How Many Calories Do You Burn Standing vs. Sitting?

By now, you’ve probably heard about the negative effects of sitting all day--this “sitting disease” affects our posture, health, and overall lifespan! Sitting for hours a day is associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

In the course of a year, many people who have transitioned to working from home, have made the upgrade to electric sit-stand desks. At the push of a button, workers can switch from sitting to standing whenever they want! Using a standing desk gives you the option to change working positions throughout the day, effectively fighting the sedentary lifestyle that so many of us are used to.

But a new way of working brings a whole lot of questions, and not to worry, we’re here to answer them! We’ve already covered a few FAQs asked by Reddit’s standing desk community, but there’s so much more to learn.

Today we’re here to tackle one of the most common questions we get about using adjustable standing desks: 

“How many calories do I burn when I use a standing desk?”  

The exact number of calories you burn while sitting or standing is quite dependent on your height and weight! Every body burns calories at a different rate. But on average, you burn about 100-200 calories per hour if you’re standing, and only 60-130 calories if you’re sitting. 

This means using a standing desk does help you burn more calories than you would if you were sitting! Working at an electric sit-stand desk can help increase the number of calories burned by 40-70 calories per hour. 

How many calories do you burn a day? Use this handy calculator to get an idea of your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate).

“Does a standing desk help me lose weight?”

The short answer is no. Just using a standing desk won’t help you lose weight! In fact, the extra calories you burned by standing instead of sitting isn’t enough to make a noticeable difference at all. Using a height-adjustable standing desk might help to maintain and prevent weight gain, but the calories burned might not necessarily lead to weight loss if you don’t partake in other physical activities. 

However, don’t discount the health benefits of standing! 

Keeping on your feet while you’re at work improves your circulation and posture. Plus, you’re much more likely to move around or take a short walk if you’re already on your feet! When you’re sitting down, it might be hard to find motivation to get up and move, but if you’re already standing--why not take a short stroll? 

“How can I burn more calories at work?” 

If it’s calorie-burning you’re going for, try doing stretches and light exercises throughout the day to keep your blood moving. Doing different strength-building activities for even 20 minutes right from your desk is a surefire way to engage your muscles and burn calories while you’re at work! Calf stretches, leg extensions, and back twists are all great ways to burn more calories and strengthen your muscles at the office! 

To burn more calories while you’re sitting (yes, it’s possible!) try active sitting! This involves sitting on a surface that allows constant, light movement--like a bouncy exercise ball or a wobble stool.

Simple movements like twisting, leaning, and changing sitting positions throughout the day can burn as many calories as “light physical exercise.” Not to mention that sitting on a bouncy ball or a wobble stool can really help you with core strength. (Check out our complete guide to active sitting!)

To Sum It All Up...

Standing desks won’t help you lose weight right away, but it’ll definitely help you burn more calories through constant movement! You’ll be much more likely to walk around and get your blood moving, which helps you become more productive through your day. 

When you’re not burning calories on a wobble stool or standing at your height-adjustable standing desk, why not kick back into Canada’s favourite ergonomic office chair? You deserve it!

Want to Increase Your Energy Expenditure While Working? EFFYDESK can Help!

At EFFYDESK — we design, mould, and deliver the best Electric Standing Desks for professional or personal use. 

If you’re looking for ways to burn extra calories and work ergonomically, look no further! 

Our signature collection of electric standing desks and ergonomic office chairs are well-equipped to improve your mood, posture and maximize efficiency in the workplace — wherever that may be for you.

Browse our signature Standing Desks, Office Chairs, and Monitor Mounts designed to boost workplace productivity, so you can get more done, more comfortably. 

To learn more about EFFYDESK’s products and services, be sure to check out our FAQ page or browse the blog archive for other helpful articles on ergonomics in the workplace.