[quaffapint]

I guess I don't get the need of the standing desk. Can't you just take regular mini breaks and go walk around a bit? It doesn't even need to be outside or for a long length of time. It would be healthier and cheaper than a standing desk.

[jameskilton]

The research is pretty clear. Any amount of time sent standing is better than that amount of time sitting. Your muscles stay in use, your heart works more efficiently, and you burn more calories, than sitting. So no, sitting + walking breaks is not healthier than always standing.

Cost shouldn't be a factor if you really care about treating your body better. It's super easy to ad-hoc your own standing desk for free, or spend some money to get something built for standing. Remember, if you're doing it for 8+hours a day, that's 1/4 of your life. It's worth the money you spend.

[quaffapint]

Interesting. I sit, but I get up a lot and run around with the dog, etc. I wonder if standing really would make a difference in my case. I could imagine if you were working in an office all day, it might be a problem. Though I wonder if standing too much has its own troubles too. Maybe thats why the desks that easily go up/down would be nicer - that way never too much of one thing - standing or sitting.

[MrDom]

This study[0] shows that it takes about 4 hours of complete inactivity to see a large decrease in LPL (lipoprotein lipase) in the legs. It then takes about 4 hours of low intensity activity to replenish previous levels.

Of course, then the question becomes how much low intensity activity do you need during the day to offset sitting. If you avoid sitting for 4 hours straight, do you avoid most of the bad parts? Is standing alone enough low intensity activity to keep your LPL going or do you need a treadmill desk? Could you go 3 hours sitting, 1 hour walking, repeatedly and still have good LPL levels?

The research is only clear on one thing: don't sit for 4 hours straight. It'll take 4 hours of walking around for your LPL levels to recover.

[0]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12815182

[plorkyeran]

I like to stand while working, not alternate between standing and working. Pacing helps me think, and not having to sit down to use the computer each time I want to try something while working my way through a different problem is wonderful. Finally sitting down after finishing something that's taken long enough for my legs to get tired is pretty satisfying too. With a motorized desk I find I usually spend a bit under half the day standing.

For me, any long term health benefits from a standing desk is purely a nice bonus.

[MrDom]

Another benefit is standing desks are a boon for in person collaboration. For whatever reason, my co-workers prefer to come over and see new features on my screen where multiple people can stand without feeling like they're looming over me.