Are Standing Desks Worth It? The Science Behind 7 Myths

Are Standing Desks Worth The Hype?

We often hear the topics of standing desks, ergonomics, personal wellness and health, getting grouped under one big umbrella, but have you ever stopped to wonder:

Do ergonomics = health and happiness?

The truth is -- not by its textbook definition.

Here’s how the Oxford Dictionaries define the word, “ergonomics”:

er·go·nom·ics

/ˌərɡəˈnämiks/

noun

1. the study of people's efficiency in their working environment.

Wait. Nothing about health, happiness, or fitness?

So how come standing desk companies always talk about personal wellness and exercise?

If you’ve been looking for an ergonomic desk online, chances are, you’ve come across hundreds of products and reviews, which can get real confusing, real fast.

So, if you’re left wondering, “what can a standing desk do for me” or “what are the benefits of using a standing desk?” -- you’ve come to the right place.

Are standing desks good for you? How do they affect your health? What is a “lumbar support” office chair? Can I shake off this quarantine weight by using a standing desk now that I’m going back to work?

Who’s got the answers?!

Our team of EFFYDESK Mythbusters have got the answers for you.

In this article, we've gathered the science behind 7 of the wildest standing desk myths you may find on the internet. If you’ve been on the fence about buying a standing desk, we’re here to arm you with all the info you need to get the right one for you.

Without further ado, let’s get busting on these crazy myths!

7 Standing Desk Truths, and Nothing But the Truths

Myth #1: Using a standing desk will make my feet, back, or legs sore.

This is one of the biggest standing desk myths out there.

When people think of “adjustable standing desks,” the emphasis usually ends up on standing and not on adjustable.

Fact: Remember, even though it’s called a standing desk, you should not be standing all day!

Studies have shown that standing all day in itself will only lead to more problems: stiff leg tendons, muscle aches, and varicose veins.

Using a height-adjustable standing desk means you’ll get to move your desk up and down as you need throughout the day. This means you’ll be able to sit down for breaks every ten to twenty minutes, as recommended.

Just make sure you’re sitting in an ergonomic, lumbar-supporting chair on these breaks, and your back will thank you for it.

Myth #2: An adjustable standing desk is a hassle to move up and down.

Fact: Think again!

The latest technologies in the standing desk industry has advanced features to help you work faster and smarter.

One example of this would be our very own EFFYDESKs’ state-of-the-art LED Display Memory Keypads. Our keypads remember your settings so you won’t have to fumble around midway through your work to get things right.

Pro Tip: Pick an adjustable desk that’s equipped with a dual-motor to move your work surface up and down with the press of a button. Having a dual motor means there’s two motors doing the heavy lifting for you instead of just one.

Our height-adjustable electric dual motor standing desks come with extra durability and strength, specifically designed to help you tackle even the biggest workload on your agenda.

Myth #3: I won’t be as productive as I am when I’m sitting down.

This one might be true--at first.

It’s perfectly normal for you to take some time to adjust to a standing desk. Especially as your familiar work processes may be slightly disrupted by the new posture and setup!

But -- this doesn’t mean that using a standing desk = less productive.

Fact: In reality, your blood moves more when you’re standing than sitting, meaning movement and standing can actually keep you more alert as you go about your workday.

Research shows that employees experienced a 46% productivity boost over a six-month period because they used standing desks. These employees outperformed their sitting peers by a large margin after their boost from using a standing desk.

In short, nope!

Over time, you'll find yourself to be more productive and energized when you work standing up for parts of the day.

This leads us to the next common myth...

Myth #4: Standing at a desk is enough to keep my blood moving throughout the day.

Fact: Sorry. As mentioned, standing all day without rest will not do your body any favors.

Your feet may even go numb from the blood pooling or your knees might lock up from the strain.

In addition to taking sitting breaks, try these simple desk exercises to release built-up tension, and keep yourself alert throughout the day.

Myth #5: I will lose weight by standing at a desk.

It’s true that standing at a desk will burn more calories than sitting at a desk, but a study by the University of Pittsburgh proves that the difference in calories burnt is pretty much negligible.

Fact: In a 15-minute period, you’ll only burn 2 extra calories if you’re standing rather than sitting.

Instead, the lead author of that study recommends taking walks during breaks. Even leisurely paces will add up and help you lose weight--much faster than just standing!

But most importantly, the more exercises you do at your workstation, the more calories you'll burn if weight loss is on the agenda. We also highly recommend eating a healthy, balanced diet and to speak to a doctor or nutritionist about the best ways to approach your weight loss plan.

Myth #6: My posture will be fixed if I use a standing desk.

Well… that’s part of it!

Correcting your posture is so much more than just standing at a desk. You’ve got to make sure your desk surface and monitor are adjusted to the optimal height for you; otherwise, you’ll end up straining or hunching over to use your computer.

Fact: The best practices for a standing desk involve other factors besides getting a desk.

Studies have shown that positioning your monitor properly on your desk is absolutely crucial for proper work posture. You might even want to use a monitor mount like this one to make adjustments simple and effortless!

Make sure the top of your monitor is at eye-level, so you’re not craning your neck for hours on end.

Check out this blog post for more information on how to configure your workstation just for you!

Myth #7: Standing desks aren’t worth the hype.

FALSE! Standing desks are defs worth the hype. That’s why all your friends and businesses across every industry (+ our very own customers) are all raving about theirs!

No, standing desks don’t hurt your back and legs (in fact, they can help relieve or prevent future aches, pain and tension).

No, they don’t make you more tired (in fact, they’ll help you stay alert and focused).

With benefits to posture and productivity, using a standing desk is a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their workspace. Who doesn’t want a mood and energy boost when they’re working?

Check out adjustable standing desks that have risk-free trials so you can experience the benefits for yourself!

Looking for a Standing Desk? EFFYDESK is Here to Help!

At EFFYDESK, we design, mould, and deliver Canada’s #1 Electric Standing Desk right to your doorsteps.

Our seasoned, award-winning engineers design and produce EFFY products to perfection, and our ergo office solutions are trusted by brands, content creators, retailers and redistributors all across Canada.

You can count on us to bring cutting-edge and sensibly-priced modern ergonomic office furniture from A to Z, to the table:

• Monitor Desk Mounts - help to reduce, relieve and prevent neck pain/tension.
• Ergonomic Office Chairs - help to alleviate and heal from back and/or other bodily muscle aches/pain/tension.
• Sit-Stand Motorized Desks - feature a Height Adjustable Dual Motor frame with incomparable quality, and state-of-the-art LED Display Memory Keypad that is designed to last.

Get more done, more comfortably.

Get Ergo-Minded with EFFY.