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ALL EDUCATION HOW-TO INSPIRATION WELLNESS

Are Standing Desks Ergonomic?

Balancing posture, productivity, and health
December 20, 2022 6 min read

Standing desks are widely recognized as an ergonomic alternative to traditional workstations. Many companies claim to offer ergonomic sit stand desks, however without the right instructions, these products can easily be misused.

Standing desks make it easier for the body to naturally align itself in a comfortable, anatomically correct position. However, there are many ways in which using one of these desks incorrectly can cause stress on the body. Conversely, there are a few ways in which you can optimize your standing desk to make it as ergonomic as possible.

Are you looking for a way to make your workspace more ergonomic? A sit stand desk may be the solution you're looking for. Our team at EffyDesk aims to help our customers get the most out of our products by providing user-friendly tips that increase ergonomic potential. Continue reading to learn whether or not your standing desk is ergonomic.

Desk height considerations

When setting up your sit stand desk, the most important adjustment that you will need to make is finding the right height for your body type. Many standing desk users make the mistake of raising the surface too high, thus causing discomfort on the wrists or forearms. Additionally, if you use a computer monitor or laptop throughout the day, you may develop pains in your neck from constantly tilting your head up towards the screen.

If your tabletop is too low, this may defeat the ergonomic purpose of a standing desk by causing the user to roll their shoulders forward and hunch over the table. For a standing desk to be truly ergonomic, it is the user’s responsibility to pre-program an appropriate height. As a rule of thumb, we recommend tinkering with the height until your upper and lower arms sit at a 90° angle and your gaze falls directly in front of you.

Ergonomic accessories

Although standing desks on their own can be incredibly ergonomic when used correctly, pairing your desk with compatible accessories can make it even more effective. For example, a standing mat helps fight fatigue and takes some of the pressure from hard floors off of your feet, making your standing experience far more comfortable. Similarly, an ergonomic footrest will bring superior comfort in the moments when you decide to lower your desk to a seated position.

A monitor mount is a great way to ensure your neck is aligned correctly so that you do not develop any strains from overextension. For those who are interested in incorporating more exercise into their days, a walking pad is another great accessory, which enables the user to torch calories with minimal effort.

At EffyDesk, we offer a variety of top-rated accessories that are compatible with our standing desks. We are happy to explain the unique features of each of these products so that you can get exactly the ergonomic benefits you are looking for.

Increases blood flow

Many professionals opt for an ergonomic sit stand desk not only for comfort, but also to help improve their physical fitness. While standing, blood circulates throughout the body constantly, burning more calories than while seated and supporting fat loss. While standing, it is much more likely for the user to move around and periodically adjust their body than they would in an office chair. These health benefits help increase efficiency throughout your workday by keeping your energy levels elevated, thus keeping you more alert than you would be while seated. This increase in blood flow also helps prevent stiffness after long work days. As a result, workers typically have better mood states and more mental clarity.

In the long term, physical health prevents serious medical problems such as disease and chronic pain that are often associated with extended periods of sitting. Optimizing your health in this way facilitates an excellent work life balance that will keep you on track and in a positive headspace.

Posture

One of the most immediate and noticeable benefits of a sit stand desk is posture improvement. Standing upright and directing your gaze directly ahead of you as is the case with a computer screen, forces you to stand tall. Research has shown that sitting down for hours every day can cause extreme pain and skeletal issues due to poor posture. Standing desks solve this problem, making good posture feel comfortable and sustainable. This helps protect the natural curvature of the spine, prevent the shoulders from rolling forward, and stops the neck from overextending. As previously mentioned however, posture benefits from standing desks depend on the height of the table top in relation to the user's body. Your desk should be positioned in such a way that you are forced to maintain a tall stance.

Exercise breaks

A unique feature of standing desks is that they allow for quick work breaks that involve movement such as resistance exercises or simple stretches. Standing desk owners can find countless exercise routines online that are desk-friendly and contribute to a better headspace at work. When the body is up and moving, it is much easier to find the motivation to take a five minute workout break. From desk push-ups to leg lifts, there is no limit to the healthy activities that can be done right in your office. Exercising helps the mind stay focused and keeps endorphin levels high throughout the day.

Although this is not a built-in feature of the product itself, it is no secret that standing desk users are the most likely to carve out time in their day for a few mood-boosting movements. This is a great addition to your routine that will help make your standing desk as ergonomic as possible. For desk workout inspiration, click here to view an article that we wrote on the subject.

So – are standing desks ergonomic? The short answer is yes. However, as we have discussed, there are a few ways that you can supercharge the ergonomic power of your office furniture. Contact us today to learn more about our standing desks and accessories.

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