Health guidelines suggest we should spend 150 minutes a week doing moderate exercise, but many of us sit down at our office desks for more than half the day.
Sitting down is the new smoking and is being blamed for increasing the risk of heart disease and cancer which is why we’ve seen massive changes in the office environment.
Flexible working practices encourage employees to move around during their day at work which has caused an increase demand in the number of standing desks in the office. The overall aim is to reduce the amount of time spent sitting down to improve your health.
If you’re thinking about buying a new office desk for your business or home, but don’t know whether a standing or sitting desk is best for you we’ve put together a guide to help you choose which desk is right for you and answer a few burning questions you may have;
Should I get a standing or sitting office desk?
When it comes to choosing a new office desk you need to consider whether a standing or sitting desk is right for you.
If you’re looking at buying a standing desk for your office then you need to know a bit more about them. You can buy height settable or electric height adjustable desk both are designed to increase your mobility throughout the day.
A height adjustable desk will help keep you in shape and reduce amount of aches and pains through being more active and improve productivity. If you are an architect or a designer then a standing desk may be best for you it’s important to look at what features the desk comes with for the price you’re paying as these desks are slightly higher in price, especially if you want an electric desk that changes height easily. Our height adjustable desks have anti-collision system in-built, quiet motor and quickly adjusts height at 40mm/s.
Alternatively if you’re thinking a traditional sitting desk is more your style then we have thousands of office desks available in a variety of sizes, styles and colours so you can be sure to find something that matches your taste. Perhaps more importantly, and to go with your desk, you will need a good quality office chair that provides comfort and support whilst you’re working.
The Pros and Cons of a Standing Vs Sitting Office Desk
| Pros/Cons | Standing Office Desk | Sitting Office Desk |
| Pro | Allows you to stand comfortably whilst working reducing back pain from slouching in chairs | Having a sitting desk with an adjustable office chair can reduce back pain and neck strain |
| Pro | Standing lowers your risk or weight gain and obesity by encouraging you to move more | Sitting down for long periods of time reduce how effective your metabolism is which increases the risk of obesity and heart disease |
| Con | Often expensive to buy a high spec standing desk | Inexpensive to buy, available in a variety of styles and colour options to suit your workspace |
| Con | Takes a long time to adjust to standing up for a few hours which can cause feet/leg/back soreness initially | Sitting down could increase your risk of cancer due to lack of mobility |
Are standing desks better than sitting office desks?
Don’t get us wrong a traditional office desk with a supportive chair is still the most popular solution for the office, but it can only be comfortable for so long before your back starts to ache which is why it’s a good idea to move around regularly throughout the day. After all, sitting down for prolonged periods has been blamed for causing many illnesses such as heart disease and cancer so it’s clear why many people are opting for a standing desk in the office.
The end goal of a height adjustable desk is to reduce the amount of time spent sat down by providing a flexible working space. They achieve this giving you the option to sit or stand as you move through the day, making us more active in the office.
What are the main benefits from using a height adjustable desk?
Advantages to the employee:
- Improved working environment
- Fewer chronic problems
- Comfortable working posture
- Prevention of muscle inactivity
Advantages to the company:
- Increased motivation and job satisfaction
- Increased performance and efficiency
- Long tern decrease in absenteeism due to illness
AUTHOR: Chloe Beevers
(https://www.kitoutmyoffice.com/blogs/news/standing-vs-sitting-desks-which-one-is-better)
