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How To Transition From Sitting to Standing at Work

Molly Struve (she/her) on June 19, 2019

Disclaimer: Despite the benefits I have found from standing while I work you should consult your doctor if you have any medical conditions that mig...
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Jaaki

This is something I've been curious about Molly, as I really like to be active as well. Whether it be running, cycling or just being crazy.

A few hours in an office chair is enough to have a bad effect on breathing and circulation. So a different approach is to grab a gym ball.

I started sitting on a gym ball some time ago and it's also had some really good benefits. On a gym ball your constantly active and engaged.

Core is tensed, back is straight and moving around doesn't require pushing a chair back as the gym ball is less in the way.

Not to mention that bouncing whilst coding has become my favourite pass time!

Bouncy ball

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fischgeek

Haha! As long as you don't put it in one of those stupid, purpose-defeating-chairs These totally take away the point of the strengthening the core!

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Jaaki

Haha, no way!! That's so funny though :D

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Molly Struve (she/her)

😂WHAT?!

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Wade Williams

Thank you for sharing, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen in the last week or so.

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Jonathan Kuhl

Should use a good exercise ball as a chair too. Helps with your core. :)

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Molly Struve (she/her)

LOVE IT! I have a gym ball in my office at home and some days if my legs are particularly tired from an active weekend or something I sit on the gym ball.

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Jaaki

Yes, the pink is great! :D
I'll definitely be putting some of your tips to use soon.

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fischgeek • Edited

Coming from my chiropractor, he says sitting or standing has the same effect on your back. It's moving that makes a difference. As long as you get up and go for a walk frequently it's about the same. Standing desks are mostly beneficial for active workers who go back and forth from their desk to somewhere frequently. I work from home and frequently go back and forth from my VeriDesk to my crazy kids. So, standing works for me. Good article!

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Molly Struve (she/her)

Oh, thats great to know! Thanks for sharing that insight!

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ut4utc

I'm not working sitting, I prefer to lie down and hold a laptop on my stomach. But after your post I will try :) though my workplace will now be like this
my work place

Thank you for post

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Molly Struve (she/her)

Gotta make do with what you got 😀

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Davide de Paolis

I switched to the standing desk a couple of years ago. After 2 days at home sick because of back pain ( due to workout/climbing), I realized that the pain was ok while standing - so I set up a workstation resembling the picture you have above (card and Ikea boxes). I mentioned that to my boss and I managed to get one proper standing desk in a couple of weeks. Since then I gradually increased the number of hours I could code while standing and I really enjoyed it - I do feel more energised and more productive)
Unfortunately, in the last year, I had a couple of injuries at my ankles/knees (sometimes I think that doing sports is not so healthy for me.. :-) ) so I had to switch back to the sitting position, and then I got a bit lazy. But right now I still try to spend at least a couple of hours of work with the extended table!

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Molly Struve (she/her)

So happy to hear someone else who has had my experience! I have had a few riding injuries that have prevented me from standing, those are always rough days 😝

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Ahsan Raza • Edited

I started with 50/50. Half a day sit and after lunch stand and work. That's good to build the habbit. My experience is exactly like Molly, it's good for digestion, I feel less depressed and more productive when I stand, because I'm more free to move. Initiallyl, always take work calls standing, then find a good extension desk. I use one in the picutre I attached. I put it on my table and adjust it in accordance to eyes. This extension desk is easy to store also because you may dismantle it after work.
thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i...

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Jonathan Kuhl

I worked at a call center and I had a desk to sit at, but I stood most the time. Couldn't stand being in a chair all day and got restless.

Bonus points meant being able to talk to coworkers if they had down time.

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Francisco Quintero 🇨🇴

I've always worked in companies without standing desks. In 2018, I moved to a company that provided standing desks(the ones you move up and down with a button) to everyone. It was awesome to work on that place because I had a lower back injury and standing from time to time was a relieved.

I left the company and haven't found any other that provides that kind of desks. They're really good for us as people who spent tons of hours sitting.

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Shannon Crabill

Nice! I recently started working from home, which allows me to move around more (and let's be real, stretch or exercise during the day) I am ready to make the switch to a standing desk solution.

I've been eyeing the IKEA adjustable desk. For now, I may try a makeshift solution (sometimes, I stand at my kitchen island) since I have a personal laptop and computer.

I will also stress having supportive shoes or an anti-fatigue mat. I had a standing desk at a previous job, but not matt so I would only stand a few minutes at a time.

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Amara Graham

Great article!

I found I had a problem with standing and coding, I just felt unbalanced like I always wanted to fall over. Since I've transitioned to working remote, I've been experimenting with different setups to feel less fatigued. Really I just need to keep my shoulders away from my ears.

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Nadine M. Thêry

I might give it a go... but it seems to me that you are pretty fit already! Maybe I need to lose a lot more weight before trying this.
I have that feeling when I am sitting for too long that I wanna run over the place haha. It is not that I am an active person. I like to keep active, however, but I still have an important overweight to get rid of before starting this adventure.

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Molly Struve (she/her)

Definitely would be a good idea to talk to a doctor before doing anything but you might be able to work standing into your plan to help you lose weight. Never know! GOOD LUCK!

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Avalander

Nice article!

I have been standing more and more at work since the beginning of the year and I love it! I'm seeing similar benefits to what you describe: I'm generally more awake and alert, my legs and core muscles are getting stronger, and my posture is better and I have fewer body aches.

I didn't know about standing pads, by the way, I must ask my employer about getting one.

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Brad

Awesome article!

I've been thinking about switching to a standing desk setup at home, but have been wondering about doing a mix of standing and sitting, and the benefits and drawbacks of mixing things up.

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Mihail Malo

Everyone talks about standing, but what about reclining?
Isn't standing for long spans of work worse than reclining (with the caveat that you still must get up sometimes)

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Molly Struve (she/her)

Good question, I have never read or heard anything about reclining.

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Mihail Malo

I wish I had first-hand reclining experience, but the AltWork price keeps growing. RIP

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Lee Jarvis

I stand for ~40% of my day and have one of these desks, it's really nice.

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Cecelia Martinez

Compression socks! I never would have thought of this!

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Molly Struve (she/her)

It was a game changer for me!

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NOGIER Loïc

nice tips :)

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Halldor Stefansson

I've yet to try this one, but it seems like a neat option in order to make the switch to a standing desk: deskmate.co/

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Awelle

Lol, this is quite interesting..

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Boris Krstić

Easy. Buy a standing desk. 😏

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Pablo Antonio Rodríguez Rubio

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