Why spend hours hunkered down at your office desk when you can stand and comfortably work on a standing desk? It is rightly said that “Sitting is the new smoking”. If you are sitting down too long for approximately 8-9 hours a day, it means you are increasing your risk of chronic diseases by 10% to 20%. On the other hand, standing desks (also called sit-stand desks) are intended to raise your computer high enough for you to work and stand simultaneously. Doing this offers some excellent benefits like improving your posture, reducing the risk for heart disease, obesity, neck pain, back pain and various other health problems.
However, standing all day is not recommended as it can also be as harmful as sitting all day. It is better to change your postures intermittently by moving from sitting to standing and vice versa. So if you are looking for remote work tools for your home office or thinking of making ergonomic updates to your workspace, sit-stand desks would be a great bet. But before making your purchase, read on to find out the eight things you need to keep in mind when buying a standing desk.
8 Important Things To Consider When Buying Standing Desks
Height range
Two types of standing desks are available to you: fixed-height and adjustable. While fixed-height desks stay at your standing height, adjustable ones go up and down, allowing you to sit or stand whenever you feel like it. You can choose the type of desk which best suits your needs.
Ease of movement
These office desks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. Moreover, there are numerous ways to raise and lower down the desk, like hand cranks, pneumatic lifts or electrical. You can look for desks with either of the latter two mechanisms as they are efficient and easy to use.
Depth
Ideally, a 30’’ depth is advisable as a minimum because standing desk users often spread out their work, add multiple screens or even share desks with colleagues. If these are not an issue for you, go for a smaller one.
Noise
It would be awkward if your desk’s mechanism is loud, disruptive or unobtrusive. Even if your sit-stand desks are noisy, you will keep away from using them, fearing it will disturb your colleagues. Make sure you get the quiet one.
Speed
The next important consideration is how quickly your desk raises and goes down. Remember, it needs to be optimum; otherwise, you will be adjusting your workstation throughout the day.
Leg fatigue
People who use a standing desk often complain about leg fatigue. If you also get tired of standing for hours on your desk, you can consider adding a gel mat or a riser to support one foot while standing, or you can wear supportive shoes. These strategies will help you build up your tolerance for standing longer.
Weight
If you are supposed to keep several things or equipment on your desk while working, make sure the desk you choose can handle the load. After all, each furniture item has its weight constraints.
Cost
Last but least, the cost of the standing desks should be part of your checklist. If something is hundreds or thousands more, it does not mean it is better than the cheaper ones. So before you step into the market, create a base for what you are willing to spend.
If you keep these eight crucial considerations in mind while selecting a standing desk, you will never go wrong. Hopefully, this article will assist you in finding a suitable standing desk that improves your productivity and well-being.
