The Sam Vimes “Boots” theory of socioeconomic unfairness, often called simply the boots theory, is an economic theory that people in poverty have to buy cheap and subpar products that need to be replaced repeatedly, proving more expensive in the long run than more expensive items.
I need a treadmill under my desk as I can’t sit for more than a few minutes at a time but I have to work at least 8 hours a day.
Treadmills are very expensive, but I’ve so far spent the same amount on cheap Chinese garbage that breaks down on average after 1 year even with proper maintenance. Had I bought a proper one from the start, I would have had access to parts for self repair. The Chinese ones weld shit together making it impossible to change the front roller and motor belt.
Is it literally about sitting or more that you can’t be still? My dad has tried a bunch of walking treadmills etc while coding and nothing really worked well (hard to walk while you code, messed with his wrists) until he got this chair that basically just had pedals on it. Easier to cycle than to walk and his issues went away.
Also they’re very small!
In most cases, and what drove the trend, is that sitting 8 hours a day is terrible for you. The human body isn’t built for that and it has strong impacts, long term, on metabolism, heart health, and many things that follow on from that.
It’s both, unfortunately. I have to keep switching it up, but also not apply too much pressure on my spine for too long. Walking feels the best, but I can’t do that for too long either.
But I managed to make the walking work. I just had to set a timer to get up and walk after 6 minutes of sitting, walk slowly for 10, and finish with a 3 minute walk at my natural walking pace, then back to sitting.
To be able to quickly switch, I got a wide desk so I can place a chair next to my treadmill, I use 1 screen at each location and mirror the displays. At the treadmill I placed a smaller desk on top of my desk, so that I get a proper 90 degree angle on my elbows, and use a trackball mouse since it is more stable.
I quickly got used to it, and especially programming worked well for me. Drawing and gaming is more difficult, though.
Because I switch so often, whenever I do sit, it is painless. If I ignore the timer, however, my feet go numb, and my back starts to hurt, followed by sciatica the next day.