I can vouch for Vibram FF, or even better, straight-barefoot. I was always told that I had "weak ankles" by doctors as a teenager and I was never able to run more than 3-4 miles regularly without developing extreme shin splints and knee pain that would leave me barely able to walk and require several weeks, if not months, of recovery.
In 2010 I started wearing Vibram Five Fingers exclusively. In 2011, I started wearing Huaraches [1] which are even more minimalist than Vibram FFs (and a lot more natural--when I'm not barefoot, I wear huaraches), then in 2012 I went straight barefoot.
In September of 2012, I ran 17 miles non-stop [2], barefoot (all types of surfaces, including rain). And note that I went from running on average 2-5 miles a day to deciding one day that I'd just keep running.
I had never experienced such freedom and I can now run what feels like any distance, as long as I'm running barefoot (my current goal is a marathon, then an ultramarathon).
As others have mentioned, it takes time to let your body adapt. I've been using a custom-built IKEA standing desk [3] for the past year. For the past few months, I stand 8-10 hours a day at this desk while working (barefoot, of course, on a hardwood floor). But, I also walk 2-5 miles every day (~10k steps).
If you want to start standing at a desk all day, start by walking a lot more so that your body learns what it's like to be on your feet for longer periods of time. Oh, and don't just stand at the desk for 8 hours. I take a break every 2-3 hours and go for a 10-15 minute walk to keep my muscles moving.
In 2010 I started wearing Vibram Five Fingers exclusively. In 2011, I started wearing Huaraches [1] which are even more minimalist than Vibram FFs (and a lot more natural--when I'm not barefoot, I wear huaraches), then in 2012 I went straight barefoot.
In September of 2012, I ran 17 miles non-stop [2], barefoot (all types of surfaces, including rain). And note that I went from running on average 2-5 miles a day to deciding one day that I'd just keep running.
I had never experienced such freedom and I can now run what feels like any distance, as long as I'm running barefoot (my current goal is a marathon, then an ultramarathon).
As others have mentioned, it takes time to let your body adapt. I've been using a custom-built IKEA standing desk [3] for the past year. For the past few months, I stand 8-10 hours a day at this desk while working (barefoot, of course, on a hardwood floor). But, I also walk 2-5 miles every day (~10k steps).
If you want to start standing at a desk all day, start by walking a lot more so that your body learns what it's like to be on your feet for longer periods of time. Oh, and don't just stand at the desk for 8 hours. I take a break every 2-3 hours and go for a 10-15 minute walk to keep my muscles moving.
[1]: http://shoestringfootwear.com
[2]: http://i.imgur.com/ec7mYgB.png
[3]: https://twitter.com/RaamDev/status/320593781240000514/photo/...