Standing desks or standing workstations have become ever more popular over the past few years. However, many people have questions about them like, whether they are right for them, how they work in an office setting and if they are a hassle to contend with. We are here to answer all your questions!
How Do I Know if a Standing Desk is Right for Me?
Standing workstations are not right for everyone, but can be great for many people. They give you the option to stand part of the time while you work giving you the ability to change position, add more movement and change the stress on certain points of your body. Standing desks are adjustable and are not meant to be in a standing position all the time, but are meant to be used to alternate between sitting and standing while you work. If you have joint, circulation, balance or dizziness issues, along with certain other medical conditions, a standing desk may not be right for you. Check with your doctor before making the investment.
How Do I Adjust My Standing Desk?
Several factors go into how successful you will be with your standing desk. First is mentioned above; whether your health and/or balance allows for it. Then come several checkpoints to make sure everything is lined up correctly. We go over these in more detail in our Standing Desk Handout, which is part of our Ergonomics Training Portal! When adjusting your standing workstation, you should be aware of your desk height and monitor height, in that order.
Tips to Safely and Successfully Use a Standing Desk:
- Wear Supportive Shoes
- Don’t Force Yourself to Stand
- Don’t Lean Only to One Side
- Don’t Lock Your Knees
- Watch the Amount of Time You Stand
Are There Alternatives to Purchasing a Standing Desk?
Yes, you can opt for a separate workstation that allows you to stand at a fixed countertop or table. However, you want to be sure the table you choose is ergonomically compatible to your needs. If you are purchasing a piece of furniture specifically for this purpose, you may want to consult with an expert to ensure you get the appropriate height for your needs. This is a good option to change position and an excellent choice for a business lobby or common area. The separate workstation option should only be used for short time periods as usually they serve multiple people and are not customized to your specific needs.
It is important in all cases to check the fit of your workstation and listen to your body. When you start getting uncomfortable, it’s time to sit down.
Standing desks are popular for a reason. Most Americans sit for an average of six hours a day at work (though you’re probably thinking you definitely sit longer than that) and it’s not great for our health. Standing can help with circulation, posture and have many other positive effects on how you feel every day. If you have questions about implementing standing desks at your office or are in need of an ergonomic evaluation for your team, contact us today.
Using Ergonomics as Part of Your Workplace Wellness Initiative
I like how you talked about not locking your knees when standing for a long period of time. One time, a girl in my chemistry lab fainted because she had been locking her knees for the 3 hours we were to be there. I feel like proper safety is important to consider when using such ergonomic equipment as a standing desk.