Anyone use one? I just converted my work desk to a standing desk and picked up this mat:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-standing-desk-mat/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UA2WNI/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk

Thinking of picking up a stool too so I can alternate because standing and sitting as I've found articles saying standing all day isn't healthy either.

3/25/2014 3:35:04 PM

^Get the standing mats from harbor freight for 8 bucks.

3/25/2014 4:25:28 PM

I've been using this one for maybe 6 months now

http://www.ergodesktop.com/content/kangaroo-elite

I love it. I generally do an hour sitting, and hour standing, etc...towards the end of the day I generally end up sitting and missing my last standing hour, but that's ok I guess

How important are the mats?

3/25/2014 5:02:05 PM

OK... this shit has me really intrigued.

I've had leg problems for the past 2-3 years... about the same time I started working at home at my desk for 9+ hours a day.

Are standing desks a fad or is this shit legit?

3/25/2014 5:13:56 PM

We built a standing desk in our office closet for when my wife works at home. An added bonus we didn't consider....even if my 3 year old can jimmy the door open, he can't even reach the bottom of the desk, so all our fancy electronics are safe for now.

3/25/2014 5:46:52 PM

^ #WINNING

3/25/2014 6:12:18 PM

I've been using one since around 2005. Then when I switched to working from home, I lost my standup desk. After about a year, I developed horrible pain in my left knee. Got a standing desk last summer, and i'm pain-free again. I also lost about 10 pounds in the first couple of months just from standing.

Bought mine from geekdesk.com

see this thread:

message_topic.aspx?topic=629999&page=2

[Edited on March 25, 2014 at 6:18 PM. Reason : .]

3/25/2014 6:18:06 PM

Quote :

"^Get the standing mats from harbor freight for 8 bucks. "

That came up. I did a fair amount of research and I figure I'm spending ~20-30% depending on meetings of my week standing on it I might as well spend a little on it. I found it on their website for $85. I'll see how it works out.

^Yeah I remember your post in that thread. Awesome desk!

3/25/2014 6:34:38 PM

The (admittedly very fit and healthy) fitness guru in our main office went to this a year ago and now there's half a dozen people in my main office that do this. I can never feel comfortable when talking in their office for a long time because they didnt get rid of just their chair but also guest chairs "to resist temptation".

3/25/2014 8:39:27 PM

See I think that's the wrong apprach. There's plenty of studies showing standing stationary for too long can cause health issues as well. The key is standing for a bit then sitting for a bit while continuously moving your joints during both periods.

3/25/2014 11:20:25 PM

When you have a standing desk, you don't actually stand stationary. You kind of shift around on your feet, which is why it's good.

3/25/2014 11:59:14 PM

neodata686 Those reviewers lied, the best standing desk mat is this:

3/26/2014 6:14:40 AM

^^^

Agreed. I stand for about 6 hours a day on average. I stand most of the time, and will lower the desk for periods of time as well. I usually eat at my desk and sit for that.

Any time i'm leading a call, delivering a presentation over webex, or doing heads down work, i'm standing.

3/26/2014 9:51:53 AM

^^Haha one of those would be awesome.

^Yeah when I'm leading or usually even participating in a call I prefer to stand. I feel more in control. Or maybe I just like pacing around.

3/26/2014 10:56:24 AM

I just ordered the Varidesk Pro (http://www.varidesk.com/varidesk-pro)... we'll see how it works.

If I like it, I'll get a full size adjustable desk (the NextDesk seems pretty nice).

3/26/2014 11:13:45 AM

doug on house of lies has a treadmill desk

3/26/2014 11:21:16 AM

I had a standing desk for several years and absolutely love it. I lost it in our last building move and haven't gotten another one yet. LOVED it.

3/26/2014 3:55:35 PM

HR Director at a previous client got one of these put in so she could treadmill while working.

She said she liked it a lot, but I have no idea if it's still there.

3/26/2014 4:02:58 PM

I've had a Varidesk Pro for about a month

I stand and sit about equally right now, but am standing more as it is getting easier

3/26/2014 4:49:24 PM

3/27/2014 7:05:17 PM

@H8R

I'm curious to know if you have dual monitors? I have a 27" iMac and a 27" Dell IPS display. I'm a little worried about the weight of those two.

3/27/2014 7:16:50 PM

I like the idea of the add on desks that go up and down but If you're committing to a standup desk why not just raise the entire desk and get a stool/desk chair that goes way up. I guess if you're unable to raise your desk it makes sense. From my experience most cubicles allow for desk height adjustment. It's nice to have the entire desk elevated too because everything else on your desk is accessible as well.

Here's my new desk. Kind of barren as I just moved to this location:

photos/00532167.jpg

-Also because I use 2 24" monitors plus my laptop screen it would be hard to use one of those devices.

[Edited on March 27, 2014 at 7:53 PM. Reason : s]

3/27/2014 7:51:37 PM

For me- it's because I invested in a Herman Miller last year. I love that chair.

From the reviews I read, their stools (haha) aren't as good as their chairs.

3/27/2014 9:18:22 PM

I think if someone built a reasonably priced adjustable sit/stand desk and got it in to some mainstream retailers they would make $texas. The pricing on those things is ridiculous.

3/27/2014 9:59:51 PM

We've got adjustable desks at work. Just push a button to sit or stand. It's amahhhhzing

3/28/2014 12:36:41 AM

@colangus,

I have a 21" and a laptop along with various other desktop things I use and need on it all the time

I lean on it, as well, doesn't seem to give it any fuss

it says it will support 35 lbs

3/28/2014 10:46:10 PM

Quote :

"I think if someone built a reasonably priced adjustable sit/stand desk and got it in to some mainstream retailers they would make $texas. The pricing on those things is ridiculous."

Look for used ones, combine various parts to build exactly the system you want. I put together my workstation with IKEA tops and shelves, parts from a motorized height adjustment desk I found on craigslist, and a treadmill I found at a yard sale. I also ditched my office chair for an adjustable bar stool that allows me to move around in place and that can be placed on top of the treadmill. I think the total cost was around $600 back when the cheapest mechanical frames alone were selling for more than that.



Nowadays, as the popularity of stand-up desks, there are actually reasonably priced brand-new options on the market. If you don't have time to scout for used components, this is actually a pretty damn good deal: http://www.amazon.com/Jarvis-Electric-Adjustable-Height-Standing/dp/B00HRFEIF4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1396124478&sr=8-9&keywords=adjustable+standing+desk

You can save a couple hundred bucks by getting a mechanically-operated version, but I recommend going the electric route, because you will find yourself changing positions more often than you'd think (as in at least three or four times a day if you work at your desk full time)

[Edited on March 29, 2014 at 4:42 PM. Reason : .]

3/29/2014 4:33:43 PM

Nice!! My mat gets here tomorrow. Looking forward to trying it out.

3/30/2014 5:58:43 PM

Got my mat in. It's awesome! Makes a huge difference. It's really nice barefoot.

4/1/2014 3:34:16 PM

Quote :

"Here's my new desk. Kind of barren as I just moved to this location:"

is that as high as yours goes? i want one but would need it significantly higher than that.

4/1/2014 3:41:51 PM

I'm 5'8" and with my mat it's at almost exactly the recommended height for a stand up desk. Everywhere says you want your arms at a 90 degree angle to the desk. I think my desk would go up another 2-3 inches maybe. I guess if you're 6'+ all you'd have to do is get a stand on top of the desk for your monitors/keyboard/mouse.

-How tall are you?

[Edited on April 1, 2014 at 3:51 PM. Reason : s]

4/1/2014 3:49:24 PM

this came up on Facebook today probably the NSA grade surveillance on gmail and Facebook knew I googled this.

http://www.varidesk.com/varidesk-pro

4/1/2014 4:07:27 PM

I can thank this thread, especially colangus, for convicing my boss to buy the Varidesk Pro for my desk! Now I just need to decide if that mat is necessary or not.

[Edited on April 1, 2014 at 4:14 PM. Reason : ]

4/1/2014 4:13:50 PM

It makes a huge difference. Unless you have super awesome shoes I'd get one. My knees hurt just standing on the ground. After 2 days using this new mat it's a world of difference.

4/1/2014 6:23:27 PM

I got my Varidesk Pro yesterday afternoon. At first I wasn't too keen on the setup. I have 27" dual displays, which don't fit on the desktop. One of the displays' footprint is hanging off the side.

I also don't like the lack of cable management. I'm pretty weird about seeing exposed cables. I hate it. I also don't like how high the displays are when sitting. But today I've been standing (since 9am) and I really like it. I got the wife's yoga mat for a mat.

I'm going to try this for a few months. If I like it, I'll buy an adjustable desk and try to sell this on Craigslist or ebay (or someone here).





[Edited on April 2, 2014 at 10:57 AM. Reason : m]

4/2/2014 10:55:59 AM

Update: After a few weeks with the mat I can say it makes a HUGE difference. My knees were hurting before with shoes on the floor on a cheap bathroom mat. Now I use my new mat mostly barefoot and it's awesome. No more sore anything.

4/28/2014 4:48:28 PM

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2036834894/the-most-affordable-automatic-sit-to-stand-desk

I backed this...just a thought

4/28/2014 5:18:45 PM

Yeah I've always wanted to like tables like this but truthfully I'm sitting enough in meetings and at lunch so I just stand at my desk. If you want to sit at your standing desk just get a stool. That seems like the cheapest option.

Looks cool though.

4/28/2014 5:49:38 PM

giving this a bump.

what heights are sit/stand decks getting to nowadays?
i'm looking at getting one, but they all seem made for short people and i'd end up having to sit still.

9/25/2014 11:31:03 AM

how tall are you?

i'm 6'1, and mine goes high enough to where it's a few inches too high if i jack it all the way up. i think there's link somewhere above in an earlier post of mine on this thread.

9/25/2014 12:51:25 PM

it can get your monitor to eye level or do you need a lift for your monitor?

9/25/2014 1:11:01 PM

Your elbow should be bent at almost a 90 degree angle. To have your monitors with your eyes in line with the top third of the screen (what most people recommend) I've found you usually need some type of monitor stand. Usually built in stands don't go that high.

9/25/2014 1:21:01 PM

^^

yeah I have my monitor on a lift-- but that's also needed when i'm seated.

9/25/2014 1:38:28 PM

I have tried multiple variations on a standing desk the past two years:

1. Using an adjustable table (built from a nurse's stand) to raise and lower my work space. After a few months I didn't like the fact that only my keyboard/mouse fit on the raise section and I had to lean over to write/read on paper or remove my keyboard. It also wasn't super sturdy and I couldn't rest my hip up against it.
2. Using a stand for my keyboard/monitors that could raise/lower whenever I wanted. I didn't like that my dual monitors didn't fit great and it was still a pain the read/write on paper. It was also a pain to raise/lower the stand (although it took less than 20 seconds), it still deterred me from changing positions.
3. I ended up raising my whole desk by putting blocks under the legs. This is the best solution because it is sturdy, the entire workspace is elevated, and my monitors fit nicely. When I feel the need to sit, I just use a bar stool (since it is higher). Best of all, it is the cheapest solution by far (only bought a $35 bar stool from amazon) since I was able to repurpose some blocks and use my existing desk.

In addition to buying a floor mat, I also bought a foot stool so that I can't raise one foot up. I guess it is more comfortable for me when putting all my weight on one foot. I also use the foot stool when sitting on the barstool.

I would like to try a treadmill, but the hell I am paying over $500 for that (especially since I don't know if I'll like it).



[Edited on September 25, 2014 at 4:22 PM. Reason : picture]

9/25/2014 4:16:49 PM

OMG where do you get big legos like that?

9/25/2014 11:24:12 PM

Quote :

"how tall are you? i'm 6'1, and mine goes high enough to where it's a few inches too high if i jack it all the way up. i think there's link somewhere above in an earlier post of mine on this thread."

6'5-6'6, I saw the post you had made and looked up the geekdesk and it looks like the specs have gotten lower/shorter as they revised the design over the years.

9/26/2014 8:33:00 AM

We can request these at work. I've had a few co-workers recently put in the order and I'm thinking of doing the same. My back hurts all the damn time and I think it would help - not to mention burning some extra calories.

9/26/2014 9:15:07 PM

For those of you with mats, do you just roll them up and put them to the side when you switch to sitting or are they resilient enough to have a chair on them?

9/26/2014 9:22:26 PM

The office now has desks that adjust up or down with a lever. I find myself standing about half the day, usually about an hour on and an hour off. We'll have to wait and see if there are any medium-term benefits.

9/27/2014 10:05:05 AM

Quote :

"We can request these at work."

That's pretty awesome. I wish I could request large legos at my work.

9/27/2014 1:05:51 PM