The consequence of living in a technology-driven world such as ours is that we are forced to spend countless hours sitting at our desks.
Average human being spends more than one-third of their day seated at their table. This takes into account the eight hours spent working at the office, the time spent browsing social media sites, the time spent watching TV, and more.
The problem is that our bodies are not designed to sit for that long. Consequently, excessive sitting eventually leads to all sorts of complications.
One of the most prevalent complications is lower back pain. In addition, those who sit for extended periods also experience ankle pain, leg pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, elbow pain, and more. Weight gain is also another health risk that could develop as a result of too much sitting.
The good news, however, is that there is a solution for this suffering; a way to escape all the discomfort and use your computer as much as you like.
A standing desk offers you a revolutionary way to work at your computer and maintain proper health at the same time.
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Understanding Stand-Up Desks
The function of a stand-up desk is clearly defined even by the name itself. It’s simply a desk that you can use while standing.
Although stand-up desks are commonly used with computers, you can use them for almost any application that requires a desk, including drawing.
Sit-stand desks are usually built from the same materials as regular desks. Most of them are constructed using wood. Essentially, the major difference between a standing desk and a regular desk is the length of the legs. A standing desk has much longer legs.
Also, there are standing desks that can be adjusted to a sitting position and standing position. They are referred to as adjustable height desks.
Who Should Use A Standing Desk?
A stand-up desk is a perfect choice for any individual who finds themselves sitting for extended periods.
For instance, a graphic designer, web designer, freelance writer, or blogger who spends upwards of eight hours of their workday seated will benefit tremendously from using a sit-stand desk.
Most people who switch to standing desks report increased energy and reduced back pain.
Furthermore, since a stand-up desk allows you to adjust your monitor to the correct eye level, you’ll get to lower your susceptibility to the health risks that come with straining too much while using a computer. This is extremely helpful if you use your monitor for building websites and editing photos, and you need to look at them for extended periods.
Look at it this way: if you spend about eight hours sitting at your desk and another eight hours lying on your bed, it means that you’re sedentary for about two-thirds of your day. If this sounds like how you spend your day, then acquiring a sit-stand desk will go a long way to restore your overall health, especially that of your joints, legs, eyes, and back.
To sum it up, if you’re interested in a less sedentary, healthier lifestyle that takes your job’s long hours into consideration, then a standing desk is your best bet.
Contrary to popular belief, adjustable height desks are not only career-minded people; even home users do find them useful.
For instance, if you’re a gamer who sits in front of his computer for many hours playing the hottest new game, a good decision would be to switch to a standing desk.
The reason even infrequent computer users find sit-stand desks useful is the convenience that comes with it. For example, if you want to do something as simple as checking your email, you don’t have to sit down, adjust your chair, and reposition your monitor. Thanks to an adjustable-height desk, checking your email is as easy as walking over to your computer, and leaving as soon as you are done.
Build Or Buy?
There are two kinds of stand up desk enthusiasts: those who prefer to purchase a premade stand up desk, and those who prefer to build a custom stand up desk from scratch
Each option has its ups and downs, so the decision always lies with you.
If you’re looking to possess a personalized product, have high-quality materials at your disposal, and are a hands-on person, you’ll save plenty of money building your own stand-up desk.
On the other hand, if you’re not a hands-on person, the outcome might not be so pleasant. Your standing desk may turn out to be unstable and weak, thus increasing the risk of wreckage and possible destruction of your valuable office equipment. For this kind of group, it’s much safer to buy a premade desk.
Choosing The Best Standing Desk
- Consider Adjustment Speed
This usually boils down to what a given user prefers. A significant number of height adjustable desks available in the market adjust fast enough to satisfy the needs of most users; however, some standing desks have higher adjustment speeds than others.
Therefore, if you value speed so much, you should always consider this factor before making a purchase.
Adjustment speed is especially important to individuals who are strict with their time management. That’s because if you can reduce the time you spend adjusting your workstation, you can save more time for your work.
- Consider Space Requirements And Measurements
Before making the purchase, make sure the desk fits well into the space you have set aside for it. Compared to a regular desk, a standing desk is both taller and wider. Consequently, it requires more space. Be sure to take accurate measurements of both the desk and the area you want to place it in, so you don’t run into any problems.
The next step is to take your measurements: from head to toe. If you take the measurements while wearing shoes, make sure it’s the shoes you typically wear while using your desk. These measurements help you to acquire a sit-stand desk that adjusts to the proper height, so you don’t have to deal with annoying joint and muscle pains.
- Consider Noise Implications
Adjustable height desks are usually constructed with motors. For this reason, they typically produce some noise when operated. Some models produce a lot of noise, while some produce less noise.
More often than not, noise is usually not a concern if the desk is to be used in a private area, small office, or at home. But if the desk is to be used in an open or public work area, the effect of adjustment noise on customers and co-workers must be assessed.
The good news is that not many desks produce unbearable noise. For this reason, the issue of adjustment noise is one of preference.
- Consider Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is a critical factor because it determines the number of items you can have on your table. If the weight capacity is too low, it means you have limited space to accommodate all your essential office accessories. That doesn’t sound good, does it?
In our experts’ recommendations, your desk should be good enough for at least 220 lbs. For more accessories to put on the table, you may need 350-600lb.
A good number of stand-up desks are designed with plenty of capacity to accommodate your typical desktop items. Cheap options are usually designed for only 176lbs or smaller. That’s not a good option for gamers or people who are working from home
- Consider The Adjustment Mechanism
There are three types of standing desk adjustment mechanisms: electric, crank, and pneumatic. And of the three, electric or pneumatic are usually the most recommended.
The problem with crank adjustments is that they require you to crank them up several times to achieve the best height.
- Consider The Material Used
Before you purchase a sit-stand desk, you may also want to take into account the type of material that has been used to construct the desk.
Most standing desks are constructed from wood, but you’ll still want to assess the sturdiness and thickness of the wood. It wouldn’t be a pleasant scene to witness your desk give in and fail under the weight of your valuable office accessories.
Quality wood not only has a great texture, and a spectacular appearance, it’s also lightweight yet sturdy.
- Consider The Warranty
Purchasing a standing desk is one of the best investments one can ever make. It’s an invaluable investment for your health and posture, something that you’ll be grateful for many years to come.
Nonetheless, standing desks can be expensive, and for that reason, they must count for something. That’s where a good warranty comes into the picture. It ensures you’re covered in the event that your stand-up desks get damaged.
You should consider brands that have 5 years warranty for the frame of the desk. If smaller than 5, you may get a big trouble
Even a good brand such as Fully can be sold to Herman Miller, and you are not happy when someday your warranty is not available anymore! So be my guest, pick a good brand, and hope they do not disappear!
- Consider Cost
Concerning cost, you’ll need to take into consideration what your budget is for the sit-stand desk. Standing desks are priced differently, and some are more expensive than others. Don’t rush to buy the cheapest model. Although it may help you relieve your financial burden, it might not serve you as well as it should. Always remember that investing in a great sit-stand desk is investing in your health and well-being.
The best way to go about it is to determine how you want the desk to serve you, outline the level of quality you’re aiming for, as well as the length of time you want the desk to last.
In our tester’s opinion, the cheap options under $300 are not good enough for a standing desk. Consider $300-500 for a quality desk
- Consider Programmability
There are various ways to set the most suitable ergonomics on your stand-up desk. But one of the most effective ways is through programming. Some desks incorporate excellent programmability, thus simplifying the process of adjusting them to the correct height.
If you are excited about the convenience of great programmability, then this is a factor you might want to consider.
This is exactly where the SmartDesk 2 beats other desks. It’s designed with a programmable button interface that enables you to develop up to 4 custom presets that allow you to effortlessly move from your ideal sitting position to your ideal standing position and vice versa. The result is improved blood circulation, among other benefits.
- Consider Functionality
Does the desk deliver the functionality it promises? Can it accommodate tool rails, lighting, or privacy screens? If the answers are in the affirmative, then that’s a desk you should definitely give some thought to. That’s because as a sit-stand desk owner, what you’re most interested in is how the desk performs the functions it’s meant to do.
- Consider Power
Also, be sure to choose a desk whose power demands you can meet comfortably. Dual motor is better than the single one
Also, make sure there’s easy access to a power source at the location where you decide to position the desk.
- Consider Ways To Minimize Leg Fatigue
This is particularly important to those who are just getting used to standing. One mistake new height adjustable users make is to switch abruptly from sitting to standing for long hours. This is a surefire way to fatigue and discomfort.
An effective way to transition to standing is to ease into it. Start by standing for a few minutes, then increase the time as you get used to it. And before you know it, you’ll be an expert at standing, and you’ll get to enjoy the experience.
In the meantime, there’s one accessory you can use to eliminate leg fatigue and discomfort: a standing desk mat or an anti-fatigue mat.
An anti-fatigue mat helps you to relieve the pressure on your legs, ankles, and soles thus allowing you to stand for extended periods without much pain or discomfort.
Standing desk mats are made from a wide range of materials, but if you’re looking for the most comfortable material, it’s highly advisable to go for one made from polyurethane.
Polyurethane is a high-quality material that is known to provide the utmost comfort for your feet. Other materials such as foam and rubber also follow closely from behind.
A good anti-fatigue mat should come with the following features:
- A non-slip surface
- Resistance to abrasions and spills
- Constructed from a non-toxic substance that doesn’t emit foul odors.
- Beveled edges to reduce curling and prevent people from tripping over the mat
- Heavy enough to prevent it from sliding around the floor when idle
What to say in the end?
When you’re absolutely clear about what you’re looking for then choosing the best standing desk becomes an easy task. If you’re purposeful about your search and take into account all the considerations mentioned above, then you can never go wrong. Now that you have been enlightened go out and hunt for the best product: a standing desk that meets all your needs and wants.
Good luck!
Maybe you also want to read: Best Standing Desks in 2024– Review by Experts
