10 Must-Have Standing Desk Accessories

Did you know that more than 50% of workplace injuries are related to musculoskeletal problems? These repetitive motion injuries can occur when workers are uncomfortable or improperly positioned while working. Musculoskeletal problems can occur in workers in all industries, from the assembly line to the office. Improving your workspace ergonomics can help prevent these musculoskeletal problems.

If you’ve invested in ergonomic products like a standing desk, a curvy split keyboard, or a mouse that fits the shape of your hand, you’re probably concerned about preventing musculoskeletal injuries. Improving workplace ergonomics can help you improve your posture, which can reduce fatigue, stiffness, and soreness. Below are ten ways you can accessorize your Rise Up Standup Desk and give your entire workstation an ergonomic makeover with just a few products.

1.    Under-Desk Keyboard and Mouse Platform

Is your keyboard positioned at elbow height, where your arms are bent at about a 90-degree angle? If not, you can strain muscles from your fingers all the way up to your neck! That can lead to hand and wrist pain—or even carpal tunnel syndrome. You can help prevent these problems by using a sit stand keyboard arm that can help you easily position at the best ergonomic height, no matter whether you sit or stand while working.

Another important accessory is an under-desk keyboard tray. Mounted under the desk, a keyboard tray allows you to position your keyboard at the ideal height for typing: at elbow height for both sitting and standing. Your arms should be in a neutral position, your elbows should be bent at about a 90-degree angle, and your wrists should remain as straight as possible while you type. You shouldn’t have to reach out or extend your arms to use your keyboard or mouse.

Your keyboard platform can also help you optimize your typing posture in more than one direction. The best ergonomic position for your keyboard is at a negative angle, where the top of the keyboard points downward. The tilt adjustments on a sit stand keyboard arm help you keep your wrists at a neutral angle to help prevent injuries. Additionally, the ability to swivel left and right gives you more flexibility in positioning, which can be helpful if you move around a lot. Uncaged Ergonomics’ keyboard platform models have a separate mousing platform to help you keep your mouse on a level surface while your keyboard is tilted to the best wrist position and position your keyboard and mouse at the right height whether you’re standing or sitting.

2.    Active Seating

Even people who have gotten used to standing during the workday need a rest sometimes, and that’s where active seating comes in. Active seating refers to stools or standing desk chairs that promote movement while you sit; they can include balance balls, wobbly stools, and other seating options that help you work your core muscles while you’re sitting. When you use active seating, you can help improve your posture and boost your energy levels during the day—it’s nearly impossible to slouch when you use active seating!

You can find a wide variety of active seating options for sale, but if you already have a sit-to-stand desk, consider Uncaged Ergonomics’ Wobble Stool, a height-adjustable active seating option that adjusts to the height you need for standing or sitting. These standing desk chairs are easy to carry around the office because they’re lightweight enough to be easily portable. That’s especially important when you first start using active seating—you might need some time to adjust. In other words, don’t retire your current office chair right away, and give yourself time to get used to active seating.

3.    Anti-Fatigue Mat

Standing while working is great for adding physical activity into your day, but your feet, legs, and lower back may get tired when you stand. One way to help combat this fatigue is to get an anti-fatigue standing desk floor mat. Uncaged Ergonomics’ Active Standing Desk Mat is manufactured with premium, high-density molded foam that’s much thicker than most of the anti-fatigue mats being sold today

The Active Standing Desk Mat features a contoured surface that has been specifically engineered to encourage movement and stretching while standing. This active anti-fatigue mat provides excellent cushioning that you can feel the moment you step on it. The sloped sidewalls let you stretch your calves, elevate one or both feet, and comfortably stand with a wider stance.

4.    Comfortable Supportive Shoes

When you sat at a desk in the office, you just used your everyday work shoes or if you’re at home, bare feet or slippers. When standing for hours, though, your body relies on your feet, thus proper support is crucial for your overall health and wellbeing. Proper standing is important, and supportive shoes help this tremendously. Running or walking shoes are designed to provide the most support, although those vary as well. Research to discover what shoes will be the best for you and your workspace.

5.    Balance Board

Our BASE balance boards are meticulously engineered to provide the optimal balancing function. Easy to stand on with a full range of motion, Uncaged Ergonomics’ patented balance boards are designed to improve your fitness, balance, and strength while working at a stand-up office desk. More than the best office balance boards, the unique, durable shapes provide better balancing function that is incredibly useful as a fitness balance and stability board, gym, or for rehab. Seniors can also benefit from balance board exercises in their rehabilitation programs.

6.    Foam Roller

Foam rollers can be used a countless number of ways for exercises, but one that you might not have thought of is using one to stand on while at your desk. Not intended for constant use, but like the step stool, it can offer some rest, and even provide you with a bit of a work out.

There are several kinds of foam rollers, but you want high-quality and extra firm ones so that they won’t lose their shape after standing on them. You may choose from an extra-firm and durable, but range from smooth to rigid surfaces.

7.    Mini Elliptical Trainer/Treadmill/Bicycle Trainer

Most ellipticals require a large space, which offices generally don’t have. The other issue with traditional ellipticals is that you would have to leave desk in order to use one. While taking a break and stepping away from time to time is definitely recommended, a mini elliptical trainer offers the advantage of being able to move and work simultaneously.

A treadmill or bicycle trainer at a standing desk isn’t ideal for everyone as they take up much more room, and the treadmill especially isn’t something that can be easily moved out of the way and stored when not wanted. However, if your office has the space and you want to walk or bike while working, these are excellent solutions.

8.    Under-Desk CPU Holder

Mounting your desktop CPU under your desk has a variety of benefits. First of all, you’ll keep your computer closer to your monitor and keyboard—although more and more peripherals are wireless, you’ll still have some cords to run. Keeping your computer and monitor close together means you won’t have to buy longer cables, which can be important if you raise your desk. Stowing the CPU under the desk with Uncaged Ergonomics’ Under-Desk CPU Holder also keeps it off the dirty floor and suspended for improved cooling. Further, you eliminate clutter and free up space on your desktop by mounting it under the desk’s surface.

9.    Monitor Riser

Your monitor should be positioned directly in front of you, and the center of the screen should be at eye level. A monitor that’s positioned too low makes you tilt your chin down, and a monitor that’s placed too high makes you tilt your chin up. A monitor that’s off to one side makes you turn your head and neck while you’re using the computer. And, holding these positions for most of the workday isn’t good for your overall health.

Many people need to raise their monitors—especially if they’re moving to a standing desk. A desktop computer monitor stand will help you position your monitor at a more ergonomic height. You may also need to move your monitor closer or farther away to achieve the ideal position: for optimal comfort, your monitor should be 20 to 30 inches away from your eyes.

To help prevent eyestrain, don’t forget the 20-20-20 rule! The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends taking a break from looking at your monitor every 20 minutes. During that break, shift your focus to something that’s at least 20 feet away, and look at it for at least 20 seconds.

To place your monitor at the optimum ergonomic position, consider a monitor stand. You can find height adjustable monitor stands in many sizes. Check the measurements of the monitor stands you’re considering buying beforehand, to be sure that your monitor will fit on it, and that it’s sturdy enough to hold it—especially if you use an all-in-one. Uncaged Ergonomics offers a variety of height adjustable monitor stands that enable you to move your monitor up and down as needed. This can be helpful if you alternate between sitting and standing while you use your computer. You’ll want to learn about how the monitor riser adjusts, to find out if it’s easy to adjust. If the monitor stand is difficult to adjust, it can not only take up your precious time, but you could risk injury.

10. Laptop Stand

Uncaged Ergonomics also offers a range of lightweight, inexpensive portable laptop stands that can travel with you anywhere: you can easily work, surf the internet, or watch movies on your laptop with one of our laptop stands like the WorkEZ Executive. Its folding legs help you adjust your laptop to a wide variety of heights, that work just as well for sitting on the sofa or on your bed as creating a standing desk at home or at work. We also have models that include fans to keep your laptop cool. These laptop stands are extremely versatile, because you can use them for more than just your laptop—they’re great for books, tablets, eReaders, or even sheet music!