats per minute faster than those who sit.

[dotnetcowboy]

I'm based at home so I have the option of sitting or standing as the day dictates. I have some chronic lower back pain and I find that standing on the days it really bothers me helps to alleviate the pain. Other days I feel like sitting but will walk around during conference calls and do other things to stay more active than I would in an office setting.

I would suggest (like another poster) a convertible desk instead of one that is strictly sitting or standing. Explore that option and see if your employer is willing to do that instead.

[steff]

To clarify, if your desk job doesn't allow you to walk around, pace, etc.  I think that a standing desk would be beneficial.  If your job requires that you get up often and move around, I don't know that there would be any more benefit to just standing.  Afterall, you could practice squats as you get up and sit down.  🙂

[urban_farmgirl]

I have been using an adjustable desk (Ergotron Workfit-s) at work for about 6 months. I love it!!!! I sit when I have customers at my desk, otherwise I find that I stand about 50% of my day. It has helped me with lower back pain and also with just remembering to be more active. I would (and have) recommended getting one to anyone that has that option.

Good luck!!

[Nicomachea]

As in many or most areas of life, balance is key. For instance, take a look here:

http://healthland.time.com/2011/04/13/the-dangers-of-sitting-at-work%E2%80%94and-standing/

And here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/standing-up-at-your-desk-may-energize-you-but-...

Other posters have hit on the ideal, which would be a convertable desk arrangement. If that's not an option, though, you have a couple of choices. One (and what I do): Maintain your traditional desk arrangement, but throughout the day, when you have material to read or phone calls to make, stand up. Pace a little, if you can. Two: Go for the standing desk, but get a high bar stool or something that will allow you to sit. I'd be careful to make sure you can find a stool that's high enough, but assuming you can, it's an option.

[Katamac]

I have the same Ergotron unit. Over a year ago I developed hip pain and whenever I stood up from my chair, I struggled to walk. After some research, I purchased the Workfit S and never looked back. By day two I moved my chair out of my office. I did add the shelf option for papers that I am working on. Since I never sit, I seldom change the unit height but it is simple to do based on heel height for the day.
I find I simply walk to coworker desks for a discussion since I am already standing. I concentrate better during phone calls. The only time I may consider finding a sitting space is when I have multiple inputs to sort through and organize.
BTW I am 64 this July. I feel healthier and more fit from standing. And I have had better luck losing and keeping off weight.
I am trying to determine how to track standing on the fitbit and am open for suggestions.
One more thing . . . I get a lot of visits from coworkers looking for standing alternatives. My company is launching a "rental" option this summer. I am curious how it will work but glad others will have a chance to try this great option.

[SoliDeoGloria]

I converted my cubicle at work about a year ago (standing portion and seated portion).

For the last 6 months, I've been consistently standing for 3-5 hours a day. I love it. It keeps my blood flowing and studies have shown that it does burn more calories (LifeHacker - Standing on Weekdays Burns Calories Like Running 10 Marathons a Year). There are a number of other articles you can find on the subject, just run a Google search on Benefits of a Standing Desk. 

Personally, I've noticed my legs and lower back are stronger and my posture is much better. Plus, it may look a bit goofy, but you can do calf raises, walk in place and do other standing exercises to give yourself a boost. 

As with everything, there are always pro's and con's. If you can't get a convertible solution, maybe try to get a taller chair that you could use to sit when needed (the first week or so can be tough to adjust to).