In a month or so my company is moving office to a much bigger, cooler space. It’s a huge step up and should be really fun. We are all getting some input in the new office since it’s a small company.
My coworkers have asked for bean bags, couches, and foosball tables. Fun stuff, right? What have I asked for? Standing desks. I really want a standing desk in order to work standing up!
photo via new york times
I try to stand as much as I can at the office now though it’s hard without the proper setup. I will sometimes use boxes or whatever I can find for a temporary standing desk currently, but I dream of having a real adjustable standing desk or a shared standing workspace option.
Sitting for so many hours every day is boring, makes me tired, hurts my body, and is a possible killer. Uh oh.
I’ve been to a chiropractor who talked about my messed up spine and then told me not to sit so much especially in the slouchy way I normally do. I try to get up every hour for water or a break but it’s not the same as if I could stand and work for at least part of the day. I sit entirely too much right now.
That’s why it’s part of my mission to figure out a standing desk solution/get standing desk workspaces for our office. The benefits I’ve read about so far are great: better productivity, less health care costs, burns more calories, etc. It seems like a great idea, in theory.
I’ve looked at a few alternative desk ideas that I’m interested in. All of these look like they would give me the benefit of being able to stand or walk or exercise while I’m still able to work. That would be ideal since I’m chained to a computer 8+ hours a day!
Standing Desk Options
Techni Mobili Mobile Laptop MDF Cart with Storage, Woodgrain
The Original Stand Steady Desk – Converts Your Desk to a Stand up Desk, Adjustable Height
Safco 1929MO Adjustable Height Stand-Up Workstation
Also useful if you plan on standing for multiple hours at a time is anti-fatigue comfort mat. Good options (based on positive reviews) for this via Amazon:
- NewLife by GelPro 20 by 32-Inch Pebble Designer Comfort Mat
- Imprint Comfort Mat Nantucket Series
- Genuine Joe Anti-Fatigue Mat, Beveled Edge
Standing Desks Under $100
These stand up desk options are all available online for less than $100. Many also offer free shipping.
Techni Mobili Mobile Laptop MDF Cart
The Techni Mobili Mobile Laptop MDF Cart with Storage is a great option for using your laptop while standing. It’s built to be mobile so you can move this standing desk from room to room or even to different locations. It’s built using MDF construction, laminated PVC surface, and has dual wheel casters for mobility. There is storage space at the bottom for media and books which will make it ideal for use as a mobile laptop stand.
At the time of this post, the price was $49.99. Check current price for 33% savings!
This standing desk is highly rated. Average Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Quik Lok LPH-003 Laptop Stands
The Quik Lok LPH-003 Laptop Stands is a free-standing tripod laptop holder made of steel that will securely anchor any size laptop. It swivels 360 degrees to allow for ideal positioning of the laptop which makes it a great option to have in your office or home. There is a mouse tray that can be positioned on either side of the laptop that is retractable for easy storage and transport.
At the time of this post, the price was $82.99. Check the current price for savings!
This laptop stand is highly rated. Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Speedy Stand Up Portable Desk Black
The Speedy Stand Up Portable Desk converts your sit down desk into a stand up desk in seconds. It comes in multiple colors to match your style and has a solid, sturdy construction. The stand up desk is big enough for a laptop or monitor & all your paperwork. The patented design is ergonomically correct and works for people from 5’3? to 5’11”. The company also sells a tall stand version.
At the time of this post, price was $79.99. Check the current price for 38% savings!
This product is highly rated by customers. Average customer review: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Traveler Folding Stand up Desk – Portable & Lightweight!
The Traveler Folding Stand Up Desk is portable and lightweight which makes it great for a standing desk option. This laptop sized standing desk folds up for easy storage and can fit into standard sized carry-on luggage. It’s easy to use and as an affordable stand up desk makes it a great deal. Simply place the Traveler Folding Stand up Desk on top of your existing work surface (desk/cubicle/kitchen table/ etc.), adjust it to your height, and you are ready to work standing up. The top can sit flat or tilt to as much as 45 angle. There is even a lip to keep your device from sliding when the desk it tilted. Then, fold it up and put it away when you no longer need it.
At the time of this post, the price was $69.99. Check the current price for 22% savings!
This stand up desk receives good ratings. Average customer review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
DIY Standing Desk Kit
The DIY Standing Desk Kit – The Height-Adjustable Standing Desk Conversion Kit lets you build your own Standing Desk with our DIY Kit and the IKEA LINNMON / FINNVARD desk. While this option won’t be for everyone, if you already have this IKEA product, this is a cheap way to turn it into a standing desk. If you don’t have the IKEA table then you would have to purchase it for an additional price. The company shares a detailed guide at www.DIYstandingDESKkit.com/simple-3-step-guide.
At the time of the post, the price was $79.00. Check the current price for 11% savings!
This DIY standing desk kit gets great reviews. Average customer review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
These are just a few stand up desk options available for under $100. If you are on a budget these are great options. They can also tide you over until you are ready to go to the next level and invest in a better standing desk.
Standing Desk Benefits
Standing at work has numerous health benefits including reducing back pain, burning extra calories, and improving overall health. Research results show that sitting all day at work puts you at increased risk for cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease even if you work out regularly. Take a stand for your health and stop just sitting there! You’ll be able to lose weight, straighten your posture, improve your cardiovascular health all while still working and typing at your computer.
Learn more about standing desks or see other standing desks for sale.
More Standing Desk Information
Further standing desk reading, if you are interested in creating your own standing desk or the benefits of doing so:
- A Healthier Way To Work: Stand Up Desks – Forbes
- Can’t Stand to Sit Too Long? There’s A Desk For That – NYTimes
- Stand Up At Office To Lose Weight – BBC
- Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk – LifeHacker
- LifeHacker Challenge Create A Standing Desk In Your Cubicle – LifeHacker
- Standing Desk Solutions – Ergonomics Fix
Do you have a standing desk? Would you use one?
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Hi – I’m new to your site – great job on the weight loss!!
I spent the past 5 years working in a school office and totally agree – standing desks are the way to go. I used to set a timer and get up and do push-ups and a wall-sit plus a few minutes of walking every hour just to break it up. A lot of times when I was on the phone I would just stand in place.
I hope you are able to get a true standing desk – awesome idea!!!
I would ABSOLUTELY use a standing desk! I think it’s a fabulous idea. The company I’m working for is revamping our cubes with desks that allow part of the top to be raised and lowered. GENIUS. I think I may be one of a dozen people (out of 1,500) that will actually use it.
I’d love to get one at home for my treadmill, something like this : http://pinterest.com/pin/33706697182403839/
Can’t wait to see how it turns out for you!
Yeah most people would NOT want or use a standing desk. But I’m excited about the possibility. :)
I would LOVE a standing desk. Can’t see my employer investing the bucks in them though. Time to dust off the resume! Have a great day Mary.
I have a standing desk, and I like having the option. I can only do about 1/2 day standing, before my hips hurt .. but I figure 1/2 day is better than nothing :)
Good for you, making a HEALTHY request! Hope they consider it. You are so awesome!
Ooh beanbag chairs, special desks, couches and foosball tables? I’d ask for airhockey. Love air hockey. Your company is awesome! If I had one, I’d prob try and use it a little every day but in the end I’d sit down. I do hate sitting in office chairs and desks though and get up a million times a day to walk around. I think I’d be lounging on the beanbag chairs or the floor with my computer if I were at your office. But then again, I’m standing the whole time when I work my club and i’m fine, so maybe I’d like it.
We will see what we actually get. ;) It is a cool company though. Definitely not the cubicles and blank walls type of place.
Recently on The Biggest Loser, they were profliling a company that had a wellness program including gyms, trainers, and group walks. The CEO had a treadmill desk like one Emily posted.
I guess I could get used to it. Right now, I can’t even read when I walk!
A standing desk would be nice, but I’d need chair sometimes!
I actually like to pace and read. I can read doing almost anything and since I like to read I also like to move around while I’m doing it. I wouldn’t want a treadmill desk though, just a standing one. :)
LOVE that you asked for that!!! One of the other bloggers wrote about sitting is the new smoking slogan & she has a standing desk! :)
We have standing desks – we work in a hot desk environment so never the same seat each day. The standing desks are mostly used by people who have heaps of meetings and barely use a desk anyway. However if people have health issues that require full time use of the standing desks they get one assigned to them.
I have two computers at my desk so it makes it almost impossible to hot desk which is a shame.
That’s an interesting set up!
Good for you Mary. I wonder if you will be the only one to request that. Set an example :)
I’ve been sitting in a cubicle for 10 plus years. A standing desk is something that would be interesting to give a shot!
my back really needs this too…
Standing desks are great….but the creme de la creme would be a treadmill desk! Good luck on getting your dream desk!
Actually I really don’t want a treadmill desk. I like standing because I can move and fidget and dance, but the walking on a treadmill isn’t for me. I know some people like it but I think a standing desk is more practical.
Why have I never thought of that??? I try to stand for most of the day at the office but my desk is so low that it messes up my typing or it hurts my back to reach down at the computer. I will definitely have to suggest this to my MD…I might get an earful but at the end of the day, he can either say yay or nay :)
Super idea.
xx
Mary, I don’t know if you’ve seen my posts on standing desks. My last was December 2nd. I’ve made three different standing desks at work with pretty much whatever was on hand – on top of bookcases or putting a computer table on top of two 3 drawer filing cabinets. I couldn’t stand all day, but I have so many meetings that when I get to my desk standing is a relief.
I didn’t! I’ll have to check out those posts. :)
I think it’s great that your company is asking for input. Personally, I like the idea of a standing desk. I try to get up each hour so that I’m not so sedentary. I could see myself making use of a standing desk, at least 1/2 of the day.