What is a standing desk?

A standing desk also referred to as a height adjustable, sit-stand or stand-up desk, allows the user to work more healthily in both standing and seated positions. Experts recommend regular change of posture and position throughout the workday to avoid the risks of prolonged sitting and boost metabolic burn by becoming more active at work. Intermittent standing throughout the day reduces multiple health risks but also improves performance, creativity, motivation, and productivity whilst you work.

Standing desks are increasingly becoming the new norm for office workers who wish to reduce their risks of the “sitting disease” during the workday.

Why should you work at a standing desk?

Height adjustable desks enable you to transition easily between sitting and standing. This has many benefits and most importantly you work more healthily, more comfortably and more productively.

Experts recommend regular change of posture and position throughout the workday to avoid the risks of prolonged sitting and boost metabolic burn by becoming more active at work. Stand-up working helps prevent many backs and Musculo-skeletal conditions. You will also experience higher energy levels and carry out routine tasks much more time efficiently.

Switching between sitting and standing throughout your working day helps reduce workday fatigue, eases any joint and muscle pain, improves productivity, and means you can end the day feeling energised rather than wiped out.

Multiple advantages of using a standing desk

Speak to anyone who has a standing desk, and you will quickly become convinced of the widespread health and comfort benefits of making the switch to sit-stand working. Read our Benefits of a Standing Desk to find out more.

Public Health England guidance recommends office workers convert two working hours each day from sitting to standing. The equivalent calorie burn over the course of a year equates to running 10 marathons, which is mind-blowing.

Sit-stand workers are also more motivated, energised, and productive. Our customers frequently tell us they would never return to their old static desk sitting working habits. “I wish I’d started using a standing desk years ago,” is a frequent refrain.

Key features of a standing desk

Our standing desks are robust, stylish, and affordable. We offer the widest choice of solutions in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. Sit-Stand.Com® is the UK’s largest online supplier and the preferred source for over 100,000 customers.

Electric standing desks often include a digital memory control switch that raises and lowers the entire desk at a push of a button, enabling you to save your preferred height positions.

Desk risers convert any desk to a standing desk as they can be placed on any work surface. Gas-powered levers make them easy to operate with minimal effort, as they glide up and down.

Why not take advantage of our 30-day FREE trial and make sure you have chosen the active office solution best suited to you and your workplace?

What are the different types of standing desk?

Height adjustable desks fall into three categories: electric standing desks, desk risers and portable laptop stands.

Electric standing desks are a permanent piece of office furniture which is increasingly popular with both business and work from home customers. The whole desktop raises and lowers at the touch of a button using an electric switch. Electric sit-stand desks can be fitted into a corner space, may have ‘wings’ or function as a ‘bench desk’ enabling staff to work opposite each other operating each standing desk individually.

Hand crank desks are not recommended as they break down easily. Furthermore, crank systems are very slow to transition up & down, so they are used much less than electric solutions.

Desk risers sit on top of any existing desk so are easily integrated into an existing office or homeworking space. They enable you to convert any desk or table into a healthy standing desk with minimal disruption. Check the maximum weight load your desk riser can handle, whether it is appropriate for multiple screens and whether it is suitable for your height. Some models are better for taller users. Yo-Yo DESK® risers are the sturdiest available and prevent wobble whilst you type; they are very robust and perhaps a bit heavy to move regularly between work areas.

Portable laptop stands are a good choice for home working on a temporary basis as they can be used in multiple locations, then folded up and stored when not required. They are light and compact, yet stable and robust.

Reasons for employers to buy height-adjustable standing desks

As an employer you have a legal responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of your people. This applies whether someone works in an office, their own home or the new hybrid working norm.

In Denmark, it is now the law for employers to provide all office workers with a sit-stand desk, as they cannot be expected to sit for more than 2 hours at a time.

It is also imperative to know that the payback in productivity gains for an employer investing in standing desk is a matter of weeks. For more details, check out our Payback Calculator to see the economic benefits for a business investing in sit-stand desks.

Staff increasingly see standing desks as a basic workplace requirement and not just available to those suffering from chronic back pain.

Equipping your team with standing desks not only shows that you value their good health, but it also leads to reduced absenteeism, increased staff retention, better productivity, and employee satisfaction.

Expert advice about using a standing desk

Visit our ‘Ask Linda’ webpage to view advice and videos from our resident expert physiotherapist. Linda recommends adopting a variety of important sit-stand habits, equally helpful to new and experienced standing desk users wishing to adopt best practices.

"I treat a lot of patients who suffer from work related conditions and passionately believe that using active office equipment correctly will improve your back health and reduce a plethora of health risks,” says Linda.