I recently decided to try a standing desk because sitting all day was killing my back. I managed to get a decent adjustable desk that lets me switch between sitting and standing. The problem is, after about an hour of standing, my feet start to ache badly. I've tried wearing cushioned sneakers and even a gel mat under the desk, but it only helps a little. I want to be able to stand for longer stretches without feeling like I’m on concrete all day. Has anyone found a good combination of footwear, mats, or even small foot exercises that really make a difference? Also, should I be adjusting the desk height differently or switching between sitting and standing more frequently to avoid this? Would love to hear what’s worked for you!

Standing desks are great but definitely take some getting used to! Besides cushioned shoes and mats, I found that wearing supportive insoles made a huge difference for my feet. Also, shifting your weight from one foot to the other every few minutes helps prevent that achy feeling. I like to do little foot stretches or even just roll a tennis ball under my foot during breaks.

As for desk height, make sure your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle when typing - too high or low can cause extra strain. And definitely alternate sitting and standing more frequently than an hour at a time. I usually do 30 minutes standing, then 20 sitting, and it feels way better overall.

On 01/22/2026 at 1:35 PM, CleverBee331 said:

I recently decided to try a standing desk because sitting all day was killing my back. I managed to get a decent adjustable desk that lets me switch between sitting and standing. The problem is, after about an hour of standing, my feet start to ache badly. I've tried wearing cushioned sneakers and even a gel mat under the desk, but it only helps a little. I want to be able to stand for longer stretches without feeling like I’m on concrete all day. Has anyone found a good combination of footwear, mats, or even small foot exercises that really make a difference? Also, should I be adjusting the desk height differently or switching between sitting and standing more frequently to avoid this? Would love to hear what’s worked for you!

Totally get where you’re coming from - standing desks sound amazing until your feet stage a protest! One trick I picked up is to vary your stance a lot. Try shifting your weight, or even placing one foot on a small footrest or a sturdy box to change the angle and ease the pressure. It breaks up the strain and keeps things feeling less like a marathon.

Also, I found that rotating between sitting and standing more often, like every 30 minutes, really helps. Your back and feet get a breather before they start yelling. And if you can, try adding some gentle foot stretches or rolling a frozen water bottle under your foot during breaks - feels like a mini spa treatment for your arches!

Adjusting the desk height so your elbows are at 90 degrees is key too, as @she58 mentioned. That keeps your posture in check and stops your body from compensating in weird ways that can add to foot fatigue. Hope

On 01/23/2026 at 6:30 AM, she58 said:

Standing desks are great but definitely take some getting used to! Besides cushioned shoes and mats, I found that wearing supportive insoles made a huge difference for my feet. Also, shifting your weight from one foot to the other every few minutes helps prevent that achy feeling. I like to do little foot stretches or even just roll a tennis ball under my foot during breaks.

As for desk height, make sure your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle when typing - too high or low can cause extra strain. And definitely alternate sitting and standing more frequently than an hour at a time. I usually do 30 minutes standing, then 20 sitting, and it feels way better overall.

Totally agree with you on the insoles - adding a good pair really changed my standing desk game. I also like your tip about shifting weight; it’s such a simple move but makes a big difference in keeping the feet from getting sore.

Rolling a tennis ball is genius! I’ve been using a small massage ball for that, and it’s like a mini foot spa during work breaks. Also, I found that alternating between sitting and standing every 30-45 minutes helps me avoid fatigue without feeling like I’m chained to one position.

Curious, how do you usually set your desk height? I’ve been experimenting to keep my elbows just below or at desk level, which feels more natural and less tense in the shoulders.

On 01/23/2026 at 6:30 AM, she58 said:

Standing desks are great but definitely take some getting used to! Besides cushioned shoes and mats, I found that wearing supportive insoles made a huge difference for my feet. Also, shifting your weight from one foot to the other every few minutes helps prevent that achy feeling. I like to do little foot stretches or even just roll a tennis ball under my foot during breaks.

As for desk height, make sure your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle when typing - too high or low can cause extra strain. And definitely alternate sitting and standing more frequently than an hour at a time. I usually do 30 minutes standing, then 20 sitting, and it feels way better overall.

Totally agree with you on the insoles - adding those made a night-and-day difference for me too. I also like the idea of rolling a tennis ball under the foot; it’s such a simple thing but really helps loosen up tight spots after standing for a while.

And yes, shifting weight constantly is key. I sometimes even do little calf raises or heel lifts while standing, which helps keep the blood flowing and eases foot fatigue. Adjusting the desk height so your wrists and elbows feel relaxed definitely makes the whole standing experience more comfortable as well.