As with the barefoot running craze a few years back, many are just trying any solution to this problem and jumping in, not thinking about what they are actually doing...they are buying standing desks, bike desks, treadmill desks, laying on the floor with their computer desks, and anything else they hear about on the web that does not have them stuck in a chair. Sitting all day is horrible, there is no doubt about that; but standing in a horrible position all day, or heel striking (and not to mention looking ridiculous) on a treadmill desk all day is no better. Just as with barefoot running, those early adopters had to take a minute...reflect and perfect what they were doing. They learned to run from experts like Brian Mckenzie, understood the form and technique involved, and gradually eased into using less and less of a heeled shoe.
Understand that standing, running, walking, sitting, and even laying are all SKILLS. We harp on our form and are meticulously in thinking about our positions every minute when we are inside the gym; so why do we not do the same outside of the gym? These skills overlap and articulate with one another. Your form on a deadlift is just as important as your form when you stand (also known as posture).
For those of you stuck to a desk all day, confined to a seated position in a military vehicle, cannot stand up in your classroom, or at work....IM SORRY. It sucks, but for you- learn how to recover from sitting. Life will put us in some shitty position, we have to learn how to recover from being in a bad position. Also, learn the skill of sitting, get up whenever you can, and have a strategy to recover after your brutal 3 hour calculus sitting session...after all, you take your recovery session seriously after a brutal workout. Do the same thing for sitting. Dont know how to do so? There are hundreds of free videos on mobilitywod.com that will help you out.
For those of you with the freedom to pick a different option: Learn the skill associated with the desk you choose. Think about your new position. Are you setting a new "standing in a neutral position PR" today? As Kelly Starrett says, "your next position, is your best position." That is how you should look at standing at your desk. If it gets tough and you start slacking, try a new position. Take a seat for 10 min, try doing the couch stretch as you work.
There are a lot of great resources out there now looking at this issue. I have wrote a few blog entries and FB posts on the subject. I recommend checking out the blog post HERE from Athletes' Potential and books like the upcoming Deskbound from Dr. Kelly Starrett and his numerous videos on the subject.
Here is an example of how I approach my sitting:
I am personally treated as a child at my college...my 6'3", 195lb body is stuck in a desk built for a 5 year old, 5 days a week and am unable to stand during class. I choose the following options:
-Sit in an optimal position
-Stand up briefly, as often as I can!
-After class, immediately open up my hips with either a quick couch stretch, squat stretch, etc.
-When I get to our afternoon strength and conditioning football session/or home, I throw a band on my hips and really open them up, and as I have my athletes warm up...I JOIN THEM!. Or, if it was a rough day, I will barbell smash.
-For homework: I have a tall desk where I rotate between sitting at the high bar stool I have (so I can sit if I need to, but my hip is still somewhat open), stand, and do the Captain Morgan (as you will see if you check out the athletes potential video above).
BTW...I just set a new shoulder position PR. My posture is an ongoing war, and I am winning the Battle of Winged Scapula
FAIL!!!!!
