The modern cricket coach at any level spends a lot of time at a computer. From writing reports to working out averages to keeping up to date with emails from players and parents there is always something that needs you to be tied to a desk.
I've wanted to use a standing desk for a long time now. I have been convinced by the research that says sitting is killing you. My job involves a lot of sitting down and I knew that an hour in the gym 3 times a week was not cutting it.
Thing is, I didn't want to pay the hundreds it costs to get a standing solution. Desks can be up to £800 and even cheap desk adaptors are a couple of hundred.
Then I found a site that showed me how to do the same thing for about £20.
It was reading that elegant solution that got me to thinking that I could do it for even less.
Here is how I did it for free. And you can too if you have stuff found in most homes or offices.
Free Standing Desk
You will need:
- A normal desk
- A sturdy box that is about 14" (35cm) high
Instructions:
- Put the box on top of the desk.
- Put your laptop or monitor, keyboard and mouse on top of the box.
That's it!
Is it beautiful? I guess it depends how nice the box and desk look to you. But the fact is that it works.
Here is how I laid out mine:
I have been using the desk for a few days now and I can tell you that I can work for long periods standing up with no discomfort.
Customising Your Standing Desk
I was lucky enough that I had a box that was the right height. I can stand with my elbows at 90 degrees and use the keyboard easily. I had to slightly raise the monitor to get it up to my eye line using a smaller box, but I had that lying around.
It's important that the desk is comfortable to use, so bear in mind those factors when setting up your standing desk. You might find that the investment of a a few pounds is worthwhile to get a box that is the right height. Only you can know, but you can still do it for much cheaper than a real standing desk.
I also have a laptop I can put at sitting height. I have found that standing all day is a little tough, so a couple of times in the day I will sit at the laptop and do a specific piece of work like checking email. This has had the added benefit of stopping me idly checking email through the day instead of making awesome stuff for PitchVision fans (more on that topic in another article).
My Standing Desk Experience
The question remains, would I recommend a standing desk?
If you work at a desk quite a lot I would heartily say yes. With a free standing desk you can try it out and see how you feel spending more time standing. My experience so far has been positive, but if I change my mind I can always just take the box off the desk and go back to the old way.
However, when I am standing up I feel more focused and energised. I am able to work at things with less distraction. Sitting down feels like a little treat to myself, and because I have a specific job to do when I sit (email) I can get on with it while feeling good.
It's too early to comment on the actual health benefits, but I certainly feel better about myself for doing it after all these years.
Give it a try and let me know how you go!