How Long Should You Stand at a Standing Desk? (2024)

FAQs

How Long Should You Stand at a Standing Desk? ›

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 just that. Most quality sit stand desks have electric controls or gas lifts to make it possible for workers to adjust the height of their desk multiple times each day.

Follow the 20-8-2 rule. Sit for 20 min, stand for 8 min, and move for 2 min. 5. Walk to talk to a co-worker instead of email, walk to the mailbox, walk to the neighbors, park far away from the mall or grocery.

Keep in mind that using a standing desk is like any other "intervention" — it can come with "side effects." For example, if you suddenly go from sitting all day to standing all day, you run the risk of developing back, leg, or foot pain; it's better to ease into it by starting with 30 to 60 minutes a day and gradually ...

There are a few good reasons why we should consider standing more often, among them lower blood sugar levels, lower risk of heart disease and less stress and fatigue than those who sit for eight hours or more each day. “Standing has a significantly larger impact on our longevity than sitting.

This includes adults who exercise regularly after work. Even just one hour of sustained sitting causes blood to pool in the legs. Risks begin to manifest for those who stand more than four hours per day.

Using the 20-20-20 rule can help prevent eye strain when looking at screens. For every 20 minutes a person looks at a screen, they should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Following the rule is a great way to remember to take frequent breaks.

Standing more may help reduce waist size

All of these effects may, in turn, increase your risk for chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Standing up and moving more, however, can help people maintain a healthy weight and reduce this type of abdonimal fat. Even small changes can help.

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.

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.

The short answer is “yes.” Research shows that standing burns an extra 0.15 calories per minute on average, compared to sitting.

Is lying down healthier than sitting? ›

Just standing or sleeping are better for your heart health than sitting down, new study finds. Even activities such as standing or sleeping were better than sedentary behaviour, a new study has found.

Many studies have looked into the health benefits of standing desks, and the big winners are your neck and back. “When you feel a little stiff or achy, it lets you change things up,” Dennerlein says. Some studies have found the desks make a difference for easing lower back and shoulder and neck discomfort.

As more blood pools in the legs, there is less blood available to perfuse the brain and other organ systems. These soldiers are typically standing stock still and not moving or fidgeting. The skeletal muscle pump is a mechanism that assists with the venous return to the heart.

What's more, research has shown that prolonged standing might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. That's because standing too long can result in blood pooling in the legs, increased pressure in the veins and increased oxidative stress, all of which can contribute to an increased risk.

There is no real prevention for standing, but there are ways to mitigate time spent standing in the workplace. Experts suggest to move around and change positions throughout the day. It is best not to sit in one position for more than 20 minutes, or to stand in one position for more than 8 minutes.

Prolonged and frequent standing, without some relief by walking, causes blood to pool in the legs and feet. This pooling may progress over time to chronic and painful varicose veins and inflammation. Excessive standing also causes the joints in the spine, hips, knees, and feet to become temporarily immobilized.

An adult will burn an extra 0.15 calories per minute by standing rather than sitting. So, if a 70 kg person stands for six hours a day, they will burn an extra 54 calories than if they sat.

Research conducted by the University of Waterloo advises that people spend equal amounts of time standing and sitting per day. That means that in an 8-hour workday, you should try to spend four hours standing and four hours sitting. It is also important to alternate sitting and standing throughout the day.

A pneumatic standing desk will last for up to 30 years or more. They are known for being able to do 50 000 lift cycles during their lifespan. This is double the amount that is required by BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association) standards.