Get off your ass (doctor’s orders).
Our product recommendations are selected by editors, tested first-hand, or expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site.
Back in the ’60s, more than 40 percent of Americans smoked. Sixty years later, most people have kicked the habit in pursuit of a longer lifespan—fewer than 14 percent of adults lit up as of 2018. But there’s another healthspan detractor that’s been hiding in plain sight pretty much the entire time: sitting. Yes, simply sitting is bad for your health.
Within the last few years, Americans have increased time sitting by four to seven hours per day. This is thanks in part to the pandemic, which limited many activities and forced in-person work to go digital. While many parts of this new era are beneficial (flexible working environments, the ability to travel more often, etc.), we’ve become accustomed to sitting for 10+ hours a day without a thought.
That puts your health at risk, even if you diligently hit the gym. Researchers from Finland found that “active couch potatoes”—people who exercised for 30 minutes a day but who sat non-stop for the other 10 to 12 hours—had elevated blood sugar, cholesterol, and body fat (1).
It seems simple: Don’t sit as often. Just getting up from your computer for a few minutes every hour can help you reap major health benefits.
That’s where the standing desk comes in. Do you really need one? And what are the benefits? All of that below.
If you’ve ever worked a job where you’re on your feet the entire shift, you understand how physically demanding it is. Substitute all that standing and walking with sitting for hours on end, and you’re bound to notice some changes like lethargy and weight gain.
Standing burns more calories than sitting—174 additional calories per afternoon according to one study (2). Multiply that by five days, and you burn an average of 870 extra calories per week simply by standing for a few hours per day. The only exception? Adding soleus pushups (a simple seated move known to boost your metabolism) to your sitting time.
Ever hear the phrase “movement is medicine,” or notice a positive mood shift after taking a quick walk? There’s scientific evidence to support those claims. Studies show that there’s a link between sedentary time and an increased risk of depression and anxiety (3, 4).
Standing desks directly affect the cause. One study followed participants on a seven-week standing desk journey. Compared to participants who sat all day, those who stood for 66 minutes per day reported less stress and fatigue and improved mood (5).
Pause and observe your posture, right now. Hunching over a computer (or cell phone) is the reason many office workers complain of back pain throughout the day. Most desk setups are just not ergonomic.
Several studies on desk workers with long-term back pain have found positive improvement from swapping in a standing desk. In one study, participants reported significant improvement in lower back pain after standing for 30-minute intervals for a few weeks (6). In another, sit-stand desks were found to reduce upper back and neck pain by 54 percent after a month of use (5).
(As a human with back pain, who just got a sit-to-stand desk, I can assure you that it helps. Immensely.)
There is one caveat: if you suddenly go from sitting all day to standing for long periods of time, you may develop back (leg or foot) pain, rather than rid it. The fix, according to an article published by Harvard, is to ease into a standing desk setup. Use it for 30 to 60 minutes a day and gradually increasing it to build muscle and let your bones adjust. Experiment with different time intervals to find the one that works best for you.
It also goes without saying, that your standing desk setup needs to be ergonomically adjusted to your body. Position your screen at eye level (you may need a riser). Rest your forearms comfortably on the desktop without your shoulders hunching. Stand (in supportive shoes!), with your feet hip-width apart (no leaning to one side or popping your hip, which is just as bad as crossing your legs, per my chiropractor).
Three things you can pretty much guarantee to put yourself at greater risk for by sitting 10 hours per day: heart disease (7), obesity (8), and diabetes (9). All of which are leading causes of death in the U.S.
Not buying it? One review of 18 studies found those who sit more than stand are at a 49 percent greater risk of dying early (10).
Prolonged sedentary time is thought to increase the risk of heart disease by up to 147 percent and diabetes by 112 percent (10), while the number of extra calories burned standing vs. sitting directly impacts obesity (2). And as we mentioned above, it’s not something you can just exercise your way out of.
There is some hope: reducing sitting time to three hours per day could raise the average life expectancy by two years, according to a study published in 2012 (11). This means in addition to your daily exercise, you should be standing for nearly seven hours every day for a longer healthspan.
Ready to implement more standing into your daily routine? Here are five of the best standing desks for every budget.
This affordable electric-powered standing desk is made with recycled wood fiber and has a 250 lb lifting capacity. That means even if you have a ton of crap on your desk, it’ll smoothly raise and lower whenever you hit the button. But its customizable options are what earned it a top spot on our list. Choose between three desktop colors in three sizes (38” to 58”) and whether or not you want grommets for wires to pass through. You also have the option of adding wheels and a slew of other customizations (like desk pads, foot rockers, and more) for a custom workstation that’ll deliver massive health benefits.
Another solid option with lots of customizability, the Poppin features an electric riser and a large laminate top. Choose from four desktop length options (from 47” to 72”) that make working with dual screens much more comfortable. This one also has a 250 lb weight capacity, which is necessary for those multi-screen setups we just mentioned. It can accommodate people up to 6’1 comfortably, but if you’re extremely gifted in the height department, you may want to look to another option that’ll be more ergonomic for your needs.
If the last two options look appealing, but you really want your desk to fit in with your design aesthetic, go for the Uplift Standing Desk. It has a whopping 29 options for desk top material—ranging from whiteboard to reclaimed birch—and lengths from 42” to 80” across. Need extra accessories like monitor stands, drawers, and desk organizers? Uplift’s got it, and everything is discounted as part of the desk bundle. It’ll even hook you up with a TaskRabbit installation so you don’t have to fuss with the setup.
If you’re the type to consult Yelp for dinner reservations, then this desk’s 1,000+ five-star reviews might be all you need to pull the trigger. It’s got plenty of customization options, from desk length (43” to 70.5”) to color to accessories (desk lamps, keyboard trays, and more). It also has a generous height range from 29.4” to 48”, which makes it ideal for sitting and standing with ergonomics in mind. Share the space with your partner? You can save up to four custom heights to move effortlessly between, all with the press of a single button.
The only non-electric option on the list, Fully’s Jaswig gets high praise for its portability. It has the smallest footprint out of all options here, measuring just 26” across, 27” deep, and boasting an adjustable height range of 36.5” to 48”. Although it’s not a traditional sit-stand desk, it can function as one by using a counter-height stool when you need to take a break from standing or use the built-in footrest to give your legs a mini break whenever they need it. And if you can’t focus unless your space is uncluttered (raises hand), you’ll find the storage cubby especially enticing. Toss all your notebooks and office supplies inside for optimum productivity.
Related Articles
Jan 23, 2024
The soleus pushup might also slash your diabetes risk.
Jan 09, 2024
When healthy plant- and meat-based diets are compared, there is a clear winner.
Feb 20, 2024
The drug may help with weight loss, inflammation, heart disease, and more.
Feb 13, 2024
Killing "undead” cells may prevent age-related disease and lengthen your healthspan
Sep 12, 2023
Plus, the brands he trusts the most.
Jul 18, 2023
Having a T deficiency can cause more than symptoms. It can impact your lifespan.
Apr 24, 2023
It takes the same amount of time as splashing some water on there.
