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Standing Desks Versus Sitting Desks: Which One is Better?

There have been many innovations over the past several decades that have been proven to be beneficial for all humanity; from shoes to vaccines, humanity has always looked for the answer to everyday problems. Not every solution, however, is going to be the answer for every problem and it is important to assess both the risks and the benefits to that answer. This is vital for every company and organization as happy, healthy employees are a great predictor in the company’s success. The debate around a standing desk versus a sit stand desk has been a hot topic due to the nature of our current society and how companies are looking to implement strategies to encourage productivity in their employees. 

We are more sedentary today than in years past with the majority of jobs being in a corporate setting where being seated is a requirement for working. The risks associated with prolonged sitting, weight gain and other health-related issues, have been known for years and office-equipment companies have come forward to remedy that problem. This article will be discussing the pros and cons of standing desks vs sit-stand desks and which one would benefit each worker. 

We will start with standing desks since they are currently the most popular form of office equipment. The standing desk has become popular due to the novel concept of standing while working as opposed to sitting on an office chair all day while working. Many people were worried that standing while doing basic office tasks would affect the productivity of their workers. With changes in the concept of the office and office culture, companies have been looking for ways to maximise the productivity of their employees. Weight issues and cardiovascular diseases have been one of the many side effects that office workers suffer from as a result of sitting for long hours without any physical activity in between their work. These negative effects have a massive impact on the company and would cost them millions of dollars if any employees suffer a major injury on the job. 

Benefits of Standing desks

Standing desks do have many benefits to them as they have shown to make workers more productive, focused, and more physically active when compared to the standard sitting desks. There are many benefits to standing instead of sitting at a desk and that includes burning more calories while standing compared to sitting, the risk of cardiovascular disease goes down, and creative problem-solving increases. Being physically active is also great for workers as it lowers the risk of becoming fatigued and depressed. There is also the option of installing a treadmill to your desk for those who have a lot of physical energy that they need to exert throughout the day. Worker well-being is extremely crucial to the success of the company and for workers to be able to move about in the office gives them much needed freedom in their environment. Every worker needs to have their work-related needs met in order to meet the standards and business goals of their employer.

The cons to the standing desk are that you run the risk of causing pain to your feet, legs, and back by standing in place for too long as well as the risk of fatigue, varicose veins, swelling of the legs and many other physical ailments. If left untreated, these could have lasting effects on the employee and workplace. There is also the con of not being able to re-configure the desk back into a sitting desk when the worker needs to rest from standing. The height and arm length of the employee can also be a problem as not every worker is going to be the same height or have the same arm length as another person. Most offices are not built around the structure of a standing desk and it could cost the company a lot of money to accommodate standing desks. It is important for all companies to consider every action before making such a huge purchase as new office equipment. 

Benefits of Sitting Desks

Sit-standing desks have many pros to them such as being beneficial for those with specific musculoskeletal conditions that are aggravated by sitting for a long period of time. Health issues can be a major setback for anyone, especially those who need to adjust their environment in order to be productive. That is why companies need to be able to accommodate the needs of their employees for that work environment to be safe for everyone. The height of the desk is adjustable and can be tailored to the specific individual. Since not every individual is going to be the same height as their colleagues, it is important that every company has the equipment needed in order to contribute to the success of their employer. Employees are given the opportunity to switch between sitting and standing throughout the work day which, as mentioned previously, has immense benefits for both workers and companies.

The cons of a sit-stand desk are that they are more expensive than a regular desk and this can be a major problem for companies that do not have the financial means to purchase these desks. Office design can also be problematic for sit-stand desks as they may not fit into the office’s particular design and it would cost more money to have the entire office renovated to fit those desks. The desks that are retrofit-style sit-stand desks may not support every worker’s needs in regards to their individual set-up, desk accessories and job tasks. Not every solution that is presented will be the answer for every individual and it is important to be consulted on every one’s needs before a decision can be made. Educating the workers on using this equipment properly is also important as failing to do so can result in having this equipment abused or damaged if the worker does not know how to implement it. As this desk may help alleviate some musculoskeletal issues, it can also aggravate other conditions that are a result of prolonged standing which is why it is vital that companies consult with individual workers regarding their needs and that includes physical needs. 

There will be many people who will say that they enjoy their standing desks more than the sitting desk but, as much research has shown, the sit-stand desk has been proven to be a healthier option for people. The advice for use of this equipment is to start slowly with standing at your desk for only short periods of time and gradually increase it over time; if you notice that you feel uncomfortable after some standing or sitting, change it immediately. Ensure proper posture for standing or sitting to avoid any back and shoulder problems that would result from poor posture. Check that the desk is at the height that you are most comfortable with and where your arms can rest on your desk at a 90-degree angle. Wear comfortable shoes as this will decrease the likelihood of injury from prolonged standing and to avoid any tripping hazards while changing your desk. Being informed about proper use of office equipment is key as this will reduce the likelihood of injury and avoid the major costs of damage if that should ever arise.  

Conclusion

it is important to consider all options and evaluate the risk and cost before making a major decision. While there are benefits to various types of office equipment, there is also the risk that needs to be calculated in these situations. If this equipment does not meet the standard of the company, then other methods need to be implemented. The health and safety of the worker needs to be made a priority for all companies so that productivity within the company is made possible. It is crucial for all organizations to critically assess their workers and their well being in order to meet goals and deadlines for the services they provide to their communities. 

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