Height-adjustable desks - a must-have in the office?
A height-adjustable desk is a real enrichment for everyday work and health. By quickly switching from sitting to standing, the body remains in motion and an unhealthy posture cannot be assumed. But do you absolutely need a height-adjustable desk, or are there other options? The most important advantages and disadvantages of a standing desk at a glance.
Features of a modern height adjustable desk
To give you a better idea of the functions a standing desk has in addition to the other benefits for health and co., we have summarized the most important ones for you here. You should definitely pay attention to these if you decide to buy a height-adjustable desk. The desqup Pro , which we use as a reference, has these features, among others:
- All-in-one keyboard with intuitive, uncomplicated touch operation
- USB port for quick charging of smartphones, tablets & Co.
- Get up reminder system for sitting down work
- Memory function for up to three different heights
- Made in Germany with a five-year guarantee
- 70 kg lifting capacity thanks to high-quality materials
- Reliable anti-collision system that automatically stops the table if there is an obstacle
- Scratch-resistant and liquid-repellent surface
- Rounded edges for a lower risk of injury
- Quiet motor with a volume of only 50 dB (like a quiet radio in the background)
- Assembly and disassembly possible within 30 minutes thanks to the highly developed design
You should definitely pay attention to all these functions when buying your height-adjustable desk. The volume of the motors in particular is a real insider tip, because many manufacturers from the Far East save on these, so that the systems cause a high noise level. In open-plan offices or rented apartments, you will unfortunately make yourself unpopular very quickly, so it is better to use a high-quality model!
Health: The height-adjustable desk has these advantages
The health effects are probably one of the main arguments against sitting at a desk. Poor posture, lack of concentration and headaches are almost daily consequences of long periods of sitting in the office. Overweight and diabetes are also promoted by sitting for long periods, as the body's calorie consumption decreases. In summary, a lack of exercise is one of the major everyday dangers for the human body.
Exercise breaks and time in the fresh air are part of the German Occupational Health and Safety Act. This means that the employer must allow such work interruptions to take place. Whether the employees actually do this is up to them. The fact is, however, that after just one hour of sitting, concentration and performance decrease, especially when it comes to demanding tasks such as programming. At this point at the latest, a short break to stand or move must be taken.
There's a problem with this though: Oftentimes, you're probably too busy to just walk away for ten minutes. You can't leave a video conference without being disturbed. Often the only solution for a healthy workplace is a height-adjustable desk. The main health benefits it brings are:
- Thanks to better blood circulation when standing, you can concentrate much better and stay fit longer
- Your body is lightly moving all the time. The increased risk of diabetes and obesity thus disappears
- Poor posture can no longer occur so easily because you can adjust the table to exactly the right height
- No more tension in the neck and shoulder area thanks to a natural posture
- Your joints are no longer in a fixed position and are thus permanently stimulated. So there is no damage caused by too rigid a posture
- Your upper body is looser and you feel less tight at the end of the year
When it comes to health, the height-adjustable desk is unbeatable. Since regular movement or standing breaks are usually not possible, it is one of the best alternatives for a healthy day in the office. It protects the back, joints, neck and shoulders as well as all other muscle groups. The only important thing is that you get used to a good routine for working while standing. For example, always work standing up until 2 p.m. and only then sit down.
Advantages in image & internal communication
A height-adjustable desk is representative of a modern & sustainable workplace. The equipment in your own office is one of the main criteria for new applicants. She is still facing points such as the environment and the provision of food and drinks. If you are an employer yourself, then with height-adjustable employees you create a real reason to stay and set yourself apart from other companies.
It also promotes internal communication with your colleagues. A small example: Imagine you are sitting in your comfortable office chair and have been working on documents for a few hours. Now you have a query and have to ask a colleague something. What do you do, do you pick up the phone or walk up a floor to let him know? Probably the first option.
On a height-adjustable desk, things are quite different. Not only do you have much more freedom of movement, it is also much less difficult to get up. It also promotes personal, internal communication with your colleagues and ensures that you are more inclined to move.
But are there any downsides? A small one, if you can call it that.
Creatures of habit: weak point of the height-adjustable desk?
A standing desk from desqup can be turned back into a normal desk at any time at the touch of a button. So if you've been used to working sitting down for years, it will be difficult to change. So that you don't remain stubborn, you should think about a precise strategy in advance of how you will integrate the new table into your day. Thanks to the reminder function, you can set exactly when you want to be reminded to get up on desqup desks, for example.
We cannot say whether this is a real disadvantage. However, older people in particular have developed very strong habits over the years, which can make it difficult to convince them. But of course it's not impossible!
The second "disadvantage" is the slightly higher price caused by the built-in technology. Today, however, they are no longer as expensive as they once were. For example, you can get the desqup Pro with all the functions described above for just 499.00 euros. In many cases, the new desk is also paid for by the employer or health insurance company.
