Standing Up
Welcome to The Crochet Crowd Studio. Daniel is sitting at his dual screen monitor and I sit at mine on his left.
Last year, both Daniel and I were attending massage therapy for our arms and wrists. Like a broken record, our therapist was commenting on the act of working at desks and lack of exercise in our lives.
We have a policy in our home. We don’t allow the Netflix to be on during the mornings, afternoons or before 8 – 9 pm as our creativity is hindered by the act of watching TV.
Of the two of us, Daniel is the more disciplined of us. Daniel takes breaks throughout the day whereas I tend to work solid through. I stop to eat lunch and supper but usually keep on going.
I usually don’t crochet in the daylight as I use my day to work on articles, new content and more.
I love what I do. I get a high watching others thrive in their creativity. An hour for me is like a blink of an eye. Now that we are getting back to longer daylight hours. My brain isn’t kicking in that I need to stop as I don’t realize it’s already in the evening as I tend not to watch the time.
Around 9 pm and it could be up to 11 pm, you will most likely find me still at the computer working on stuff. My day isn’t finished though. Once I am off the computer, I pull out my crochet and crochet up until 1 am so I have content to talk about.
So essentially, I have sat all day working. I then sit again all night working on my project. I am mostly likely not standing for more than an hour in any given day.
The Change
In going to a show on the plane. The Sky Mall Magazine had a standing up desk. They talked about the health benefits of standing. I was convinced pretty quickly. To my disappointment, there are no companies in Canada that make such beasts. The USA companies don’t ship them across the border.
So after failed attempts, I gave up on the idea… Occasionally revisiting it in my mind in my day dreams.
Earlier this week, I was at an office and I noticed this woman standing at her desk. Now originally, I thought maybe she is an office runner. Meaning she isn’t at her desk often. Her desk was in the middle of everything and looked out of place.
I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. I asked her if her desk was a standing desk. Sure enough, it was. She actually looked comfortable working. Seriously! So I asked her about her configuration. She did comment that others tell her she’s crazy for wanting to stand all day.
While chatting with her, she was the same height as I was. We were comfortably talking leaning on her desk at the perfect height for the bend of our elbows. When leaning on the desk, we were not hunched over. She was telling me the secret is to ensure the desk is exactly to the right height of your body. So the desk really cannot be used by others who are not her height.
She was commenting that she dropped from size 12 to size 4 in about a year. The act of standing changed her body’s reaction to being upright. Her posture is far better and the muscles in her leg and back strengthened. With this, in the short term, your body begins to physically change. You end up with muscles that don’t suffer from fatique in such a short time.
The act of standing will cause you to shift your weight which is an act of exercise. I was thinking that I tap my toe and sway my head when I listen to music on my headphones. I love to dance, well used to as my body cannot handle it any longer as I don’t stand often. I can see myself doing some fancy foot work if I were standing and listening to music while working.
I was giving Daniel a hard time to make me a homemade edition of legs. I realized, the act of me standing to a desk and how often I use it, I better look into extendable legs. You can see above that our desks are mounted to our shelving units. I would need my desk to self support itself. I was going to use one of the shelves and just extend one side, but I realized in reviewing what this lady had said and further research, the desk would be too high. I need the desk to be adjusted right from the very beginning instead of doing a half fast job on it. I don’t want to ruin my chances of success.
So I can see it may look silly that I am standing and Daniel is sitting at his desk. Truth is, who cares! We are two individual people with two different points of view in life.
Yesterday, I placed my order to Ikea for extendable legs. Shipping was only $19 and the store is almost 3 hours away. $19 is cheap and the legs are meant for our desks. I cannot drive there for $19, that’s for sure!
So when the legs arrive, we will be dismantling our studio to adjust for the new configuration. My desk will not be adjustable in changing heights. Those models are not available in Canada, nor can I have one shipped to Canada. Truth is, they are pretty pricey and beyond what I wanted to spend or can afford. I will be buying a chair that can be used for this height of desk. It would be unrealistic to think I won’t sit for some periods in the day. Especially if I am on a conference call.
So I am really excited… more excited on a personal level that I need to change my environment in order to change me.
Leave me a comment below if you have any advice.
Hi Mikey,
I worked in the office furniture industry. If you look in your yellow pages you will find an office furniture dealership. They are like car dealerships but they sell all sorts of office furniture.
Sit Stand office desks have been around for ages now. They are made by a Canadian Company named Teknion and they are located and make the furniture right here. Just off Hwy 400 & Steeles area. You have to buy thru a dealership but that is not an issue. They will deliver and install as well. If you want used just look for a “Used Office Furniture Dealershp” lots of those around and some of them deliver and install. Tons of parts and peices to these units, strongly recommend they install for you. All sorts of price ranges too. Wood desk tops are going to me way more than a laminate. Sky is the limit.
You may want to think a about a higher stool chair for the times to you want to “lean” or 1/2 sit on a chair. I loved and used one of these stations over 20 years ago.
Good luck. A Mississauga dealershp is called The Office Source. FYI
thanks for the info Jan.
I loved this article. I have nothing to add as this is all new to me. It makes sense, but I sure did not know about a standing desk. Having said that, it makes sense to me that when my grand daughter went to 1st grade………..they had standing desk and a stool. I guess they could sit or stand. I did not understand it then, but now I do. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Mikey, I think it’s a great idea what you’re doing! But be sure to check your posture. I work in a gym (standing at reception most of the day), and I’m also a teacher here, and if I don’t make sure I stand ‘right’, my legs will be exhausted by the time I have to teach aerobics at the end of the day. Get some good shoes or slippers with a thick sole, stand with your feet a little apart (about the weight of your hips). Make sure your back is streight, shoulders low, neck is long, and never ever lock your knees. Keep them relaxed at all times, flexible. This will train your upper thigs and ass 😉 And one last thing: you want to avoice taking a leaning position. Like, cross one foor over the other and lean into one hip. This will ruin your posture and it can cause… mmm what’s it called… when your vains turn thick and blue…. Also it’s very important to take breaks during the day, not only from sitting but especially from computerwork. I’ve had several episodes where I fainted for no reason, but it was a blood pressure issue from too much sitting. Set an alarm and take a break every 2 hours. Get a cup of tea, walk te dog, stretch your legs, put a load of laundry in the washer… it doesn’t matter what you do. Just get away from the screen for at least 5 minutes. Perhaps more people have told you this and I don’t want to be intruding, just thought I’d give you some tips…
Mikey I think you will like it very much. I am sure it will improve your body as I have seen people that work as I do on a computer all day and my muscles are stiff and sore from not using them. I have seen the adjustable desk that by a button you can lower or raise to sit or stand. I hope this new configuration works for you. When you want to sit go walk around or get a drink or something. Look out the window and breath. I am excited for you. Keep us posted on how you feel. I just sold my inversion table today, but needed the money and room. I hope I dont regret it. peace out.
How do I determine the height of my work surface?
Way to go Mikey. Good on you for doing this. I would love one where I work, but sadly not enough money around to buy them, so instead, whenever I answer the phone I stand up to talk. Good luck and I can’t wait to hear how you go.
When I clicked on your article, Facebook suggested other posts I might like, and this link came up: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Exerpeutic-990-High-Capacity-Work-and-Fitness-Desk-Station-Treadmill/19526001. I don’t know if it would be feasible to use all the time, especially with the type of hours you put in, but a pretty interesting option I thought! I used to work at a retail store where I had to man the desk about 6 hours a day, and the owner thought walking in to see an employee sitting on their duff was bad for business, so we didn’t have chairs. I had no idea standing as much as I did made any difference to my weight or fitness level until I left that job to take one that involved sitting most of the day – I saw the pounds start to accumulate even though my eating habits and lifestyle hadn’t changed – what a difference a bit of standing made! Good luck Mikey, and I’m sure you’ll notice a difference 🙂
My husband and son built one for my sons office as he is in IT and has to sit most of the day.
Yes excellent. My husband had one that he raises and lowers as needed. It’s on my list as I redo my own crafting area.
We all give excuses why we can’t do this or that and I also have worked in the IT industry plus I taught my nieces how to crochet at the age of 2. shoes and other things don’t help unless we do something to all our problems including Mikey who loves to dance but can’t anymore. we have all admitted what we have or can’t do. But each and everyone including Mikey, Daniel and me of course we can start getting fit and getting our A424es to Weight Watchers and other problems while crocheting. I started and you all can too. Ones who are not overweight can help all of us who are. By words of praise. So lets get Mikey to build his own Standing Desks by buying some wood, nails and legs. And honey my legs aren’t pretty and they shake alot day and night. 🙂
I think you need to do what is comfortable for you. That said,i think it is a great idea. Sitting all day is not good. You do have a chair to break from that occasionally. Vericose veins and all i think is determined by our own bodies. I have worked several jobs on my feet and never got them. The’wiggle’ you get when you stand a lot, does keep you active, strengthens the legs and the back.
Hey Mikey, just to let you know. Standing desks can be ordered in Canada. My husband purchased one for his office a little over a year ago and we live here in Canada. I don’t know how pricey it is, though I could certainly find out for you but it is adjustable.
I used to work with a woman whose back was injured in an automobile accident. She stood quite a bit during the day though we didn’t have special desks. She set her computer monitor, keyboard and mouse on a bunch of books so she could get it to the right height. She would stand all day during meetings. Whenever we flew anywhere she brought a pillow to support her back and made sure she had an aisle seat so she could get up and walk often. (She also used a right-handed mouse with her left hand so she could write and use her computer at the same time. Brilliant!)
Good for you! I had a stand up work station years ago, one that could be raised or lowered with the push of a button, and I absolutely loved it. Looking forward to hearing all about your new work environment!
Great idea Mikey! I also recently saw on TV (GMA maybe) where someone was on a treadmill while standing doing her job. I hope the legs work out for you.
I AM IN OAKVILLE ONTARIO—WHEN I VISIT MY INVESTERS OFFICE WHO WORKS FOR ONE OF THE 5 LARGEST BANKS, EVERYONE IN THAT OFFICE HAS STANDING DESKS—I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CANNOT GET IN CANADA–I WILL ASK THEM IF THEY GOT THEM HERE OR ORDERED FROM THE STATES.
CAROLYN
I have heard that standing desks are better for productivity. Unfortunately at my current age it would not work for me as I get terrible leg cramps if I have to stand for any length of time. Would have helped if these were invented when I was younger
My Chiropractor uses a stand up desk. It is fancy in that it is automated and can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button. Good for you for looking into a change!
I work in IT and end up sitting all day. There has been a push the last few years to phase in adjustable desks so we have an option to sit or stand or work with a combination of the two throughout the day. We also have a collaborative area that has some higher tables and barstools for those that prefer that setup. Several balance stools have been placed in each work group that are similar to exercise balls that work to strengthen your core. “Sitting is the new smoking” has been a common phase as the sitting/inactivity is one of the biggest hurdles facing people working in the IT industry. Working breaks into your day to stretch and move even for 10 minutes is important for everyone. Good luck with your new desk setup!
When your in north Carolina why not take a minute and pickup a desk and shut it to yourself.
Hi Mikey. I imagine there should be a source for ergonomic desks. I worked for BCTEl now Telus as an operator and telesales. they had desks that allowed you to stand or sit at will. As people are different sizes as you noted this solved the problem by allowing the desks to be changed at will. I am sure I dont know the cost or where they got them but I know they are available
I have been interested in standing desks too, so will be interested to hear how it turns out. It is a struggle to keep moving when you like to do “desk” things. Now that spring is here, I have been working in the yard and, we took a big step this year by buying ebikes. They have pedal assist, so they are fun to ride, even in hilly terrain. We use them for short jaunts and for lunch runs. Little steps. Good luck with the new desk arrangement.
Loved the article and I can see where standing, at least part-time, while at a desk can be beneficial. I am a cashier, but rarely work more than 20 hrs a week (non-Seasonal) and the rest of the time I’m pretty much sitting at my computer playing games, checking on friends/family all while crocheting/knitting. Thus I get achy and muscle cramps in my back and legs often. The short days at work aren’t too bad but give me a 8-9 hour shift after being off for 2 or more days straight and my back and legs are screaming half way through, I tough it out but once I sit in the car for the 5-10 min ride home my legs don’t want to move anymore.
Mikey, you also need to look into proper ergonomics of your work area. Your body should be in a totally neutral position, your chair should be completely adjustable, including the armrests. Your wrists should be totally flat when working, with no bend, and your workstation height should be adjusted accordingly. Your monitor should be about 18 to 24″ away from you, and your monitor should be directly in front of you, and be centered very slightly below your line of vision when your head is in a neutral position. Keep your keyboard flat, do not bend your wrists when typing. Your mouse should be directly beside your keyboard so you’re not stretching to reach it, and you might want to consider an ergonomic roller ball mouse.
yes, I was an ergonomic evaluator inmy professional life before I became a full time fiber artist
I have read somewhere that the body burns 50 more calories an hour standing rather than sitting. I don’t know if I could stand ALL day though (I had a spinal fusion back in 2011, in general I have bad vertebrae and discs despite drinking a TON of milk throughout my life), but if you can, I say go for it (just watch your neck that your head isn’t looking down all day). When I was in school my advisor’s husband had even built a desk over the front panel of his TREADMILL! He kept it on a very slow pace, but that still burnt way more calories than even standing (not sure if I am coordinated enough or have enough balance for THAT, LOL!). It boils down to what is most comfortable for YOU and makes you happy Mikey! Hope you’ll let us all know how you like it. Best of luck!
There is one person at my office who stands, and there is one who sits on an exercise ball instead of a chair.
I think standing all day isn’t any better for you than sitting all day, especially standing in one place. It causes varicose veins and can result in thrombophlebitis, which can lead to strokes and heart attacks. I definitely think a mixture of standing and sitting, with some walking thrown in from time-to-time, is the way to go.
I did this for awhile only with a recumbent bike and periods of standing. The benefits were amazing but I felt like I could not always concentrate and began to use it less and less and eventually removed the extendable legs from my desk. I do make it a point to stand during conference calls and that helps. I did not have the right size chair so I could just sit and concentrate when I needed to. I am assuming you are buying a bar height chair?
Good luck. Maybe you will motivate me to go back to this.
I used different ergonomic chairs my last 5 years at work because the regular chairs sit too low for my leg height. Finally the business purchased better chairs and I could sit longer. It’s better to take care now then to suffer from the side effects. I suffer from back problems now and use a recliner to sit and sleep in. Enjoyed the article.
Several years ago while working at an internet company here in Toronto, my VP used a drafting table (for architects), because as you said, those desks are not available here. We all thought he was nuts but he assured us that this thought process during the day was much more clearer than when he sat at a desk. One thing I would probably recommend is that you wear cushy shoes because I guarantee that you won’t be able to stand barefooted the whole day. If not cushy shoes, you might try one of those kitchen mats with foam. Yes, expensive but well worth it. http://standlonger.com/collections/all?gclid=CjwKEAjwucmoBRDmysGsgbDr5j0SJAAxL9ab31nUGYfhnYZffLv6jH-ZiSPdhDV-FL0tbaOFOPeRIhoCSDXw_wcB
Interesting article. I can see the benefits to be sure. While going to physio for an injury to my back they recommended a small stool about six inches high placed in front of my chair. Having to sit for prolonged periods can be relieved by alternating your feet on the stool, both then neither etc… Keep us updated as to how you like the new desk height. Happy Hookin’
Once you get Used to standing, you can get a walking desk!
Oh Michael. I can understand what you are saying. I have probs w/my sciatic nerve and sitting is causing so much pain. It even bothers me a night while I’m trying to sleep. I’m so interested in relieving even some of the pain. Pls keep us posted on how you do with this. Good luck.
Do yourself a favor and buy a nice pair of supportive shoes. Your feet are not going to like you for a while and a bad pair of shoes will make it even worse. Best of luck!