It’s no secret that adjustable desks have taken the world by storm.
Thanks to their growth in popularity, there is a wealth of different options available, and the large choice and different types can be overwhelming. To help with this, we have put together the ultimate standing guest guide on everything related to standing desks.
This guide includes what to look out for when purchasing standing desks, how to correctly use standing desks, hacks, and will be answering all your questions and covering everything you need to know about standing desks.
When looking to purchase a standing desk, there are a few things that we recommend that you keep in mind.
Standing desks come as adjustable or fixed. We would personally recommend buying an adjustable one as they allow you to alternate between sitting and standing throughout your workday.
Contrary to popular belief, standing all day isn’t good for you either. It’s much better to alternate between sitting and standing, which is why an adjustable standing desk is a better option.
Standing desks come with the option of being either electric or manual. Electric desks are slightly more expensive but are more user friendly and convenient than manual ones.
Electric standing desks have built-in memory settings that allow you to adjust the height of your desk with the touch of a button. It remembers the correct height you need it to be. In a few seconds, your desk will be at the perfect height.
Manual desks have to be adjusted with a crank and take some time and labour to do so, which requires a lot more effort.
There’s also the option of purchasing only a workstation converter instead of a whole standing desk. Converters are considerably cheaper than full-blown standing desks, making them attractive options for people looking to try things out.
A workstation converter is placed on your normal desk. It turns your regular office desk into a standing desk by adding to its height.
The nice thing about a workstation converter is that it’s also portable, so you can use it wherever you are.
We think that standing desk converters are worth paying for, especially if you’re on a budget or if you’re looking for something portable.
Maximum desk height is an important aspect to consider, especially if you’re tall.
You need to make sure the desk is high enough for you to stand straight without having to slouch down to work, which will lead to back pain.
You need to ensure that the desk can hold all of your equipment. Most standing desks can hold anywhere from 15 to 150 kgs.
We recommend you estimate how much all your things will weigh (adding a few kilos just to be safe) and make sure your desk will be able to hold that weight.
Some standing desks are easy to assemble and can be done in a matter of minutes, whereas others require tools and a lot more time.
Most desks will come with assembly instructions, so you can see for yourself if you’ll be able to put it together.
Desk stability is an important factor to consider. If you’re going to be typing away or spending a lot of time writing on the desk, it’s important to make sure that nothing is going to roll off and crash into your floor.
Desk converters are usually not particularly stable, which is important to keep in mind.
It is likely that when you’re searching for a standing desk that you have a budget in mind. This is especially true when you consider that standing desks are so expensive.
Since standing desks are usually a bit more pricey, people tend to keep a lookout for cheap standing desks in the hopes that they’ll get a good deal.
Always remember, you get what you pay for. If you’re buying a cheaper product, odds are the manufacturer cut corners during the building process.
We recommend making a list of all the important qualities you want in a standing desk and find one that ticks those boxes.
You must tailor your desk to your height needs. To make sure you’re at the correct height, it should allow you to stand without hunching over.
The desk should also be at the same height as your elbows so that they form a 90-degree angle. This allows for your hands and wrists to be level with the rest of your arms which reduces the strain on them.
Your desk height might need to be adjusted based on your shoes. For this reason, try to wear the same, or similarly sized shoes, every day. Alternatively, you’ll need to invest in an adjustable standing desk so you can accommodate your change in height.
The monitor should be placed in a position so that when you are looking straight forward your chin is perpendicular with your neck and your eyes are in line with the top third of your monitor’s screen.
Your keyboard and mouse should be positioned so that your elbows can maintain an angle of 90 degrees or larger.
This will help prevent the possibility of overuse and strain on your wrists and fingers, which can result in repetitive strain injuries.
When standing, you want to maintain an S-shaped curve in your spine.
To do this, keep your shoulders pulled back, your core slightly contracted and a slight bend in both knees.
You also shouldn’t stand completely still the entire time. Shift your weight from foot to foot now and again to make sure your blood is flowing.
It’s not recommended to spend your entire day standing. Make a standing and sitting schedule to remind yourself to alternate between the two.
While there’s not a set ratio of sitting and standing that you should follow, some research has suggested that for every 1 to 2 hours that spend sitting, you should stand for one hour.
However, if you are new to a standing desk, we recommend that you ease into it in smaller intervals until you can build up to an hour of standing so that you can adjust to your new standing desk.
The following standing desk hacks will make using a standing desk easier, more enjoyable and likely increase your productivity at work.
Anti-fatigue mats are a game-changer when it comes to standing desks, and one of the top hacks we have to offer.
These mats cushion your feet and encourage movement in the lower leg muscles as you stand.
Not only do they help to strengthen your core and calves, but they also place less strain on your footbridges, ankles, knees and hips.
They make the experience of a standing desk a lot more pleasurable and comfortable.
As we mentioned, it is not great to stand the entire time, and we recommend creating a sitting and standing schedule.
To make sure you stick to this schedule and don’t get too caught up and distracted by work, we recommend setting reminders on your phone to alternate between the two.
If you have an electric standing desk, it will most probably have height memory settings.
A tip is to make use of these settings, as this will help you switch between sitting and the correct standing height in a few seconds.
As we mentioned earlier, stability is an important factor when looking for a standing desk. Unfortunately, some standing desks are lacking in this department.
This comes largely down to the desk’s structure, and knowing the details of how standing desks are made will help you pick out the right one for you.
A tip that we have is to look for a desk that has been built with a sturdy and solid base. This will provide stability and prevent wobbling from occurring.
Desks made with a thicker top, feet, and have cross support also tend to be more stable.
If you have ensured the above, and your desk is still wobbling, make sure that the surface that it's on is flat or put a wedge under the foot that is causing the wobble.
Using a lacrosse ball to roll the soles of your feet on will help to release and relax the tissues in your feet that get tight after standing for a long time.
When these tissues get too tight, it can cause muscle pains, which will make you not want to use your standing desk anymore. This eliminates all of the benefits that you could be getting from your new piece of furniture.
One of our greatest hacks is to make sure the shoes you wear are comfortable and of a similar height.
If you use high heels one day, and sandals the next, this will affect the height that your desk needs to be. This will cause you to waste time trying to find the correct height every day.
Comfortable shoes are also important as they will prevent foot pain and make your experience with a standing desk much more comfortable, and make your work more productive.
There’s an ongoing debate regarding the use of a kneeling chair vs standing desk, and which is better.
Both of them have benefits and are actually best when used in unison. We recommend using an adjustable standing desk, and for the periods when you are sitting, using a kneeling chair.
That way, you get the benefits of both, and the ergonomic benefits are not lost when sitting.
Some of the benefits provided by standing desks are that they promote calorie burning, which lowers the chance of obesity, they improve overall mood, energy levels, and productivity.
They can also decrease back and shoulder pain, prevent heart disease, and may possibly lower blood sugar.
Standing desks are definitely worth the cost. They have so many benefits that you’d be a fool to pass up on.
A lot of people also wonder if standing desks are tax-deductible, and if you buy them for business, the answer is yes.
Which makes them even more worthwhile.
Most standing desks are built with high-quality materials, provided that you don’t go for one that is too cheap.
How long a standing desk lasts depends on the quality of the build, but also on how well you take care of it.
As you can see, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration before, and after, purchasing a standing desk.
You should spend some time researching the factors that are important to you before purchasing one and taking time to set up the desk correctly once it’s arrived at your home or office.
Doing this, and following our tips and tricks, will help you to get maximum benefits out of your standing desk.
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