How To Switch To A Standing Desk

Standing-desk2-ergomotion

How To Switch To A Standing Desk

Standing desks โ€“ they seem to be quite the rage in various offices all around the world. Be assured though, these are no passing fad or trend.

Standing desks, sit-stand desks, or height adjustable desks: whatever you refer to them as, get used to them! Theyโ€™re quickly rising in popularity, for all the right reasons.

Benefits of a standing desk

There are a myriad of benefits of a standing desk, including stronger posture, a higher calorie-burning rate, and improved blood flow.

Sedentary behaviour is often referred to as โ€œsitting diseaseโ€, where prolonged periods of sitting increases the risk of health issues like diabetes and heart attacks, as well as tight hips, and back and shoulder pain.

If youโ€™re considering making the switch to a standing desk, good for you! Hereโ€™s some valuable advice to ease into this new practice.

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What you need before you switch to a standing desk

The following equipment and accessories will help make your transition to a standing desk easier:

โ€ขย ย  ย An anti-fatigue or gel mat: a good quality mat will be heavy, dense, and sturdy, and will offer your feet support and comfort.

โ€ขย ย  ย Comfortable shoes: sorry ladies, weโ€™re ruling out heels. Additionally, it may not be enough to rely on your regular work shoes. At the very least, begin your transition in sturdy and durable runners.

โ€ขย ย  ย A supportive chair: a chair, you think, at a standing desk? Of course! Youโ€™re not expected to stand at your desk all day, so any time you feel you need to take a break from standing, make sure the chair youโ€™re resorting to has proper lumbar support (lower spine portion of your torso), and is adjusted to your specific dimensions.

Above all, consult with your doctor or physician if you have any circulatory issues, bone deficiencies or suffer from acute back, leg or knee pain, before you begin a standing desk migration.

What to expect while making the switch

Itโ€™s normal to feel mild lower back and leg aches when you start the transition into standing. The reason for this is because your lower back and legs arenโ€™t used to working this hard to support your body due to all that sitting youโ€™ve done in the past!

So, make sure you pace yourself. Start with really small increments of standing, say, three half hour blocks per day for the first week, then gradually increase these allotments. Itโ€™s not a competition with yourself, so only do what you feel comfortable doing!

Did you know that from the moment you sit, your calorie-burning rate drops to just one per minute? Thatโ€™s a third of what it would be if we were up and walking. Work those extra muscles and burn those extra calories during the day so you can really treat yourself in the evenings by putting your feet up and relaxing.

Height adjustable desks: what to keep in mind

Standing desks (also referred to as height adjustable desks) are a major step towards a healthier, more productiveย you. Remember these four elements while youโ€™re standing:

benefits of standing desk

1. Focus on your overall posture: stand tall (shoulders back and relaxed), balance your weight, and keep your head at a neutral angle when youโ€™re looking at your computer screen.

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2. Position your desk so that your elbows are at a 90 degree angle when youโ€™re typing: bunched shoulders can cause neck and upper back pain.

  • 3. Place your computer monitor an armโ€™s length away from your face: ensure youโ€™re not squinting or straining to read whatโ€™s on the screen.
  • Adjust your brightness, too, if necessary!
  • 4. Finally: donโ€™t forget that itโ€™s still OK to sit.ย Donโ€™t force yourself to stand all day โ€“ stand when you can, and when you want a break โ€“ rest!
  • Standing all day is just as bad as sitting all day!

If you want to take a positive step towards your health, view Ergomotionโ€™s diverse range of electronic standing desks and get in touch with an ergonomics expert today.

author avatar
Guy Director
Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Ergomotion Director since 2005.

Google Reviews

Ergomotion

Google Reviews

Fran Prem 29/05/25

Google
So happy with my new sit/stand desk. The price was very competitive and the quality is excellent. It's very unusual these days to have the level of human to human customer service Guy offered, from the time of ordering all the way to installation. Guy delivered my desk on time, put it together, set up my computer and tidied away the cables. Such a nice person, and a wonderful experience. Would highly recommend.

Pree P 28/03/25

Google
My brother in lawโ€™s glowing recommendation of the ergomotion sit- stand desk that he has been using for a few years now, and specially the service that Guy delivers, piqued my interest. And now I am convert!

From the moment I first interacted with Guy to the day my standing desk arrived, Iโ€™ve been nothing short of impressed. The booking process was incredibly smooth and hassle-free - Guy made everything so simple and straightforward. His customer service was top-notch, with clear communication and genuine helpfulness made the overall process even more amazing. I appreciate how patiently he answered my questions and explained the care instructions for the wooden top.

For the product itself! The standing desk is a game-changer - the attention to detail, premium material used, beautiful design, smooth adjustment all transformed my home office. The craftsmanship is top-notch. What really sets this experience apart is how much I genuinely enjoy using the desk every single day. Would highly recommend!! Thank you ๐Ÿ™

Wesley Dao 12/02/25

Google
Bought a standing desk after looking around at options. Solid wood and Linak frame so all around good quality. Assembly was simple with an electric screwdriver. Guy was very helpful and responsive.

Amanda O 28/01/25

Google
Bought a standing desk and I love it. Quality product at a great price. Amazing service from Guy, who helped explain the desk and accessories for efficient workspace setup. I highly recommend.

Rick Bruce 02/11/24

Google
After doing some due diligence and research into actuators I settled on this unit from ergomotion this unit is so solid and the operation is quite and flawless. The purchasing process and the shipping was absolutely fantastic!! I couldnโ€™t be happier with the product and the entire process, I would highly recommend this companyโ€ฆ. Rick Bruce

Shelley Jensen 07/09/24

Google
Guy (the owner) delivered the desk and set it up quickly. He then gave me a lesson on how to use it and how to get the most out of it. Arrived on time and was absolutely lovely to deal with throughout the whole process. Highly recommend.

clifford sneider 06/09/24

Google
Guy was fantastic and the desk is amazing

Jo Manning 08/08/24

Google
I bought an adjustable desk from Guy a couple of years ago, got great service and good price. Recently we had a tiny issue which could not be fixed over the phone. Guy was more than happy to come out and look at it 2 days later. All fixed! I really appreciated his patience with me and accommodating us so quickly. Great old fashioned service and piece of mind. I love it. I know where to get my second desk when needed. Thank you Guy. Jo Manning

Deborah Hunt 25/07/24

Google
ergomotion were fantastic to deal with. excellent customer service and a great product.

Andrew Pieterse 14/06/24

Google
Great service and really quick shipping. It is great to know that you are getting quality parts from a Scandinavian manufacturer with your standing desk purchase rather than the cheap knock off stuff you get from other major brands. Reasonably priced for the quality too!
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