Ask HN: How is your standing desk working for you?

Works great, but as you said, I can't code as well standing. So I code sitting, and try and browse / everything else standing. If I need to sit for too long I take 5ish minute walks often (probably one or two an hour)

In general, I'm a big fan. I probably go back and forth between sitting and standing every three hours or so.

I don't think I have worse concentration while standing unless I've been standing for awhile and my feet are staring to hurt, which makes me a bit more restless. Another thing I've noticed is that people seem to find me more approachable when I'm standing. They seem to strike up conversations more often, whereas when I'm sitting I must look like I'm working hard and shouldn't be bothered.

Overall, I'm very happy to have one and would recommend a standing desk to anyone, provided they have the option to sit as they please.

I envy people who can use standing desks. I tried for a few months but my right knee hurt pretty badly after a while. I realized I was constantly leaning on my right leg and just couldn't stop myself. Interestingly, I think most people do this more than they realize but can tolerate it better.

I have a knee issue that makes sitting extremely uncomfortable, so I built a standing desk a year or so ago. I can never go back, it's been so much easier to focus and get things done without trying to get comfortable.

I had knee surgery a few weeks back trying to solve the problem, which has forced me to be sitting all day, but I've been counting the days until I can be back at my standing desk.

Instead of a chair, I built a leaning stool out of an old cane. Takes up less space than a chair and easier to transition to as well.

It's great, I've been using one for ~2 years. I bought a powered adjustable one, but have only ever lowered it once when I had my ACL done about a year ago. Otherwise, I stand the entire day and find I can focus pretty well.

I also noticed I drink a bit more water and move around a little bit more since there isn't the "get up from sitting" process.

I'm a fan. I haven't noticed any major differences in capabilities when standing or sitting.

I have noticed that I switch between the two positions really often. Having a fast lifting mechanism (mine uses springs/gas canisters with a hand brake) is essential, since it makes the transition fast enough to not interrupt any flow I have going.

My only real complaint is that when standing, any bump of the desktop is magnified through the monitor arms, making them jump around alot. Not a big deal, but when it happens it's annoying.

I tried one for a couple days but couldn't do it.

My honest suggestion for back pain is a better chair with stronger lumbar support. Also check your posture. The combination honestly changed my life. You would be shocked how much of a difference it can make.

Makes my lower back pain worse. I also can't get in the 'zone' as easily. I have a powered standing desk and sit at it 90-95% of the time.

I keep mine in the sitting position 80% of the time, but as I've been getting more into fitness and trying to work on my posture I've been using it more.

I tend not to really get into a flow state while standing, but it's good for briefly knocking out tasks like email or minor changes.

Great, as long as I'm wearing a comfortable pair of tennis shoes. Otherwise, if I'm wearing a pair of dressy leather shoes, my feet quickly begin to ache.

I got one about four months ago. It is an electric lift desk, takes about 20 seconds to switch. Most days I leave it standing. I'm definitely getting better at standing. At first it hard to focus while standing, but now it is easy. When I switch to sitting it takes a while to get focused, since it feels strange.

Similar to you - I alternate between standing and sitting (not every hour though)

I also find it hard to write code when standing so I use standing position mostly for reading, calls, standups etc. when I want to get in the "zone" - only sitting + headphones works for me.

I can warmly recommend this book for treating back pain and posture problems: [1].

[1] Robin A. McKenzie, "Treat Your Own Back".

I feel more focused while standing. I am also the type of person who needs at least a little action going on in the background to really get in the zone (like at a coffee shop).

I have been standing primarily now for over a year and even converted my home gaming computer desk to a standing desk. Yep I stand while pc gaming...lol.

It really helps me feel better, back issues aside, because I feel like I am moving more. Even just the switching feet position.

The only advice I have is to get a good padded mat. I started without one and it was painful on my feet and legs.

My old job, I was given a motorized desk. I never stood. Managed to gain a ton of weight and health problems. At the new job, didn't have the option for any form of standing desk at first. Then a couple of standing desks came in, but they were hand cranked. Made things harder to go up and down, but I took over one and got rid of the stool that came with it. I don't really notice a different in my work performance, nor do my managers, but I have noticed my posture is a bit better, along with he diet and exercise my doctor put me on, I feel better about things. MY only gripe was the first couple weeks of pure standing, my back KILLED while trying to get used to it. Now, my legs are tired when I get home and I don't move around much there. But I won't give it up for my regular work.

I have an Autonomous AI desk, got it shipped to UAE paying nearly double the price due to shipping and waiting about 3 months. I consider it money well spent.

I find that in long stretches of work I really need to switch between standing and sitting else I become irritated. When I work outside home I'm most productive at a specific cafe that has both standup and sit down tables.

I already had a fairly active after work life that involved powerlifting and cycling. I have to admit most of the time I am sitting at work as I am normally hurting somewhere (the good kind of muscle ache). But at home I have a standing only desk and it's best use is allowing me to quickly move from being at the device or doing something else. I don't feel like I am settling in for a long stint, I can quickly pop on a video or write a message and move away.

I'm looking to buy or make a standing desk now.

What desks are you using and do you have any recommendations?

Have you tried working in a tatami desk? I found that it works well for me. Working in a tatami forces you to sit in a seiza style, which in turn forces you to straighten your back. The Japanese say it's supposed to be a "proper" way of sitting.

Do you use anti-fatigue mats when you're standing? I find that it helps a lot.

Really good investment. I have the small electric one from Ikea.

There are ones that have a preset, and I wish mine had that option.

I have been using one for about a year and a half. I don't use it as much as I should but once or twice a week it helps me get through the mid afternoon lull. I find that if I am loosing focus that standing for 20 minutes gets me back on track.

I have an automated sit-stand desk, and I really appreciate having it. I don't necessarily switch to standing every day, but I do at least 75% of the time. When I do, it's for one to two hours at a time.

I'm kind of the opposite to you, where, when I realize I'm losing focus, I'll switch to standing and try to squeeze out a little more focus before relenting and taking a break. Sometimes that will get me right back into the groove and next thing I know it, I've been coding for another two hours.

That's not to say I don't take breaks throughout the day, but focus can be a bit tougher to maintain on some days. Switching my desk definitely helps.

I've been meaning to try the treadmill hack[1] to get a slow treadmill under my desk. Unfortunately, at 6'6" (2m), I'm not sure this desk (or any automated standing desk) is tall enough for me to get a treadmill underneath and still have my desk at a comfortable height.

1: http://www.treadmilldeskdiary.com/setting-up-my-confidence-p...

Standing hurts my feet within 10-20 minutes, but I found a treadmill/walking desk to be something I could do all day long. It helped a lot with back pain, and as a side-effect it cured post-lunch sleepiness.

Coding while walking was never a concentration problem for me, so I can only offer that as an anecdotal data point. It might be me, but maybe walking rather than standing makes it easier to concentrate?

There were plenty of downsides that make using the walking desk hard for me. I was working in games, and testing a 3d game while walking was often disorienting and would cause me to trip on myself or walk off the treadmill. Frequent visits and phone calls from other employees were more difficult to deal with than coding while walking. And a treadmill desk is bulky and noisy and hard to move around. I got the smallest setup I could find, and it still used up a lot more space than I expected.

My back is fucked up from hard living, and a minor auto collision. Standing desk definitely helps, I stand exclusively when possible.

I have the opposite experience, if you're a fidget-y ADHD person, standing desks can be great. Sitting in a chair all day is torture.

Also invest in an anti-fatigue mat IMO.