The Surprising Benefits Of A Standing Desk: More Than Just Good Posture

POV: You’re upright, alert, and ready to take on the day. Instead of hunching over a screen, you sit tall and comfortably — and you’re doing it all without even thinking about it. Sounds nice, right? Well, this could be your life with a standing desk.

There are many reasons why standing desks are one of the more popular home office solutions. They’re linked to decreased stress, better posture, improved health, sharper concentration, and productivity to boot.  

As more people continue working from home, standing desks are one of the surefire ways to give your office an upgrade that supports your workstyle and well-being. (Think less hunching over a laptop and crunching your vertebrae.) However, there are also some potential drawbacks to going this route that are worth considering when looking at the best work setup for you.

Keep reading to discover standing desk benefits and drawbacks along with a roundup of our favorite picks, so you can start working in a way that feels good for your neck, back, and beyond. We hope you get a better idea of whether it’s an investment worth making. Spoiler alert: We definitely think it is. 

The Many Benefits of Standing Desks

Are standing desks good for you? Yes! While some people love standing desks, others are iffy, and many are curious. Below we’ll break down the positives before going into the drawbacks.

Here are some things to keep in mind about standing desk benefits and why they’re so popular in home offices. 

Productivity Boost

One of the biggest benefits of standing desks is that they’re likely to give you a little more oomph in the productivity department. When you’re on your feet, you’re in a more alert stance and likely making regular small movements, so you’re likely to be less sluggish and more energized. We think of the advantages of standing desks like a shot of espresso for your work routine. 

Great for: Anyone who gets distracted easily, finds themselves in long meetings, or simply wants a boost 

Better Heart (And Overall) Health

As briefly mentioned above, when you stand, it’s common to shift from side to side and move your body a bit, both unconsciously and consciously. On the other hand, sitting all day tends to be very static. The latter is — you guessed it — not good for your health. Prolonged sitting is linked to heart issues, increased blood pressure, excess body fat, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. 

Luckily, there’s a straightforward solution to prevent these issues: Move more! Standing desks are a great way to get you up out of your chair, on your feet, and on the path to better health. 

Great for: Those looking to keep their health in top-notch condition 

Improved Posture 

Another big benefit of standing desks is they put your body in a neutral and aligned stance while subtly engaging your core and relieving strain on your joints. The idea is to keep your head over your shoulders, your shoulders relaxed, and your feet flat on the floor. Basically, the antithesis of sitting slumped over a screen. 

Great for: Workers who want to improve their posture and alleviate aches and strains

 

Potential Weight Loss

It’s no secret that sitting all day is linked to weight gain, muscle stiffness, and overall body aches and pains. To avoid falling into a sedentary lifestyle, a standing desk (along with regular walks, cardio, strength training, and healthful eating) can help you burn calories and feel better from the inside out. 

Great for: Squeezing in an extra calorie burn and movement

Keeps Health Top Of Mind 

Many standing-desk users report that when they are not sitting all day, it reminds them to take more breaks, go on more walks, and maintain a more active lifestyle. In other words, the standing desk benefits can cause a ripple effect that makes you more likely to make health-conscious choices throughout the day, which over time can lead to big improvements in the way you feel and work. 

Great for: Maintaining an overall healthier day-to-day lifestyle 

Now That You Know The Benefits of Standing Desks, What Are The Drawbacks?

It’s no mystery: The benefits of standing desks are clear, and there are myriad reasons not to sit in one place for 8 hours a day. That said, standing desks aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There are some considerations if you’re looking to make the upgrade. 

Here are some drawbacks to standing desks — plus tips to find efficient solutions that work for your setup and body.

Leg And Overall Fatigue

One of the most common concerns new standing desk users report is overall fatigue. It makes sense: When you’re standing for longer periods, especially when you’re used to sitting, your body is doing something it didn’t before (i.e. new muscles are activated), and you’re adjusting. 

Solution: Make sure you’re not locking out your knees, and be sure to take breaks so you’re not standing in one position for extended periods. We also recommend pairing your desk with our anti-fatigue mat, which promotes blood flow, encourages more regular movement, and helps keep you comfortable.

Adjust Your Ergonomics

You’re taking breaks, using an anti-fatigue mat, and not locking out your knees. But if you still can't seem to get comfortable, your ergonomics may be out of whack. 

Solution: Make sure you set yourself up for success — from your head to your toes. Your elbows should be at a 90-degree angle, your feet should be flat on the floor, and your eyes should be looking toward the top third of your screen (not tilting down). Check out more must-know ergonomic tips. 

Give it Time

Like anything else, reaping standing workstation benefits takes time. Your body will likely not feel 100% comfortable right away. That’s to be expected. 

Solution: Start slowly. Try standing for just 10 minutes every hour or two, and increase time increments from there. Some refer to standing desks as a lifestyle — so be sure to play the long game.

Best of the Best: Haworth’s Standing Desks and Converters

Are you excited to elevate your set up (literally) and experience your own standing desk benefits? Here are a few of our science-backed designs that are ready to help. 

Upside Sit-To-Stand Desk

One of our bestsellers, Upside is a game-changer for anyone looking for a desk that checks all the boxes. It’s adjustable, durable, easy to use, and makes the transition between standing and sitting seamless. Plus, if you’re the type of person who has a lot of papers, notebooks, or sticky notes, there’s plenty of room to sprawl out.

 

Another perk: This desk features an optional (but highly recommended) programmable paddle control that lets you personalize vibration alerts to remind you to get moving. So if you get sucked into a project and forget to move for hours at a time (we get it), this desk takes charge and keeps you on track to meet your goals. 

Key features: Durable and roomy worksurface, adjustable height range, vibration alerts (with programmable paddle), 10-year warranty, and easy-to-use paddle control — so you can seamlessly shift between standing and sitting throughout the day. 

Ergotron Learnfit Sit-To-Stand Desk

Love to change up your scenery while you work? This height-adjustable desk has your name on it. It’s easy to move to wherever you want it, giving you flexibility while you work. It’s designed with convenient details like a cupholder, tablet slot, and pencil holder — and it comes with locking casters so you can feel super stable through the day. Plus, it’s available in five top colors, three base colors, and five different sizes — so you can really make it yours. 

Key features: Highly mobile, height-adjustable, locking casters, cupholder, tablet slot, pencil holder, 10-year warranty. 

Ergotron Workfit Standing Desk Converter

Meet the humble hero. This standing desk converter transforms nearly any table, nook, or home office into your personal workstation. It’s height-adjustable, ultra-durable, and easy to use, and it’s also expertly crafted with a tablet slot for your keyboard. Basically, it gives you all the advantages of a standing desk without the need for an entirely new piece of furniture. 

Key features: Great for small spaces, versatile, height-adjustable, super stable, 5-year warranty. 

Ergotron Workfit-Z Mini Standing Desk Converter 

This workhorse desk converter proves you don’t need a large space to have a standing desk. With a compact work surface that's perfect for small nooks, this standing desk converter gives you just enough room to fit your essentials (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) without taking up too much space.  

Key features: Roomy two-tiered work surface for all your essentials, 10-year warranty, just the right amount of surface area to fit your monitor, keyboard, and mouse. 

More Tips and Best Practices To Maximize Standing Desk Benefits

There’s a world of possibilities to maximize standing desk benefits and get the most out of your investment. From desk exercises to ergonomic tips and tricks, we’ve got you covered on simple hacks with a big payoff.

Get Moving With Standing Desk Exercises  

Simply using a standing desk is one way to get your body in a position that’s not sitting. Want to take it up a notch? Here’s a roundup of desk stretches to give you a boost of energy. 

Fine-Tune Your Setup

There are a few golden rules to max out your standing workstation benefits. One is that your monitor should be about an arm’s length from the front of your body and at a height that keeps your head in an upright, neutral posture — and not looking down. Other tips: Keep your elbows and arms close to your body, avoid leaning to one side and lifting your shoulders, and try to keep your wrists in a straight position. As soon as you get into a comfortable ergonomic position, you’ll know it! 

Alternate Between Sitting And Standing

Like so many things, balance is the best recipe for standing desk success. We recommend switching from standing to sitting and back again throughout the day. 

Overall: Are Standing Desks Worth It? 

We hope this information about standing workstation benefits gives you a deeper look at the benefits of standing desks — and that you’re equipped with the information you need to make a decision that’s best for you, your body, and your work style. 

No matter what you choose, we’ve got your back! Take a look at our collection of desks, ergonomic chairs, office accessories, and more.