What are the advantages and disadvantages of standing ...

Chris Barlow explains how to set standing desks up

Our Head of Ergonomics Chris Barlow comes with a wealth of ergonomic knowledge and explains to us how to effectively set up your standing desk:

If you want to learn more, please visit our website FreErgo.

“If you sit with your feet flat on the floor, your legs should fit comfortably under the desk. Raising your chair so that your hips are slightly higher than your knees is ideal. You should be able to cross your legs comfortably (but please don’t) and we recommend using a footrest for added support if necessary.

Your upper arms should be parallel to your torso, with 90 and 110 degrees being the angle formed by your forearm and upper arm.

If your desk is at the correct height, your hands should be resting comfortably on it, with your index fingers resting on the F and J keys on the keyboard.

I would advise getting a desk with a programmable switch if you want to make sure it is consistently the correct height. Also, Googling “desk height calculator” will give you advice on the perfect sitting and standing heights for your body size

For a visual demonstration or to book a DSE assessment with one of our professional team contact me today at ergo@remtek-online.co.uk.”

Setting your standing desk up correctly

Ensuring that your feet, knees, and thighs have enough room is an important part of proper desk ergonomics. If a desk is excessively low and not adjustable, consider placing boards or blocks under the desk legs. However, this isn’t something that we recommend without professional guidance.

If your desk is too high, raise your chair without sacrificing your natural stance. Also, don’t be scared to rest your feet on a footrest. Get a wrist rest if your desk has a hard edge. Finally, nothing should be stored beneath your desk.

You can feel and work better if you have a comfortable, ergonomic workspace. We recommend that you keep these pointers in mind as you begin your workday.

Setting up your standing desk in a home office

Now for the next challenge – up your standing desk in a home office.

Optimal workplace ergonomic posture is like sitting in a car, with your feet flat but legs extended, and your upper body angled slightly backwards rather than upright.

To obtain a decent setup, concentrate on making adjustments in these four areas.

1. Neck and Head

Your head should be vertical to your neck to avoid harm to your neck, shoulders, and back.

Unfortunately, some desks cause workers to bend necks forward which can cause strain – look at laptop stands and correct positioning of screens.

Display screen height may be different when standing rather than sitting, an adjustable monitor arm can resolve this issue. Check out our Monitor arms here.

2. Back Support and Seated Posture

Choose a seating position that allows you to see the screen while also supporting your lower back. It should feel like you’re in the driver’s seat of a car, leaning back somewhat.

If you don’t have access to an ergonomic chair, place a cushion, pillow, or cloth behind your lower back. You can also get lumbar support chair cushions for a reasonable price. Look into orthopaedic seats such as BackJoy’s posture seat series.

These saddle-like devices can be used with any chair and tilt your pelvis into a more ergonomic position. If you are shorter, you may find that using a footrest also assists with maintaining proper posture. Check out our footrests here.

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3. Wrist and Hand Position

Hands and wrists should be in the same neutral position as your head. Lay your arm and hand flat on the table by extending them forward. Keep the hand, wrist, and forearm as perfectly aligned as possible.

Utilise whatever input devices you’re using with your hands in a neutral posture for as much of the time as feasible. If you have an ergonomic desk or chair, adjust the height of your table or chair, as well as the distance between you and your keyboard and mouse.

Remember, keep the ‘B’ on your keyboard in line with your belly button.

4. Behaviour

The final point of emphasis is on behaviour. Take regular breaks and get moving as much as you can around your workstation.

The optimal habit is to take a little break every 20 minutes to stand up and stretch, perhaps for a minute or two. Better still, go for a walk while making a cup of tea or coffee. Circulation, comfort, and performance all benefit from movement. It also reduces the likelihood of injury.

Try to reduce the amount of time your body spends executing one repetitive task. Consider using a voice-to-text app or dictation software if your profession necessitates a lot of typing. For support with Assistive Technology recommendations and/or training visit our dedicated page here.

Conclusion

To conclude we thoroughly recommend that individuals and employers research and invest in standing desks to make workspaces as comfortable and productive as possible. If you have a question about any of our ergonomic desks or would like to book a FREE consultation with one of our experts email us today at ergo@remtek-online.co.uk.

You’ve probably seen a co-worker catch up on emails at the office’s treadmill desk, while another knocks out reports at their standing desk. But did you know they’re lowering their risk for heart disease, obesity, and back and neck pain, too?

Studies have linked sitting a lot to these and other health problems. Even people who exercise most days face health risks if they sit too much. Standing desks raise your computer high enough for you to work and stand at the same time. This keeps you on your feet for more of the day.

Types of Standing Desks

All standing desks follow the same basic idea -- they let you work while you stand.

Fixed-height desks stay at your standing height. Sit-stand desks go up and down so you can sit or stand whenever you feel like it. Power sit-stand desks go up with the push of a button. You can lift manual ones with a handle or raise them with a lever or crank.

You can buy a standing desk online or at an office supply, electronics, or big-box store.

A basic fixed-height desk will cost you less than $100, but a really nice electric desk can cost more than $1,000. Treadmill desks take the idea a step further by letting you walk while you work, but they can cost more than $1,000, too.

The Pros

Besides less sitting time, standing at work has other benefits:

More calories burned: One study showed that standing sheds 88 calories an hour, compared to 80 calories for sitting. Walking burns a lot more -- 210 calories an hour.

Less back pain: Sitting for long periods of time tightens your muscles and can hurt your lower back, especially if you have bad posture. Standing desks seem to help ease back pain, but doctors don't know how much time you need to stand to get this benefit.

More productive: In a study of call center employees, those with standing desks were 45% more productive on a daily basis than employees who sat during their shift.

Are you interested in learning more about electric standing desk with memory? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!