Are Standing Desks Good for You?
People always ask us, are standing desks better for you than a normal desk?
We think it’s a valid question, considering the far-fetched claims made when the standing desk craze took off.
At the Stand Up Desk Store, we won’t try to make you believe that a sit stand desk will magically make you lose 20 pounds in a week or achieve a level of focus that instantly lands you a promotion to VP.
Truth be told, now that research is catching up with the standing trend, the benefits of standing are a little different than people originally thought. But the good news is that standing desk benefits are real…and the science is backing it up!
So, YES, a standing desk can make you healthier, happier, and more productive. Here are some examples of how:
Benefits of Standing at Work
1. Standing Desks Do Relieve Pain and Discomfort
After reviewing dozens of studies conducted over several years, researchers from Tufts University and the Office Ergonomics Research Committee consistently saw relief from discomfort and pain among test subjects.
This, as expected, often included people suffering from low back pain. But it also included people struggling with a wide variety of other health problems, and healthy people too.
2. Standing Desks Help Prevent You from Sitting Too Much
According to the American Cancer Society, too much sitting has been conclusively linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
Researchers still aren’t sure if increased disease risk comes from the total amount you sit each day, or how long you sit without taking a break to stand up. But as Alpa Patel, Ph.D., American Cancer Society Strategic Director said, “…it’s clear that cutting down on the time you spend sitting is good for your health.”
3. You Do Burn a Few More Calories
A study conducted by the Journal of Physical Activity and Health determined that standing burns about eight more calories per hour than sitting.
That’s not much, but everything adds up, right?
According to the Journal of Occupational Medicine, it does add up. After a 2017 study, they concluded, "Though modest, accumulation of this small benefit over time could be an important part of the public health strategy to prevent weight gain in desk-bound workers."
4. Standing is Good for Your Circulation and Joints
According to Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California, using a standing desk promotes more muscle activity, which improves circulation. They also say that standing helps keep your hips from becoming too tight, which can lead to pain in your lower back, hips, and knees.
Other experts suggest that while sitting could be OK if you have good posture, many of us slump when we sit. Since it’s harder to slump when we stand, the simple act of standing may promote a straighter spine and neck.
Like Anything Else, a Standing Desk is Not a Silver Bullet.
As with many other positive lifestyle changes, switching to a standing desk can offer real, measurable benefits. But to get the most out of a standing desk, you need to use it correctly and combine it with other healthy habits.
We suggest:
- Frequently alternating between sitting and standing
- Getting up and walking around at least once every hour
- Setting up your desk for proper ergonomics
- Keeping a good posture – both when standing and sitting
- Eating properly and getting regular exercise
- Using a supportive, ergonomic chair when sitting
- Using a standing desk mat and wearing comfortable, supportive shoes when standing
