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Don’t Just Sit There!

(At the computer, that is)

By Keith Connes,

Oh, my aching back!” Not a very original thought, but
that’s what used to go through my mind every time I
would get up from my office chair after a long session at
the computer. Note that I said used to. Not anymore.
Understand, I’ve had chronic low back pain for decades
and I don’t expect ever to be totally free of it. But that
special ouch that comes from a lengthy computer session
became history the day I began to use a standing desk.
That’s right, literally the very day I changed my work hab-
it at the computer.

A standing desk is a collapsible desk that you set on top
of your existing desk. You place your monitor and key-
board (or laptop) on it, along with your mouse and other
work-related equipment. Then you raise the entire work
surface to a height that allows you to stand and type
comfortably – or dictate, if you use speech recognition ing biceps (actually, I never did). Other models might de-
software, as I do. escalate more tamely and if that’s a major concern you

might want to pop for an electrically operated desk.
The manually operated standing desks generally have a
hydraulic piston that enables them to be raised quite The price I paid was $139, but similar or possibly identical
easily. Electrically powered models are also available. models have sprung up on Amazon prices a slow as $99.
These are all 1-tier desks, meaning that they have just
one surface. Some companies offer 2-tier models con-
Even if you don’t suffer from back pain, it’s good to be sisting of a large surface for one or even two monitors
able to stretch your legs after sitting for a while and con-
plus a smaller lower surface for the keyboard. The Mount
tinue your work while standing. You can alternate be- -it! Brand is available as an electric two-tier desk for $240.
tween sitting and standing as often as you want, and the Staples sells a manual 27” 2-tier desk for $250 and a 35”
chances are you’ll feel a lot better for it. version that has been on sale for $200.

I purchased my standing desk on Amazon from a seller Probably the best-known company for this type of prod-
named Defy Desk. The desk’s surface is wood, painted uct, tanks to its TV ad campaign, is VARIDESK, which
black, measuring 32” W x 22” D. when collapsed, it adds offers free delivery plus free return within 30 days if not
2.5” of height to the desk on which it sits. While some satisfied. Their smallest model, a 1-tier desk specifically
standing desks are raised to a variety of pre-set heights, for laptops, measures 30” x 10.75” and costs $175. Their
my desk an be set at any height up to its maximum of 36” 1-tier and 2-tier manual models are priced at $395
15.5”. That maximum is just right for me at my height of and their 36” 2-tier electric version is $495.
5’6”, so if you’re taller you might want a model that rais-
es to a greater height. One drawback to this desk is that I
really have to press hard to get it to start down to the So, as you can see, a lot of choices are available, at prices
collapsed position and then I must keep a firm grip on it ranging from about $100 to just under $500. There is the
to keep it from making a crash landing. I don’t consider
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this to be a big deal, even though at 92 I don’t have bulg-
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