August 13, 2024
When choosing a standing desk, consider a few essential features to ensure comfort and productivity throughout your workday. Whether you prefer an adjustable height desk or a more classic model, the right ergonomic features are crucial for a healthy and comfortable workspace. Here are some essential features to keep in mind.
Use a hand crank if you only need to adjust the workbench height once or twice a day, such as during shift changes. Opt for electric height adjustment if you frequently change the desk height throughout the day—like when multiple people use the same desk or if you need to switch between sitting, standing, and semi-sitting positions. Additionally, consider the number of motors: a dual-motor desk offers greater weight capacity and lifting power compared to a single-motor desk, even if the difference seems minor.
Ensure that the desk has a robust and stable frame capable of supporting the typical loads in your workplace. If you plan to use accessories like shelves or bins above the work surface, make sure the desk is designed to handle these additional loads without tipping. Prioritize durability by opting for higher-quality desks that have undergone stability and durability testing; they are likely to last longer, making the extra investment worthwhile. Also, choosing a brand with an extended warranty and safety certifications can provide added peace of mind.
Accessories attached to the arms, like extra shelves, LCD screen and keyboard holders, document holders, and equipment trays, are crucial for minimizing unnecessary reaching and maintaining proper ergonomics.
Your primary work area is relatively compact. The image below illustrates the primary, secondary, and tertiary work zones. When choosing the right size for your worktop, consider these zones and the dimensions of your workpieces.
Regardless of the tasks or number of users, ensure the workbench is easy to operate. Height adjustments should be simple and swift, and accessory adjustments should require no tools or excessive force. The modular design of workbenches supports proper ergonomics, as components and accessories can be tailored to the task and user needs. Look for workstations that adjust different heights and accommodate left- and right-handed operators. Properly adjusted workstations reduce muscle strain and support productivity throughout the shift.
There are a few more factors to think about. Although it might not seem crucial initially, choosing a desk that aligns with your personality, complements your space, and matches your style can enhance overall productivity in your workspace.
My idea&Co’s expert reviewers have evaluated a broad selection of office furniture, including top-standing desks. This experience has given us insight into what to look for and avoid when choosing a mechanical or electric standing desk for your workspace.
You’ve likely heard the phrases “Sitting is the New Smoking” or “Your Chair is Killing You.” These slogans have effectively raised awareness about our excessive sitting habits and their impacts on modern society. We sit during our morning commute, at our desks, in meetings, during lunch, on the drive home, at dinner, and while watching TV. This sedentary lifestyle repeats day after day.
This pattern emerged as we transitioned from the industrial era, when factory work kept us on our feet, to today’s information-based society, which confines many of us to desks. Before the Industrial Revolution, even more physical labor was required during the agrarian period, when working in the fields was the norm.
These slogans highlight the link between prolonged inactivity over generations and the rise in obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other serious health issues. These findings highlight the crucial need to address this issue for our health and well-being.
Therefore, we believe that all offices should have these height-adjustable standing desks. They can increase standing time and help alleviate health issues associated with prolonged sitting.
In office work, employees spend most of their day seated in front of a computer, leaving little opportunity to stand as needed. Extended periods of sitting are linked to several health problems, including back pain.
A standing desk can offer a way to naturally increase standing time throughout the day while maintaining productivity. However, simply using a standing desk does not automatically resolve all issues caused by long-term sitting. You must follow specific guidelines to use the standing desk properly to gain the benefits.
Adjust your office chair or standing desk stool to support your lower back to reduce back pain. Proper support while sitting minimizes back strain. An adjustable chair lets you modify the height, back position, and tilt to find the most comfortable and supportive sitting posture. Keep your knees level with your hips by lowering your seat or using a footrest. Ensure your hips are pushed as far back in the chair as possible, and sit straight but comfortably. This posture can also improve breathing by allowing your ribs to move more freely with the support of your spine.
When sitting correctly, your wrists and forearms should be straight while using the keyboard. This helps prevent repetitive strain injuries. Your elbows should rest by your sides, forming an L-shape, which is ideal for working at your desk.
Your feet should be firmly planted on the floor while seated to reduce back strain by providing solid support. Using a footrest can help achieve this. Don’t cross your legs! It can lead to hip issues, restrict circulation, and cause back pain or stiffness by tilting your spine to one side.
Positioning your computer screen slightly below eye level can help minimize strain on your neck and shoulders, which can otherwise lead to poor posture and discomfort. This setup also helps prevent eye strain, a frequent issue for those who spend long hours at the computer. By angling your screen a bit lower than your eye level, you maintain a more natural neck position, which eases back strain.
If you own a standing desk but haven’t experienced its ergonomic benefits, you might be committing these typical errors. Here are some common mistakes that new standing desk users often make:
Many people who start using standing desks share a common misconception: they think they must stand all day long. That’s not true at all. Research suggests that you should aim to stand for just two hours and eventually work up to no more than four hours a day, alternating between sitting and standing. Remember, doing anything excessively is harmful, including standing. So, keep going with sitting entirely; otherwise, you’ll miss out on the benefits of standing.
Many people do not adjust the desk properly to their body height even when sitting, but this misalignment becomes quickly noticeable when standing:
If your feet feel incredibly exhausted after standing all day, it might be because you don’t have an anti-fatigue mat at your standing desk. Such a mat gives you added cushioning for comfort and promotes slight movements while standing.
A popular aspect of standing rather than sitting while working is the freedom to move around. Adding elements like upbeat music or using a specially designed standing mat can encourage you to stay active at your ergonomic standing desk.
Moreover, standing allows you to maximize the time spent on your feet. More movement improves blood circulation, ensuring that vital areas, including your brain, receive sufficient blood flow. As a result, you can effortlessly enhance your productivity, energy, and mood.
It’s well-known that maintaining good posture is crucial for your overall health and well-being. Despite this, many of us often overlook our posture daily. Poor posture can reduce the time you can comfortably stand each day and lead to pain similar to what you’d experience from long periods of sitting.
Moreover, it can lead to various health issues, including general fatigue and more severe conditions like restricted blood flow.
As we have mentioned, people make several common errors when using a standing desk. One such mistake is not maintaining the correct ergonomic posture while standing.
Also, improper setup of your standing desk can diminish its advantages.
Add a standing desk into your workspace can enhance your health, performance, and productivity. Therefore, we have outlined the critical elements for achieving ergonomic success with your standing desk.
Integrating a high-quality standing desk into your workspace is essential for achieving the correct ergonomic standing desk setup. One excellent option is the SENDI Electric Lifting Standing Desk. When selecting a standing desk, ensure it’s deep enough to place your monitor directly in front of you, with a minimum distance of 20 inches.
When setting up your ergonomic workspace, ensure your monitor is directly in front of you and about an arm’s length away. When standing at your desk, the top of your screen should be at or just below eye level.
If you wear bifocals, lowering the monitor by one to two inches is a good idea for a more comfortable viewing experience. Also, position the monitor so the brightest light source is to the side.
Where you place your monitors also depends on how much time you spend on each one and how much work you do. If you use dual monitors equally, set them up close together at an angle with the edges touching and facing you.
But if you primarily use one monitor (say, over 80% of the time), place that one directly in front of you and the second monitor off to the side.
A great way to set up your ergonomic workspace is to keep your keyboard and mouse on the same surface. Position them so you can keep your elbows close to your body for better posture.
It is also important to keep your wrists straight while typing or using your mouse. Your upper arms should stay close to your body, and your hands should be at or below elbow level.
One tip for a more ergonomic workspace is to use keyboard shortcuts to reduce mouse use. You might also want to adjust your mouse’s sensitivity to operate it with a lighter touch. Additionally, consider switching the mouse to the other side of your keyboard to give your hand a break.
If you often talk on the phone and type or write at the same time, it’s recommended that you use a speakerphone or a headset. This approach is better than holding the phone between your neck and head and helps improve your ergonomic posture at your desk.
Many individuals frequently overlook integrating crucial items into their daily work routine. These essential tools can include things like a phone, printed documents, or a stapler. To maintain an ergonomic workspace, it is advisable to keep these important objects within easy reach to avoid unnecessary stretching during the workday.
Having read this ergonomic standing desk guide, you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of using your adjustable standing desk. However, the effectiveness of maintaining an ergonomic posture also depends on the quality of your desk. Therefore, it is advisable to invest in high-quality, motorized ergonomic office furniture, such as those provided by My idea&Co Office Furniture, to enhance your workstation.
Seek advice from ergonomics or wellness professionals and make purchases from specialists rather than any reseller or general furniture store. As with any growing market, there are shortcuts and opportunists looking to capitalize on trends, so stay informed, make cautious decisions, and choose wisely.
