We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Stand-Up Desk?

By Benjamin R. Kibbey
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,831
Share

A stand-up desk is a desk or work surface designed to be usable from a standing position. Some stand-up desks are adjustable workstations that can be used at both sitting and standing heights. The desks may simply be a taller version of more typical desks, may have a section that tips-ups like an easel, or they may resemble a podium or lectern. Some products that are marketed are simply boxes placed on an existing desk to allow work to be done from a standing position. In some cases, the stand-up desk may be paired with a high stool or chair to allow the user to alternate between sitting and standing without moving to another work area or adjusting the desk.

The reasons for using a stand-up desk vary from health concerns and ways of dealing with restlessness to requirements of specific tasks. Stand-up desks may be marketed as ergonomic because they are claimed to place less stress on the back of the user by making improper posture more difficult. In addition, some studies have shown positive correlations between the use of stand-up desks and increased productivity. This may be related to any number of effects of standing as opposed to sitting, especially increased circulation.

Many individuals may opt for stand-up desks due to personal preference for standing or pacing when working or performing some problem-solving tasks. Certain large-scale tasks, such as drafting building plans, may be difficult to accomplish from a sitting position simply due to size. Drafting tables or drafting desks, such as may traditionally be used by architects and engineers to create large-scale plans and drawings, are usually a type of stand-up desk.

One experimental use of stand-up desks conducted with middle school students at Marine Elementary, outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, has made use of desks at a standing height paired with high, backless stools and a bar running under the desk to be used as a foot rest. Students use the desks according to personal preference, with some children standing with a foot on the rest, others sitting with both feet on the rest or dangling free and all of them allowed to change the arrangement in whatever manner suits their most productive habits. Though not the result of an official, scientific study, the principal of the school has reported that teachers claimed noticeable improvements after the stand-up desk became the standard in the classrooms.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon346033 — On Aug 24, 2013

Standing all day can also be problematic. That is why we went with a treadmill desk. It makes all the difference in the world! We do alternate with some time sitting; it is maybe 50/50. But it feels really good to walk slowly while we work instead of just stand or sit. We forget we are walking we get so engrossed into our work on our computers.

We got a new Multitable and we love it! We ordered the entire table from them, not just the base -- they customized it for us, too. We checked out almost every standup desk on the market before settling on this one. They have a plethora of types of desks -- something for everyone.

Although they had models that fit over their own treadmills, we already had a high-end Precor treadmill at home. Note that most of the treadmills that come from the standup desk combos have no console in front to get in the way, but ours, just like a gym model, does. So we needed the table that goes up really high, plus we needed a narrower table since we are further back on the treadmill due to the console. Plus, we just have small laptops so no need for a wider desk.

They took their table from the treadmill combo and created a customized top for us. Also they were able to adjust the width.

It fits perfectly! The inner width is 34" between the legs, the tabletop is 36" wide and 18" deep. The height goes up to 54 inches! Yay! Finally we found one that fit our needs over our treadmill (good luck finding one that tall, and, if you do, good luck getting the rest of these dimensions).

It was pretty easy to assemble, and putting things together is not my forte. We ordered the "left-handed" model, which is just having the crank on the left side, since our treadmill is up to the wall on the right side. We really appreciate a manual operation, although they certainly have electric models. I don't want another thing to have to plug in, and it takes so little effort to crank it, why bother with electric.

Their customer service is outstanding. Their prices are far, far better than any other desk of this quality, and especially compared to companies who are willing to customize for you.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-stand-up-desk.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.