All of us jumped on the standing desk pattern, considering it was a hack for staying wholesome at work. However a brand new examine says an excessive amount of standing may really be unhealthy for you—so what now?
Like lots of people throughout the pandemic, I went all in on the house workplace setup—screens, ergonomic chair, and, after all, a flowery sit-stand desk. The logic was easy: if I used to be caught at house all day, I would as nicely stand for a bit and trick myself into feeling more healthy. However seems, standing extra may not be the life hack I believed it was. A brand new examine means that standing for extended intervals can really enhance your threat of circulatory points. So, are standing desks good for you?
As a tech journalist who has written about standing desks and health devices for over 5 years, I felt I needed to dive into this one. What’s the take care of standing desks nowadays? And what can we do to remain wholesome at work?
See what I discovered beneath.
Wait, now standing desks are unhealthy for you?
Standing desks have been lauded as a option to fight a sedentary life and be lively at work for many years. And now we’re studying that standing itself may be dangerous? I believe now is an efficient time to take a look at the precise examine.
Carried out on the College of Sydney, researchers discovered that over the long run, standing for greater than 2 hours a day might enhance your threat of growing circumstances like varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis—ugh!
Properly, I can’t say I’m tremendous stunned…how had been standing desks actually speculated to make folks more healthy?
And there’s no mistaking the researchers’ information right here. Monitoring units just like smartwatches got to 83,000 adults—it was a giant examine—with out coronary heart illness within the UK. From the knowledge these units collected, the scientists calculated that for each half-hour spent standing after 2 hours, the danger of circulatory illness elevated by 11%.
As somebody who stands for no less than half of her workday, that is dismal information—and in addition explains the sharp ache I’ve been getting at the back of my leg…🤔
However sitting for too lengthy nonetheless isn’t good
The examine additionally discovered that sitting for greater than 10 hours elevated the danger for each heart problems and orthostatic incidence. So we are able to’t return to sitting all day both. What’s a contemporary skilled to do?
If we’re being sincere, the examine principally confirms what we already knew: a sedentary way of life isn’t wholesome, and standing received’t offset low exercise. The shock is that, for some people, an excessive amount of standing may be dangerous for circulatory well being.
My grandma all the time mentioned standing for too lengthy was unhealthy for the veins. Seems, she was proper 🤷♀️
Do I’ve to ditch my standing desk?
I’m not. Because it’s a sit-stand desk, I can decrease it or elevate it each time I need—as a result of whereas standing doesn’t actually present well being advantages, I discover that I’m extra energized once I’m standing—it helps me smash to-do listing.
Nevertheless, now I’ll set a timer for two hours, to remind me to sit down. Varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis? No thanks ❗️
So how can we keep wholesome at work?
So standing desks aren’t the cure-all we thought they had been. So how can we be extra lively at work? It can, clearly, rely in your job—however there are many methods to sneak in exercise—irrespective of the place you’re employed.
In case you’re distant or hybrid, you’ve bought extra flexibility. An under-the-desk strolling pad can maintain you transferring whilst you work, or you may slot in some fast calisthenics throughout breaks.
In an workplace setting? A brisk stroll throughout lunch or a espresso break could make a giant distinction. You could possibly additionally attempt a mini pedal exerciser—it’s like an under-desk elliptical however extra compact and discreet. And when you dwell near work, why not bike or stroll as a substitute of driving? 🚴
Listed below are much more methods to remain lively at work:
Underneath-Desk Strolling Pads
Strolling pads are a wonderful option to keep lively whereas working. They match proper beneath your desk and allow you to stroll or get a brisk stroll in as you go about your work day. Sedentary way of life? Not with these mini treadmills!
GOYOUTH 2-in-1
The GOYOUTH 2-in-1 under-desk electrical treadmill was extremely rated on Runner’s World for its simple setup and light-weight design. It comfortably reaches speeds as much as 6 km per hour, so I can get a brisk stroll in whereas I examine my emails and get my day began.
And if you wish to hear music, the treadmill has Bluetooth audio system. The sound high quality isn’t superb, nevertheless it’s a considerate function that doesn’t intrude with the treadmill’s construct.
Amazon Worth: $289
Egofit Walker Professional
With a smaller footprint than most under-desk strolling pads, the Egofit Walker Professional suits simply beneath most standing desks. I recognize that it comes absolutely assembled—you received’t should take out the toolbox to get it up and working.
In contrast to most strolling pads, it has a 5° incline. As any health skilled will let you know, strolling with out an incline doesn’t do a lot. The pure resistance helps you get match and toned extra rapidly.
Get it for $399
Underneath-Desk Elliptical Machines
Like strolling pads, under-desk elliptical machines are additionally a sensible and efficient option to keep lively throughout work. They match compactly beneath most desks however actually get your legs burning. They usually say you possibly can’t work out on the workplace…
Stamina Inmotion Compact Strider
Construct up a slight sweat—whilst you write studies—with the Stamina Inmotion Compact Strider. This gym-quality elliptical suits beneath your standing desk and can enable you to burn energy and sculpt your legs.
My Private take: I like the müüv app companion app. It offers me entry to personalised exercises that work for me and my schedule. With them, I actually really feel like I’m exercising—as a result of I’m. Are standing desks good for you? With this strider, sure, they’re!
Amazon Worth: $119.99
Cubii Transfer
One other widespread under-desk elliptical is the Cubii Transfer. It’s principally a stepper, however extra compact than your common scaled-down ellipitical. You could possibly use it whereas sitting—the folks your Zoom conferences willbe none the wiser! It’s additionally whisper-quiet, and easy—nice for working from house!
My private take: The corporate says that the Cubii’s movement helps construct energy with out placing stress on the joints, knees, and again. I’ve an outdated sports activities harm in my knee that acts up from time to time. A low-impact exercise is precisely what I’m after.
Amazon Worth: $159.99
Good and Cordless Leap Ropes
Leaping rope is likely one of the most intense cardio exercises you are able to do. And nowadays, there are sensible and even cordless choices. So whether or not you’re taking a 10-minute break to leap in your driveway, or in your workplace, these devices can completely maintain you match at work.
Tangram Good Rope Pure
The Tangram Good Rope Pure has been a well-liked machine for health gurus for years. It pairs with iOS, Android, and Apple watch to trace leap counts, exercise occasions, and energy burned. You possibly can even compete together with your colleagues—for some wholesome enjoyable throughout breaks!
My private take: This product takes leap rope to the digital age! The design is glossy and complicated. I like that it offers me a compact option to burn off vitality throughout a workday. After I come again to my desk, I’m energized and completely happy.
Amazon Worth: $64.95
RENPHO Cordless Leap Rope
You do want house to leap rope. In case you don’t have it, there’s a resolution: The RENPHO Cordless Leap Rope. Extremely, it’s adjustable and weighted, serving to you get some cardio in, even in a small house.
My private take: What a terrific resolution for individuals who work in an workplace, or in a small condo! The 3M skipping ropes alter with out instruments, and the cordless ball imitates skipping with an actual rope. Yep, there’s a companion app, too.
Amazon Listing Worth: $31.99 Deal Worth: $29.99, 6% OFF
Different cool office health devices
Work in an open-plan workplace? Then, an under-desk strolling pad and elliptical are in all probability off the desk. However there are nonetheless methods you, too, can keep lively at work. See these cool ones:
Gaiam Steadiness Disc
Certainly one of my favourite methods of protecting match—discreetly—is the Gaiam Steadiness Disc. It’s a stability core coach that wobbles, forcing my core to work whereas I keep upright. Professional tip: It’s additionally nice for posture, which tends to droop after longs hours in entrance of the pc.
My private take: The Gaiam Steadiness Disc can also be a terrific treatment for teenagers’ homework-time fidgets. I purchased one for my daughter. She loves having a enjoyable option to sit whereas she’s finding out—and I discover that her focus has improved. This could possibly be one other bonus for adults, too.
Amazon Listing Worth: $21.99 Deal Worth: $17.99, 18% OFF
Upright Go 2 Premium
Posture is an space of well being we regularly overlook—I do know I do, particularly once I’m drained—I are likely to hunch over my desk. In case you’re like me, the Upright Go 2 Premium is a tiny, wearable posture corrector that may assist. Based on the corporate, it’s a pure means to enhance posture, and it’s best to discover enhancements in 2 weeks.
My private take: I like that I can create personalized posture-training applications with the Upright Go 2. The machine gently vibrates each time I slouch! And I can tweek the sensitivity, coaching time, and vibration depth within the UPRIGHT app.
Amazon Listing Worth: $79.95 Deal Worth: $69.95
Ergodriven Topo Consolation Mat
You possibly can attempt to make standing extra lively. The Ergodriven Topo Consolation Mat is designed to do simply that. The corporate claims that the anti-fatigue materials causes customers to maneuver extra whereas standing—with out even realizing it. The fabric is mushy and uneven, protecting standers transferring.
My Private Take: Since standing throughout work makes me really feel extra energetic, I don’t plan on giving it up completely. However, once I do stand, this mat can maintain my ft and legs extra snug—and make me transfer. For anybody who desires to maintain standing for a few of their work hours, I extremely advocate the TOPO Consolation Mat.
Amazon Worth: $119
The Final Line:
So, standing desks aren’t the miracle repair we thought—however that doesn’t imply we now have to ditch them. The important thing? Steadiness. Sit, stand, and transfer all through the day, as a result of on the finish of the day, your physique simply desires selection.
