The benefits of a stand up desk
I am not materialistic but recently I bought something that I have wanted for ages – a height adjustable desk.
It seems to me very strange that, although most people are not average height, we are all forced to work at desks that are at a standard height. I discovered pretty soon after I started work in 1978 that I was too tall for ordinary desks (I am 1.93 metres – 6’4” in old money). My height makes me particularly prone to having back problems. At first I tried putting blocks under the legs of my desk and that seemed to work well. I also really wanted a glass top desk, so I bought one and balanced it on two IKEA height adjustable trestles raising it to the height that I wanted (on the first day of use the Senior Partner drew a black felt tip line across the glass whilst I was out at lunch to make it look as if the glass had cracked…).
Recently we had a partners’ away day in Bristol and when we were eventually released I noticed the Back Shop across the road. In there they had a former demonstration height adjustable desk for sale. I could not resist the temptation. The desk is a straightforward desk which has a motor which will increase or decrease the height of the desk by making the legs go up or down.
I have used the desk for a few weeks now and I am pleased with it.
1. Even when I am sitting down I like to have the desk quite high up so that it forces me to sit in an upright position with a concave curve in my back (rather than being slumped over a desk with your back in a convex curve – I hate to see other members of our staff in that position).
2. I like checking documents standing up. I used to have to go into our kitchen to do this and balance the document on top of the cutlery tray on top of the microwave, To work standing up you need to raise the adjustable desk to the height of your belt approximately.
3. Best of all, if you have the desk at the most upright position, at the end of the afternoon you can lean on it Al Murray publican-style and make outrageous political statements to the rest of the office.
Chartered Trade Mark Attorney
6 年I have had a standing desk for a couple of years and it really helps my back problems.? Several people in my office now have them as well.? Keep up the good work, Jeremy!
Act! Add-on Business Owner
6 年I'm going to take a look at one - thought I had to choose either sitting or standing so had been reluctant to switch. Thanks for sharing, and making me smile, as you always do.
Strategist, Lay Pastor, CAP Lifeskills Coach, Gardener, Bookworm,
6 年Alan bought one some time ago and loves it so much that he kept it and didn't sell it with the business!
Particularly like point 3!
Director of Altcom Limited
6 年I tried one and it ruined my right knee.? Many legal old lags will remember this as their standing desk between 11 and 3.