Work-From-Home Wellness: Standing Desks

February 1, 2024

At one time, the prospect of standing all day for an office job may have seemed oppressive, uncomfortable, and an impediment to productivity. Times have changed, however.

Many companies and people working from home offices have embraced the idea of more standing. According to Creedence Research, the standing desk market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years.

With a growing number of companies allowing work-at-home arrangements and the increasing number of people using home offices, standing desks are getting a lot of positive attention.

In home offices with little space, standing desks might make a lot of sense because they often have a smaller footprint than other office desks.

As people strive for wellness, standing desks may help contribute to a more active, health-conscious lifestyle that stands in contrast with some of the problems associated with being too sedentary, including sitting too much.

Standing desks, as the name suggests, help make it possible for users to stand or sit as they work and come in a variety of styles and materials with different features. Standing desks range in price from around $100 to more than $2,500.

The types of standing desks include:

  • Fixed-height standing desks enable people to work at a set height.
  • Height-aadjustable desks can be raised or lowered by manual means, or there are standing desks powered by electricity and move with the push of a button. Sitting to standing desks enable people to stand or sit as they prefer throughout the day.

Some features of standing desks include:

  • Steel base providing lasting strength
  • Desktops with heavy-duty laminate finish
  • Programmable memory settings for height-adjustable desks
  • Cable management trays

Some popular standing desk brands include:


Strive for Greater Productivity

Standing has been linked to greater productivity. For example, one study has shown that standing for one hour per day increased productivity for 66% of workers, 71% felt more focused, and 87% felt more energized.

A study was conducted in a call center environment involving stand-capable desks. Over a period of 6 months, a group of employees were assigned to stand-capable desks, and their performance was monitored against those without. The standing desk group ended up having 0.5 more successful calls per hour than the group that remained sitting. Ultimately, this resulted in considerably more revenue for the company as well.

Holding any posture for too long can be tiring and may interfere with work. A good height-adjustable sit-stand desk allows the user to sit and stand as they prefer and also lets them sit and stand at different heights to help take into consideration the changing requirements of their body and mood throughout the workday.

A standing desk with electric height adjustment, including pre-programmed settings, makes it very easy to use a desk at different optimal heights throughout the day.


Part of a Healthier Lifestyle

Stand-up desks are considered ergonomic desks and are part of the active furniture category, appealing to people who strive for a healthier, more active lifestyle, even as they work. The category includes:

When it comes to burning calories, standing uses more than sitting; it’s just a question of how much. According to Healthline, you burn an average of 65-85 calories per hour while sitting. When standing, you burn an average of 70-95 calories per hour.

People working at standing computer desks tend to move more throughout the day, shifting their weight from one foot to another, leaning, twisting, and just being more active. This may help to burn even more calories throughout the day.

Says Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, Chief of Preventive Cardiology at the Mayo Clinic: “Standing not only burns more calories, the additional muscle activity is linked to lower rates of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes, so the benefits of standing could go beyond weight control.”

Don’t Stand Alone

Of course, stand-up desks are most effective when used properly. For more information on proper ergonomics associated with stand-up desks, consult StartStanding.org.

Other ideas for standing desk practices include:

  • Wearing comfortable shoes with no or low heels.
  • Standing on an anti-fatigue mat, which uses soft material, such as rubber, to reduce the wearing effects of a hard floor.
  • Taking short walk breaks every 30 minutes or so.
  • Getting a headset or speaker to avoid bending your neck if you’re on the phone a lot.
  • Avoiding hunching or leaning on the desk as though it is a counter.
  • Shifting your weight from foot to foot throughout the day to reduce lower back stress.

And, like any new activity, using a standing desk is something that should be done in increments at your own pace.

Keep in mind that you have other active furniture and ergonomic options, including active seating and active workstations. Check out a full selection of standing desks.


About the Author

Peter Giffen is a writer and editor who specializes in business and technology.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is” and neither the author nor Office Depot, Inc. warrant the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.The content is based on scientific and technical research noted below. The information does not constitute a medical consultation and cannot replace medical advice. Any information should never be used as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other health care provider.

The contents of this article are for information purposes only. The information does not constitute a medical consultation and cannot replace medical advice. Any information should never be used as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other health care provider. There are many possible causes for physical discomfort. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms or symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with your job or personal activities, consider seeking medical assistance.