Office Furniture Online’s Helpful Buying Guide: Sit-Stand Desks
Are you looking to upgrade your office setup to allow you to work more productively? In our guide for Sit-Stand Desks, also known as standing or height-adjustable desks, we will explore the many benefits they can provide you and help you navigate the key features to consider when choosing the right one for your needs.
When you take into account that office workers spend at least 6.5 hours a day at their desks, it’s easy to see why creating a healthier, more dynamic workspace is so important. Whether you’re aiming to improve your posture, boost energy levels, or simply create an improved office space, Sit-Stand Desks are an excellent investment.
What is a Sit-Stand Desk?
First things first, what is a Sit-Stand Desk? Simply put, a Sit-Stand Desk, also known as a height-adjustable or standing desk, is a type of desk that allows the user to alternate between sitting and standing positions throughout the day. They are increasing in popularity due to the flexibility they bring to an office. This is usually achieved through a manual or motorized mechanism that enables the desk’s height to be easily raised or lowered to suit the user’s preferences.
What are the benefits of Sit-Stand Desks?
Let’s quickly dive into some of the key benefits of a Sit-Stand Desk and how one can improve your workday. You may be researching and weighing up whether making the switch is right for you, so here are a few reasons why Sit-Stand Desks have become a must-have for many home office and commercial space workers…
- Improved Posture: One instant benefit is the alleviation of strain on your back, neck, and shoulders. Sitting for prolonged periods will often create discomfort resulting in poor posture, slouching, and even long-term musculoskeletal issues. A height-adjustable desk is one way to effectively combat this.
- Increased Energy Levels: Alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day helps maintain better circulation, which can combat the sluggishness that often comes from staying seated for hours.
- Better Focus: With the ability to stand while working, and the movement this encourages, you get to benefit from a sharper focus and higher attentive state – leading to better productivity!
- Higher Comfort: Whether you’re seated for a meeting or standing for a brainstorming session, you can adjust the height to achieve the perfect ergonomic setup. This adaptability can significantly reduce discomfort, making your workday more pleasant and efficient.
How to use a Sit-Stand Desk?
Once you have the top of your monitors at eye level and your keyboard positioned so that your elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle, you’re ready to start using your Sit-Stand Desk effectively.
The best way to make the most out of it is to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day rather than staying in one position for hours. This will vary, dependent on individual needs. Each user will need to find the balance – by experimenting with different intervals to determine what works best for their comfort and listening to the signals from their bodies.
Sit-Stand Desks will have an easy-to-use control panel or interface that is very straightforward. However, some models may include additional features that are less obvious, which means you may need to refer to the user manual to fully understand and utilise.
- Regularly Alternate Between Sitting and Standing: Experts recommend starting with short standing intervals, such as 20–30 minutes, and gradually increasing the time you spend standing. Aim to stand for at least 15 minutes every hour to reduce the risks associated with prolonged sitting.
- Use Programmable Presets: Many modern Sit-Stand Desks have a user-friendly interface that allows the user to save their preferred sitting and standing positions. This saves time by adjusting the desk to the exact height you need with the press of a button, eliminating the hassle of manual adjustments.
- Anti-Collision Technology: For added safety, advanced standing desks will have integrated sensors that detect obstacles in the desk’s path. If the office desk encounters an object – such as a chair, cables, or other items – it will automatically stop and reverse its movement to prevent damage. If applicable, this feature is enabled by default – but always check the instruction manual for confirmation!
Remember to keep correct posture throughout to reap the benefits – top of your monitors at eye level and your keyboard positioned so that your elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle.
What to key features should you consider with a Sit-Stand Desk?
When browsing for a standing desk, it is vital to know what aspects are important to you. While many people might start by choosing a colour scheme for their desk, it is also essential to consider how other features can impact your comfort, productivity, and long-term satisfaction with your new office setup. With your ideal colour in mind, we have sorted these features in order of importance for the average office desk user…
- Ergonomics and Comfort: Ergonomics and comfort should always be your top priority when upgrading your office furniture. Thankfully with Sit-Stand Desks, their small, minute adjustments in height can have a big impact on your overall well-being. They can ensure that your monitor is always at eye level and your elbows are at a 90-degree angle while working, both of which help reduce strain on your neck, shoulders, and back.
- Adjustability and Ease of Use: Many modern electric desks offer programmable presets, allowing you to save multiple sitting and standing positions for quick and easy transitions. With just the touch of a button, you can instantly adjust your desk’s height to your preferred level, which is perfect for saving time – it is not fun having to wait around with your finger on the button while the desk adjusts, so these presets help free your patience!
- Stability and Build Quality: A high-quality desk should have a solid frame and sturdy legs, so it doesn’t wobble or shake when you adjust the height. Stability is especially important when standing, as an unstable desk can lead to discomfort and distraction. Most come with adjustable feet, allowing them to remain stable on uneven surfaces. Another factor with the stability and build quality includes the weight limit. How many items will your desk support? Think about monitors, peripherals, accessories, and other equipment…
- Anti-Collision Technology: This innovative technology can help reduce the risk of the desk colliding with surrounding furniture and equipment. It functions by detecting a possible obstacle and automatically stopping or reversing the desk’s movement to prevent damage.
- Noise Level: While noise level may not always be a top concern, it is important for some individuals who work in quiet or shared spaces. Fortunately, most modern Sit-Stand Desks are designed with quiet operation in mind, and you will typically only hear sound when adjusting the height.
Office Furniture Online’s Spotlight Products
Here are Office Furniture Online’s 3 Best Sit-Stand Desks for office workers wanting to improve their workplace productivity – just read the reviews, there is a reason these are our most popular height-adjustable office desks!
Karbon Dual Motor Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
Featuring a robust dual motor system, this desk effortlessly adjusts between heights 655-1315mm, enabling a smooth transition from sitting to standing for a healthier workday. Integrate a flexible work surface with our electric height-adjustable desk thanks to its control panel and 4 pre-set desk heights. Durable construction with high-quality materials makes it suitable for busy offices.
Novigami Ototo Standing Desk – Electric Height Adjustable
This standing desk features a sleek, melamine-coated chipboard desktop with a powder-coated steel frame to provide a strong, easy-to-clean, reliable Sit-Stand Desk. It is equipped with three memory locations, a digital control panel, and an anti-collision mechanism, this desk ensures smooth and safe height adjustments.
Choose your colour and order today to enjoy a 3 year warranty.
Karbon Select Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
This sturdy height-adjustable office desk has a high load capacity of 150kg in sitting and standing positions. Every user can tweak its height to their ergonomic needs to always be comfortable while working. Take advantage of the anti-collision technology and high-quality craftsmanship and experience a workspace that will last you many years – as demonstrated by our generous 3-year warranty.
Find the perfect colour for your office space and order today!
We hope you are now more informed to make a better purchasing decision. If you’re still unsure on which type of Sit-Stand Desk is best for your office needs, contact our friendly customer service team – who are more than happy to guide you through with the options, answer any questions, and help you find the perfect fit for your workspace.