What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of best electric sit stand desk

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Steve Mullis, Online Junkie, Maven of Awesome Things, Stander

While working in a newsroom, I spent a couple of years sitting at my desk eight hours a day. When the whole standing desk craze hit, several people in the newsroom transitioned, I among them (though it took a while before I jumped on board).

We all found different, Rube Golberg-ian ways to accommodate our new desire to stand, but after some trial and error, we figured out what worked best. Like prairie dogs peeking out of the desert, we rose above the cubicle farm and out into the sunshine.

I worked like that for about six months before moving on to a new job in another newsroom. I don't have a standing desk right now, and I find I miss it a lot. I will be trying to get a standing workstation in the future, because what I saw were immense benefits and advantages over that time. Okay, enough of that, on to the list.

Things I Liked About Having A Standing Desk:

• More energy: Standing kept my blood flowing and my mind more alert. It's a lot harder to get sleepy at your desk if you're standing. You are constantly aware of your body.
• More engaged with co-workers: Sitting at a desk, even in the half-cubicles we had, you often miss opportunities to talk with colleagues or take notice of something important happening. Standing gave me more chances to talk with co-workers as they passed by, at eye level, even if only for a few extra minutes. This actually improved communication because, instead of sending someone an email, I could look across a few desks, look them in the eye, and actually talk for a moment.
• Posture and core strength: Standing all day and maintaining a good posture really added to the strength of my core. I also had a lot less soreness in my back and tailbone compared to when I would sit for eight to ten hours a day.
• Ready for action: When you're sitting and sedentary, it can take a few moments to get up and away from your desk in the case of an emergency or you just realized you're late for a meeting. Standing at your desk you are like a keen-eyed antelope, ready to spring away from any dangers that might present themselves or rush to a co-worker's aid. Zombie invasion, pffft, bring it!

Things I Didn't Like:

• Leg/feet soreness: The first few days/weeks are brutal if you don't prepare. It will take different people a different length of time to get acclimated to standing that long. It will be uncomfortable for a bit, but if you can power through, it pays off in the end.
• Lunch: If your workplace is an "eat-at-your-desk" type of place (like newsrooms are), then this can make lunch annoying. It's hard to stand over your desk and eat. My advice: have a place to sit or go elsewhere to eat. If you must work and eat, be mindful of spills and the fact that everyone can see you eat.
• Long days: If you work long days (as I did quite a bit, ten + hours), it can get a little rough toward the end. I realize the whole idea is that the standing is good for you, but after ten hours, even the hardiest of folks will start to get a little fatigued. If possible, have a sitting option.
• Everyone can see you: So yeah, this part has its disadvantages too. Need to pick a boogie, people can see you. Bad hair day, people can see you. Did you spill some coffee on your crotch, yup, people can see you. Now this only applies if you are in a relatively open workspace (which is becoming more common). If you have your own office, this won't matter as much. On the other hand, if you have a most bodacious posterior that looks great while standing, well then, everyone can see you (and it!).

Tips Before You Drink The Kool-Aid And Stand Up:

• Mats: Think about getting an anti-fatigue mat. This will cushion your feet and really make it easier on your body. Standing all day on office carpet or a wood floor is a one-way ticket to "this bloody sucks" town. Here are some options: http://www.xpressmats.com/Floor-...
• Shoes: If possible, bring a pair of comfortable shoes to leave at work. For longer periods of standing, switch them out like Mr. Rogers and stand in even more comfort. If you work in a more casual place and can just wear more cushioned shoes to work then just do that.
• Health issues: If you have back, leg, knee or other health issues that might not jibe with a standing desk, definitely consult your doctor before deciding to go down this road. You don't want to run the danger of doing something for yourself that might actually be worse.
• Ease into it: Standing for your entire eight hour shift from day one might be a little intense. Try easing into it if possible. Stand for 2 hours, sit for thirty minutes or an hour, repeat. Or whatever is most comfortable for you -- the key is comfort and doing what is best for your body type, health condition, and personal work scenario.
• Ergonomics: If your workplace has a dedicated ergonomics person, use them. They probably already have standing desk solutions or equipment to help get you started (if your workplace approves). This can ensure you are building a correct standing workplace and not doing anything to harm yourself or create long-term arm, shoulder, or other joint problems (or carpal tunnel syndrome).

So there you have it, now stand up!

This question originally appeared on Quora. More questions on ergonomics:

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You may be familiar with the dangers of sitting down for too long. Some say it’s worse than smoking, while others might say that claim may be a little exaggerated. Either way, it is certain that prolonged sitting can cause back pains and neck strain that stretching can’t fix. So what can you do about it?

Fortunately, a new kind of office desk known as the standing desk has gained popularity in recent years. While working at a standing desk may seem tiring (and maybe even a little ridiculous) at first, standing desks have given workers a more reinvigorating alternative to the computer chair.

The Pros Of A Standing Desk

Encourage higher productivity and alertness

Sitting in the same spot for extended periods can make you sluggish and even drowsy — but standing allows constant movement, which helps keep you motivated and thinking as you work throughout the day. No surprise then that some managers are finding success through stand-up meetings: meetings where the individuals must participate by standing. The results? Participants felt more engaged with the work and one another.

Increases blood flow and stretches your muscles

Studies also show that sitting for too long has been linked to several heath issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer. While a standing desk isn’t the universal answer, it can help break up a dangerous habit with intervals of activity and motion. One study reported by the BBC found that the use of standing desks positively affected blood glucose levels and even improved asthmatic symptoms.

Improves spinal structure and posture

Call it iHunch, computer neck, or any other name you want, the result is the same- using a computer for a long time is bound to strain your spine. Posture isn’t just about how you look— it affects your bone strength and even your confidence. When you stand, you tend to naturally adopt a straighter spine and more upright posture as you work. Finding an adjustable standing desk is crucial if you want to prevent the forward neck position that many laptops on desks cause.

Helps burn calories and lose weight

Standing leads to higher heart rates, about an average of 10 beats per minute (BPM), and that leads to a difference of about 0.7 calories per person. “If you stand for three hours a day for five days that’s around 750 calories burnt. Over the course of a year it would add up to about 30,000 extra calories, or around 8lb of fat.” says Dr. Buckley from the University of Chester.

The Cons Of A Standing Desk

Sore feet and tired knees

Standing for extended periods can be pretty tiring, particularly if you’re not wearing comfortable footwear or insoles. After a few hours, your feet may feel sore, and you may start shifting weight between both legs. By the end of the day, your whole leg may feel like burning, and if you don’t balance stationary standing with stretches and regular exercises, working at a standing desk could be damaging to your muscles.

Varicose veins

Veins in the lower legs have to transport blood from the heart, all the way to the feet and back up to the heart again. When people stand for too long or wear ill-fitting clothing, the veins may have to do extra work, resulting in a slight swelling that appears on the surface of the skin. This can be known as varicose veins. This is frequent in servers, nurses, and other workers that stand for a long time.

You don’t lose that much weight (right away)

It may seem like standing can lead to several pounds of lost weight, but it may take some time, maybe even a few years before you can get to that point. According to Bloomberg, 50 calories can be burned a day, which amounts to about 22 pounds over the course of 4 years (still beats how much weight you can lose while sitting though!).

Lack of real evidence

Standing desks are still a relatively new concept, so there aren’t many studies on their long-term effects. One article strongly suggests that many of the existing studies were flawed: either in sample size, length of study, or just overall poor research design. We may have to wait for more accurate and insightful reports to determine the true impact of standing desks.

Standing desks can be quite the investment, but it can ultimately be a very rewarding one. Our modern work culture encourages us to stay seated for long periods on the computer, but only recently are we discovering how dangerous that can be. While standing for the full day won’t make you suddenly healthy, it’s important to switch up your work habits from constant sitting to light pacing, standing, and even breaks to walk around the block. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you avoid staying hunched and completely sedentary while working.

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