At a glance
By Adam Turner
Desk risers and extenders can turn an ordinary desk into a makeshift standing desk. There are a range of purpose-built standing desks that are simple to adjust using a hand crank, pneumatics or an electric motor.
The idea is not to abandon the office chair completely, but rather to alternate between sitting and standing during the workday.
Simply standing isn’t enough — it is still important to consider ergonomics. Try not to lean or slouch, keep a straight back, relaxed shoulders, pelvis in a neutral position and straight legs with knees unlocked.
From the waist up, the same ergonomic rules apply as when sitting at a desk.
Elbows should be level with the desktop to ensure wrists remain straight when reaching for the keyboard. The top of the monitor should be at eye level, to avoid neck strain from looking down.
If sore or aching feet and legs are a challenge when standing on a hard floor, consider using an anti-fatigue floor mat.
Standing desks often come in a range of models, and prices vary depending on the lifting mechanism, cable management, size of the desktop and construction material.
It is also possible to combine a standing desk with a walking pad or treadmill to keep active. A few treadmills have a built-in flat surface to work on, but they offer little desk space and typically are not height adjustable. If moving while working is of interest, it may be better to opt for a separate under-desk walking pad or treadmill to use with a suitable standing desk.
UpDown KLIK
This UpDown standing desk has a 160 kg lifting capacity, with a built-in electric motor and desk-height memory. It is compatiblewith the Desk Control app, using bluetooth to track desk usage stats and suggest whento stand. A cable management set comes by default, with an optional integrated power board and slimline drawer.
Artiss Standing Desk
Artiss’s dual-motor model offers a 100 kglift rating with height memory presets, while the single-motor option lifts 70 kg with no memory presets. The choice of desktop materials is less premium than other manufacturers, but Artiss does offer some eco-friendly materials.
MOOV LIVE SLAB
With a premium look and feel, this MOOV standing desk is made from salvaged timber. Featuring a dual motor, it has a 125 kg lift rating with four height presets. The touch controller features a USB charging port, while cable management is an optional extra.
Desky Air Lift Zero Sit Stand Desk
Relying on a lever-activated pneumatic lifting system with no preset heights, this Desky standing desk only has a lift rating of 15 kg. The upside is that it doesn’t need access to power. With a 74 cm seated height and 115 cm standing, it is not recommended for people under 170 cm tall.
Advwin Walking Pad Under Desk treadmill
At 48.5 cm wide, this Advwin treadmill is rated to hold 120 kg. It offers a walking mode of 1–3 km/h and running mode of 3–8 km/h, with a handheld remote for adjusting the speed. Wheels make it easy to move and store to save space.
Lifespan WalkingPad M2 treadmill
At 51 cm wide, this Lifespan treadmill is rated to hold 100 kg. It reaches speeds of 6 km/h and can be controlled via the handheld remote or a smartphone. Alternatively, it automatically adjusts the speed by responding to foot movements. The treadmill folds in half for easy storage.
