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Today we’re going to give you the ultimate guide to the height adjustable standing desk. It’s no wonder that home offices and workplace offices are replacing regular desks with a standing desk. The pandemic created a shift in human behavior and more focus on work-life balance but also for a healthier workspace.
First we’ll explore why more and more people are opting for a standing desk, the biggest benefits of standing desks, different types, and how to optimize your workspace so you can choose the best standing desk for you!
What is a Standing Desk?
Simply put, a standing desk will allow you to switch from sitting to standing and back again when you feel like it throughout the day. A height adjustable desk is designed to fit most people’s size, both sitting and standing. However, if you are tall, in my husband’s experience that’s 6’+, you’re going to need to really pay attention to the maximum height adjustment range, especially in standing positions so you can stand tall. As you’ll see as this guide continues, there are tons of researched medical benefits to improved workspace ergonomics and effects on your overall health.
As we wrote about in Office Chair Butt: What is office chair butt and what are the remedies?, the health benefits from being able to alternate between sitting and standing to combat prolonged sitting are immense, such as back pain, blood circulation, and even help reduce the risk of some chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease – every little bit helps, right? Being able to be in standing positions while working can help your posture and increase energy so you can be more alert and productive.
You can even boost those benefits with accessories like walking treadmills, balance board mats, and other mats for anti-fatigue and stretching.
The Rise of Standing Desks: A Modern Workplace Revolution
As we were researching the history of standing desks, we found that Leonardo da Vinci, Ernest Hemingway, and Benjamin Franklin famously worked while standing.
So why has the standing desk just recently taken off? Western economies have been becoming much more services oriented with traditional manufacturing going aboard, mainly to Asia. The explosion of the office job has put a spotlight onto the health risks of sedentary lives. In an effort to improve employee satisfaction and health, many employers adopted standing desks for their in office setup.
A study done in 2019 by the Society for Human Resource Management found that “60 percent of respondents said they provide or subsidize the cost of switching from a sitting desk to a standing desk”. I have to admit that that’s a pretty impressive statistic, considering they were practically unheard of in most offices just a decade ago.
5 Benefits of Using the a Standing Desk
Now that we’ve set the stage, below are 7 reasons you’re on the right track in your search for a standing desk:
- Weight loss: it might sound a bit ridiculous that a standing desk could help you lose weight, but obesity expert Dr. James Levine from they Mayo Clinic says that “switching from sitting to standing at work is a bit like stepping off the curb. It’s a subtle but powerful movement”. His research suggests that using a standing desk can help burn an extra 50 more calories per hour, which could add up to over 30,000 more calories burned over the course of a year. Every little bit adds up! The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published a study in 2017 that found similar results when standing for about six hours a day instead of sitting.
- Back pain: is an ailment that is my friends are continually complaining about, and we’re only in our mid-30’s! Dr. Kaplan, a spine specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery, notes, “Standing desks can help improve posture and reduce the strain on the lower back that often occurs with prolonged sitting.” We have definitely noticed a change for the better in our posture ever since we bought our standing desk.
- Energy and productivity: we’ve all felt the mid-afternoon (~2:30 for me) slump. Texas A&M University published a study in 2016 that found that employees using sit to stand desks were 46% more productive than those with traditional competing desks. That is because when you work standing you’re getting the blood flowing and forcing your body to move and muscles to be engaged. To hammer that point home, Dr. Torbati, a vascular surgeon, explains, “Standing promotes better circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots, especially in the legs.”
- Mood: I don’t know about you, but I am always in a better mood after doing some exercise. While standing isn’t rigorous activity, it does have effects on your body that are synonymous to light exercise. A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that workers who used standing desks reported less stress and fatigue than those who remained seated all day. Plus, nearly 90% of those using standing desks reported increased vigor and energy throughout the day.
- Boost Brain Power: all of the above points to better brain power, and therefore, efficiency. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a study in 2017 finding that students who used standing desks had up to 14% greater engagement in class vs. their peers.
Types of Standing Desks: Finding Your Perfect Match
By now I hope you’ve gotten the point that alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day has significant benefits. Now we want to guide you into finding the best standing desks for your home office, whether you’re looking for a budget standing desk or more pricey electric sit stand desks.
The following are the main types of standing desks:
Fixed-Height Standing Desks:
These are the simplest type as they’re set at one height and don’t adjust, so they are the most budget standing desk of the group. Because of that, they generally come with cheaper, less durable materials and a limited height range.
Manual Adjustable Standing Desks:
As the name suggests, you’re doing the work with a hand crank but they do have a decent height adjustment range. We most often see this as an alternative for fixed in office desks since they simply sit right on top of the other desks. Depending on what kind of desktop space you need and if there is enough room, these can be a good option, but you’ll probably also get a good workout if you’re raising and lowing it a few times throughout the day.
Electric Standing Desks:
My husband has one at home and one in office and they are both very convenient. It’s as simple as pushing a button as these are easily adjusted electronically, and our home version has memory presets so you can find your optimal height, set it, and always know you’ll be able to be at that the perfect height for you. They do, however, take up a bit of room so you’ll want to measure your space to ensure you have plenty of space.
Converters and Desktop Risers:
If you’re not ready to take the plunge, or you’re just looking for an alternative for your current desk, these are a good starting point. They sit on top of your current desk and can be raised or lowered as needed. You’ll want to ensure you have enough space to fit this on top of your existing desk, especially if you have two monitors or more.
Treadmill Desks and other Specialized Options:
If you want to take your workplace well being to the next level, there are desks with attached treadmills and bikes out there. These aren’t ideal for video calls but are especially ideal if you are able to multitask and have the space for a secondary workstation. They take up some room, but if you’re working long hours, have the space, and want a way to exercise, these are a great option.
How to Choose the Right Height Adjustable Standing Desk: 5 Key Factors to Consider
If you’ve gotten this far you’re probably seriously considering a standing desk. Before you finalize your purchase let’s take it a bit further to help choose the right one for you.
- Height range: very important to consider, especially for you taller people. The average standing height is about 22.6″ to 48.7″ so consider how that will feel to get to your desired height so you can stand comfortably.
- Desktop Size & Weight Limit: think about what you’ll need to fit on this standing desk. Do you have two monitors or more? Most are rectangular standing desks so you can fit quite a bit, but most also take up a decent chunk of space, so ensure you have enough space. Also check the weight capacity.
- Ease of Use: do you want to manually or electronically change the height adjustments? Part of that answer will depend on how strong you are vs. the weight of everything you need it to fit. We have found that most prefer their desk to be easily adjusted electronically, but that’s a call for you to make, depending on what type you’re looking for from the previous section.
- Build Quality: for height adjustable desks, you probably want something quite sturdy and well made if you are likely going to be alternating between sitting and standing frequently throughout the day. This is where an electric models shine, especially if you need a specific desk height.
- Additional Features: some other features to look for are a spacious desktop, keyboard trays, build in cable management, USB ports (very helpful), wireless charging pads, etc.
Setting Up Your Standing Desk for Optimal Ergonomics
Now that you’ve bought your new standing desk (congrats), and done the quick assembly, let’s make sure you set it up to get the most out of it. Here are some tips for the best ergonomics for your standing desk:
- Monitor height: screens should generally be at eye level or higher so you aren’t looking down all day as that will promote a hunched posture that can lead to back issues over time. If solely work from a laptop, the best ergonomics suggest that you might need a separate keyboard and a laptop stand so you maintain perfectly straight wrists. You’ll want this type of setup for both sitting and standing
- Keyboard and mouse placement: experts say that your elbows should be at 90 degrees if possible, so you might need keyboard trays
- Anti-fatigue mat: from personal experience, these make a big difference, especially if you intend on fully utilizing the standing positions for much of your day. The cushioned mat is kind of like wearing running shoes, but you can also get some that let you modestly stretch your calves and ankles and some even have a foot roller to get a bit of tension out.
- Moving and stretching: ensure your weight is equal on both hips otherwise you might end up with a tilt over time. Shifting your weight and even doing some stretches promote even more well being movement.
Dr. Alan Hedge, a professor of ergonomics at Cornell University, recommends following the 20-8-2 rule: “Sit for 20 minutes, stand for 8, then move around for 2 minutes.” It’s a good goal, at least.
Transitioning to a Sit Stand Desk: Tips for Success
If you’re just about to start out with a standing desk, it won’t be in your everyday routine. It can take a little while to get there – that’s ok. My husband put in blocks of time at the same time everyday to remind him to stand.
Everyone is different, so start slow and with shorter standing periods. It’s fascinating but even after a few days you’ll start noticing a difference. If you have any pain or discomfort, take a break. You need to listen to your body. Remember, we’re trying to get into an everyday routine and it’s a long career, you’ll get to where you want to be.
Comfortable shoes or an anti-fatigue mat helps a lot and is better for you than standing on a hardwood floor with bear, or socked, feet.
Drink lots of water, which is a general health suggestion anyways, but needing to move for a short walk to the restroom is a recipe for a healthier workspace.
Standing Desk Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Height adjustable standing desks can be pricey, so you should try to keep it in good condition. To help with the longevity, it’s a good idea to do the following every few weeks:
- Clean: Dust and dirt can accumulate on the desk surface and legs, so make it a habit to clean your desk regularly. Use a soft cloth and mild cleaner (nothing too harsh)
- Lubricate moving parts: if you’re so inclined to prevent wear and tear. We haven’t in a couple of years, so you’re completely forgiven if you don’t, but it will help the longevity of your standing desk
- Height adjustment problems: if your desk isn’t adjusting to the right height, check the adjustment mechanism for any obstructions to make sure all components are properly aligned and functioning
- Unstable desk: if your desk feels wobbly, or not just right, check the legs and ensure they are securely attached since screws can loosen over time, especially with all the movement
- Motor issues: for electric sit stand desks, if the motor isn’t working, check the power source and connections, which may have to be unplugged and re plugged in, which has happened a few times for ours. This will often act as a reset to the electrical components
Conclusion: Stand Up
That was a lot of detail, and we hope it gave you the motivation to get and guide to searching for the best standing desk for you. We will be doing a review and have recommendations for the best standing desks available at various price points.
Speaking from personal experience, we are confident that you’ll start noticing a difference in your physiology, energy levels, and productivity almost immediately. That’s a good feeling for just swapping your regular desk for a standing desk, and actually using it. Remember to start slow and get into an everyday routine.
