5 Standing Desk Options You Need To Know About

Adobe Stock / Sergey Nivens

Woman at standing desk

Adobe Stock / Sergey Nivens

Michele Mavi
Michele Mavi10
Updated: 12/15/2017
We’ve all heard the news — sitting is deadly.
If you’ve been at a desk job for years, you may have already begun to feel the negative effects of sitting throughout your work day. From shoulder pain to bad circulation and weight gain, the list of side effects is long and troubling. But short of quitting our desk jobs and opting for a more active lifestyle, sitting is going to be a part of our daily routine. Unless, of course, you decide to take a stand.
That’s right — you don’t have to take this sitting down. Get up and get moving. Movement is the answer, and as with most things at work (promotions and raises, to name a couple), the way to go is up. In some cases, the best we can hope for at work is upward movement. Give your desk a promotion and consider a standing desk or converter. These stand-up desks and conversion systems offer height adjustability that can change easily, often, and whenever the mood strikes. While it’s no substitute for walking or getting much needed exercise, the benefits of standing desks range from better posture and increased productivity all the way to living a longer life!
Here are some of the best standing desks and converters currently available on the market:
For small spaces, the best and most visually appealing option is the Stand Steady X Elite Pro. With a sleek design and at 28 inches wide, this converter seamlessly incorporates with any work surface. Easy to adjust in just a few seconds, you can choose from a height between 7-16 inches high, according to your comfort needs and preference. The nice thing about this converter is that it’s all one level, so your monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other office supplies won’t be seperated.
If you’re looking for a more robust option with a range of widths, the Veridesk Pro offers enough room for two monitors and separate levels for your screens and keyboard. It has 11 different settings and lifts not only vertically, but forward laterally, as well, so you’ll need to be sure you have enough room behind you! It comes fully assembled and is ready to go out of the box.
3. Jarvis
Are you more of an all-or-nothing person? There are plenty of motorized fully adjustable desk options. The most popular are from Jarvis and Updesk. Jarvis was one of first standing desks on the scene. They are basic and functional but are now starting to also become more aesthetically pleasing. Motorized for height adjustability ease, they can raise up to approximately 350 pounds of weight. They come in a variety of width and colors and run anywhere from 450- 1700+ inches. The most well designed is definitely the Atwood version that also includes two drawers and a shelf.
4. UpDesk
Updesk also offers a popular line of fully adjustable motorized desks and a build-your-own option to suit all your various height adjustment needs. They also have a version that doubles as a whiteboard. With the UpWrite model, you’ll never find yourself scrambling for a piece of paper again. Now your desktop can serve as a creative workspace to jot down ideas, quickly sketch out a new webpage, or just doodle when the mood strikes you. Updesk does come at a higher price, but judging by the rave reviews, it’s worth the $1000-$2000 price tag.
A fifth option you might consider trying? Treadmill desks.
Treadmill desks have been regularly used in the workplace since 2007. The advantages are many: increased steps, more calories burned, better circulation, and more overall energy. But there are some disadvantages too, from having to adjust to performing complex tasks while walking, to noise issues in the office. If you’re considering trying out a treadmill desk, you’ll need to consider the tasks associated with your job and how capable you are of performing them in motion, as well as a few other factors. But for anyone who desires their upward desk movement to put the emphasis on movement, this may be the desk type for you.
Whether you go with a treadmill desk, sit-stand desk, or one that's fixed at standing height, the imporant thing is getting up on your feet and bringing at least a touch more physical activity into your work day. We're positive it will be an uplifting move!
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Michele Mavi has nearly 15 years of experience as a recruiter, interview coach, and resume writer. She is Atrium Staffing’s resident career expert, as well as director of internal recruiting and content development. She also founded Angel Films, a division of Atrium Staffing focused on the creation of recruiting and training videos.
 

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