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Standing Workstation Ergonomics: Frequently Asked Questions

by Solutions Northwest | Oct 21, 2022 | Ergonomics, Ergonomics Assessments, Ergonomics Solutions, Office Design, Sit Stand Desks, Standing Desks

Standing Workstation Ergonomics: Frequently Asked Questions

Standing Workstation Ergonomics: Frequently Asked Questions

Standing workstations accounted for 95% of desk sales in 2019, and experts expect this number to rise. Those interested in proper workstation ergonomics (ergonomics is the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment) already know that standing desks contribute to an ergonomic office by improving employee health and productivity.

Keep reading if you’re considering a new desk for your office or home office. Below are a few frequently asked questions about standing workstations that the ergonomics consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. commonly answer.

What are the Benefits of a Standing Workstation?

The popularity of standing workstations is no mistake. The standing workstation can help combat the adverse effects of sitting all day. There are many health benefits to using a standing workstation. Here are a few.

Lower Blood Sugar – Standing after your lunch break can help reduce the blood sugar spike from eating. High blood sugar levels are associated with poor health. A sedentary lifestyle is a precursor to Type II Diabetes. Even something as simple as standing to digest your meal can lower your risk.
Lowered Risk of Weight Gain – Even standing in one place at your standing workstation burns more calories than sitting. To stave off weight gain, you must burn more calories than you eat. An afternoon spent standing at work instead of sitting can burn 170 calories; if you stand every afternoon all week, you can make a big difference.
Lower Risk of Heart Disease –Exercise is key to lowering the risk of heart disease but sitting all day may negate the effects of your workout. Standing appears to be better for heart health.
Higher Energy Levels – You’ve probably noticed how sleepy you feel sitting at your desk, especially in the afternoon. Studies show that standing workstations can decrease feelings of fatigue and stress. Your body is more alert when it has to hold itself up.

What are the Downsides of a Standing Workstation?

After going over the benefits of standing while working, we must acknowledge that there are also risks to standing all day the same as there are risks to sitting all day.

Jobs that require standing for many hours have shown to cause pain and swelling in the feet along with certain vascular complications. Standing all day can also add unnecessary strain on your hips, ankles, and knees.

This is why most people will choose to invest in a sit-stand desk that allows you to lower and raise the height of the desk throughout the day. Our ergonomics consultants recommend setting a timer to switch between sitting and standing to allow for a more a balanced workday.

Related Article: “Sitting vs Standing at Your Desk”

Standing Workstations FAQ:
Now that you know you can sit and stand throughout your work day using a sit-stand desk, let’s try answering a few frequently asked questions about standing workstations that the ergonomics consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. commonly answer below.

Will a Standing Workstation Help with My Back Pain?

Standing workstations can reduce neck, back, and shoulder pain. In some experiments, even individuals with chronic back pain found relief from standing desks.

How High Should I Have My Standing Workstation?

To determine your standing workstation’s correct height, stand up as you usually would. Then, bend your elbows until your forearms are parallel to the ground.

The distance between your elbow and the floor is the ideal height for your workstation. Adjust the height depending on what shoes you’re wearing or if you use a desk mat.

Are Standing Workstations Affordable?

There are many different options for workstations. Some are very affordable, and others are more pricey. The cost will depend on the number of different configurations, the mobility of the unit, and the types of built-in accessories. Shop around for what suits your budget and your needs.

Standing Workstation Ergonomics

The popularity of standing workstations speaks for itself. Workers love standing workstations for the health benefits, like decreased risk of heart disease and weight gain to improved back pain and energy levels.

However, as we noted, our ergonomics consultants recommend purchasing an adjustable sit-stand desk that will allow workers to take a break from standing and sit down throughout the workday.

If you have other standing desk questions or need more help finding ergonomic solutions for your workplace, contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. for a consultation.

We offer both in-person ergonomics assessments and virtual ergonomics assessment. Through our detailed assessment tools, you can find out exactly what you need to fix in the office for better health and productivity in the workspace.

Check out our website SolutionsNW.com for more details on how you can find the best office setup today!

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Multiple Locations

Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Olympia, WA

360-236-8748

Portland/Salem, OR

503-768-9742

Seattle, WA

206-521-5676

Contact our Ergonomics Experts

The Truth About Working Sitting Down vs. Standing Up

by Solutions Northwest | Apr 14, 2020 | Office Ergonomics, Remote Workers, Sit Stand Desks

The Truth About Sitting Down vs. Standing

“The average office worker sits a shocking 15 hours every single day. And people who have long commutes, even more.” Forbes

Sitting too much at work may cause chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and stroke. In fact, you may have come across recent news publications that go as far as saying that “sitting is the new smoking“.

All this news about sitting has then given rise to the standing revolution. More and more people are now standing at work to avoid the so-called “sitting disease.”

But a big question remains: Is standing really a lot safer than sitting? Are there risks to standing too much at work too?

How sitting down too much at work is detrimental to your health:

The act of sitting itself isn’t the killer — it’s the lack of movement that comes with it. It’s being sedentary that places it within deadly territory.

For starters, too much time spent seated raises one’s risk for cardiovascular diseases. It also heightens a person’s risk of developing diabetes.

Scientists have found that sitting for over 10 hours a day elevates troponin levels in the body. These are proteins released by damaged heart muscle cells.

As such, chronically high levels of troponin mean continued damage to the heart. So, it’s no wonder people with sedentary lifestyles are at a higher risk of heart disease. And how too much sitting raises one’s odds of dying from heart ailments.

That said, does it mean standing at work is the answer? Maybe not.

What about standing for excessive periods of time at work?

Half of working U.S. adults suffer from back pain symptoms every year. Injuries, poor sleep positions, and bad posture when picking things up can all cause back pain.

However, researchers noted that standing for long periods of time is also a culprit. They found that people who primarily work on their feet also suffer from chronic back pain. Many also experience musculoskeletal disorders in their lower limbs.

Other studies have also discovered that prolonged standing increases heart disease risks. For one, because this posture can cause blood to pool and remain in the legs. This then puts greater pressure in the veins, leading to oxidative stress and cell damage.

Balance is the key to preventing the dangers of excessive sitting and standing time at work.

As you can see, both prolonged standing and sitting down are dangerous to your health. That’s why you’d want to avoid either by moving more at work and getting your circulation going. Simple things like walking and stretching your muscles during breaks can already help.

It’s all about keeping things balanced — if you have a desk job, stand and move for a couple of minutes every half an hour. If you’re always on your feet, change positions every 20 to 30 minutes and make sure to move around for a few minutes and rest.

Learn more about making the most of your work breaks in our blog about Active Work Breaks.

In conclusion, creating balance at work and taking breaks is key.

Use common sense to break up prolonged inactivity in the workplace. Standing in one spot for hours isn’t the solution to too much sitting. Instead, find a balance that rests your body, keeps you moving, and allows for breaks when needed.

The best way to evaluate your workplace habits is to hire an Ergonomics Company to assess your workstations. Staying proactive and educated about workplace practices with ergonomics blogs is also a great first step.

At SolutionsNW.com we value the importance of a positive workplace culture. Part of a positive workplace is a safe workplace, Contact Us to schedule an ergonomics consultation or ergonomics assessment for your office today.

SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the recent COVID-19 Pandemic, many office workers are working from home for the first time. If you or your employ is working at home, contact our Ergonomics Consultants for a $50 Virtual Ergonomics Evaluation for your workstation – work in comfort, from home!