DO I NEED A SIT-STAND WORKSTATION?

In this article we provide education and clarification around some common misconceptions about standing desks.

IS SITTING THE NEW SMOKING?
No. Ask any hairdresser, pharmacist, or grocery store cashier, standing to work all day is hard on your body! Static standing has been known to have some of the same detrimental health effects as static sitting. It may cause lower back pain and can be fatiguing on the joints and muscles of the ankles, knees and hips. Static standing may reduce circulation, which may cause swelling in the legs and possibly varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis. There have also been negative cardiovascular effects found with prolonged standing.
What your body wants, and needs, is to move! We always coach individuals on the need to get up throughout the workday and take Movement Breaks.
You also need a good ergonomic set-up for your workstation. Use our free workstation set-up guides for both seated and standing work to help you.
Lastly, you have to sit with good `Big 3` posture. Sitting with `Big 3` posture means your hips are positioned all the way to the back of your chair, your shoulders are anchored against the backrest and you hinge forward at the hips, when reaching or getting in and out of your chair.
I HAVE DISCOMFORT, SO A STANDING WORKSTATION WILL HELP?
This is not necessarily the case. Sit-stand workstations are not the panacea for all discomfort, they are typically helpful for back pain and chronic SI joint issues; however, we have also seen cases where there is an increase in neck and upper extremity discomfort while using sit-stand workstations.
Often the sit-stand workstation works great when the individual is working from standing, however falls short of a good ergonomic set-up for sitting. Because most individuals will spend approximately 75% of their workday sitting, it is imperative that the seated workstation is ergonomically sound. We have even on occasion recommended the removal of an aftermarket sit-stand workstation as it has caused more discomfort than the intended benefit.
WILL STANDING HELP KEEP ME AWAKE IN THE AFTERNOON?
When we ask individuals how they use their sit-stand workstations they often say they will sit for the morning and stand in the afternoon because they believe it helps stave off the after lunch fatigue. There may be some truth to this, as it is more difficult to doze off on your feet, but remember as noted earlier, static standing may be fatiguing on the body and can have negative health effects as well. Instead, what we recommend to those using sit-stand workstations, is to change positions frequently. Alternate between sitting and standing, ideally every hour and incorporate a short Movement Break as you transition between the two postures. This change in posture and increase in movement each hour encourages blood flow which can elevate energy levels.

SHOULD I HAVE A MAT TO STAND ON?
Anti-fatigue mats are intended for individuals standing statically for 8 hours a day and are designed to provide a slightly unstable platform, encouraging small movements in the lower body to increase blood flow. For individuals working in an office, anti fatigue mats can impact the ease with which you can move around your workstation, as office chairs will not roll over a typical anti-fatigue mat. Alternately, you have to bend over each time you sit down to move your mat out of the way, which can be a risk for lower back discomfort if you do not use proper bending mechanics. A better solution is to wear comfortable rubber soled shoes which offer some foot support when standing. We recommend standing for short stints, frequently throughout the workday and listening to your body when it tells you it is time to sit down!