How to use a sit-stand desk
New to the sit-stand desk phenomenon?
Welcome to the revolution changing the way we work every day!
Making the move to a standing desk can seem a little daunting, but weโre here to show you that itโs really not so bad – in fact, you too will be enjoying the benefits of sit-stand desks youโve been reading about, before you even know it!
There are a few fundamentals you might like to experiment with as you make the transition – but remember, each body is different, and what works for some may not work for you.
Itโs about following best practises and then adjusting those, as suited, to suit your individual needs.
Using a standing desk isnโt quite as simple as sit – stand – repeat, but basic principle is the same!
There are a few nifty tricks and techniques you might like to follow, especially if youโre new to standing.
Keep your shoulders relaxed
If you sit at a poor-quality desk chair, we want you to do a little experiment as you read this blog post.
Take note of the way your shoulders are positioned. Are they relaxed and neutral, or instead are you subconsciously bunching them up, keeping them hunched up towards your ears?
You probably donโt notice it, but once you do, youโll be surprised you did it for so long!
The reason behind those bunched up shoulders can come down to a couple of things, but mainly, itโs due to a desk (or a chair, if youโre sitting) that isnโt set to the right height.
If your desk is too high, itโll force your forearms to sit at an awkwardly high angle, hence the bunched up shoulders. The same goes for your chair, too: if your chair is too low, it will push your forearms up, too.
Your arms should bend at a neutral, 90ยฐ angle, and your shoulders relaxed.
Distribute your weight evenly between both feet
While itโs harder for you to slouch when at a standing desk, you still might fall into old habits of putting all your weight and pressure on a single leg and foot, before transferring it to your other foot.
Itโs important that while youโre working at your sit-stand desk, you stand with your feet shoulder width apart and consciously distribute weight evenly.
Alternate, alternate, alternate!
We cannot stress this one enough: the best way to use your sit-stand desk is to actually sit and stand at it throughout the day.
That means shorter and more frequent bursts of sitting and standing rather than four hours sitting followed by four hours standing.
This is especially important if youโre new to a standing desk. Ease your way into it with frequent and short standing sessions.
That could mean starting out with 30 minutes standing followed by an hour sitting.
As the weeks progress and you get more used to switching throughout the day, you could look at levelling out this ratio. This means youโre frequently and evenly alternating between sitting and standing during your day.
Keep your chin up!
The height of your computer screen is just as important as the height of your desk!
OK – so your desk is set at the optimum standing height. Your shoulders are relaxed and your wrists are sitting comfortably and lightly at your keyboard.
However, your head is bent at a 45ยฐ angle as you look down towards your computer.
Itโs now time to lift that screen and relieve your neck from that excess weight!
A standing desk doesnโt just help your back and legs. Used properly, it should also relieve โdesk neckโ, one of the most common office culprits.
Need to adjust your screen or computer? Youโre in luck – our durableย monitor armsย are fully adjustable to suit the height, angle, and depth you require to comfortably sit or stand.
Want to make the most of your sit-stand desk? Go electric!
Why?
Itโs simple: manual desks are too cumbersome to operate. Before you know it, your fabulous โsit-standโ desk will find its permanent position as a sitting desk. As for you? Youโll find yourself sitting just as much as you were before your new desk.
Weโve gone into greater detail about the different between an electric and manual standing desk – you can catch up on that blog postย here.
The bottom line, though, is that a manual desk takes too long to shift between sitting and standing, and with your computer and various desk accessories, is also pretty heavy and therefore tiresome to adjust!
Stand up for better health with a sit-stand desk
So there you have it.
We hope this crash course has helped you understand how you can make the most out of your new standing desk.
Most importantly, remember that it takes time to train your body to stand during the workday. If youโve been working for even just a few years in a desk job, youโve got a tough habit to break. Itโs natural that it will take some getting used to.
We suggest creating a schedule that you can follow during the first few weeks as you make the transition.
It can be as simple as:
- Week 1: stand for 5 minutes once per hour
- Week 2: stand for 10 minutes once per hour
- Week 3: stand for 10 minutes twice per hour
- Week 4: stand for 15 minutes once per hour
- Week 5: stand for 15 minutes every 30 minutes
Discover Ergomotionโs range ofย electric sit-stand desks here.
If youโve got any questions, please donโt hesitate to get in touch! Give us a call onย (03) 9579 1454ย orย fill in this formย and weโll get in touch.
