What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Standing Desks?

A growing number of professionals are turning to standing desks. In fact, this market is expected to reach a staggering $2.8 billion by 2025.

From improved posture to back pain relief and greater productivity, standing desks have a myriad of benefits. These products can offset the damage caused by prolonged sitting, leading to better health and well-being.

Clinical evidence shows a direct link between sedentary behavior and diabetes, heart disease, metabolic disorders, and premature death.

Furthermore, this lifestyle factor may increase the risk of cancer and obesity. Sitting for too long is also a risk factor for all-cause mortality and fatal cardiovascular disease.

One way to prevent these issues is to start using a standing desk. Before making the switch, make sure you know what to expect.

Let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of standing desks.

Why Switch to a Standing Desk?

The potential benefits of standing desks go beyond improved posture. According to a 2015 study published in the European Heart Journal, replacing two hours of sitting each day with standing boosts cardiometabolic health.

This simple habit may help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels and lower triglycerides by up to 11 percent. The same study has found that standing instead of sitting may improve the body's ability to metabolize fats and carbs, which in turn, may help prevent obesity and weight gain.

Switching to a standing desk may improve your work performance as well.

In a clinical trial, subjects who used desks that could be adjusted for standing or sitting experienced less fatigue, greater engagement, reduced anxiety, and enhanced quality of life compared to those using traditional desks. They also got sick less often and performed better in the workplace.

Need one more reason to ditch your old desk? You could lose five pounds per year just by standing instead of sitting down.

According to meta-analysis featured in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, standing burns an extra 0.15 calories per minute.

Now let's do the math.

By standing for six hours a day instead of sitting, you'll torch an additional 54 calories daily. To lose one pound of fat, it's necessary to burn 3,500 calories. This means you can drop more than five pounds just by switching to a standing desk.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Like everything else, standing desks have their drawbacks. Their benefits outweigh the risks, though.

First of all, if you've never used a standing desk, you may find it uncomfortable at first. The more you use it, the faster you'll adjust.

Another potential issue is that prolonged standing may affect your mental state and reaction time, as reported in a 2017 review published in the journal Ergonomics.

As the researchers point out, standing for more than two hours a day may cause discomfort in all body areas and have a negative impact on alertness. At the same time, it may also improve your creative problem-solving skills.

The research is conflicting, though.

According to a review featured in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, office workers should spend about four hours a day standing. Scientists recommend combining sitting- and standing-based work and taking active breaks every few hours.

Standing Desks Boost Physical Health and Work Performance

As you see, the benefits of standing desks are backed up by science.

These pieces of furniture can boost your productivity and performance, keep your heart healthy, and even help you get leaner. They also counteract the side effects of prolonged sitting, leading to a lower risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and colorectal cancer.

So, are you ready to make the switch? A standing desk is one of the best investments in your health. Browse our selection and choose a model that suits your individual needs!