• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Training for Translators

Online courses for translators and interpreters

  • Blog
  • Classes for translators and interpreters
    • Consulting
  • Books for translators by Corinne McKay
    • Translate my books
  • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Cart

Nov 11 2015
Corinne McKay

An easy sit/stand desk option

Standing desks are hot right now (with various sources telling us that sitting is the new smoking). If you’d like to try one, the most customizable option is a motorized sit-stand desk. Karen Tkaczyk uses one, and she demonstrated it in this blog post. Another option is a VariDesk that sits on top of a standard desk.

I recently moved to a new co-working office and the desks have a really easy sit-stand option, where the desk surface is permanently set at standing height and you use a tall chair or stool, moving yourself (rather than the desk surface) when you want to change positions. Here’s my desk:
desk

At first I was a bit skeptical about the stool, but it’s actually working out really well. It’s just uncomfortable enough that I get up for a few minutes every hour and go get some tea or run a quick errand; it’s not hellishly uncomfortable (and it forces me to sit up straight), but it’s also not the kind of thing you snuggle into for a four-hour stretch.

I think that my new desk is an Ikea Linnmon/Finnvard, which, at US $109, is certainly an affordable option. Just make sure to get a nice hard stool to go with it!

Written by Corinne McKay · Categorized: Freelancing, Productivity · Tagged: Karen Tkaczyk, sit-stand desks, standing desks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tatyana Johnson says

    November 11, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    Thank you for this information, Corinne. This is is very vital for us, always-sitting translators, as we often get so involved in a project, or so pressed for time that we cannot afford “wasting time” on walking around and exercising.

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth Sauser-Monnig says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:40 am

    I’ve been dreaming of something like this! I work for an organization that’s part of the French national education system and standing desks are not even on their radar. I’ve asked a few times and finally just piled some cardboard boxes on top of my desk, which amuses my co-workers to no end. I tend to stand in the afternoon to get over the after-lunch urge to snooze.

    Reply
  3. anonymous-guest says

    November 17, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    IKEA now has a hand-crank sit-stand desk. Not many reviews available on the internet, though!
    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49084965/

    Reply
    • Corinne McKay says

      November 19, 2015 at 6:37 pm

      Interesting!!

      Reply
  4. RT says

    November 29, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    I switched to a standing desk in April and have seen a definite increase in stamina, but something else I never expected… a significant increase in productivity. When I’m standing in front of my screen I find that its much easier to remain focused and on task.

    Reply
    • Victoria Chavez (@VCKTranslation) says

      December 24, 2015 at 3:50 pm

      Same here! I’m less likely to browse Facebook or get off task when I’m standing. I’m also much more mobile. If I’m trying to solve a problem, I’ll pace a little or do some stretches, and it’s less disruptive to my train of thought.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to the Training for Translators mailing list!

Learn from our blog:

  • Being a freelancer and being a parent: postcards from the other side
  • OT: A week in Sayulita, Mexico
  • February master class: Editing and proofreading, with Karen Tkaczyk
  • 2022: the year in review!
  • A test of Cymo Booth as an interpreting back-channel
  • The books I read this year
  • How to prepare for and pass an interpreting exam: master class on Tuesday!
  • Freelance tasks to do before January 1

The original career how-to guide for freelance translators. Over 12,000 copies sold!

Search the Training for Translators blog

Copyright © 2023 · Training For Translators · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. To view this website's privacy policy, click About>Privacy Policy. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT