Sit n Stand desk

The problem in our world today is that we sit too much. We are much more sedentary than we ever were. We sit on trains, in cars, in offices working or in meetings, while watching TV, talking on the phone, playing video games, you name it. We are an inactive community, especially all of us in urban and semi-urban settings, and it's time to change. Sitting is now identified as an independent risk factor to lifestyle diseases, much like smoking. It means that even if you are eating right, working out, sleeping on time, not stressed, etc., but sit too much, you are still at risk of lifestyle diseases and even death. A very interesting study way back in 1949 on London bus drivers and conductors revealed that drivers were much more prone to heart diseases and stroke as compared to the conductors. On average a conductor would take 500 - 1000 steps more per working day. So they lived longer and stayed healthier. Essentially it boils down to basics - human beings were meant for constant activity and not constant sitting.

Does it make a difference to stand and work, how to use it to an advantage Why choose sit-stand desks / height-adjustable tables (HATs) ? What are the advantages? Is it more inspiring or productive to have an Option to sit and stand during work? Is there Health Advantage to shift between sitting and standing when working?

Sit to stand desks are fat-fighting, energy-boosting, pain-reducing, productivity-increasing, team-building workspace solutions. It’s no wonder that sit-stand desks (or stand-up desks or sit-to-stand desks or height adjustable Tables) are becoming increasingly popular.

Here are a few of the benefits of the Height Adjustable Tables (HATs):

• 10 minutes of Standing is all it takes to increase focus. Sitting for a long duration is not advised by many doctors and is categorized as an Occupational Hazard. Shifting to standing releases unworked muscles during seating. Standing stimulates circulation, which sends more oxygen and nutrients to your brain.
• Standing and moving in small bursts throughout the day increases overall energy levels.
• Standing periodically throughout the day, you can dramatically reduce back pain.
• Yes, Standing burns more calories than sitting
• Standing Meeting is proved to be more effective than sitting. Standing encourages collaboration and team interactions.

Easy transition from standing to sitting and vice versa, increases productivity and focus, although it is physiological. Some expert says benefits may be due to excitement of using new technology but it works.

You may not realize the importance of movement and activity but it keeps the brain plasticity, especially in older adults, helps prevent back pain, diabetes, heart disease, and even depression. Move now and stand often, leave sitting for the lesser and later.

How to use a sit to stand desk correctly?

Using a sit to stand desk correctly seems to be very straight forward. You stand…You Work! However, if you follow a few tips, you will get the best results from your dynamic desk.

Here is the step by step instructions on how to use a sit to stand desk, based on your height and requirements:

1. Standing Posture

• When you stand, stand with your weight well distributed on your two feet. Do not stand with your weight shifted one side.
• For every 30 mins of sitting, stand atleast for 3 mins. Or For Every 60 mins of sitting, stand for 10mins.
• Stand straight and lift/lower the desk to your elbow height. Bend the elbows at a 90-degree angle. Keep your shoulders back and keep your wrists neutral.
• Save your custom height setting so you can easily transition between sitting and standing without interrupting your workflow.
• If you are old or have knee problems you should not stand for long duration either. Also, use anti-fatigue or extra cushion footwear to reduce stress, on your leg joints, while standing. Although anti-fatigue mats are also available they are inconvenient, as you have to keep them aside when you want to sit. It is better to wear well-cushioned footwear if you are planning to stand & work.

2. Sitting Posture

• Adjust the height of your chair so that the top of the seat cushion is parallel to the base of your knees and feet are flat rested on the ground or use a footrest for keeping your feet at an angle you prefer. This will reduce strain on your knees and ankles.

Your hands should float over the keyboard with straight, relaxed wrists and sit in an upright posture with the lower back well supported.

What additional accessories you can use with a standing desk:

• The most important piece of furniture in your workplace is the chair, An investment in a good ergonomic chair will help you in reducing back and neck pain.
• Monitor and Laptop arms are the most essential, you can ergonomically position your viewing angle and distance to reduce strain on eyes and fatigue on the neck.
• You can also consider a footrest, mouse pad, wireless keyboard & mouse, articulated, or at least a regular keyboard tray.
• Bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle and raise or lower your adjustable desk until its surface reaches the bottom of your forearms. It is also important to rest the elbow on the arm-rest of your chair if you type for long periods, it will prevent shoulder pain.

How to find the right work table for you?

While choosing an adjustable height table, it’s important to ensure that you consider all the options and thoughtfully evaluate how you or your people will use them. A practical option would be setting up shared sit-stand workstations throughout the office for people to use as needed. It is a premium solution compared to traditional workstations, but the benefits are numerous.

Here are a few things to consider while choosing:

• Choose for a bigger height range low height of 650mm to max height of 1200mm is ideal.
• More depth on the work surface will give people more freedom to work.
• The mechanism should not be loud and distracting to others and offer quicker speed for transitions. Choose a 3 stage leg for smooth and low noise transitions and faster movement..
• Electricity access to the desk. Use of right cable tray or wire manager & power outlet option to reduce the clutter.
• The weight-bearing capacity of the desk is important criteria considering the current & future expansion of the gadgets to be used eg. widescreen or dual monitor.
• Programmable & memory settings for different heights positions are a feature of convenience.
• The choice of screens, partitions, and colors, can match your taste and décor.
• Manual Height adjustable tables are also available if you are looking for a very cost-effective solution. Although there are a few compromises in premium features

In almost every workspace whether at home or office there is a need for a Height Adjustable Table. Regardless of what you use it for, be it work or gaming, you need something that will provide you with comfort and promote proper posture.

Choosing the best solution is a process that requires a little research and if you follow the tips and advice provided in this post, we’re confident that you’ll be able to find the perfect fit that suits you best.

If you’d like to check out our range of offers for your home & office and other innovative products, feel free to call us on 9821131466 or drop an email at [email protected].

( Images used are for illustration purposes only and are copyrighted to their respective owners.)