4 ms·

Are motorized height-adjustable desks really so hard to come by in the states? I ask because they are the norm here in Denmark and most office workers use them

Are motorized height-adjustable desks really so hard to come by in the states? I ask because they are the norm here in Denmark and most office workers use them to stand up for part of their workday. I'm always surprised to see guys set up improvised standing desks on filing cabinets and stuff like that. From several years of experience: You need to be able to sit OR stand at your desk. In a very short time, you will automatically alternate between these positions whenever you feel tired in the back (from sitting) or feet (from standing). I would never work somewhere that didn't provide a motorized desk. I have gotten so used to it that I even have one in my home office (http://imgur.com/A1eS2 http://imgur.com/A1eS2), set me back about a thousand bucks, an amount most of us would spend on gadgets without blinking.

nagnatron 15y ago
Is that...Windows XP?
lambda 15y ago
My company (in the US) has just started upgrading to adjustable height desks in the past year or two; they're not motorized, but have a mechanical system that allows you to adjust it easily despite the weight of the desk and monitors. I tried alternating between sitting and standing, but I've fallen back into the habit of sitting again. Perhaps I should give standing another try.
- lucasjung 15y ago
  Could you post a link to a product page for these desks, please?
  - robflynn 15y ago
    I am very interested in this info as well. Between work, contract gigs, and my own projects I spend too much time sitting. I had a habit of going for a mid-day mile or two walk to help balance things out, but the weather has been so toasty lately that I just can not bring myself to do that anymore. I am definitely feeling the effects of the sedentary lifestyle.
    - skm 15y ago
      Steelcase makes motorized desks. Joel Spolsky uses them at Fog Creek. His article on them is here (with links to steelcase) http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2008/06/06.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2008/06/06.html
MartinMond 15y ago
This is very interesting, could you provide some links to manufacturers of those motorized desks? Couldn't find any after a quick search on amazon.at
- parbo 15y ago
  The Galant series of IKEA desks are available in motorized form in Sweden, and I assume in Denmark too. They cost about $800. They don't seem to be available in the US though.
TeMPOraL 15y ago
I personally didn't know that such technology exists. Thank you for that comment.
mfaf1313 15y ago
Check out www.conset.us for affordable electric height adjustable desks. Danish design and stock in North Carolina
nosequel 15y ago
I disagree with the notion that you "need" to sit or stand. I've been standing while working for over a year now. I stand for 8+ hours a day, and even when I take a lunch break I find myself standing while eating. My standing desk is just a normal desk put on top of cinder blocks so my drawers and surface are all setup for standing.
- gte910h 15y ago
  Can you wear tenis shoes all the time? I know part of the issue with my old desk was it was required I look nice for some meetings (and wore "nice" shoes with wooden heels) or sandals because the room had a stupid cooling system (and the dev area was almost 80F). Both of those cut down on the time I could handle standing.

nagnatron 15y ago

Is that...Windows XP?

lambda 15y ago

My company (in the US) has just started upgrading to adjustable height desks in the past year or two; they're not motorized, but have a mechanical system that allows you to adjust it easily despite the weight of the desk and monitors. I tried alternating between sitting and standing, but I've fallen back into the habit of sitting again. Perhaps I should give standing another try.

lucasjung 15y ago
Could you post a link to a product page for these desks, please?
- robflynn 15y ago
  I am very interested in this info as well. Between work, contract gigs, and my own projects I spend too much time sitting. I had a habit of going for a mid-day mile or two walk to help balance things out, but the weather has been so toasty lately that I just can not bring myself to do that anymore. I am definitely feeling the effects of the sedentary lifestyle.
  - skm 15y ago
    Steelcase makes motorized desks. Joel Spolsky uses them at Fog Creek. His article on them is here (with links to steelcase) http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2008/06/06.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2008/06/06.html

MartinMond 15y ago

This is very interesting, could you provide some links to manufacturers of those motorized desks? Couldn't find any after a quick search on amazon.at

parbo 15y ago
The Galant series of IKEA desks are available in motorized form in Sweden, and I assume in Denmark too. They cost about $800. They don't seem to be available in the US though.

TeMPOraL 15y ago

I personally didn't know that such technology exists. Thank you for that comment.

mfaf1313 15y ago

Check out www.conset.us for affordable electric height adjustable desks. Danish design and stock in North Carolina

nosequel 15y ago

I disagree with the notion that you "need" to sit or stand. I've been standing while working for over a year now. I stand for 8+ hours a day, and even when I take a lunch break I find myself standing while eating. My standing desk is just a normal desk put on top of cinder blocks so my drawers and surface are all setup for standing.

gte910h 15y ago
Can you wear tenis shoes all the time? I know part of the issue with my old desk was it was required I look nice for some meetings (and wore "nice" shoes with wooden heels) or sandals because the room had a stupid cooling system (and the dev area was almost 80F). Both of those cut down on the time I could handle standing.