Comments on: You Might Want to Sit Down for This

By: Jibby

Jibby — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:02:36 +0000

Mark, your article seems to imply/recommend that standing is a better alternative to sitting. I would argue that both standing and sitting for extended periods of time is unnatural. Grok was either moving around or resting on the ground (like you said, sprawled out, with legs extended). Research has correlated both standing and sitting (but especially standing) at work with varicose veins, presumably because of increased pressure on veins: “ambulatory venous pressure while sitting is about 60-80 mm of water, as opposed to 20 mm while walking, and the number is only slightly higher (about 100) while standing”. True, only a correlation has been found, and not a causal relationship, but my point is that immobility is the real problem, not whether you’re standing or sitting. So getting a standing desk doesn’t really solve anything if you’re still spending hours glued in the same position. The better recommendation is to take breaks to walk around. And maybe, this also implies that when relaxing (reading a book, watching a movie), a more natural position is to spawl out on the couch, legs up on an ottoman.

Side note: Mark, you should set up a way to link in the comments box, so people could site sources (like research articles).

By: boohoo

boohoo — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:50:16 +0000

Also the whole bike/walk to work thing needs to stop. Some people have to wear suits to work, possibly don’t have a place to shower at work, need to be on call to drive to a clients office or just plain work in a conservative enviroment where being seen riding a bike to work will get you on the sh*t list. Contrary to belief, americans do not have choices in the way they wish to conduct thier lives at work if thier boss/company disapproves in any way.

By: boohoo

boohoo — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:39:46 +0000

Americans are doomed. We are forced to sit at desks for 8-12 hours a day and there aren’t really any labor protection laws. So if it makes a sick its also our own problem. I guess I just have to sit around at work hoping I can stay employed and have health unsurance to cover the ailments being caused by the standard workday. Its really a drag being an american wage slave (BTY: sure, this is better than being in some third world nation with no economy, but it also isn’t as good as some Europeans have ut).

By: Luanne

Luanne — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:48:41 +0000

Kneeling chairs are the way to go. The original design comes from Varier (formerly Stokke). They encourage you to sit “naturally” while retaining the curves in your spine that you have while standing. They also encourage good posture, better breathing and therefore improved concentration. They are a wonderful and safe alternative to a traditional chair, much safer than a stability ball. Check them out backcarebasics.com

By: Leanne

Leanne — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:14:25 +0000

There are actually “balans” kneeling chairs designed to place your spine in the same position it is in while you are standing. This provides an open hip angle and help with better breathing, blood flow and overall wellness. The company to oringally make these chairs was called Stokke and is now called Varier. Their products have a large range of needs, I suggest Wing balans, Variable balns or Multi balans (Multi can be adjusted for use at the most “extreme” setting – an excellent solutions for those with severe back problems or those who have just had back surgery!) I bought my variable balans at ergodepot.com – these Varier Furniture chairs are built for movement and mine has helped me tremendously.

By: TJ

TJ — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:38:40 +0000

This chair was actually designed by a former teacher of mine (the Ekman in “Ekman-Wilson.” She is a teacher of the Alexander technique, which is all about unlearning all your “bad” postural habits and allowing your body to move as it was designed to. She used to talk about her attempts to patent this chair in class back in the mid-90s. I’m happy she finally did it.

You all might be interested in the Alexander technique itself…it’s pretty amazing.

By: Shannon Holland

Shannon Holland — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:43:28 +0000

I recently lightly tweaked my back (mostly cranky muscles from trying to do max deadlifts too soon after a back killing crossfit workout). I found all sorts of sitting to be terrible. If I sat in my car or a straight backed chair for more than about 5 minutes getting back up was painful and I’d be unable to stand straight for a minute or so. The one place I was ok though was where I sit all day – my office. I tried all sorts of chairs in years past but for the last eight years have just been sitting on a ball. It forces correct posture and lets me move around on it ever so slightly. Not nearly as good for my back as stretching or exercise but certainly didn’t seem to be the huge negative of a normal chair.

By: Sean Carley

Sean Carley — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:19:00 +0000

I’ve been sitting on a yoga ball at work for about two years. I love it.

By: How to Improve Your Posture | Mark's Daily Apple

How to Improve Your Posture | Mark's Daily Apple — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:09:51 +0000

[...] the rise of sedentarism – all that sitting is hell on our backs. As I mentioned in the previous sitting post, most work takes place from the (dis)comfort of an unnatural office chair, whereas in earlier times [...]

By: unclebubba

unclebubba — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:21:56 +0000

A stability ball is the way to go. It makes it much easier to sit up straight and it allows you to move your body all day. Nevertheless, I still stand up quite often. The best part is that it’s fun: you can bounce, you can balance, you can move around. Perfect!