The biggest flaw in standing desks that no one talks about

You've decided you want to get a standing desk but very quickly, you're in a state of research overload. Scanning forums, reviews and Youtube videos, everyone tends to compare a common set of standards. 

• Is it stable?
• Is it noisy?
• Does it allow you to save memory settings?
• Does it have a wide range of height adjustments?

However, there is one feature that is the most critical for standing desks that often gets overlooked: can it remind you to change postures. 

The biggest flaw we've seen with standing desk is simply that users tend to forget to stand (or sit). Despite knowing that we should and it's good for you, we get distracted throughout the day and often times forget, just like how there are apps out there to remind you to drink water. As a result, you end up sitting all day which defeats the point of your investment in the first place. 

We've gone into offices around the world and consistently see the same behavior. When asked how often they actually change from sitting to standing or vice versa, we typically hear once or twice, or sometimes, never. To combat this, we recommend looking for a standing desk with a controller that offers programmable sedentary reminders like the KD01 Smart Paddle that notifies you it's time for a posture change. By setting the sedentary reminder at 30, 60 and 90 minute intervals, your desk can give you a gentle nudge that it's time to sit or stand so you can always be feeling your best. 

How often should I stand?  

Standing is great, but there can be too much of a good thing. "It causes a whole variety of problems, just as if you sit for too long," said Alan Hedge, professor of ergonomics at Cornell University. He states that standing for prolonged periods is associated with back pain and varicose veins. In the past, ergonomists have recommended standing for 15-20 minutes for every hour worked but a University of Waterloo professor's research shows that people should be standing for at least 30 minutes per hour to get maximum health benefits. However, every body is different so we would suggest that you find the balance that works for you and trust your body. 

Need help with a standing desk or have questions on getting the most out of yours? Send us an email at hello@kneadfurniture.com or say hello on live chat.