Ways To Quit Sitting: 8 Unique Desk Options
Sitting at your desk all day can be boring, unproductive, and hazardous to your health. We have some alternatives that might help you "stand" out at work.
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The nature of work is always changing and in the 21st century, few people need to be active while they work -- which has extreme health consequences. Luckily there are several alternatives to slouching over a desk for more than eight hours a day. The latest ergonomic offering making news is Altwork's reclining workstation.
The Altwork Station looks like it's part Barcalounger, part dentist chair. It's designed for people who want a desk that adapts to multiple positions, so they can collaborate, be active while they work, and basically sit any way that feels most comfortable for them. But most people have focused on the reclined positions the workstation offers because, let's face it, the idea of laying down on the job is irresistible.
However, the idea of a reclining desk isn't only about laziness. It is about your health. Hunching over a computer has been proven in studies to affect your productivity and creativity, as well as being an overall health hazard.
[ Stop! Don't take that new job until you get these questions answered. ]
If the $5,900 ($3,900, if you pre-order) reclining workstation is not for you, we've gathered several other options for you to consider. They range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Take a look and tell us which one you are going to demand from your boss. If you're an IT leader, tell us which one seems most practical to deploy to your workforce. We look forward to hearing from you in the comments section below.
The Altwork Station is designed to put you in any position, from standing to fulling reclined, and move your computer with you. Altwork spent five years and more than $1 million developing this chair. However, it's hard not to look at this and see a dentist chair. Who would want to think about the dentist at work? Then again, you can fully recline and pretend you are an astronaut on lift-off. If only it had a countdown button. Also, it must be pointed out that even the Altwork FAQ admits there is no place on the workstation for your coffee.
The idea of the standing desk was one of the first results of the ergonomic revolution, and undoubtedly planted the seeds for nearly all of the other options on this list. There are now dozens of standing-desk concepts -- from ones that raise and lower to ones that flip out from the walls. A number of studies indicate sitting all day can be detrimental to your health. One group of researchers found that those who say they sat for the most of the day were 54% more likely to have died during the 11-year study than those who sat less than half the time.
Why should you and your desk sit still when you can scoot around the office while working? This rolling chair with a small desk attachment could possibly save your company money, too. There would be no need to buy chairs for the meeting rooms. Everyone can scoot right in. In fact, you won't even need a conference table, only a small stand for the morning bagels. The ScooterDesk looks like it promises users strong thighs, though it could also lead to a few broken backs if people forget there is no chair back behind them. Racing helmets for office contests sold separately.
The DeskCycle isn't a whole desk. It's a cycling attachment you put under your desk that allows you to pedal while you work. It is certainly easier to read and type while pedaling than jogging. On the other hand, the bruised knees from hitting the bottom of the desk are painful, not to mention unattractive during shorts-and-swimsuit season. Helmet optional.
The Hamster Wheel Standing Desk pushes the alternative desk movement to a whole new level. It's a collaboration between artist Robb Godshaw and Instructables Developer Will Doenlen. You can't buy it. But here are instructions to build it yourself. Bonus points for painting flip-book style pictures on the inside of the wheel to entertain yourself as it spins.
Up to now, all of the desks have been about exercise or standing. How about one that is about fun? Here's a desk designed to look like a drum kit. Bang away on the soft pads all along the desk like you're Neil Peart from Rush or Animal from The Muppets. It may not be as active as running, but you'll work up a sweat and your whole team will work to a new rhythm. Unfortunately, the website for the company that built it is no longer operating. This site says you can still buy them, but it ultimately takes you to the same dead site.
This one doesn't get you moving at all, but how could we resist putting it on the list? This one-of-a-kind Han Solo desk, complete with his likeness frozen in carbonite, sold for $10,500 for charity. This is what Jabba should have done, instead of hanging him on the wall. We assume even Hutts have paperwork to do.
There are other, shall we say, less-productive desks, like the one above which is also a working pool table. We tried to stick to the ones that give you a chance to get your blood pumping while still getting your work done. Which option looks like the best way for you to work, and which looks like your idea of workplace hell? Tell us in the comments section below.
There are other, shall we say, less-productive desks, like the one above which is also a working pool table. We tried to stick to the ones that give you a chance to get your blood pumping while still getting your work done. Which option looks like the best way for you to work, and which looks like your idea of workplace hell? Tell us in the comments section below.
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