Sit Stand Desks – Are they right for you?

I am sure by now you have heard of sit stand desks commonly referred to as “SSDs” -not to be confused with solid state hard drives. It seems that as of about 7 – 8 years ago everyone took a stand against sitting choosing to battle muscular skeletal disorders with fitness trackers, gym memberships and of course sit stand desks. When I first saw a standing desk it left an impression on me that this was something new and revolutionary when the reality is that they have been around for some time and by that I mean hundreds of years. There is evidence of Leonardo Da Vinci, Napoleon Bonaparte, Thomas Jefferson and Winston Churchill all using standing desks to complete their tasks ranging from painting, writing documents and expressing military action on maps. Today’s standing desks are an evolved, more polished version of the originals that many of the historical greats used, but the idea that made them practical back then still holds today.

There is a lot of information floating around online about sit stand desks and like with most topics on the web, there are some facts, some stretched claims and some flat out lies. I will elaborate on some of the most common questions and assumptions around sit stand desks and then add on some of the other features that are often overlooked. Throughout my life I have had many different types of desks and I have to say sit stand desks definitely stand out from the rest! 

Is it healthier to stand or sit?

Truth be told there are a fair amount of studies out there but the sample sets, the amount of people involved in the study, and their variety don’t always paint a clear conclusion. The studies present data supporting ideas that too much standing can lead to vascular issues and joint pain, while too much sitting has been linked to colon cancers and heart disease. It’s important to understand that there are many factors which are not really inclusive in these statistics such as hereditary conditions, diet, exercise, the type of chairs and other equipment used at people’s desks. There is something that is agreed upon as a fact, remaining in a fixed position regardless if standing or sitting will lead to discomfort and often times muscular skeletal disorders later on. The bottom line, change positions and postures frequently with breaks to walk or stretch around every 30 – 45 minutes.

HOG Pro move: If you have a fitness tracker or smartwatch there are plenty of apps out there to help remind you to move and stretch

Will sit stand desks help me lose weight?

This is the most common question people have about sit stand desks especially due to segments of the population being overweight as a result of sedentary lifestyles and occupations. Studies have shown that standing tends to burn 20 to 50 more calories an hour more than sitting which can add up overtime. Doing some quick math, we can see that standing for half the day or 4 hours, out of a typical 8-hour work day, can burn between 80 – 200 calories (half to a full avocado). The short answer is in fact yes standing desks can aid in losing weight or help from gaining additional weight but that is also dependent on what other activities are done throughout the day along with a healthy diet. As a general dietary fact, if you are taking in more calories than you are burning then you will gain weight. Incorporating a sit stand desk will help burn more calories but it may not help you lose weight if other health aspects negate the benefits. 

HOG pro move: To burn even more calories while standing move or dance with your legs on a standing matt. 

Do sit stand desks make me more focused and productive?

I am just going to say it, sit stand desks will not do your job for you… but they will help you find the power inside to create that AI bot that will. One of the major selling points for sit stand desk manufacturers is the cognitive benefits they give to the user which is especially enticing for large firms designing an office. Data pulled from research studies show that when users stand, even if for as little as 10 minutes, circulation is stimulated which sends oxygen and nutrients to the brain aiding in its function and focus. Pain and discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time is often distracting at key points during the day, being able to stand gives relief and keeps you working comfortably without breaking concentration. 

HOG pro move: Take a look at your schedule and workflow: when typing for long periods of time it can be easier to sit, on long meetings or calls try standing to keep focus. Align your daily activities with what is comfortable to sit for or stand for. 

Those were the top 3 common points and questions that most people have around sit stand desks but I found there to be more that needs to be taken into consideration. After owning sit stand desks for a few years I really began to appreciate how much they offer so I listed out the below pros and cons that can help you get a better sense of what it’s like to own one. 

• More parts than regular desks so assembly can require additional time or multiple people.
• Generally, more expensive than a standard fixed height desk.
• If you opt for an electric motor version desk, power cables for it will need an electrical outlet that may not always be easily accessible.
• Depending on designs sometimes electric motors that break require the whole base to be replaced.HOG Pro Tip: Take a good look at the warranty and clarify with manufacturer if needed before purchasing. 
• Hand crank can be tedious to use and can take away from the easiness of going from sitting to standing that is offered on electric motor models.
• Weight limits differ from model to model, sometimes the design that really appeals to you cannot handle the weight of items located on your desk.