Is a Sit-Stand Desk Right for You? 4 Things To Consider

We get so used to seeing our office furniture that it’s hard to imagine our home offices without it. Sometimes, though, changes have to be made. New office pieces can support long days and early mornings better than the current round-up. Today, we’re here to discuss the benefits of sit-stand desks.

Regardless of which type of desk you decide to go with, office ergonomics should be a key factor when you make your decision. Proper ergonomics in the workplace leads to better focus, increased productivity, and fewer work-related health issues such as back pain.

Read on for the advantages of using a sit-stand desk and the features to know about before adding one to your home or work office.

Sit-stand desks, also known as standing desks or height-adjustable desks, have become a new workplace staple in recent years due to their many health benefits. But make no mistake; they’re much more than the latest consumer health trend.

Standing more often can help lower the risk of heart disease, obesity, and back and neck pain. A sedentary lifestyle or sitting for long periods can increase the likelihood of such health problems.

A sit-stand desk allows you to raise your computer screen high enough to work and stand at the same time. This is a great way to stay on your feet and add more physical activity to the workday.

Let’s take a deeper look at the many health benefits standing desks have to offer:

1. Increase in Energy and Productivity

Employees who stand more often throughout the workday increase blood flow and oxygenation, which can help improve energy levels and productivity. Switching things up and alternating between sitting and standing can help prevent brain fatigue and improve focus.

Studies have shown that office workers who use standing desks are 45% more productive on a daily basis than those who sit during their shifts. Hopefully, standing desks can give a boost to employee health and your company's bottom line too!

2. Improve Posture and Office Ergonomics

As we get older, we have a better understanding of how important good posture is. Aches and pains can be a huge distraction throughout the workday.

Staying in the same position for too long is usually when bad habits such as slouching tend to creep in. Long periods of sitting time can tighten your muscles and lower back pain or lead to musculoskeletal issues. Utilizing a sit-stand desk makes it easier to adjust the desk's height to a comfortable position for sitting or standing. Standing for an eight-hour workday is certainly not in the cards for everyone — an adjustable desk lets you alternate between sitting and standing.

3. Spend Less Time Sitting During the Workday

Any form of extended sitting can harm the body, including time behind the wheel, in front of a screen, or at a desk job.

Several studies warn people that sitting for long stretches can contribute to health risks. These could possibly include obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Adding a sit-stand desk to the office can help reduce a sedentary lifestyle by allowing employees to get up and stretch throughout the day.

Standing more often has been linked to lower blood sugar levels, and even something as simple as shifting your weight back and forth can help burn more calories and promote weight loss.  

4. Improve Mental Health and Overall Well-Being

The health benefits of standing desks are not limited to the physical body. Using a stand-up desk can have a positive impact on energy levels and mental health too.

One study conducted among employees with sedentary jobs found that participants showed less stress and fatigue than those who remained seated throughout the workday. The majority of standing desk users reported increased vigor and energy throughout the day.

These findings align with broader research on sitting and mental health that linked long periods of sitting with an increased risk of depression and anxiety.

Learning that health experts consider “sitting as the new smoking” makes it an obvious choice to get moving more often. However, it’s not easy (or recommended) to make a major shift overnight. Standing all day wouldn’t really be good for your health either.

The Mayo Clinic recommends that you begin by taking breaks more often. It’s a good idea to set a timer on your phone and remind yourself to get up and stretch or walk around every so often. When you first start using a sit-stand desk, begin by standing for 30 minutes at a time throughout the day. Then you can add an hour or two of standing time as you feel comfortable.

If you decide to start using a sit-stand desk, think about all the options and thoughtfully evaluate how it will be used. Standing desks are not a one-size-fits-all solution; think about your individual needs and preferences when determining which desk is right for you.

Desk Height

To get the full benefit of a sit-stand desk, you’ll need to know what desk height is best for you. If you’ll be sharing a standing desk with other employees, finding a desk with a wide range is best.

To find the best height range, rest your arms at your sides and bend your elbows so that your forearms are parallel to the ground. Measure the height from the bottom of your elbow to the floor. That measurement is the height you’ll need an adjustable desk to be at when standing.

Our Standing Desk is the perfect option for shared users with an extended lift range of 25” to 52”, which can accommodate someone as tall as 6’8”. You can also find and save the perfect height with the centimeter-level adjustment.

Desk Depth

Different styles of standing desks come in a variety of depths depending on the intended use. The standard depth size is 30”, which allows enough room for your devices, accessories, and office supplies.

If you only need room for writing or a small laptop, you can work with a smaller footprint. Most users need a desk in the 26” to 34” deep range.

Ease of Use

There are several ways to raise or lower desks, but if the mechanism is loud or intrusive, you’re less likely to use it very often. Electric or pneumatic lifts tend to be the most quiet and easy to use.

Obviously, if you choose a height-adjustable desk that requires power, you’ll need an outlet nearby. That probably sounds like a no-brainer, but it can easily get overlooked with so many decisions being made. Bring your power source closer to your desk with accessories like Freestanding Power Strips or integrate electricity to your workstation with In-Desk Power.

Efficiency and Functionality

We all want a home office desk that fits in with our design aesthetic, but more importantly, you need to consider if the desk can accommodate your work needs. Think about your work environment and whether you’re going to need privacy screens, specific lighting, or tool rails.

Some standing desks powered electronically can be programmed for different settings, making it even easier to use the proper office ergonomics every time. Set an alarm on your phone for when it comes time to change up your posture.

Leg and Foot Fatigue

If you’re prone to aches and pains after long periods of being on your feet, slowly ease into more standing during the workday.

You may need to start wearing more supportive shoes or add a footrest under the desk to support one foot while standing. Sometimes a simple stretch on each foot is all you need to stay comfortable longer.

You can also invest in a high-quality anti-fatigue mat to provide more comfort while standing and working. Anti-fatigue books have been reported to decrease discomfort after standing for four hours.  

To really reap the benefits of a standing desk, maintain the ideal posture. When sitting at your desk, your knees, pelvis, and elbows should all be at a 90-degree angle. There’s a little more flexibility while standing, but the top of the monitor should be at eye level. Most users prefer the sit-stand desk to be slightly lower than elbow height when standing.

As you work, game, or relax at your desk, whether you’re sitting or standing (or a combination of both), check in with your posture throughout the day. Whether it’s time to rise to the occasion or sit back and relax, you need a top-quality desk that can support you.

Sources:

Sedentary Time and Its Association With Risk for Disease Incidence, Mortality, and Hospitalization in Adults | ACP Journals 

Reducing occupational sitting time and improving worker health: the Take-a-Stand Project, 2011 | National Library of Medicine 

Prospective study of sedentary behavior, risk of depression, and cognitive impairment | National Library of Medicine 

Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting? | Mayo Clinic 

The Benefits of Using a Standing Desk | US News Health

Are Standing Desks Better for You? | Cleveland Clinic

The dangers of sitting: why sitting is the new smoking | Better Health Channel

Call Center Productivity Over 6 Months Following a Standing Desk Intervention | ResearchGate

The Effect of Replacing Sitting With Standing on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis | PMC

Gait Characteristics and Fatigue Profiles When Standing on Surfaces with Different Hardness: Gait Analysis and Machine Learning Algorithms | PMC