A big question we get asked in our clinics is “should I get a standing desk?”
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Usually asked by clients who work in offices and are suffering from lower back pain. As office workers can spend as much as 90% of their day sitting, this is a great question. Standing desks have been shown to have certain health benefits. We’re going to go through some of the pro’s and the reality of standing at your desk all day rather than sitting.
Now standing desks seem like a great idea at first. The benefits seem like a no brainer.
- Strengthening the postural muscles
- Improving circulation
- Burning more calories through energy expenditure
Anyone making the transition would be keen to take advantage of the positive effects.
Ok, now we’re all fired up and marching in to the bosses office to demand they weigh out for new workstation, lets have a look at the reality of the situation.
Standing desks require a little known commodity called effort. Lots more effort than a nice comfy chair. They’re still going to require effort long after the novelty of a standing chair wears off. You see people are in large part lazy. As Sports Therapists who prescribe exercises to clients for a living, we know this all too well. The guilty look on peoples faces when you ask if they’ve done their exercises last week is all too familiar.
If however you are determined to get that standing desk there are strategies you can employ for increased chances of success.
Vary the sit/stand ratio
Start with an adjustable desk and break the hour down. Start with 10 minutes per hour of standing and gradually increase it as you feel more comfortable with the new position. Going straight from permanently sitting to all day standing will cause you pain and suffering. Your new expensive desk will be out in the wheelie bin in no time.
Combine standing with movement
Have a little movement routine you can do for a minute or two every hour. Micro breaks from standing still. Bend, stretch, rotate and walk to get the body moving and make the most of your upright position. Your productivity and your health will soar.
Stay motivated
When you start to get annoyed with the amount of effort a standing chair takes, just remember why you started. Think of the health benefits and all the positive reasons that getting off your arse brings. You will get used to it and probably live longer.
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