First Week Using My Standing Desk
July 10th, 2009Monday I put together the IKEA FREDRIK Computer Workstation in my office and set it up as a standing desk. The workstation was not designed to be used as a standing desk, so any little vibration from typing or fidgeting moves the monitors. To solve this I plan on anchoring it to the wall. After a full week of use, I can tell you it does take a bit to get used to. I still use my trusty BreakTimer application, but instead of getting up and walking when the timer goes off, I sit down for a bit. I have noticed my back is hurting less, but my legs get fatigued and my feet kinda ache. Specifically my quads and hip-flexers. I can already tell that I need a fatigue pad (should be here next week).
Even though I am getting some relief from my shooting back pain, that goes down my left leg, standing all day is not exactly relaxing. I used to enjoy reclining in my chair after lunch and perusing the interwebs. Getting my daily does of technology news. But reading the news while standing doesn’t quite have the same effect. On the other hand I do not notice a decline in work quality. If anything the quality of work has increased. I guess standing and being physically engaged makes me focus more; though I am still only able to work in spurts of 30 minutes to a max of 1 hour straight before I have to take a break. Only this time, instead of having to get up and stretch my legs because of the pain in all the diodes on my left side, I need to sit a minute to rest the legs and feet. Hopefully the cheap Office Depot fatigue pad coming next week will ease the foot aches, which is the main reason I have to take a break from standing.
I still fidget and shift my position, constantly. Alter my wait from side to side. Widen my stance. Put a foot up on the bottom shelf of the desk. The same amount of fidgeting I did while seated. I guess I just can’t sit still.
The other option, the $1400 tangram desk with a slightly smaller work area and no higher shelf for monitors, was a lot more stable and it goes up and down with a push of a button. It even has height presets for single touch action to go to sitting height or standing. But 10 times as much money. Even with all those features, I don’t know if it’s 10 times as better. Maybe there is a way to make one and sell it for less…
So after the first week, I would gladly exchange dealing with fatigued legs than the pain going down my leg. We shall see how it is after next week.
photo of my standing desk at work
Tags: ergonomics, werk
July 14th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
You might check out GeekDesk (www.GeekDesk.com) — high quality electric adjustable height desk for a great price, IMHO. I’ve had mine about six months now. Love it.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Getting a frame from GeekDesk is quite tempting. Oh, and the fatigue pad helps A LOT! Must get one if you use a standing setup.
March 9th, 2010 at 1:04 am
I also have back problems too and experienced the same things as you did. After awhile I noticed my legs were getting tired and the anti-fagitue mat was no help. After searching for a solution, a treadmill desk was an neat idea, however they are $5000. At work, I talked them into getting me a motorized desk that can rise up to 60 inches. They I went to walmart and got a new cadence g40 treadmill for less than $300, and modified it to fit under my desk. It might get some getting use to, but this is the best solution yet, and I am more productive than ever. Hope this helps, good luck on your search to painless work day.