Question Regarding Workstyle
polycounter lvl 6
Do you work standing up or sitting down?
I heard it is much more healthier for you in the longrun to be standing while you are working. (better for your back/posture)
For those who stand:
- is it strenuous on your feet?
- what type of desk do you have (height of table)
- do you feel the difference? (does it help you work easier/longer?)
- Is this typically allowed in the workplace?
Are there other alternatives for workplaces where you are not allowed to stand?
I heard it is much more healthier for you in the longrun to be standing while you are working. (better for your back/posture)
For those who stand:
- is it strenuous on your feet?
- what type of desk do you have (height of table)
- do you feel the difference? (does it help you work easier/longer?)
- Is this typically allowed in the workplace?
Are there other alternatives for workplaces where you are not allowed to stand?
Replies
I'd like to think that I'm in decent shape- hitting the gym 3-4 times a week, but...
My feet & lower back started to ache. It wasn't for me.
:icon60: The couch-station was much more forgiving
didn't the reports say exercise and breaks were pretty much negated by a job that requires you to sit at a desk for prolonged periods?
My first job as a teenager was fixing computers and work benches were standing desks before they where cool - the solution to getting worn out from standing too long is a stool, just take a seat when you need to. My legs are completely fucked, I can only really stand for 20 minutes until I start to feel it in my knees & feet, so if I was able to handle I think anyone can.
Pros:
- Back feels more flexible at the end of the day.
- More awake and alert. (I've actually switched it back to sitting height twice and immediately went back to standing because I instantly felt mentally "fatigued".)
- Moving around a bit helps me think. It's also easier to change posture and stretch.
- Easier to stay on task because leisure stuff is better sitting down.
Cons:
- Most people complain about foot pain, with me it's my knees. I hear a good fatigue mat makes all the difference.
- Posture benefits go out the window if you start leaning. I tend to do this at the end of the day. This can be seen as an advantage though since I'm more conscientious about poor posture when standing.
- Most of my breaks are for giving my legs a rest, not my brain.
The real advantage to standing is that it's MUCH easier to adopt good posture and move around while staying productive. It's also WAY more comfortable with tablet work. (Many traditional artists work standing up.) It's best to have a sitting contingency though. So either invest in a desk with a hydraulic lift (expensive), or set up a small sitting workspace as well.
In my case, I make sure I take breaks and if I have to sketch or write something out manually, I do it sitting down.
Pros:
- Legs and rest of body feels worked out
- Can listen to any style of music while dancing
Cons:
- Can be tiring at times
- At risk of looking like a massive gimp
Edit:
But seriously watching women workout is pretty motivating.
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I work on one of these bad boys, feels good man.
@Equanim - thanks for the detailed info, it's helps a lot.
@Perna - ye man I reckon you nailed it, pretty much summarizes experience of everyone I talked to on the subject.
I feel more focused when my upper body is free, I breathe, focus & ultimately work better.
But as we all know, when you're stationary after about an hour it all gets thrown to the garbage. (despite exercising a lot)
Still I'm extremely interested in somehow incorporating that properly to my art job, on a full time basis (not just an hour here and there)
There's an interesting line of chairs called CoreWerks, where the seat can move to emulate motion, maybe there's something for standing ..
However wouldn't motion break focus, in our line of work ?
I have an adjustable one. I can sit, stand, dance and win at it. Coupled with exercise, I dont feel strain at all. Might be just me being lucky, though.
EDIT: "But as we all know, when you're stationary after about an hour it all gets thrown to the garbage. (despite exercising a lot)"
I actually don't know that. HOw does that make sense? If you sit for 59 minutes, everything is fine, but at that extra minute all your exercise now becomes invalid? And how does smaller breaks factor into this?
I honestly dont trust that statement, but maybe I missed the study?
Ah by "when my upper body is free", I meant sitting without a backrest.
Basically it helps the lungs/heart operate more efficiently, blood/oxygen supply to brain, etc ...
Try it, you'll feel great, more awake and stuff, but after a short while the body goes full retard. (due to lack of mobility, like you said muscles can't stay contracted forever)
Pretty sure that's the same issue with what Perna mention when standing.
Sorry bro you got some of it wrong, the body assumes Anterior Pelvic Tilt (aka Lordosis & Lower Cross Synrom) during sitting.
The hamstrings & glutes are already stretched, if anything they could use strengthening not stretching.
Instead it's the quads & hip flexors which get super tight and can use stretching (and preferably also foam rolling)
I would imagine your back feels fine, thanks to stronger core from your exercises, that's great man.
However that still doesn't mean your body is functioning optimally, esp as most chairs get you stuck in a Kyphotic posture. (though I'm definitely on the lookout to fix that if anyone has an idea)
Edit: Hmm, I was curious since my view was completely wrong and came across this.
http://www.swolept.com/posts/fixing-anterior-pelvic-tilt-posture-tricks-to-make-your-butt-and-gut-smaller
What bothers me is you can have the best posture in the world, but when you sit down you'll always get force cramped into a Lordotic & Kyphotic posture.
Am looking into a more dynamic/active chair, or a standing setup .. but not seeing much positive testimonials so far.
Then you can sit, stand, use a rubber ball, or whatever you prefer.