If you’re interested in the health benefits of a standing desk, you’re not alone. The latest research is all over the news, suggesting that sitting is dangerous for your health. The buzz is that sitting is the new smoking, and you don’t want to risk your health because your job leans toward sitting all day.
You want to move around more during the day, and a standing desk is a great way to contribute to increased movement. But what if you can’t afford a new standing desk? Some of them can be a bit pricey. Maybe you can’t replace your desk because it belongs to your employer. Or, perhaps you’re not quite ready to stand all day.
If those concerns sound familiar, you might want to consider a standing desk conversion. These sit on top of your work surface, and can be raised and lowered to heights that work for sitting or standing. Here are some of the things to consider when you’re researching standing desk conversions.
- Footprint. Will it fit on your work surface? Most standing desk conversions can hold one or two monitors, or a monitor and a laptop, along with keyboard and mouse. Measure your work area to determine whether a standing desk conversion will fit in your space.
- Portability. If you want the option to carry your standing desk conversion from place to place, the weight of the unit should be considered. Whether you’re moving from one desk to another, or just want the option to bring it home from time to time, you want to be sure you can easily lift it.
- Keyboard. The position of your keyboard is important to an ergonomic work space. Measure the height of your work surface, and break out the calculator. Most manufacturers’ websites will list the height ranges of their standing desk conversions, and you’ll want to be sure the unit will be able to adjust to the heights you need for sitting and standing.
- Mouse. The height of your mouse platform is important, too. You don’t want to stretch your arm out or bend your wrist too much if the mousing surface is too high or too low. And, if you use the mouse with your left hand, you’ll want to know if the standing desk conversion can support right-handed and left-handed mousing.
- Durability. While it’s possible to place your monitor on some stacked books or boxes, that’s not a very long-lasting solution. You don’t want a flimsy setup if that’s where you work every day! And you also don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on something that will break within a few months. So check the specifications so you know what materials are used.
- Easy to raise and lower. The point of a standing desk conversion is not only to move your workstation to the right height while sitting or standing, but also to be easy to use. One of the main points of an ergonomic workstation is to help reduce the risk of injury. If your solution means you have to lift while raising or lowering the platform, you might negate the whole purpose. Look for mechanisms that are easy to raise and lower—some options even have electric motors to do the work for you!
- Pricing. There are quite a few options when it comes to standing desk conversions. Add up all the benefits and determine which model provides the best features and value for a price you can afford.