My New Stand Up Desk
by Ron Pereira on November 15th, 2009.I first witnessed so called “stand up desks” in Japan during my JKE trip. As an aside you can read about this amazing trip here, here, here, here, and here.
Anyhow, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the idea. I mean come on… standing up all the time… seriously? The claims are that those that always stand are far more productive than those that sit in comfortable chairs.
Kevin Takes Action
Well, a few months after I got back from Japan my friend Kevin Meyer went on this same JKE trip and saw the same thing I did. The only difference is Kevin took action when he got home and scrapped his traditional desk for a stand up desk. It’s now more than one year later and Kevin is still standing.
It’s Now My Time
So, alas, I decided it was time to give it a try myself and this weekend I converted my old desk into a stand up desk.
I used an old shelf I had to hold my monitor and speakers so the only thing on the desk top was my wireless keyboard and mouse.
I used a small hole saw to cut an opening behind the monitor and down towards the floor to hide all the cables which is really nice.
How Did You Do It?
Now, you might be wondering how I increased the height of my desk. Well, my goal was to not spend a cent on this project so I got creative and used two storage crates I already had to hold the desk up.
I know it’s not super professional and I’ll likely find a better solution over the next few weeks… but I didn’t want to delay anymore than I had. And, again, I didn’t want to spend any money until I was convinced this was how I wanted to work for the next 30 years!
So Far So Good
It’s taking some getting used to… especially typing. But my back feels great and I find myself far more focused on what I need to do. So, we’ll see how it goes. I’ll offer some updates from time to time and when (and if) I scrap the crates for something more professional I’ll be sure to let you know!
What Do You Think?
So, do you think I’m nuts? Or are you standing at your desk as you read this? And if you’re sitting could you ever imagine giving this stand up desk thing a try?
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I really like this idea. Not sure if I can convince my office to try it though…
Hallo!
It is really nice idea. I will suggest it tomorrow at work. We stuggle actually with shortage of place in our office. It would help us to save on it. I curious about reaction of my fellow workers. I suspect they are to much accustomed to their chairs.
I curious how long you will manage to work without your armchair (it may be difficult like giving up smocking ;P ) I wish you success.
Regards Peter
Ron nice update. I think you also demonstrate an important concept in Lean. Take action. I like the concept :Adopt then Adapt”. Many time we try to improve on an idea we have or have seen and never put the improvement in place. Where as if you adopt it with the understanding that you will work to improve as you learn about the improvement you will get gains immediately. Now it might not be perfect and perhaps it does not work but you will know that now versus a year from now when you adopt it. Alway think how to implement then improve it.
Very nice. At home I have a desk that I can stand at or sit at (with a tall chair). I sit most of the time but the option to stand is nice. I bought an adjustable height desk – because I wasn’t really sure I would like it. It has worked well. I really don’t think I would like standing all the time – and I have had the option and certainly don’t choose to stand more than 10% of the time.
I like the monitor on a shelf and the hidden wires.
[...] After an hour or so my back started to hurt from the crappy chair I was sitting in so I decided to create my very own “stand up desk to go” in honor of my recent home office stand up desk. [...]
Where are the cables for the monitor and speakers?
Hi Jim, the cables are behind the wall. I used a small hole say to drill a hole behind the monitor and another on the floor to hide the cables. Makes it much cleaner. Although my wife gave me a dirty look when she learned I cut holes in the wall!!
Nice work!
I just learned that our new head office where we will move in spring will have every single table motorized to enable working standing up as well as sitting down.
No, you’re not nuts! : ) I bought an adjustable height desk last year (a GeekDesk Mini), and love it — will never go back. Standing is good, but sitting AND standing is beyond great.
…and yes, I’m standing as I write this. ; )
I think after i get my right ankle fixed i might try this.
Great idea. Don Rumsfeld had a stand up desk in his office at the pentagon. And I know that the gentleman in charge at Contractor’s Supply in East Providence does his work on a stan up desk. I would love that at work. I would be more productive and I would burn more calories!
http://www.life.com/image/2488525