The Benefits of Using a Standing Desk for Web Developers

Sitting for eight hours straight leads to back pain, neck strain and poor circulation. A standing desk does not fix all of that, but it helps.

Standing while you work has become common enough that the question is no longer whether it is worth trying, but which desk to buy and how often to actually stand. The benefits are real, though they matter less than getting up and moving every hour regardless of what furniture you own.

Here is what standing instead of sitting does:

• Improved posture: Standing encourages you to hold your shoulders back and your neck straight. You will feel the difference in your upper back by the end of the day. It reduces the risk of neck strain and the chronic ache that settles between your shoulder blades.
• Increased blood flow: Standing improves circulation. Your legs do not go numb, and you do not get that foggy feeling that comes from sitting motionless through a long debugging session. The effect is subtle but consistent.
• Increased energy: Studies have shown that standing desks increase energy levels and improve productivity. Web developers who spend long hours at their desks report feeling less drained by mid-afternoon. The lift is not dramatic, but it is there.
• Weight loss: Standing burns more calories than sitting. Not enough to replace exercise, but enough to matter if you are otherwise sedentary most of the day. The difference adds up over months.

A standing desk only works if you use it correctly. Adjust the height so your elbows bend at ninety degrees when your hands are on the keyboard. Take breaks. Stretch. Move around. Standing motionless for four hours is not better than sitting motionless for four hours.

The next article covers the different types of standing desks and which ones are worth the money at different price points.