We wouldn’t say trends are as common in office furniture as they are in other industries. We tend to find what works and then adjust the style to suit. Recently though, it feels like almost everyone is searching ‘standing desk vs normal desk’ so let’s discuss the differences. A normal or traditional desk is the one you’re likely used to seeing in offices where the employee sits in a chair under a desk holding their computer and keyboard. These desks are comfortable but have led to many of us having a sedentary lifestyle. Standing desks on the other hand remove the chair and raise the desk so the employee stands, removing the sedentary aspect of the job. As we begin to understand more about the risks of sitting for too long, standing desks are rising in popularity but do they work for everyone?
Who Can Benefit from a Standing Desk?
Most people can use a standing desk, and it brings a host of health advantages. Using a standing desk can help boost circulation and reduce strain on backs and necks. If you or an employee has a bad back, it may seem impossible to stand for much of the day. However, a standing desk will keep your back and chest open not slouched helping build up the muscles that support the spine leading to less pain in the long run. There is some early evidence that suggests standing desks boost productivity as employees have more energy with the increased circulation so they may be good for business.
Although standing more is good for health, if you stand in one place too much it can cause muscle strain. An anti-fatigue mat encourages small leg movements to combat this effect but if you or an employee have health issues in your legs a standing desk may be too much for you so stay seated.
How to Use a Standing Desk Safely and Effectively
As we’ve discussed above, standing desks have a range of incredible benefits and we’re sure you’re eager to try one out. There are a few guidelines you should follow to get the most out of it though. You should build up to using a standing desk as your muscles will have grown used to their sitting position and standing for much of the day is likely to challenge them. Make sure you have an alternative to your standing desk at first and can take regular breaks as you get used to it.
Next up, let’s talk ergonomics. This is something people tend to get wrong with traditional desks too so it’s important to mention. As desks tend to be one height, we assume that everyone can manage with the same setup. As humans aren’t all the same height though this leads to slouching or discomfort in the wrists when typing at the wrong angle. If you’re sticking with a seated desk, ensure you have an adjustable chair so you can position yourself in a way that keeps your back upright and a straight line from your elbows to your wrists for comfortable typing. If you’re moving to a standing desk, choosing one with an adjustable height will make sure you’re reaching up or down to do your work as this will strain your arms. Most of these adjustable desks also give you the option to convert back to a traditional desk height easily when you need a break.
Lastly, it’s important to listen to your body and talk to a doctor before starting if you have a health condition. If you find that you’re getting a lot of aches and pains using your standing desk or you’re struggling to work up to using it more than an hour or so at a time, then it may just not be for you. In this case, there’s nothing wrong with sticking with a traditional desk, we’ve used them for a long time for a reason after all. If you’re comfortable at work, you’ll be more productive so always choose what’s best for you.