Sitting is bad
Blue 03 Nov 2009
http://www.scienceda...your_health.htm
DairyProducts 12 Jan 2010
http://www.latimes.c...0,6667265.story
-"Even if someone has a healthy body weight, sitting for long periods of time still has an unhealthy influence on their blood sugar and blood fats," said lead researcher Professor David Dunstan, from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Victoria, Australia.
RighteousReason 12 Jan 2010
Mind 12 Jan 2010
JLL 12 Jan 2010
Sillewater 12 Jan 2010
DairyProducts 12 Jan 2010
http://www.engadget....ll-workstation/
http://www.trekdesk.com/
The doctor advocating it is also selling it with a price tag of $500 plus the treadmill, so skepticism is warranted, but I think most people would agree that they sit too much at work (assuming an office job.) Maybe if the price comes down more offices will use it. Standing or inflatable balls seem like a cheap solution to the slow rot of our bodies/minds/spirits from sitting all day. JLL's suggestion is the best if you are a superhuman
And for andcodotal evidence, I'll refer to a partial Office Space quote, "Michael, we don't have a lot of time on this earth! We weren't meant to spend it this way. Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about about mission statements."
Quasar 12 Jan 2010
By sitting without leaning back, and having the knees lower than the pelvis, the spine is forced to remain straight and allows one to sit comfortably. I have one and use it at the computer, at the table and so on.
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Edited by Quasar, 12 January 2010 - 10:49 PM.
Shannon Vyff 12 Jan 2010
DairyProducts 13 Jan 2010
By far the best chair to ensure correct spinal posture and therefore minimal muscle strain is this one:
By sitting without leaning back, and having the knees lower than the pelvis, the spine is forced to remain straight and allows one to sit comfortably. I have one and use it at the computer, at the table and so on.
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Logan 13 Jan 2010
http://www.google.co...QtNbsF4DB7BMfvg
Yeah I think this is one reason why I always preferred waiting tables and bartending over a desk job.
Esoparagon 14 Jan 2010
Edited by Esoparagon, 14 January 2010 - 04:04 AM.
niner 14 Jan 2010
Yeah, but mostly they sleep, which we also do. When they're awake, they probably move around a lot. People with desk jobs may sit in one place for hours on end. There's nothing like that in our evolutionary past.I don't know... every animal rests...
chrono 14 Jan 2010
Quasar, do you have a link to where to buy the chair or a name for it?
These are called Kneeling Chairs. A great idea, been aware of them for years but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Here's some more info:
- Wikipedia
- kneelingchairs.com.au: explanation of benefits, design evolution.
- CCOHS: alternative chairs
maxwatt 14 Jan 2010
where can I buy the treadmill that goes along with the desk?
A physiatrist recommended I use a drafting table; one sits on a stool and alternates this with standing while working. Draftsmen who work this way weigjh less than other desk workers, have less heart disease.
Shannon Vyff 14 Jan 2010
A draft table is a great idea. Anyone have suggestions for how to type while standing? I've had problems with being able to type while standing, and using an adjustable height draft table might be the solution.
babcock 14 Jan 2010
Philosophicus 20 Jan 2010
DairyProducts 20 Jan 2010
DIYbike.jpg 637.53KB 28 downloads
Ha! Also found a WOW player who did this and lost 41 lbs in 90 days.
http://www.joystiq.c...lbs-in-90-days/
Ben 21 Jan 2010
Here is another alternative I found. It would be cheaper than a treadmill, but probably easier to use a computer on (some DIY work required)
DIYbike.jpg 637.53KB 28 downloads
Ha! Also found a WOW player who did this and lost 41 lbs in 90 days.
http://www.joystiq.c...lbs-in-90-days/
It would have been even better if the stationary bike the guy used in the article wasn't just like a difficult chair but an input device where, when he pedals the character moves at a similar speed.
DairyProducts 22 Jan 2010
Pedals.jpg 19.93KB 3 downloads
http://www.google.co...ved=0CCgQrQQwAw
Edited by DairyProducts, 22 January 2010 - 03:32 PM.
openeyes 23 Jan 2010
http://online.wsj.co...mostpop_emailed
Edited by openeyes, 23 January 2010 - 04:18 PM.
sdsgec 24 Jan 2010
Otherwise, standing could be ok but I'm worried about vein issues. I already wear Vibram FiveFingers for exercise, so I'm building the muscles in my feet. I have noticed the veins around my ankles have increased though - not sure if this is a walking on hard surfaces thing or even if it's good or bad. Any opinions?
I wonder if there's some kind of special surface which could reduce the impact of gravity on our joints while we endeavor to pace as we work. Trampoline??
I've also tried using a mechanical horse (iGallop) while watching TV but I suspect it wasn't doing my hips much good, and as for while I'm working... not an option.
For the moment I use an exercise ball but it does get awfully sticky in the summer. Someone needs to get a wetsuit covering in production for it.
I do like the idea of getting more voice commands integrated into my workflow so as to reduce my dependence on keyboard + mouse.
And also maybe get some kind of pet. A bit of a distraction, but instead of coming home and plonking, you're forced to take the dog for a walk, get food ready etc. Counter-productive if you're on the career warpath, but I guess if we strive live longer we've got some spare time.
James Cain 25 Jan 2010
I have this treadmill in a room with a t.v., so I'll watch movies or the news or whatever while reading stuff like this forum. It beats sitting on the couch. The platform for the keyboard and mouse can be easily removed, and the platform for the laptop (laptop not in the picture) is just about at eye level to reduce neck strain, and this platform can fold up flat against the wall. I did this since my fiancee likes to run and doesn't want that stuff in the way.
Attached Files
DairyProducts 26 Jan 2010
Otherwise, standing could be ok but I'm worried about vein issues. I already wear Vibram FiveFingers for exercise, so I'm building the muscles in my feet. I have noticed the veins around my ankles have increased though - not sure if this is a walking on hard surfaces thing or even if it's good or bad. Any opinions?
I wonder if there's some kind of special surface which could reduce the impact of gravity on our joints while we endeavor to pace as we work. Trampoline??
I've also tried using a mechanical horse (iGallop) while watching TV but I suspect it wasn't doing my hips much good, and as for while I'm working... not an option.
For standing long hours, there are anti-fatigue mats. I've never tried them, but apparently they are a big industry for chefs and industrial workers. It's not moving, but it's better than sitting.
http://housewares.ab...fatiguemats.htm
DairyProducts 16 Mar 2010
The first page isn't that great but it gets helpful in the earlier pages.
lunarsolarpower 16 Mar 2010
It may sound obvious, but the fundamental problem here is that the computers are not advanced enough to communicate with, as we communicate with each other. Remember we do not have to sit to teach, do experiments with, or learn from other humans. So (obvious) solution is to bring the human computer interfaces to our level. A possible solution is to fuse existing voice, gesture and expression based interfaces and develop the overall system to a level which will free us from stationary desk jobs.
Extroverts may appreciate such a system but introverts would just find it tiring. I'm pretty surprised more employers aren't advocating treadmill desks in their workplaces yet.