Standing desks are perhaps one of the best innovations to date—and for good reason. While most people work at a desk and sit down for longer periods, they also are risking their health. Lengthy periods of sitting down can lead to some health issues later on in life including musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular risks. Granted, there are ways to get rid of these increased risks, and standing up regularly after a certain period may be one solution.
Yet, are standing desks worth it? We’ll answer this question and more in this guide.
How Did Standing Desks Become Popular?
Standing desks became popular because many people became more aware of the health risks that were linked to prolonged sitting. A sedentary lifestyle or work life can lead to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and even premature death. We’re not trying to horrify you, yet it’s an unfortunate, hard truth. There’s a lot of us that value our overall health and doing what seems right appears to be wrong—we have to make changes, right?
With this in mind, are standing desks worth it? For most people who work desk jobs, yes. As such, standing desks have become popular as a way to preserve their health. At the same time, standing desks have also become popular due to some of their features—the main one being adjustability. You can adjust a standing desk to its standard form (sitting) and set it to a height where you can be able to stand—albeit at an ergonomically friendly level.
The thing to remember is that you will need to consider a few things when choosing the right standing desk. We’ll get to these later on so you will be able to make the right decision when it comes to finding the right standing desk. For now, let’s move forward with the benefits and drawbacks.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Standing Desks?
Before choosing a standing desk for yourself, knowing the benefits and drawbacks will help solidify your answer to, “Are standing desks worth it?” Please read through this section carefully so you can be able to determine if these benefits and drawbacks are in line with your needs and preferences. Let’s take a look at the following:
Benefits of Standing Desks
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Reduces Health Risks: Indeed, one of the biggest benefits of standing desks will be reducing the health risks linked to prolonged sitting. By standing regularly, you ensure you are in motion throughout the entire day. As a result, you can enjoy better blood circulation while keeping conditions like heart disease and obesity at bay.
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Better Posture: Another thing that prolonged sitting can affect is your posture. You may be slouching or exhibiting poor posture practices. Poor ergonomics can also be a contributor to bad posture. Nevertheless, the consequences include back and neck pain. A standing desk, like the AnyDesk Nest from TopJob, can help you maintain good posture, which can reduce such risks accordingly.
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Increased Productivity Levels: Surprisingly enough, if you are using a standing desk, you may be more focused and productive than ever before. That’s because standing can improve blood flow and oxygen levels. As a result, this can also lead to sustained energy levels and better cognitive functions, especially if you are performing tasks where concentration should be maintained regularly.
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Better Active Work Habits: The idea of standing will also help change your daily habits. As such, your work habits will change if you utilize a standing desk regularly. Plus, many workers will be able to stretch more, shift positions, or take quick walks. Think about it: these small changes can snowball into a greater thing—that is the regular practice of better habits that will improve your lifestyle and health.
Needless to say, these are some of the best benefits that you can reap from using a standing desk regularly. You have plenty of reasons to purchase a standing desk for your personal and professional use.
Drawbacks of Standing Desks
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Discomfort Due to Prolonged Standing: Even though standing has its benefits, too much of it might not be a good thing. Standing for extended periods may lead to fatigue, varicose veins, foot pain, and other forms of discomfort. Because of this, finding the balance between sitting and standing will be important. This may be the reason why all standing desks are adjustable to ensure this balance. If you plan on standing for a lengthy period, consider anti-fatigue mats to take some pressure off of your feet and legs. In modern workplaces, they can be lifesavers. Plus, you can use chairs, like the BOBA Chair from TopJob, which will be useful whenever you need to sit down on something that is ergonomically friendly.
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The Adjustment Period: When you switch to a standing desk from traditional desks, bear in mind there is an adjustment period that happens. So you can expect to experience some kind of discomfort in your feet, legs, and lower back during this period. Your body is adapting to this new setup, and it might encourage some users to switch back to a traditional desk. Additionally, do not expect immediate results while making the switch to a standing desk. Such benefits and results will always take time even with proper use.
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The Cost: Standing desks don’t come cheap. You may be looking at a price range from $200 to $1000+ (especially with electric standing desks being more expensive than stationary desks). This will depend on numerous factors like the features and brand name. While the price tag is one thing, the features that fulfill your most critical needs and preferences should be prioritized for your particular desk setup.
While there are advantages, standing desks don’t come without their own potential drawbacks. However, you will know a few things like the balance of sitting and standing and how to set it to your personal needs. You can get a standing desk that will simply allow you to adjust to the appropriate standing and sitting heights, if and when needed.
Key Features and Considerations
If you are looking for a standing desk, the key features and considerations to look for are important. This is another section to go over carefully, especially if you are planning on purchasing a standing desk soon. Here’s a list of what features to look for:
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Adjustability: A height-adjustable desk will allow you to easily switch between standing and sitting. However, consider the adjustable maximum and minimum heights so you can be able to perform your tasks while addressing ergonomics.
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Stability: Safety and durability are two things to consider when it comes to the desk’s stability. An unstable desk can hamper your productivity and also jeopardize safety.
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Ease of Use: Find a desk that has a mechanism that is user-friendly and smooth. This will make adjusting the height a lot easier.
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Size and Design: Not all standing desks will come in the same size or design. Be sure to ensure both are fitting for your workspace and can fit the amount of equipment you need to use regularly. Also, take into consideration the amount of space you need to move around so you don’t feel so “closed in.”
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Additional Features: While there are features that may not matter to your critical needs, some may apply to your preferences. Such features include built-in power outlets, ergonomic accessories, and cable management systems. Find features that may fulfill your critical needs and priorities more than just “nice to haves.”
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Budget: As mentioned, the price of the standing desk isn’t cheap. The reality is that the features that fulfill your biggest needs should matter. Investing in the best desk that addresses your needs should be the better option rather than finding the cheapest option to save money.
By going over these key features and considerations, you will be able to find the right standing desk. Don’t choose the first one you see and call it a done deal. Spend some time and perform as much due diligence as possible on the desks that interest you the most. This may also include looking through customer reviews where you can note any positive and negative experiences from other users.
Final Thoughts
A standing desk will be a worthy investment for your workspace. The benefits that will improve your health will be excellent. Not to mention, you will be more productive and focused than ever. Before choosing a standing desk, be sure to review the benefits, drawbacks, and considerations we’ve outlined in this guide. Once your standing desk arrives, you’ll be quite excited and cannot wait to use it.
Don’t forget, you will need to understand that there is an adjustment period. You may experience discomfort as your body adjusts to you using a standing desk. Soon enough, you will enjoy using it regularly.
Visit TopJob’s website to look at their standing desk products. The AnyDesk Nest and AnyDesk Fold are both great options to elevate your workspace and improve your overall health. Place your order today!
