You Should Stand One Hour Every One or Two Hours at Standing Desk

How long should you stand at a standing desk?

Answer:

Research shows the ideal ratio is to spend one hour standing for every one to two hours of sitting.

A standing desk is an excellent choice for improving work style and daily habits. Many people decide to buy a standing desk to reduce the time they spend sitting and working. They can also enjoy the many benefits of standing at the desk. But, when you stand at a desk for the first time, you usually want to know how long you should stand at a standing desk?

You spend 8 hours a day sitting at your desk, even have lunch at the desk.Then you sit on your way home, either in your car, or a taxi, bus, or the subway. You sit down for supper, then watch TV for another hour or so. That can add up to sitting for 11-12 hours per day.

Sitting at your desk all day and working is bad for your health. Experts have long advised people to stand for about 15 minutes an hour at work. But the University of Waterloo professor said that people should stand for at least 30 minutes every hour to get health benefits.

Standing desks are becoming all the rage. These are now available and have become popular for a reason. We can use the height adjustable table in the office or home environment. You can adjust the standing desk to a suitable height at will. Transform traditional office habits into healthy new ways of working.

But the big question remains. How long should you stand at a standing desk?

There is no longer any question that you should move during your working day. If you are using a standing desk, this does not mean you should stand all day either. This can cause health problems in its own right, such as varicose veins, thrombosis, or blockages to the carotid arteries.

Is it Better to Sit or Stand at Work?

Many employees spend eight hours a day sitting at their desks and working. After they got home, they were still sitting on the sofa watching TV and playing games, and finally went to bed and slept for eight hours. It all adds up to a sedentary lifestyle and health problems.

Studies have found that people who sit and work for 8 hours a day are at risk of death, like smoking and obesity. According to research data of 1 million people, you need to do vigorous exercise for 60 to 75 minutes to offset the effect of sedentary on your health.

To solve this problem, many companies have introduced standing desks so that employees don’t have to sit on office chairs all day.

Standing to work increases the number of calories burnt which may lead to weight loss and increased energy. There is also evidence that using a standing desk can reduce stress, improve mood, and even increase work efficiency.

Risks of Standing For Too Long

Is it ok to stand all day? The evidence says, no standing all day is not OK and has its health risks.

Despite the proven benefits of standing desks, it seems you can also stand for too long. Ask anyone who is on their feet all day for work and most will tell you it isn’t easy. Too much standing can cause lower back pain and problems with leg muscles, tendons, and varicose veins.

As with almost everything in life, balance is key.

Sitting and standing alternately

For office staff who have the choice of standing or sitting to work, they should do both. The optimal situation is to alternate between sitting and standing throughout a workday. Research shows the ideal ratio is to spend one hour standing for every one to two hours of sitting. 

A height-adjustable sit-stand desk lets you do that. Most electric standing desks have high-performance motor devices, and users can adjust the height of the desk many times a day. Within a few seconds, the height of the table will change. 

Again, using the 60 to 40% rule is appropriate. This will allow your body to adjust to standing for long periods and start building the strength that comes with using a standing desk. It won’t take long before you are stronger and starting to stand longer. This is proof of the great benefits of using standing desks.

Deciding how long you should stand at your standing desk is a personal decision based on individual preference. I highly recommended following a 60-40% or 1/3 to 2/3’s rule ensuring you are alternating from both positions throughout the day.

Hope this helps you enjoy your standing desk better and keep standing!