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Standing desks are all the rage these days, especially on the topic of ergonomic offices. It makes perfect sense though, as more people are starting to become aware of the dangerous risks of living a sedentary lifestyle.

Sitting too much is seriously bad for your health. This is a major problem for office workers, because they sit down most of the day.

That is why, it is an excellent choice to invest in a standing desk for your long-term health.

However, buying the standing desk that you first set your sights on is not a good idea. There are a few important things to consider when choosing to buy one — most notably, how high should a standing desk be?

A standing desk can be difficult to get used to and can even cause problems when not used correctly.

We’ve created this guide to help you decide on getting the standing desk with all the right measurements — especially the perfect height — to ensure that you make the right buying decision!

Why Should You Get a Standing Desk

First of all, let’s consider why you should think of buying a standing desk.

As human beings, we are not designed to sit around all day. We are designed to move around constantly. Studies have found a strong link between increased sitting time and early death.

In fact, a review of 18 studies found those who sit more are at a 49% greater risk of dying early than those who sat the least.

If you are someone who spends a major portion of your day on a chair — both at home and while at work — then getting a standing desk is going to do wonders for your health. It is a great stepping stone to promote more movement while working comfortably.

With that being said, the goal is to actually move around throughout your day, not just spend more time standing. In fact, if you are standing in the same spot continuously, it is almost as bad as sitting down all day.

The Proper Height for a Standing Desk

When choosing to buy a standing desk, your first priority is to find an adjustable one. This is very important, especially if you spend a lot of time working on your laptop. You may prefer a certain height when writing with a pen, while you prefer a different height when typing on a keyboard.

The ability to change the height is also important because you might not be the only person in the office. If you plan to get one for your house, your family members might also use the desk.

Therefore, being able to adjust the height is necessary as we come in different shapes, sizes, and heights.

If you are looking to explore the benefits of standing desks without having to completely renovate your office, a good idea is to invest in a standing desk converter, as it is perfect for beginners to start standing without having to get rid of their current desk.

A good rule of thumb for you to remember is to find the height where your elbows rest. However, to be more detailed, you can follow these simple guidelines:

• Stand upright, with proper posture. Shoulders relaxed, with your eyes looking forward.
• Position your arms naturally by your side.
• Bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle, as you would work on a desk.
• Adjust the height of your desk until your fingers are positioned well with your keyboard.
• Make sure your monitor is aligned with your line of sight, making sure your neck stays relaxed.

The principle of ergonomics applies here, so be sure to find the height where your body can maintain a neutral posture. If you find it more comfortable to work with a lower desk position (you are slightly looking down), go ahead.

However, never adjust your desk where you are looking up, as this will put an enormous amount of strain on your wrists, elbows, neck, and shoulders.

Because every human is born with different physical structures, we’ve created a complete buyers’ guide to help you find the perfect height for your standing desks. You will also find a standing desk height calculator to help you pinpoint the ideal measurements according to your height.

Image source: www.iamnotaprogrammer.com

Buy an Anti-Fatigue Mat for Standing Desk

There are many ways to optimize the use of standing desks. One thing you can do is use anti-fatigue mats to help you achieve more comfort and relaxation. Anti-fatigue mats are commonly used in jobs that require extended periods of standing, such as working on a production line or at a shop counter.

These mats have been reported to help combat standing fatigue by encouraging subtle movements of your leg muscles. This improves blood flow and reduces overall discomfort.

If you plan to make the switch to a standing desk, we highly recommend you invest in a comfortable anti-fatigue floor mat; your feet will thank you!

The best anti-fatigue floor mat for a standing desk will help keep you steady, provide comfort, and help support your legs, particularly your knees. This is because they are made of high-quality memory cloud foam.

Be sure to adjust your standing desk properly, as floor mats are usually thick.

Other Factors to Consider

Figuring out “how tall should my standing desk be?” is simply a matter of finding the proper height. The bigger issue is not to simply replace sitting down with standing up but to work yourself towards moving around more throughout the day.

As we have mentioned earlier at the beginning of this article, getting a standing desk should be the first step to becoming more active. A good guideline is to take a break for every 30 minutes you work.

Whether you are stretching your muscles, getting a glass of water, or even taking a brief walk, reducing the time of being a couch — or in this case, a chair — potato is the way to go! 

Final Takeaways

There are many advantages to standing desks, as they lessen idle time. Reducing a sedentary lifestyle can improve physical, metabolic, and even mental health. This is why sitting less and standing more is something important for you to start doing.

Nonetheless, when it comes to the ideal height for a standing desk, it’s impossible to find the one-size-fits-all measurement. Every human being is created differently.

The most important thing to consider is finding an adjustable standing desk so that anyone — and everyone — can find the right height to work comfortably. 

If you follow our simple guidelines, it will be very simple for you to properly set up your standing desk and find the right height. Just remember to stand in a neutral position and maintain a proper standing posture while staying active throughout your day!

Citations

Wilmot EG, Edwardson CL, Achana FA, Davies MJ, Gorely T, Gray LJ, Khunti K, Yates T, Biddle SJ. Sedentary time in adults and the association with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia. 2012 Nov;55(11):2895-905. doi: 10.1007/s00125-012-2677-z. Epub 2012 Aug 14. Erratum in: Diabetologia. 2013 Apr;56(4):942-3. PMID: 22890825.