I have joined the “standing workspace” fad

[mithriltabby]

I just switched to a standing workspace at the day job, for my health. The traditional way to go about this in an open plan office is apparently to just prop up your existing desk on cinderblocks. I was a bit concerned about the stability of doing so with a single cinderblock on end, so I bought a dozen so I could lash them together in groups of three with zip ties. (Total cost at Home Despot: about $20.) Of course, this meant people were remarking on my hauling in a dozen cinderblocks this morning. (Some of them even volunteered to help lug them, without being asked. Good folk here at Electric Cloud.) My response to inquiries was: “Either I’m building a standing workstation, or I’m creating a miniature Stonehenge in honor of my ancient Druidical beliefs.”

And my feet are already glad I bought a gel mat at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Comments

[baronlaw.livejournal.com]

I think good shoes and a gel mat would be essential to a standing workspace. I have to admit I've considered it myself.

[palecur.livejournal.com]

I got to get me a gel mat. I can do a whole day on my feet but it sure gets cranky around hour 6.5/7.

[mithriltabby]

Looks like the one I got for the kitchen at home was on extreme sale; a 3’ one runs $100 before applying coupons when there’s no sale. Good thing obsessivewoman is zealous about stocking up the 20% off coupons...

[cmccurry.livejournal.com]

Not a bad idea. Would be nice to have that option at my work but I think the Powers That Be would frown on it.

[ladydairine.livejournal.com]

I can't either, so I bought a balance ball to at least keep moving.

[merhawk]

I'm very surprised that EC wasn't willing to at least get you the gel mat.

I've thought of one of those, but I'm actually on my feet a lot during the day as it is. I spend at least 1/4 of my time walking around.

...at least, I *think* I do...

[elissa-carey.livejournal.com]

You could use an Airtouch table from Steelcase (http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/tables/adjustable/airtouch/pages/overview.aspx). Or, if you wanted to go one further and exercise while working, try a Walkstation (http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/worktools/wellness/walkstation/Pages/Overview.aspx).

[mithriltabby]

I think that would be a bit pricey for this startup. :-)

[kalimac.livejournal.com]

If anyone tried to get me to do a desk job standing up most of the time, I'd quit.

[racerxmachina.livejournal.com]

It's not for everybody, that's for sure. I'd want to check with my doctor for my hips and knees before I got started, myself.

[daehith.livejournal.com]

I picked up http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NK5HRS for this purpose, and have used it as a standing desk a few times (when I was able to work from home) as it is easy adjustable. I can't even get a desk set to the right height at the office (I had to find a chair I could make very very low instead) so I'm not holding my breath they would ever contribute any money to something like this, and I sadly have no easy way to rework my cubicle and computer for something like that at the office.

However, the gel mat may make the standing desk at home a lot better! I wear comfy supportive shoes with it already, since it's in a room with a concrete floor, but a gel mat sounds like a great addition!

:)

[mithriltabby]

Nifty!