With the Pandemic, many of us are working at home and spend a good majority of our day at a desk. Standing desks have become quite popular in recent years and for good reason. These desks allow an individual to complete their tasks in a standing position rather than sitting. One of the potential benefits comes from allowing your body to work in a different posture, which leads to stretching areas that may be tight and compressed with sitting.

There are a wide variety of options when it comes to selecting a standing desk such as free-standing and desktop risers and toppers which are placed on top of your current desk.

Certain styles may fit a person’s needs better than others, so these are some factors to consider and questions to think about when choosing your desk.  It is also important to note that it takes time to adjust to a standing desk and every person is going to acclimate at a different rate.

Here are some factors to consider:

• Size:
  • What is the size of your current working surface? If you get an entirely new desk, will it be the same size as your current desk?
  • Most of the stand-alone standing desks are rectangular. There are a few executive options that are L-shaped, however, these are very pricey. Here is link to some L desks.
    • Uplift Desk
    • Amazon Options
    • L desk Info
  • Most people who work at a desk are primarily working at their computers and their work is centered around the computer. Therefore, if you need only a portion of the desk, where your computer sits, to be elevated over the desk option would be adequate. It is crucial to consider that the shapes and cutouts of these riser/topper options as they may potentially limit the work surface for writing tasks.
  • Since the desk space may be smaller consider using monitor arms to mount monitors off the desk surface. You will need to consider if this can be done given the type of desk you have.

• Height:
• • 

    This is the correct height for a standing desk. Her elbow creates a 90 degree angle and her wrist is relaxed on the keyboard.

    Take note of the height range that is possible.

  • If you are particularly tall make sure the height of the standing desk can accommodate your standing height
  • Your elbows should be at about a 90 degree angle when you put your hands on the keyboard
  • Wrist should rest comfortable on the keyboard so it is parallel to the table

• Automatic Features:
• • The less expensive options have manual levers/ handles to elevate the desk surface. Usually, these are easy to manage. In some cases, some feel that hand strength is required to engage the handles.
  • The manual option with hydraulic lift does make it easier to move, but it also has weight restrictions. Some people have no problem using this option, but for others, it can be very difficult.

• Memorized Settings:
  • 

    This is an example of what the controls on a standing desk may look like.

    Check to see if the desk has memorized settings.

  • This can be very convenient. This feature allows an individual to set a sitting height and a standing height. This can take the guesswork out of finding your ideal height each time. If possible, select a desk that has at least 2 memorized settings. Some desks can have up to 3 memorized settings.

• Additional features: 
  • Some desks include built-in ports that charge items with greater ease such as your phone or computer. There are even desks that have a top induction to charge the newer model phones.
  • Make sure there is enough slack in your wires and cords to accommodate the height of the desk.

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