Standing desks can be quite expensive ranging from $300.00 to $5,000.00 and are coined with popular marketing strategies as “Healthier Work Alternatives”. As an employer, you want to provide the healthiest working environment but is investing in standing desks the solution?
Research studies suggest that standing desk users tend to stand for only short periods of time throughout the workday. A study published in the Obesity Review journal found that standing desk users stood for an average of just over 2 hours per 8-hour workday.1
Taking into consideration the expense of a standing desk is it worth the investment when most employees only stand at work for 25% of their workday?
Comfort: Some people may find standing for extended periods of time to be uncomfortable, especially if they are not used to it. They may prefer to sit for the majority of their workday to avoid discomfort.
Decreased Productivity: The journal of Ergonomics found that standing for long periods of time can lead to an increase in muscle fatigue and discomfort, which can affect productivity.2
Cardiovascular risks: There is some evidence to suggest that standing for extended periods of time can have negative effects on the body, such as the risk for heart disease doubles as a result of standing as reported by the American Journal of Epidemiology.2 Prolonged standing has also been associated with significantly increased risk for varicose veins for both men and women.3
Increased risk for Low Back Pain: The journal of Workplace Health and Safety found that prolonged standing greater than 2 hours is associated with increased the risk for Low Back Pain.4
Compromised Posture: The body will always seek support when one is working and multi-tasking, one could start leaning and ending up in awkward postures.
Based on the above research one could say that “Standing is The New Smoking” versus “Sitting is the New Smoking”. There are health risks with sitting but those can be reduced with investing in an office chair that supports you in the right places.
If you are looking to have the most efficient and budget friendly workplace, look no further than Anthros.
Anthros is the only chair in the world that is guaranteed to improve posture or your money back. The science-backed, patented design is registered with the FDA as a posture-improving chair and is proven to have the lowest pressure (most comfortable) cushion on the planet (verified by university testing).
Take the next step to reducing pain, increasing comfort, and maximizing performance!