One of my doctors recently reminded me that “sitting is the new smoking,” a mantra repeated by many in the medical community. He suggested I cut back the time in my chair. So, when a PR person from iMovR suggested I try out the company’s ZipLift desk converter, I was happy to try it.
The device came and I immediately realized it was well crafted and designed. But, aside from the fact that it’s big and heavy, the problem was — in sitting position — it raised my monitor by at least 6 1/4 inches. In standing mode it was fine, but I’m not planning on standing all the time. I need a solution that also works for sitting.
I reached out to the company via its website and someone got back to me right away, recommending I raise my chair, if possible (mine is already at its maximum height) or to get monitor arm like the ones iMovR offers or cheaper versions on Amazon.
Improvised solutions
But I had another idea. As it turns out my PC has a wireless mouse and keyboard but, even if it didn’t, a combo wireless mouse/keyboard set can be purchased online for as little as $13.49.
So, I took a small tray table (a so called “TV tray”), put a box on it to raise it to the right height and am using it to prop up my mouse and keyboard. It’s not as elegant a solution but it’s not only cheaper than a $349 desk converter, it’s also more versatile, and can be easily moved to the side when I’m not using it. Of course, this requires I stand a little further from my monitor, but it’s easy to increase the type size and angle the monitor back, so that I only have to look down slightly which actually puts less strain on my neck than looking up to a monitor that’s too high.
If you use a laptop, just put it on a higher table or desk. I sometimes work standing up by plopping my laptop on my dining room counter, which happens to be about the same height as a standing desk.
Controversy over standing desks
One reason not to spend too much on a standing desk is that there is controversy over whether they are actually helpful. An article in US News asks “Is Your Standing Desk Doing More Harm Than Good?” I won’t summarize the entire article, but it does point out that standing all day isn’t the solution either (which is an argument in favor of a product like the ZipLift as well as my improvised solution) and that there are other ways to handle this issue such as standing when you’re on the phone or taking breaks and walks during the day.
Experts quoted in an NPR article also question the wisdom of standing vs. sitting. One cited evidence that standing for too long could case higher risk for enlarged veins and pointed out that the extra calories you burn are “are barely enough to cover a couple of banana chips.”
And if you do decide you want a standing desk, you can save money by following either my example or that of Mikael Cho, who is quoted in the US News article about his own solution which involved a $22 product he picked up at Ikea. I’m not sure what it was that he bought there, but my local Ikea is so large that a trip there will keep me on my feet for hours, a benefit in its own right.