GennGlobal discusses the pros and cons of using a standing desk in the workplace.

1. Thoughts
and
inspirations
from
“SHOULD YOU BE
USING A STANDING
DESK?”

3.  We all look for ways to increase our productivity and to
become healthier people.
 Could a standing desk be the answer to both of these
desires at the same time?
 Unfortunately, the jury is still out on any definitive
answer that will widely apply to everyone.
 However, there is a wealth of knowledge out there that
measures and compares the health and productivity
factors of standing desks.
 Next, let’s dive into the standing research and try to
find an answer of our own!
INTRODUCTION

4.  Of course, a standing desk is a desk designed to be
used while standing up, as opposed to a desk you
would normally sit at in a chair.
 There are many different reasons why people are
flocking to standing desks in the past couple of years,
most of which relate to perceived benefits that
standing desks are believed to supply, including:
 A hoped increase in general healthiness, related to being on
one’s feet more often and not constantly sitting in a chair for
long periods of time.
 A hoped increase in productivity and engagement with tasks.
 However, some are simply looking for a more space-efficient
option to tidy up a crowded workspace.
WHAT’S A STANDING DESK?

6.  There are many perceived health benefits to using a
standing desk.
 On top of the litany of ailments that you’d avoid by not
sitting on your butt for 8 hours at a time, there is also
research that suggests that using a standing desk could
potentially keep you from becoming obese, as well as
reducing your likelihood for diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, and even cancer!
 However, these results should be taken with a grain of
salt: simply purchasing a standing desk and standing in
front of it won’t magically improve your health all on its
own.
 A standing desk is just one part of a healthy lifestyle, a
phenomenon that should be taken into account when
examining the findings of this study.
HEALTH BENEFITS

7.  While the health benefits of a standing desk seem to be
a bit up in the air, the productivity benefits speak for
themselves.
 According to a study from one American university
(Texas A&M), student tests subjects who used standing
desks were found to have 12 percent greater on-task
engagement than their seated counterparts.
 When calculated, this equals an increase of 7 minutes
of engagement per hours, which is certainly impressive.
 It is certainly much harder to doze off during the middle
of the day if you are already standing up!
PRODUCTIVITY BENEFITS

9.  The main concern about standing desks is that
standing, for the same duration as sitting, can actually
be just as harmful.
 According to biochemist Katy Bowman: “Standing, like
sitting, is a static position…swapping one static position
for another isn’t as big of a step toward healthy as it
might seam. You’re still not moving as much.”
 So in addition to using a standing desk, get up and
move! Otherwise, you aren’t receiving any health
benefit from your standing desk.
CONCERNS

10.  At the end of the day, a standing desk should be a
push in the right direction to change your frame of
mind and lead to further, beneficial changes to your
health and productivity.
 Therefore, if you are up for the change in lifestyle, a
standing desk is a great place to start! Otherwise, you
might be wasting your time.
IS A STANDING DESK RIGHT FOR YOU?