Standing Desk - Many Benefits

[JohnH]

Just wanted to mention a great idea I originally got from a client - a standing desk  After saying for several years I wanted to do this, I initially got that done last year. Can't think of enough superlatives to describe it.   

 

Working while standing is great for the circulation and I think it keeps one more alert. Pairing it with a bar stool for those times when you want to alternate sitting & standing gives you the best of both worlds.  Even better is to put one of those bicycle pedal exercisers in front of the bar stool ($20 at k-mart for a cheap one, which is really all you need).

 

There's another great benefit I hadn't anticipated.  When a client drops by unexpectedly, I just keep standing while speaking with them.  They won't sit down unless I do, and most people will finish up the conversation faster if they don't settle into a chair and get comfortable.  So in addition to the health benefits, a standing desk helps to get clients out of your office faster so you can get some work done.

Edited March 6, 2015 by JohnH

[Richcpaman]

My buddy Joe D has a desk that moves up and down, so you can stand or sit when you are working.  Along with three monitors, and they all move...

 

I am quite jealous.

 

It is my intention to do the same in my office after tax season.  I have been banging my knees on the corners for years, and the back issues seem to appear as tax season progress's, so it is time to make a change.

 

I did not know about the "Standing" not sitting result.... I like that.

 

Rich

[schirallicpa]

I bought one of those ball chairs (they are actually just an exercise ball sits in a chair with a hole in it.)  I had a teacher friend that worked sitting down all the time because she worked one on one with kids.  I keeps your legs from hurting so much.  I like the idea of the standing desk. 

 

Give us a link where you bought it.

[Catherine]

Yes, please - a link!  A friend of mine has one also and raves about it but his taste runs to "Cadillac" brands and lines.  I'm more of a Suzuki girl, myself.

[JohnH]

You can shell out some big bucks for standing desks - $1,000 - $2,500 isn't uncommon, especially if it has multi-position elevating mechanisms and other bells & whistles.  Here are a bunch of images, just to give you an idea of what is out there and how some people have approached this.

https://www.google.com/search?q=standing+desk&rlz=1T4WQIB_enUS591US591&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ZeT5VK7xHcWagwSonoHABw&ved=0CGUQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=892

 

But mine is more basic and very much a DIY project.  I just used a corner desk from Office Depot and had a carpenter/client fabricate a riser from 2x4's to elevate it.  Then I positioned it beside some wall brackets with adjustable shelving so I can extend the top as far as I wish to make the desktop wider on one side.  Other shelves serve as places to hold papers, reference books, etc.  I mounted one monitor on the desk and I attached another monitor to the wall beside the desk using a movable bracket I bought at Sams's club. I can move the wall-mounted monitor to suit my working position.  As you can tell, my office isn't very fancy, but it is highly functional.

Edited March 6, 2015 by JohnH

[Catherine]

My monitors tilt, so if I just get a shelf to put the keyboard and mouse on, that might work for me.  Sometimes there are serious advantages to being short -- this might be one of them.  Might not be too hard to get a shelf the right size and height.

[MsTabbyKats]

But, wouldn't you get tired from standing all day.  It's making my feet ache.

 

I'm working off 2 computers this year....one in the bedroom and one in the dining room....so I keep running from one to the other.

 

That's my exercise!

[JohnH]

That's why I also have a bar stool.

Mostly I stand, but if I need to sit I just pull the bar stool over. 

Sitting on the bar stool and pedaling away on the little exercise pedals while working at the computer is actually very relaxing.

 

Edited March 6, 2015 by JohnH

[cred65]

I just came from a clients office and the accountant had this configuration on her desk.

http://www.varidesk.com/stand-up-desks?gclid=CjwKEAiAveWnBRCzjqf4zpuUkGYSJABcoZbH2gFvpguzLM4V8WaWuKJabcD2Pd53fMpHdlLsP4FY8BoCTlDw_wcB

[Abby Normal]

 

Bought my desk at Beyond the Office Door. It was just under a grand.

 

http://www.beyondtheofficedoor.com/Electric-Sit-to-Stand-Desk.php

 

Just bought a new floor pad from Varidesk.com so I can stand longer.

 

http://www.varidesk.com/

 

Versa Tables also makes sit to stand desks.

 

http://www.versatables.com/promo/sit-to-stand.php

[Abby Normal]

This is the next step, but damn it's expensive!

 

http://www.beyondtheofficedoor.com/BTOD-VD-TMBU.php

[Margaret CPA in OH]

This is the next step, but damn it's expensive!

 

http://www.beyondtheofficedoor.com/BTOD-VD-TMBU.php

 

Just march in place! 

 

I really like your setup, though.  Thanks for sharing.

[JohnH]

 

Bought my desk at Beyond the Office Door. It was just under a grand.

 

http://www.beyondtheofficedoor.com/Electric-Sit-to-Stand-Desk.php

 

Just bought a new floor pad from Varidesk.com so I can stand longer.

 

http://www.varidesk.com/

 

Versa Tables also makes sit to stand desks.

 

http://www.versatables.com/promo/sit-to-stand.php

Very cool.

A lot nicer than my setup.

But both serve the same purpose, and results count.

Edited March 6, 2015 by JohnH

[Abby Normal]

But, wouldn't you get tired from standing all day.  It's making my feet ache.

 

I'm working off 2 computers this year....one in the bedroom and one in the dining room....so I keep running from one to the other.

 

That's my exercise!

I can stand for over an hour before my feet start aching. If I lost some weight, I could stand longer. I can usually stand 3-4 hours out of a 12 hour day. Every little bit helps! My core and legs are firmer for it.

[NECPA in NEBRASKA]

The varidesk is what I'm going to get. I have a large corner desk that it will work great on. Thanks for all of the great ideas and pictures everyone. I use my treadmill every day, but it would be very nice to not have to sit all day long.

[JohnH]

Glad you liked the discussion. 

I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to bring this up right in the middle of the tax time  crunch, so it's nice to see that it generated some interest.

[ILLMAS]

Another option too

 

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[Richcpaman]

I knew my friend Joe D would show his set up.

 

He has a "normal" desk which faces the other direction that he meets the clients and faces them. 

 

My arrangement, would be to the side, so that the monitors are 90 degrees to the clients.  Or more like 60 degrees so they can not see what is on them.   Plus one that does face them for tax planning or Qbooks training... 

 

Rich

[rscpa]

Made the jump this year, and really like standing.  Got the Varidesk Pro plus 48.  Can place all three monitors on it (two vertical and one landscape).  Be sure to get a good fatigue mat to stand on.  Also, one thing hadn't thought of is you will need to get longer power cords and video cables as they won't reach unless computer is right next to monitors.  Wish I had done this years ago.  Still have desk chair and platform goes up or down as needed. 

 

The only negative that I have noticed is that you lose a fair amount of desk space, but that is more than offset by the benefits.

 

 

[Catherine]

Here's a new article that claims we think better when standing.

 

http://phys.org/news/2015-04-feet-literally.html

[easytax]

For those who like the ideas here --- here is another that will "blow your mind" with versatility:

   It is an youtube video from altwork:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHdShyF9x7U&feature=player_embedded

If you do not want to click link you can visit altwork.com to have a different starting point.

    Yes, it seems pricy to me  BUT maybe not, innovation at start costs.

 

 

[Abby Normal]

10 hours ago, easytax said:

For those who like the ideas here --- here is another that will "blow your mind" with versatility:

 

 

 

Ha! I'd fall asleep in the reclining position. Also, you have to undock/dock your mouse to use it. Maybe it's time to switch to a track pad.

[Abby Normal]

This looks decent:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2J20TT0969&cm_re=touch_pad-_-9SIA2J20TT0969-_-Product

[Catherine]

Wow, @easytax what a concept!  I recall trying to work after my appendectomy; somehow they managed to wrench my weak hip and sprain it and I could neither stand nor sit comfortably, and I alternated between those two positions and laying down on the sofa when my hip just hurt too much to continue.  With that reclining function I could have worked in comfort  And *not* have needed to move to catch a snooze, either.  

[Roberts]

Ikea sells stand up desks also. They don't have to be expensive.

I wonder, how often do you really stand while working? I just go for walks throughout the office building a few times per day or around the block.