[lokalfarm]

If your idea of physical abuse is carpal tunnel from using a mouse + keyboard, don't go into the trades. Seriously. Go to Home Depot, buy a stick of 1" copper pipe, a Ridgid (wheel) pipe cutter, and some sandpaper. Now go to your backyard, in the cold, kneel on some bricks/concrete, and spend 30 minutes cutting off little portions of the copper stick, and then clean the ends with sandpaper. For bonus points, consider reaming the insides too.

Now tell me how your wrists and hands are feeling. How about your knees? Imagine that everyday, plus an array of powertools such as impact drivers + drills, rotary hammers, sawzalls, band saws, and crimping tools that can weigh 20+ lbs.

That mouse & keyboard will start to look very, very comfortable.

[Apocryphon]

Truth be told people itt are talking about “trades” when the ideal physical profession for them is probably something like building boutique artisanal furniture or glassware for wealthy clients. A comfortable middle ground between office work and construction.

[1123581321]

It's hard to compare aches before acclimation to physical work with chronic conditions that develop over years of long, daily sedentary periods. The keyboard being more comfortable on day one isn't the point, right?

[lokalfarm]

Carpal tunnel isn't about being sedentary, is it? It's about repetitive movements (from people I know who suffer from it, vibrations also exacerbate their conditions, which is why I brought up power tools) - just like the common plumbing activities that I mentioned. This isn't about aches. If your body can't handle sitting at a computer, then you are out of your mind thinking that working a trade will somehow 'be better.' Buy a standing desk, ergonomic keyboard + mouse, and go for some walks.

[1123581321]

You keep mentioning carpal tunnel but I don’t think that was his main point.

It’s true that white and blue collar work have ergonomic and health hazard mitigations. I saw from another comment of yours that you mostly had to work on unsafe and inconsiderate commercial crews with no decision-making ability, which understandably colors your view of physical labor. You’re also right to point out a novice would likely fare similarly, especially if approaching a career change romantically.