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Benefits of Height-Adjustable Desks: Does Standing Really Burn Calories?

calories burned standing desk

We’re here to have a look at the calories burned from an  adjustable height desk. But do standing desks really burn more calories than sitting at your desk, and how much more?

We’re aware that prolonged sitting poses numerous health risks, as the human body is designed to be active and mobile. It increases the risks of chronic diseases, and it promotes poor circulation and obesity. 

The purpose of the standing desk is to promote more activity and increase productivity and reduce feelings of lethargy. It’s also meant to combat the threat of obesity.

Let’s have a look at how standing desks can help you burn more calories.

Do Standing Desks Burn Calories?

The simple answer is yes. 

You’ll burn calories when standing due to the fact that when we move we burn calories. When sitting or lying down you’ll still burn calories, though it will be fewer.  This is due to your metabolism and the energy your body uses naturally for basic functions like breathing.

When standing, you activate muscle groups in various parts of your body. These muscles cause you to burn calories.

When you stand your body moves more. The accumulation of small steps, stretches, and tapping adds to how much energy you’ve used which translates to the number of calories burned.

Having a standing desk has numerous benefits. From increasing your productivity to being incredibly beneficial to your health, including improved posture.

How Many Calories Do I Burn Standing at My Desk?

When standing you can burn on average 134 calories every hour. This is dependent on several factors, including your weight, sex, and height. 

standing desk calories

 

Standing for eight hours a day will roughly have you burning just over 1000 calories.

However, it is neither healthy nor practical to stand for eight hours a day.

Prolonged standing might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as heel pain

That’s because standing too long can result in bodily fluid like blood accumulating in the legs, increased pressure in the veins, and increased oxidative stress. These could cause complications, including swollen ankles

The calories burned from the standing desk won’t help you lose significant amounts of weight, but they will aid in your weight loss journey and help prevent you from gaining weight.

Your leg muscles and ankles will be stronger and blood circulation will be much better, contributing to improved heart health. All this contributes to a successful weight-loss journey.

How Long Should You Stand At A Standing Desk?

The ideal ratio between standing and sitting at your desk should be standing for an hour, sitting for two hours. You could alternatively change this ratio to sitting for an hour and standing for 30 minutes. 

It’s important to remember that balance is key to getting the most out of the standing desk.

Benefits of A Standing Desk

Besides burning calories, standing desks improve your mood and overall energy and productivity. It will aid in reducing back, shoulder, and neck pain and stiffness.

These desks promote movement, which is essential if you want to reduce stress and increase your creativity.

standing desk burn calories

Calories Burned From Standing Desk FAQs

Does Standing Slim Your Legs?

Standing desks help to strengthen your leg muscles and burn extra calories. They also improve your overall balance. Standing alone will not slim your legs, but it will aid in improved blood circulation and preventing varicose veins.

Your legs and glutes are negatively affected by sitting for prolonged periods. They weaken and can affect your balance. The best way to improve your muscles is to regularly keep them activated by standing or walking.

Standing and walking contribute to more toned and stronger muscles.

Does Standing Count As Exercise?

Standing does not count as exercise.

Even though standing burns more calories than sitting, it does not replace exercise, such as walking and running.

It will, however, help keep your body muscles activated, which will contribute to more effective exercises. It also will help keep you from gaining additional weight.

Standing desks help to improve the performance of your muscles, by keeping them active. It also improves hip stiffness and pain. Have a look at standing desk hip pain.

Are Standing Desks Good For Posture?

Standing desks help improve posture which therefore reduces back, neck, and shoulder pain and stiffness. It prevents you from hunching over your desk, allowing your back muscles to stretch and expand comfortably.

To maximize the benefits of your posture, make sure to adjust the desk to your correct height. The height of the desk should be slightly below your elbow, at about a 90-degree angle, and just on your hip.

The top of the screen should be in line with your eyes. You shouldn’t have to tilt your neck upwards or down.

Are standing desks better for productivity?

Standing desks increase your productivity by creating a more stimulating work experience. 

Recent studies have concluded that standing desks increase productivity by 46%, compared to those that sit at traditional desks. Workers who are less sedentary are shown to produce better quality work, and are overall in better health, both mentally and physically.

Make sure to adjust the height of your desk correctly. An ill-adjusted desk can cause  standing desk wrist pain, as well as other discomforts.

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