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How to Use a Standing Desk the Right Way

December 8, 2020

Standing desks can improve employee wellness and create valuable productivity benefits. Still, you can’t just roll out standing desks for your office and expect them to solve every problem without a second thought. These desks deliver the best results when they’re implemented and used in a thoughtful way.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of using a standing desk and how to achieve them with proper implementation. We’ll also talk about how to choose the right desking solution to meet your needs.

The Benefits of Using a Standing Desk

In recent years, individuals and organizations have been moving away from traditional workstations to adjustable, ergonomic solutions. Much of this change has been driven by scientific studies that have repeatedly demonstrated the benefits of height adjustable desks. Standing desks can:

  • Burn (slightly) more calories
  • Reduce your risk of heart disease
  • Relieve back pain
  • Lower blood sugar levels
  • Increase muscle activity
  • Increase productivity
  • Improve focus and mood
  • Raise energy levels

However, not every standing desk user experiences these benefits. Often, that’s because they either choose the wrong desking solution for their needs or start off on the wrong foot when they begin using the desk.

5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Standing Desk

So, how can you make sure you’re getting the most out of your standing desk? Here are a few tips that can help.

Set Up Your Desk Correctly

The first step toward getting the maximum benefits from your adjustable desk is to make sure it’s set up properly for your usage. Ideally, the height while standing should be set so that the desk surface sits just slightly below elbow height; that way, your arms can rest on your desk with your forearms parallel to the floor. A standing desk that’s too high or too low can place strain on your arms, your back, and even your neck.

Ease into Using Your Standing Desk

The biggest mistake new users make with their height adjustable desk is to immediately try and stand for hours at a time. Often, this leads to pain and discomfort. If you’re accustomed to sitting all day, your body will need some time to transition.

Start by standing for short increments of less than 30 minutes, then work up as your muscles get stronger and your body adapts. Most importantly, never try to continue standing when it’s causing you pain.

RELATED: Understand the Hidden Connection Between Zen and Productivity

Alternate Between Standing and Sitting

Sitting at work has gotten a bad reputation thanks to the standing desk revolution, but remember, it’s not sitting that’s bad for you — it’s sitting too much. Sitting is a natural and healthy position for the human body, but our bodies aren’t designed to sit for 12 hours a day. They also aren’t designed to stand all day long without a break. If you permanently set your adjustable desk to a standing position and never look back, you’ve traded one extreme for another, and that approach won’t work well for most people.

The best approach is to strike a fairly even balance by alternating between periods of sitting and standing. To accomplish this goal, use a timer or an app to provide an alert after a set period of time. And don’t forget to take breaks to walk and move around — neither sitting nor standing in one spot can substitute for the occasional movement your body needs.

Practice Good Posture

Bad posture can sabotage your health whether you’re sitting or standing. According to the CDC, one of the goals of ergonomics is to prevent soft tissue and musculoskeletal disorders caused by awkward posture. Here are some specific steps that can help ensure good posture while standing at your desk:

  • Keep your neck, head, and torso aligned along a straight line so your spine can rest in a neutral position
  • Hold your upper arms close to the body
  • Rest your wrists and arms parallel to the floor along the desk surface
  • Use a footstall to shift your weight periodically
  • Wear supportive shoes

Use an Anti-Fatigue Mat

Standing on very firm surfaces can take a toll on your feet, ankles, legs, and back, so it’s important to get some cushioning. An anti-fatigue mat provides support and shock absorption for the feet, legs, and back. These mats also encourage small movements of the leg muscles and decrease standing fatigue through improved blood flow. Studies have shown anti-fatigue mats help reduce discomfort and tiredness for people who stand for more than two hours a day.

Simplicity Meets Elegance with ZGO Solutions Global Collection

Now that you know how to use and maximize the benefits of a standing desk, it’s essential to find the right solution. Whether you are looking to invest in a standing desk for your personal use or a larger order to support your entire team, ZGO Solutions has a number of forward-thinking collections to choose from.

Our Global collection of height-adjustable desks pairs simple and elegant design with the patented ZGO Solutions Smart System, which makes installation five times faster. The Smart System provides uncompromising stability, simplified assembly, and nearly unlimited options for customization. It’s never been more practical to get a standing desk that’s tailored just for you.

ZGO Solutions: Building a Workstation That Works

At ZGO Solutions, we offer height adjustable sit-to-stand tables and add-ons to help you work more comfortably and productively. Choose a style, customize it with color options and add-ons, and make it yours.

Ready to build your perfect desking solution? Contact us today to get started.

References

British Journal of Medicine. (2015, June 2). Get up and stand up for at least 2 hours daily during working hours, office workers advised [press release]. Retrieved from https://www.bmj.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/COI.pdf

LaMotte, S. (2019, September 12). Sit, stand, sit: The new science about how to best use your standing desk. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/12/health/standing-desks-tips-myths-facts-wellness/index.html

Pronk, N.P., Katz, A.S., Lowry, M., & Payfer, J.R. (2012). Reducing occupational sitting time and improving worker health: the Take-a-Stand Project, 2011. Prev Chronic Dis 2012;9:E154. doi: 10.5888/pcd9.110323. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23057991/

Shmerling, S.H., M.D. (2016, September 23). The truth behind standing desks. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-truth-behind-standing-desks-2016092310264

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

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