How to Use a Standing Desk for Comfort and Productivity

How to Use a Standing Desk Correctly

Once you get your height adjustable standing desk, you will want to learn how to use it properly and ultimately feel great while doing it! That is precisely what this text will help you achieve. We have prepared a set of foolproof standing desk tips that will help you learn how to use your new stand up desk like a real pro! By taking these tips into account you are bound to feel better and see the full potential of your sit-stand desk. So let’s dive into it and get you on the right track to leading a healthy life with a desk job and no gym time.

1. Getting Started with a Standing Desk

• Create standing/sitting intervals

One of the most important tips for using a standing desk is to alternate between sitting and standing. Jumping straight into standing for hours can cause discomfort and fatigue. Start with short intervals—stand for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, then sit for a while. Gradually increase your standing time as your body adapts.

• Learn how to stand correctly

Posture is key when learning how to stand at a standing desk. Stand with your feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart, and keep your weight evenly distributed. Avoid locking your knees or leaning on the desk, as this can lead to muscle strain. Keep your back and neck straight, ensuring your shoulders stay relaxed.

• Preset your ergonomic workspace

• Adjust the height of your Ergonomic chair

Even when using a standing desk, you'll still spend some time sitting. Ensuring that your ergonomic chair is set at the correct height is essential for maintaining good posture and preventing strain. Your knees should form a 90-degree angle, with your feet resting flat on the floor. If your chair is too high or too low, it can cause discomfort and impact your overall posture. If you're unsure about the proper setup, understanding the ideal office chair height can help you find the right balance.

For those who find their chair too low, there are several ways to adjust it. You can explore how to make a chair taller using built-in adjustments, or if necessary, chair leg extenders can provide extra height. If you're specifically looking for an office chair with a 24-inch seat height, checking out options designed for taller setups can ensure the best fit.

For those who use a standing desk frequently, a stool designed for standing desks offers a great alternative to traditional chairs, promoting better posture and flexibility. If you have a smaller frame, choosing an ergonomic chair for short individuals can ensure proper alignment and comfort.

2. Maintaining Proper Posture & Ergonomics

• Hold your shoulders properly

One common issue with traditional desks is that they encourage hunching and slouching. While a height-adjustable standing desk makes it easier to keep your back straight, shoulder positioning remains a challenge. Many people instinctively let their shoulders slump forward, which can lead to tension and discomfort.

To fix this, try performing shoulder rolls whenever you notice yourself slouching. Rolling your shoulders backward a few times will reset your posture and make it easier to keep them in the correct position. With consistency, this upright posture will start to feel more natural.

• Use arm support

It’s good to have your entire arms in a good position, but with a standing desk, or any kind of desk for that matter, you will have to lean your hands on the desk, if not that, at least the wrists. You just have to do this or your arms will start hurting like hell after some time.

The solution here is to use some kind of support on the table beneath your wrists. If you already using our ErgoChair with armrest, you're fine. If not, get something similar for the desk as well.

• Avoid the infamous lean while using your standing desk

What’s this? Well, it’s the leaning in a pose that most of us unconsciously make almost every time we stand next to a desk. The positive impact you’ll receive from using a stand-up desk will almost dissipate if you keep on leaning in.

It’s a “natural” tendency that all of us have, so you shouldn’t blame yourself for not being able to easily stop doing it. But keep making a conscious effort to keep your back and head straight. Through time and persistence, you will start doing this unconsciously and thus create a new, natural pose for your body next to your sit-stand desk.

• Adjust your monitor's height

With your monitor at the incorrect height, you can force yourself to tilt forward to see it when standing, or you may end up tilting your head backward when sitting. These positions are not neutral, and they have negative implications for your neck and shoulders. To avoid this, you need to adjust your monitor to a recommended height with an adjustable monitor arm. 

Ensure that your screen is on eye-level, but that it's not too close to your face. Ideally, if you stretch your hand outwards from your working position, your fingertips should only just touch the screen. Standing desks don't facilitate laptops very well where positioning is concerned. So, if you are using one, it's in your best interest to get an external monitor, mouse, and keyboard. 

• Adjust your keyboard and mouse position

Wrist strain is a big problem for a person who uses the hands to work. When you use a keyboard for long hours, positioning can be a big factor, as you can cause yourself pain and strain with an incorrect one. When standing, your wrist should be slightly more tilted upwards than when you are sitting.

If you find that your standing desk is at the correct height, but your wrists are still in a suboptimal position, it's a good idea to get a pad to help you raise your keyboard to the required level.

3. Maximizing Comfort While Standing

• Put something soft beneath your feet

Just as prolonged sitting can cause discomfort in your lower back and neck, standing for long hours can strain your feet. A simple solution is to use an anti-fatigue mat or a balance board to provide cushioning and reduce pressure on your legs. These surfaces encourage subtle movements, preventing blood from pooling in your feet and reducing overall strain.

• How long should you stand at standing desk

According to studies, you should alternate between standing and sitting. It's been proven that sitting too much cause bad effect for your health but standing too long also harm your body. Alternate between sitting and standing can help avoid body pain. You should stand 30 - 45 minutes for every hour, this will help you increase productivity and prevent disease.

• Track your steps

Tracking your steps with your phone or wearable devices is basically great for everyone and can motivate you to walk more. This can also be useful while using a standing desk because while you stand, you will be more inclined to move from time to time. You won’t do this while sitting as that’s when you easily forget about moving at all.

Tracking your steps can, in turn, lead you to have a healthier life, not just to move from time to time while working. So it’s basically one of the greatest standing desk tips overall!

• Wear comfortable shoes

Office workers often overlook the importance of footwear since they’re used to sitting most of the day. However, when using a standing desk, the right shoes make a huge difference. Opt for supportive, cushioned shoes with proper arch support to minimize discomfort. If you commute in different footwear, consider keeping a pair of comfortable shoes at your desk to switch into when working.

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4. Avoiding Fatigue & Injuries

• Move while using a standing desk

Standing still for too long can be just as harmful as sitting all day. Instead of remaining in one position, introduce small movements or exercises for standing desks to keep your blood flowing. Take short walks, do calf raises, or shift your weight from one leg to the other. Even simple stretches at your desk can help reduce stiffness. By staying active, you’ll prevent fatigue and keep your energy levels up throughout the day.

• Take breaks!

Just because you have bought a great sit-stand desk, that doesn’t mean that you should keep on using it without stopping. The right standing position with short walking sessions from time to time is definitely good, but you still have to have breaks! Breaks are necessary with everything in life, and they are definitely necessary here as well.

• When all other movement fails, fidget!

Yes, you heard that right. If you can’t always get yourself to move or you are deep into your work and can’t stop because you’ll lose all of that maximum productivity, just start to fidget.

Fidgeting is spontaneous, easy, and won’t distract you from your work while using your standing desk, so it’s certainly one of the best tips on this list, if not the best!

• Make use of the memory settings

The best standing desk options come with a memory setting feature, and you don't need to break the bank to get one. Using the function allows you to return to comfortable seated and standing positions easily. considering how to use a standing desk depends on what the said desk has to offer you. 

In using the memory settings, you can get into a routine designed around your comfort as you work.

• Focus on proper cable management to prevent a disaster

Cable management is often overlooked but is crucial for a standing desk setup. As your desk moves up and down, poorly managed cables can get pulled, overstretched, or tangled. This not only damages the cables but risks pulling connected devices—such as your laptop or monitor—off the desk. Using cable trays, clips, or zip ties helps keep everything secure and tidy, preventing accidents.

• Work on your injuries before incorporating more standing

The final entry in this set of standing desk tips is purely concerned with your health and any existing injuries, strains, and pains that you may have. It is often said that you should incorporate a standing desk into your office set up to help mitigate various chronic issues.

However, introducing more standing as someone suffering from various pains can be a very uncomfortable adjustment. While this is not to discourage you from working with a standing desk, it may also be a good idea to start visiting and working with a physiotherapist to address your existing injuries for a more comfortable experience.

FAQs

Is It Worth Getting a Standing Desk?

There are certain pros and cons elements while choosing to buy a standing desk or sitting desk. For many office workers working all day, it is easy to have trouble with back pain, fatigue, leg swelling, cognitive decline,... To minimize these health issues, standing desk models have been manufactured with more flexible and modern designs.

What is the correct standing posture when using a standing desk?

Your elbows should be at a 90-degree angle, your monitor at eye level, and your wrists in a neutral position while typing. Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid locking your knees to maintain proper posture.

How often should I switch between sitting and standing?

A good rule of thumb is to switch every 30 to 60 minutes. Standing for too long without movement can cause fatigue, just as prolonged sitting can lead to stiffness and discomfort.

Where should I place my monitor on a standing desk?

Your monitor should be positioned so that the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. This helps prevent neck strain and ensures a comfortable viewing angle.

How do I avoid slouching while standing?

Engage your core muscles, keep your shoulders pulled back, and ensure your desk and monitor are at the correct height. Adjust your stance occasionally and avoid shifting all your weight onto one leg for extended periods.

Can I use a standing desk on carpeted flooring?

Yes, but ensure the desk is stable, especially if it’s adjustable. A standing mat can help provide better support and prevent excessive sinking into the carpet.

Is it okay to lean on my desk while standing?

Leaning can cause uneven weight distribution and lead to muscle strain. Instead, stand upright and shift your weight naturally between both legs or use a stool to alternate between perching and standing.

How do I keep my standing desk setup organized?

Use cable management solutions, monitor arms, and under-desk storage to keep your workspace clutter-free. A well-organized setup prevents distractions and improves productivity.

The Bottom Line

In the end, a good height adjustable standing desk will prove to be a wonderful thing for your health, but as you have probably realized by now (if you’ve read the entire text) it won’t do you much good if you don’t have the proper way to use a standing desk. If you have any more questions about how to use a standing desk, please contact us.

So, hopefully, these 20 tips of standing desk will teach you something that’s worth knowing and doing, and ultimately get you to use your standing desk like a real pro.