This post answers the question, are standing desks any good? With all the publicity about how standing desks work like magic, it may be difficult to separate facts from fiction. Not to worry, our editorial team has done the hard work for you. We present our findings on standing desks in this post. Keep reading to find out if they are good or bad for you.

Are standing desks any good? Standing desks have many benefits. Experts across several fields, including healthcare and ergonomics, argue in favor of standing desks. Researchers have also confirmed the benefits of using standing desks at work, as well as in school. Some of the good you stand to get from using a standing desk include less back pain, better productivity at work, as well as long-term posture, and health benefits.

When you switch to using a standing desk, you will reap many undeniable benefits. You will notice some of these benefits soon after making the switch, while others might take some time. Talk about mental health, physical health, workplace productivity, and overall well-being, among other things. Continue reading to learn more about whether standing desks are any good or not.

Are Standing Desks Good For You?

Standing desks are good for you because they have ergonomic benefits. They can help relieve joint and muscular pain caused by prolonged sitting. Health experts also claim that using sit-stand desks can help reduce blood sugar spikes and promote blood circulation in the body. What’s more, standing desks encourage healthy workplace habits like walking around and taking short breaks.

Ultimately, standing is a better option than sitting at work. And according to research, the same is true for school pupils. However, make sure to monitor how long you are standing at a stretch. Prolonged standing also has disadvantages.

Are Standing Desks Good For Your Back?

Prolonged sitting tightens the back muscles and causes chronic lower back pain. More so, the pain worsens if you do not maintain a good sitting posture. You. can turn to stand desks for your rescue if you are experiencing chronic back pain from prolonged sitting.

You do not have to live with back pain or poor posture as a part of what comes with your job. Get a sit-stand desk so that you can change positions between standing and sitting while at work. Also, make sure your chair has lumbar support so that your back can rest comfortably whenever you are sitting.

Are Standing Desks Good For Your Health?

Studies have shown that you shed 88 calories per hour while standing. Sitting, on the other hand, only sheds 80 calories per hour. As such, standing is better for weight control than sitting. 

Another study shows that your blood sugar quickly returns to normal if you stand after eating. With sitting, however, it takes a bit longer. So then, standing is better for blood sugar control than sitting.

What’s more, prolonged sitting is associated with several health problems. Some experts opine that standing desks reduce the risks of these health problems. Some of them are as follows:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Cancer, especially breast or colon cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Premature death.

✅ Video – Benefits of Standing Workstations – Mayo Clinic Radio

In this video, the host of Mayo clinic radio discusses the benefits of standing desks with an orthopedic surgeon and a preventive cardiologist. These experts talk about the pros and cons of standing desks for your health, citing their reviews of several scientific research studies. Click the play button to watch the video.

Are Standing Desks Good For Your Posture?

Man is an upright being, which makes standing our default position for good posture. Experts even say that standing upright does not put compression on your spine as sitting does. Standing desks are, therefore, good for your posture if you use them with proper ergonomics. You will experience less back, neck, and shoulder discomfort.

Are Standing Desks Good For Workplace Productivity?

Studies have shown that standing desks improve workplace productivity. In one study, employees working at a standing desk were 45 percent more productive than those who sat at work. So then, switching to a standing desk at work may help improve your productivity.

Benefits Of Standing Desk vs Sitting

Standing desks improve energy levels and mood. Studies show that people who use standing desks experience less fatigue and stress than people who sit at work throughout the day. According to one study, 87 percent of those working at a sit-stand desk reported more energy and vigor while at work. What’s more, standing desks also have benefits for overall health and wellbeing.

The findings of these studies are consistent with the findings of broader research on how sitting affects mental health. Moreover, some other studies have linked prolonged sitting with higher risks of anxiety and depression.

Why Are Standing Desks Better Than Sitting Desks?

Standing desks are better than sitting desks because they:

• Promote good posture and back health
• Reduce risks of health problems linked with prolonged sitting
• Improve workplace productivity
• Improve energy levels and mood
• Reduce fatigue and stress
• Reduce risks of anxiety and depression

Are Standing Desk Benefits Debunked?

Some of the benefits of standing desks are overblown, but they are not entirely untrue. So then, the debates among health experts are about the extent of the standing desk’s benefits. They now agree that standing desks can promote health, wellbeing, and productivity, but they cannot solve all the problems of sedentary office work.

Throwing away your chair to stand all day will not solve all your problems. Here is what you should know about some of the overblown benefits of standing desks:

Standing Is Not An Alternative To Exercise

Here are some facts for you to consider:

• You burn 80 calories per hour while sitting
• You burn 88 calories per hour while standing
• Walking burns much more than that – 210 calories per hour

Walking also improves cholesterol and blood sugar levels better than standing. So then, most of the health benefits of standing desks come from the fact that you are more likely to walk around while standing. You will only get minimal benefits if you don’t move around.

Standing Desks Are Not Fit For Every Task

You can answer calls or type while standing. However, tasks like writing and drawing are easier done while sitting. You will likely be more productive with these tasks while sitting than while standing.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Standing Desks

Prolonged standing has several health risks, such as leg pain, varicose veins, and clogged arteries. That is why you ought to shift between sitting and standing while working. What’s more, sit-stand desks can be quite costly and have moving parts that can break easily.

Standing desks are far from being perfect. Just like prolonged sitting, prolonged standing has many downsides too. Leg pain, foot pain, vein problems, and joint pain in the knees, hips, and feet are among the demerits of prolonged standing. However, these demerits do not outweigh the benefits of standing desks.

Just make sure you have a healthy mix of standing, sitting, and walking while at work. According to experts, the ideal ratio of “sit: stand: walk” is anywhere between 1:1:1 and 3:1:1.

Related Questions

How Long Should You Stand At A Standing Desk Per Day?

Experts say that you should stand for 1.5 to 4 hours during the typical 8 hours of work daily. You can easily do this with an adjustable standing desk. Aside from sitting and standing, also make sure you walk around for an equal time that you stand while at work.

Is Standing Healthier Than Sitting?

Standing is healthier than sitting in many ways. However, most of its benefits come from the fact that it promotes healthy habits, such as walking around and taking short breaks from work. Some of the health benefits of standing include lower risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, among others. Note, however, that prolonged standing also has health risks.

Do You Burn More Calories With A Standing Desk?

Studies show that you burn an extra 8 calories per hour while standing compared to when sitting. However, you stand to burn an extra 130 calories per hour that you walk around. While sitting at work only burns 80 calories per hour, standing at work burns 88 calories per hour. Walking, on the other hand, burn 2100 calories per hour

Conclusion

Is a standing desk good or bad for you? For the most part, a standing desk is good for you. There is countless scientific proof that sitting throughout the day is dangerous for your health. Conversely, you will gain several benefits when you use a standing desk. What’s more, you will gain many more benefits when you mix sitting, standing, and walking according to the 1:1:1 to 3:1:1 ratio recommended by experts.