Desks: Some People Just Aren't Taking it Sitting Down Anymore

Chances are, you have probably had quite a lot of experience with desks in your life so far. You probably even have some fairly strong opinions about them. I know I do. My experience with desks, up until recently, had been pretty much what you would expect from someone raised in rural America, gone through school, worked in various jobs, and even owned a furniture store that sold used desks. I have used and seen a lot of different desks.

For starters, I know I can't stand those little trap stations that our school system calls desks. They barely have enough room for a student to open their binder on, let alone lay their books out on. And I know I would never own a large metal desk - they are simply too heavy. The particle board desks don't seem to hold up very well to both moisture and any rougher-than-normal use. And a big fancy Rolltop oak desk is simply beyond what I can afford, or really need anyway. Then there are standup desks. Have you heard of these? When I first heard about them I was initially attracted to the idea, but have since become a little unsure of whether I would actually like having one or not.

It turns out that some people just aren't taking it sitting down anymore. Desks designed to be used while standing are getting to be more and more common in schools and workplaces across America and other countries around the world. So what are they, you ask? Well, they vary in design, but the basic idea is that your work surface is adjustable vertically so that you can actually stand behind your desk and forego the chair altogether. Of course, some prefer to use a stool to sit against from time to time, but many find (after an initial adjustment period) that they actually prefer to work this way, and don't miss having a chair to lounge in at all.

Consider this. Studies have shown that using desks like these are actually proving to help fight childhood obesity, stop some kids from fidgeting so much, and, interestingly enough, desks like these are even helping to reduce the feeling that some kids have like they are a fish in a fish bowl. Interesting stuff for sure.

In a small school in Minnesota, one teacher quit telling her students to sit down and be quiet by having them stand through class. And according to ABC news in a recent report on the subject, teachers in 18 other states are following her lead. She starts off her class standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, and then they remain standing for the day's instruction. This teacher has found that she can teach the kids more effectively if they can stand and move around a bit. She had trouble finding standup desks so, with the help of local grants and donations, she took her idea to a local furniture maker who made some for her class. The kids love them.

Stand-up desks are an intriguing idea. But when it comes to desks, I really like the traditional sit behind designs, preferably something in wood. Perhaps someday all of us will be working behind desks we stand at, but for me it's going to be awhile. What do you think?