Do I Need a Standing Desk?

Now more than ever, people are spending long hours sitting down at work, and as a result are facing numerous health risks. Because of this, the rise of standing desks have become incredibly popular.

Using a standing desk can offer a wealth of benefits, both mentally and physically, such as improved productivity, focus, posture and overall health. One study showed that using a standing desk can shed between 100-200 calories per hour, and another found that use of a standing desk reduced upper back and neck pain by 54% after just 4 weeks. You get the picture!

But with all the hype, you might be wondering, "Do I really need a standing desk?" In this blog, we'll explore the benefits and considerations to help you determine if making the switch to a standing desk is the right choice for you.

Do I Need a Standing Desk? 4 Considerations

While indeed standing desks offer a plethora of benefits, whether you need one depends on a number of factors, such as your personal circumstances, your work habits and ultimately your preferences. Let’s look at these in a bit more detail…

Here are 4 factors to consider when deciding if you need a standing desk:

1. What Are Your Work Habits?

First and foremost, think about your work habits. 

If your job requires long periods of sitting, whether it’s in a commercial or home office, standing desks can be of incredible value.

One significant reason is that sitting for long hours can strain your lower back and neck, leading to chronic pain. As standing desks encourage both sitting and standing positions throughout the day, your posture will naturally improve.

More time standing will also reduce the pressure on your spine, which can alleviate pain and discomfort.

As mentioned at the beginning of the blog, sitting for long periods burns much fewer calories compared to standing, and so by using a standing desk, you can increase your calorie expenditure, which can help in weight management and reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.

2. What Is Your Physical Health Like?

Another thing to think about is your physical health. Consider any existing health conditions such as chronic back pain, arthritis, joint issues or circulatory problems.

The use of a standing desk can alleviate or even exacerbate these issues.

For example, if you’re suffering with back pain, especially when sitting down, standing desks will encourage better spinal alignment, reducing strain on the lower back. Standing also promotes subtle movements and shifts, preventing stiffness and again, reducing back pain.

Another example is if you’re overweight. Regularly alternating between sitting and standing movements can help manage cholesterol levels and blood sugar, contributing to cardiovascular health. As mentioned above, standing desks can also help burn more calories and in turn, help with weight loss.

If you suffer with poor circulation and low blood pressure, standing desks can also help to maintain a better blood flow, reducing the risks of heart disease which is commonly associated with prolonged periods of sitting.

Need some help choosing the perfect standing desk? Feel free to get in touch with a member of our team on 02080640064 for some expert advice.

When Would a Standing Desk Not Be Beneficial?

While standing desks can improve many health issues, your body’s ability to adapt to new postures and activities is crucial. If you have any physical limitations, standing might not be comfortable, so it’s important that you evaluate your health to ensure that the transition to a standing desk is manageable and sustainable.

3. What Is Your Mental State Like at Work?

Another important factor to consider is what your mental state is like while working. By this we mean, are you focused, productive and energised? Or do you struggle concentrating and working efficiently while at your desk?

If the latter, standing desks might be the perfect solution.

If you struggle focusing while working, you’re not alone! In a study by Crucial Learning, a whopping 68% of people admitted that they struggle with focus at work. Even when we can concentrate, it’s usually not for very long. Nearly 1 in 3 survey respondents admitted they can only focus on a task for 10 minutes or less before getting distracted.

There are a number of things you can do to help this, such as taking more breaks, varying your workload, removing distractions or creating incentives. Using a standing desk has also been shown to improve focus, concentration and therefore productivity while at work, which is also beneficial for those with ADHD.

Standing desks help focus and productivity for a number of reasons:

• They encourage movement - restlessness can be challenging to manage for those who are stuck in one position for a long period of time. However, standing desks provide an outlet for physical movement, allowing users to move and fidget without disrupting their work.

• They improve blood circulation - When standing up, blood circulation increases, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the brain and stimulates brain activity. This can improve alertness, clarity, concentration and focus, which can also improve cognitive performance.

• They reduce fatigue - Studies have also shown that standing desks may reduce acute levels of sleepiness and physical fatigue, which positively impacts cognitive function and alertness.

4. Do You Have the Right Workspace Set Up?

Last but not least, you need to think about your current workspace setup.

A standing desk requires sufficient space to move around and adjust positions comfortably.

However, if you’re working in a tiny room or area with limited space, this could restrict these movements, reducing the benefits of using a standing desk.

That said, at Ergo Desks, we stock a range of standing desks especially for use in small spaces, such as the Atlas Mini Standing Desk or the Autonomy Pro Standing Desk, so you can reap the benefits of a sit-stand desk without having to compromise on space.

Small standing desks encourage a minimalist setup, which, as well as not taking up too much space, can reduce clutter and promote a more organised and tidy workspace.

As well as space, you should consider whether you’ll be able to house standing desk equipment. Ensuring your workspace can handle these adjustments such as cable management and storage without creating clutter or hazards is important.

Check out our quality standing desk accessories and efficient cable management solutions.

We hope this blog has helped you determine whether you need a standing desk, and the potential benefits of using one.

Looking for a standing desk for your home, office or workspace? Check out our full collection of quality standing desks, available for next day delivery if ordered by 3pm. Our desks come with a 7 year warranty, 30 day risk free return, as well as access to a UK-based customer service team to answer any questions that you might have.

And if you need some additional help choosing a standing desk, or any other ergonomic accessory, please get in contact with our expert team on info@ergodesks.co.uk or on 020 8064 0064.

Otherwise, our standing desk blog provides more useful tips on using a standing desk for a more balanced lifestyle.