[new_writer]

And if so, what's the brand and have you discovered if they hold up during typing? That's my main concern with this. I think it would drive me nuts if the whole thing was shaking (even slightly) while I'm banging away at the keyboard.

I am seriously considering this, if just for health reasons. Since I do this full time, it's become too easy to just sit at the desk for hours and hours. Gotta change that!

Right now I'm looking at the VariDesk and IKEA's standing desks, but I'd really love some first-hand experience from writers who have used them.

I know that there have been some discussions here about the treadmill desk, and that's not something I'm interested in. I already run 5 miles a day and right now I'm just looking to, literally, get off my butt while working.

 

[CM Raymond]

I try to stand half my day. I too am a runner, but still, sitting all day is not on my to-do list.

We have a bar I stand at at home.

I have this for the office at the day job: http://amzn.to/1oeeLjk

A little wobbly, but for the price it works well.

Best,
CM

 

[Crystal_]

Yes! I have an Uplift sit to stand desk with a pull out keyboard tray and it is amazing. I have never loved a possession as much as I love my desk.

Some days I stand 90% of the time. Some days I sit 50-60% of the time. My legs get tired when I stand (I have an anti-fatigue mat and a footstool). My hips and chest get tight when I sit. Switching off and stretching every 30-60 minutes helps a lot.

If you are thinking about a standing desk, do it!

 

[Not Here Anymore]

I have a Ergotron Work Fit from JustStand that that adjusts so that I can have it up when I'm walking on the treadmill or standing, then I can lower when I want to sit. I alternate walking/standing/sitting. Love it. It does have some movement as I type, but it doesn't bother me.

 

[Donovan Scherer]

I did the $22 Ikea standing desk hack - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/09/ikea-standing-desk-hack_n_7033432.html

It's pretty great. I set the the front legs about 6 inches back so there's an overhang and I can write or work on my drawing table on top of the table. Picture here - http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/484983854_.jpg

 

[mearle]

I have a Versa Unit:

http://www.versatables.com/configurator/versa-center/&qty=1

Made in the USA and great quality.

I have the 72" one with a 30 inch monitor/desktop side for me and a lap top side for my wife. At the time it was the best bang for the buck but that was a few years ago. It shakes a little bit when I type (IBM model M keyboard and I slam on keys) but I got used to it.

All of my neck/shoulder/back pain disappeared with in a few days of getting the standing desk- but it was replaced with tired legs. There is a BIG difference between excruciating neck/shoulder/back pain and tired legs. I'm totally fine with the later and I'm never going back to a sitting desk.

 

[TBD]

I built my own. A bookcase, 3/4 plywood, fasteners, and faux leather. The notebooks on the bottom act as a counterweight. it is very sturdy and doesn't move at all when typing.

 

[Melody Simmons]

Got one...sadly hardly ever use it. Always have an excuse, saying I'll use it next time!

 

[Sara Whitford]

I have a Varidesk (http://www.amazon.com/Height-Adjustable-Standing-Desk-VARIDESK-Plus/dp/B00JRJBP6I/) and I'm really happy with it, but I don't use it all the time. I use it as the docking station for my laptop, so I spend part of the day standing and part of the day sitting. The Varidesk does transition from being a standing desk to a lower desk, but I do find it uncomfortable for sitting, so if I want to sit, I usually just take my laptop to the kitchen table or to my recliner in the den.

I'm new to all of this so I still struggle to write while standing. I'm too fidgety with my feet to concentrate very well. I've only been using it since January, though, so I'm in the process of transitioning. (And they definitely say you should transition when you do it and not just try to go full time right off the bat.!)

I have been using the 28 Day Stand Up and Work Challenge, which helps by sending you a timer in your e-mail each morning that increases your standing time by twelve minutes each day. I haven't used the timer every day, but it's definitely a help to have that when I want to keep an eye on my standing time, and keep trying to increase it. You can always use timers from previous days if you're not ready to move ahead to a longer time yet.

I've been a website developer since the mid to late-90s, so I've developed a lot of issues with my lower back and hips thanks to sitting WAY too much of the time. I'm determined to try to start reversing some of that damage by standing to work more and more as I am able.

 

[blubarry]

I have the uplift desk with the hardwood top (I splurged!). Love it! Smooth transition from sitting to standing and no noticeable rocking when almost fully raised (I'm tall). A bit pricey, but definitely worth it.

 

[Sandy Raven]

I bought an inexpensive 4x6 kitchen table, and had a friend cut custom length legs for me because I wanted the desk surface at a comfortable height for typing. I liked the bigger table surface for multiple monitors. (So I can have the internet or email open on one monitor while work is open on the other.) The important thing to remember is to start slow when transitioning. Try fifteen to 20 minutes per hour at first. Now, I can pretty much stand all night while working. My regular desk no longer gets use--except to store stuff. Get a good cushion floor mat, and something to rest a foot on every so often also helps. If you want to get a barstool for those times when you want to sit, get a comfy, heavy-duty bar stool with a cushion. I had to try three of them before I settled on one. But... Silly Girl (kitty) sleeps on it more than I sit on it. :-D (And kitties ALWAYS make an office a nice place to work!)

Sandy

 

[PearlEarringLady]

I have this for the office at the day job: http://amzn.to/1oeeLjk

I use one of these, too. Cheap, widely available and switchable from sitting to standing or vice versa in two seconds flat. Perfect if you use a laptop and want to try a standing desk without building something special, or splashing out on a Variodesk or similar.

 

[new_writer]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm going to go swing by Walmart and see their desks. The only other store I know that even carries them on site is IKEA and their desks look pretty good. Not quite as sturdy though when I tried leaning against them.

 

[AngryGames]

$179 w/Prime Shipping - not 100% rock stable, which worried me at first, but after five minutes of typing/gaming, it doesn't shake unless you're deliberately trying to shake it (or if you're about to get blown up by space pirates and you use too much force / your whole body to dance around and pull on the stick (haha) too hard).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNEB9O8

I also bought a commercial-grade standing mat for it
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UA2WNI

Attached a 27" monitor to the wall with extension arm. This computer has Scrivener/Dropbox like all of the computers in our house and I can sit for an hour and write, then take a break and come back and stand up at the other to do some more writing. I've found that it's good for (me) to not stay in one position for hours on end.

(also, makes a killer setup for space/flight sims if you have throttle/stick controls)

 

[Crystal_]

Get the Uplift! It's expensive -- $600 or so -- but it's a really great desk and it is sturdy enough to last 10+ years.

 

[Genre Hoarder]

I use a variation of this http://iamnotaprogrammer.com/Ikea-Standing-desk-for-22-dollars.html#comment-689429716 and I built my own treadmill desk for when I need some movement. I also run five days a week. (indoors & outdoors)

 

[jb1111]

There are computer stands that can raise up hydraulically, so you can work either standing or sitting. They can be fairly stable. I have a friend who works with one.

 

[Lady Runa]

I do too, but I've discovered I absolutely can't do any creative work while standing. I simply can't focus. Standing seems to drain my creative energy. So I use the standing desk for all the mindless paperwork jobs that don't require much thinking, but to get creative, I need to get really comfortable. Like, sitting in my bed

In fact, what I use is not a proper standing desk but a repurposed double-keyboard stand I got from an online music shop because they cost a fraction of what even the cheapest standing desk costs and they're actually sturdier and more adjustable.