It is important to understand that standing all day can be just as harmful as sitting all day. The best option is to change postures intermittently, moving often from sitting to standing and even perching at a stool height counter. The ideal candidate for a sit-stand desk is generally someone who is tied to a computer or phone at a desk and can’t easily get up to switch postures.
It’s not hard to find the right sit and stand desk for oneself
You could go all out and give everyone an electric height adjustable desk, but often this is not feasible. A practical option is setting up shared sit-stand workstations throughout the office for people to use as needed. Lastly, many companies reserve the option to have a stand-up desk for people who have medical issues that require them.
Choosing the low-cost option is a bad idea. Yes, there are some standing desks are less expensive than others, but when you invest in a standing desk, you’re investing in your health and well-being. how Think about how long you want the desk to last and the level of quality you’re looking for. In case an issue comes up, a robust warranty and service package are nice to have in your back pocket.
Regardless, when choosing a height adjustable desk it’s important to ensure that you consider all the options and thoughtfully evaluate how your people will use them.
There are several criteria’s which can help you while choosing a suitable sit-stand desk for yourself:
Height range. An optimal range of 22.6″ to 48.7″ is good but it will depend upon the height and needs of the individual using the desk. If people are sharing the sit-stand desk then it’s best to find a desk with a large range.
Depth. This is taking into consideration that people will want to spread out their work though a 30″ depth is advisable as a minimum. If that’s not an issue you can look at smaller footprints. Additionally, bear in mind there are often multiple options for the shape of the work surface.
Noise. Is the mechanism loud and disruptive or is it unobtrusive? When sit-stand desks are noisy they are often not utilized for fear of disturbing colleagues.
Ease of movement. There are numerous ways to raise and lower desks, from hand cranks to electric or pneumatic lifts. The latter two being the most quiet, efficient, and easy to use.
Speed. How quickly does it raise/lower. Obviously, the quicker the speed, the more often people will adjust their work surfaces throughout the day.
Power. Make sure if you choose a height adjustable desk that requires power that you have easy access to electricity.
Leg fatigue. One common complaint from people using sit-stand desks is that they get tired standing. Some strategies include; wearing supportive shoes, adding a riser to support one foot while standing, adding a gel mat and encouraging people to slowly build up their tolerance by incrementally adding to the time they stand.
Weight. Each desk has its own weight restrictions, make sure the desk can handle your equipment.
Programmability. Some desks are easily programmed to different settings making them super easy to set the proper ergonomics every time.
Functionality. Factoring in whether the aesthetic fit into your office environment as well as considering whether the desk can accommodate privacy screens, lighting or tool rails all will impact usability
Different types of ergonomic desks you can choose from:
Adjustable – Mechanical / Hand-Crank Standing Desk
Without an electric motor – a mechanical, or hand-crank style adjustable height desk is just that, manual, and adjustable. This uses internal mechanisms to lift up or down with the touch of a lever and is similar to the hand crank styles. For a lower cost sit stand workstation, or where an electrical outlet may be limited, this is often a decent option.
Adjustable – Standing Desk Converter
A standing workstationis one of the more economical ideas to get into standing desks right away. This might be a good idea if you have an existing desk or table top that you can use. Finding it difficult to replace their existing desks or cubicles, many office environments aren’t ready. So it will give you the same adjustable height benefits so by placing what is called a desktop standing desk converter on the table surface.
Adjustable – Electric / On-Demand Standing Desk
With the push of a button, the desk can adjust to your desired height – electric height adjustable desks have an electric lift. They do give you the convenience to adjust the desk up and down on-demand even though being costlier. Being adjusted to different heights, some height adjustment panels come with presets also.
There are several different choices when it comes to standing desk converters as you can see. Being simpler than others for moderate needs, and others, more robust for more specific requirements, the variety is ample. No matter what – rotating from sitting to standing throughout the day will benefit you surely! While your body benefits as well, you will notice a greater sense of wellness and productivity when you pick the type that fits your office environment and budget the best.