Have you decided to invest in a standing desk for better health and a less sedentary lifestyle? Before easing yourself into this work set-up, you have to know how high to have a standing desk.
The height of a standing desk, after all, is crucial in making it easy for users to sit and stand at work comfortably.
One Crucial Point To Consider
In general, the ideal standing desk height should match the person who’ll use it. And it’s a good thing that this office furniture is adjustable.
With this unique feature, users can set the desk at the level that suits them. If you want to learn more, this article details everything you need to know about desk height settings.
Why Is It Important To Adjust Standing Desks According To Height?
Before we share our tips on how to get a proper standing desk height, let’s talk about its importance first. As mentioned earlier, standing desk users must tweak their desks to lessen discomfort during use.
Height adjustments make the sit-stand transition smoother, especially for beginners who have yet to get used to the mechanisms of the furniture.
In addition, once you get your best height setting, it will be easier for you to get the following standing desk elements right.
The Right Posture
Good posture is vital when easing into the standing desk arrangement. Before making adjustments, consider your arm, head, neck, wrist and leg positioning first.
You need to ensure that your hands, wrists and arms maintain a hanging position during standing desk use. Putting the desk a bit lower than the 90-degree angle of the elbows are adequate.
However, avoid setting it anything lower than this as that will only put a load on your shoulders, elbows and wrists. The aches and pains that follow will, of course, affect your productivity.
Footwear Considerations
The height of the footwear you frequently wear at work also matters when making desk height adjustments.
For example, a lady wears office-appropriate high heels one workday, then a pair of sneakers during business-casual days. That means the standing desk requires at least two varying heights to match the shoes she’s wearing.
If you wear several footwear types at work, you can benefit from an electric standing desk with a “height recall button”. This feature allows for a more seamless transition from one level to another.
Going barefoot at work is also another factor that affects desk height. Check out this article to know whether going barefoot or wearing shoes is best when using a standing desk.
Computer and Laptop Set-Up
Your computer monitor’s height should not be too high or too low to prevent tiredness and discomfort at work.
The key here is to avoid tilting your head and not put too much stress on your shoulders, back muscles and neck.
Otherwise, it may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The screen should not be too near or far either to avoid slouching.
For laptops, position the keyboard to a height that allows your elbows to dangle naturally by the sides. They should bend at an angle that is a bit more than 90 degrees.
The display screen must be in line with the eyes to avoid tilting your head.
However, if this desk arrangement is not feasible, consider using an external keyboard for your laptop.
If you want, you can also use a laptop stand to get it to a proper height.
How to Get the Ideal Standing Desk Height
We now know the importance of desk height settings. So, let’s learn how to determine the ideal standing desk height next. Here are the steps:
- Stand with your back straight, with the head parallel to the ceiling.
- Pull your shoulders back.
- Bend the elbows at a 90-degree angle.
- Keep the arms at the sides.
- Raise the desk to a point in which the fingers meet the keyboard keys slightly.
- Adjust the height of the computer monitor. Make sure that you can look at the upper third part of the screen without tilting your head.
What Is The Best Position When Using Standing Desk?
Standing at work might sound cumbersome at first. Do not worry, though, as you will get used to it soon enough. You only have to learn how to use the desk and make adjustments that fit your needs.
Aside from standing desk know-how, your stance while working is also essential to speed up adjustment and lessen discomfort.
Follow these tips, and your back, shoulders, arms, hands, legs and feet will thank you.
- Stand straight, keeping the feet one foot apart.
- Keep your arms straight and at the sides.
- Align your head with the spine.
- Keep your eyes looking forward and horizontal to the floor surface.
- Put the chest out front.
- Keep your shoulders drawn back and down.
- Do not lean on one side while standing.
- Avoid putting too much force on either hip.
If you want to prevent straining your knees, make sure not to lock them in. Instead, allow them to bend slightly.
In addition, stretching first thing in the morning can help loosen some kinks in your back and neck.
You can do some spine turns or neck rolls, too, to loosen stiff spots on the neck and back.
Other Helpful Tips for Optimum Standing Desk Use
Use Anti-fatigue Mats
Anti-fatigue mats are not your usual bathroom or kitchen mats. These can ease fatigue caused by prolonged standing on hard floor surfaces.
Also, they come in various materials like rubber, vinyl, wood or textile. Anti-fatigue mats are great for both bare and shoe-covered feet, too.
Wear Sensible Shoes
Since you will be standing up a lot, it is time to bring out your sensible shoes. Shoes that offer support and comfort while standing are best.
Make sure to consider the quality of your shoes, too. Get a pair that will not wear out fast despite prolonged standing.
You can also wear comfy slippers with enough support if you work from home. Alternatively, use an anti-fatigue mat.
Move From Time To Time
Alternating between a sitting and standing position will do your body good. However, you still need to fidget and move around to stretch your body.
So, take bathroom breaks, go to the water dispenser, take phone calls standing up, eat lunch outside, stretch or do appropriate exercises.
If you have a hard time taking a break from work, try using an automated alert to remind you when to loosen up.
Through periodic breaks, you can avoid the effects of prolonged static postures and poor work productivity.
Conclusion
Knowing how high to have a standing desk is essential as it affects the other elements of your work set-up. These include your posture, the devices you use and even your choice of footwear.
Once you know how to determine the ideal standing desk height, overall desk use becomes easy and less uncomfortable.
Hopefully, this article has encouraged you to set your standing desk correctly from now on and use it more often.
Informative Q&A
1. Is a standing desk treadmill worth it?
The standing desk treadmill is worth it if you plan to use it regularly for a specific health goal. For example, if you want to lose weight, you need two 45-minute sessions a day for several months to burn enough calories.
It is also a good buy if you intend to go from a sedentary to a more active lifestyle.
2. How to choose an under desk treadmill?
When choosing an under desk treadmill, always consider its size. Also, go for units that are lightweight and portable.
Foldable desk treadmills are also excellent for small workspaces. In addition, do not forget to check the speed limit.
The average walking speed for most adults is at 3 mph. Some models, however, have higher speed levels at around 4 mph.
She enjoys assessing and reviewing home office furniture such as standing desks, ergonomic chairs and lighting accessories. As such, she created Healthy Land to share her thoughts and insights. Danielle only recommends items she deems beneficial to the users as she understands how important ergonomics is, especially to remote workers.
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