Today, more people are becoming aware of the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. For that reason, standing desks have become quite popular. It’s no secret that it has become one of the most popular purchases among remote workers, businesses with office space, and similar groups of people. Needless to say, a standing desk is a blessing to many who want to reap many benefits including better posture, reduced back pain, and weight management.
We will discuss how many calories are burned using a standing desk. Let’s begin.
Calorie Burning: What Are the Basics?
How exactly are calories burned using a standing desk? The answer to this question can be referred to the basics of how the body burns energy. It’s calories that are at the forefront of this process, and they are needed for even the most basic of bodily functions, such as maintaining body temperature, blood circulation, and breathing.
Plus, you can burn more calories via numerous activities. Among the most popular options is physical exercise such as high-intensity workouts or a simple walking session. Here’s the thing: standing is not as energy-intensive as these activities, even though it requires a bit more effort compared to sitting. The reason for this is that standing will engage more muscles to make an upright posture more possible to achieve and maintain.
How Many Calories Does Standing Burn?
So, how many calories are burned at a standing desk? How is it compared to sitting? Let’s give you the details:
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Sitting can burn anywhere from 60 to 130 calories per hour. However, numerous factors will be included like age, metabolism, and weight.
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Standing burns 100-200 calories per hour if you consider such activity in similar conditions.
Now, let’s factor this in with your usual 8-hour workday. The calorie expenditure will increase if you are standing compared to sitting. If you want to do the math, you could burn additional calories—from 80 to 320—standing compared to sitting.
What Are the Factors of Burning Calories at a Standing Desk
Now that you have the numbers, it’s time to dig into the factors of burning calories at a standing desk like the AnyDesk Nest and similar models. There are plenty of them that will play a role in the amount of calories you burn if you stand more often than sitting. Let’s take a look at what they are:
Body Weight
Those who are on the heavier side burn more calories since their bodies will need more energy for the activities they do. In other words, a person who weighs 150 pounds will burn less calories standing than someone who weighs 180 pounds. Keep this in mind moving forward.
Standing Duration
Understand that standing all day long may not be the best idea. You will need to balance it out with sitting. Nevertheless, doing this will allow you to burn calories (albeit by a variable amount). However, the longer you stand, the more impact it can have on your calorie expenditure.
Activity Level When Standing
The amount of activities you perform while standing can be small. They include shifting weight, fidgeting, and stretching. While the small movements are just that, the amount of calories burned does add up. As such, using standing desks with other accessories, like anti-fatigue mats, will come in handy considering they encourage subtle movements and improve overall comfort.
Age and Metabolism
A younger individual can burn more calories than older ones. Alternatively, those with faster metabolisms will do the same compared to those whose metabolism is slower.
These factors should be considered when you are using a standing desk. Keep in mind that with changes in metabolism, the amount of time you stand, and weight (be it a gain or a loss), the amount of calories you will burn at a standing desk does vary.
Benefits Beyond Calorie Burning
Shifting gears, we will be looking at the benefits you can get beyond simply burning calories. Let’s jump right into the list and discuss the following:
Better Posture
By using a standing desk, you can enjoy better spinal alignment and slouch less. Here’s greater news: it can also lead to decreased pain in your back and neck over time. Even if you are dealing with back or neck pain, standing desks do help but are not considered a cure-all.
Enhanced Productivity
If there is one thing that is a growing trend for standing desk users, it’s that they are more productive. According to many users, they are feeling more focused and energized working at a standing desk compared to a traditional one. This is because standing can improve blood and oxygen circulation, which can be linked to better cognitive performance.
Lesser Risk of Chronic Diseases
There have long been reports and studies regarding adverse health risks and prolonged sitting. Such conditions include type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Needless to say, these conditions can lead to declining health and premature death. With standing being more incorporated into your routine, such risks can be lowered.
Increased Energy Levels
Of course, this benefit will come as no surprise. When you alternate between sitting and standing, you’ll reduce feelings of being tired while increasing and maintaining overall energy levels—even on days when the work period will be slightly longer than usual.
While regularly burning calories is one benefit, these listed above are another. As such, these are all the more reasons to make sure you keep going with using your standing desk. Don’t forget that standing for longer periods than you're supposed to will make things counterintuitive.
How To Maximize Calorie Burning at a Standing Desk
If you are looking to maximize the possibility of burning calories at a standing desk, this section will show you how. It is important that you also consider the idea of making additional investments in other items that will go well with standing desks (as we’ll mention in the list). Here’s what you’ll need to do:
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Consider a Balance Board: If you are looking for an excellent idea for engaging core muscles and making micro-movements while standing, a balancing board can work to your advantage. By improving balance and coordination, a balance board can be quite a worthy investment.
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Alternate Between Sitting and Standing: This cannot be stressed enough. Balancing sitting with standing can be perfect while using a standing desk. Plus, you can use your BOBA Chair from TopJob to your advantage to maximize calorie burning and get the most out of the other benefits of balancing sitting with standing.
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Incorporate Movement Regularly: Here’s the thing with standing: if you are still and don’t move as much, it won’t burn enough calories. Be sure to incorporate small and light movements going forward. This can include pacing, stretching, and swaying. Don’t forget to throw in simple exercises as well like squats and calf raises (when you have a bit of free time).
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Wear Comfortable Footwear: If you wear supportive footwear, you will notice that it’s more comfortable and will allow you to stand for extended periods. However, you will still need to incorporate sitting as part of your routine. With this said, do not wear unsupportive footwear and avoid high heels.
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Take Walking Breaks: Walking breaks are great for increasing calorie expenditure. On top of that, it will give your legs the break they need from standing. Consider taking 5 to 10-minute walks every hour.
As you can see, there may be a few additional things that you can invest in. If you do not have comfortable footwear or a balancing board, consider purchasing them (assuming that they address your critical needs while meeting your budget). Nevertheless, these practices will allow you to maximize calorie burning as much as possible. Be sure to consider changing movement routines from time to time as an experiment with other physical activities, such as light yoga stretches.
Final Thoughts
It is more than possible to burn calories while using a standing desk. The important thing to remember is that there are more things you can do than just work. Make small movements as you remain focused and busy with the tasks at hand. Be sure to set the balance between sitting and standing regularly.
Of course, the idea here is to incorporate other tools like a balance board, anti-fatigue mats, and ergonomic-friendly chairs that will ensure you don’t put your body at risk (even if you seem like doing good things). When you burn calories using a standing desk, you might notice more than just the obvious benefits.
Are you looking to purchase a standing desk? Check out TopJob. They sell ergonomic standing desks, like the AnyDesk Fold, that allow you to stay comfortable while working and burning calories. Place your order today!
