We know that working at a standing desk leaves us with more energy at the end of the day. We know the increased activity level that standing for parts of the day gives us leads to firmer muscles and greater creativity. However, standing too long at a time leads to muscle fatigue and discomfort. The proper standing desk mat alleviates that somewhat, but for maximum benefit of working at a standing desk you should consider purchasing an adjustable height desk or include the right standing desk chair.
The optimum height of a standing desk is elbow level. Your computer monitor should be positioned just above eye-level, so you don’t have to tilt your head up or down. The ideal chair is one that allows working at the desk in a standing position with occasional lean or sit time. If the chair can be used without having to move the computer or the person from the work space, it is the most effective.
Chair designers now make chairs that have as wide a height range as the desks they are designed to complement. Chairs are built to allow for or even to cause movement of the body while they are being used. Some are designed for full support in the traditional chair manner, and some are designed more to be leaned against than sat on. Some are inexpensive, and some are pricey. Here is a look at several chairs in a wide variety of price range, style and function. We will focus on these criteria
- Make sure that the chair is adjustable with regards to its height and tall enough so that your elbows can be raised higher than the work surface, while your finger tips are pointing down.
- The seat should have both a forward and backward tilt, allowing maximum versatility.
- A lumbar support should be added to the chair in order to maintain a good posture.
- The chair should also have an adjustable backrest.
Boss Caresoft Medical/Drafting Stool
A reviewer says her doctor recommended working at a standing desk to alleviate stenosis, and she is finding the chair to be excellent for her issues. A six foot, 200 pound male says the chair at the highest point fits his desk height perfectly. Several people mentioned the chair rolls too easily making it a little scary. One said she ordered gliders to replace the wheels. Only 72 percent of reviewers give the chair a four star or higher rating. Many of the three stars are because the chair is too tall, though, a feature that would be sought out by other buyers. The chair has a Certified Green seal for having low VOC emitting materials.
Flash Furniture Chrome Drafting Stool
Over 81 percent of reviewers give the chair a four or five star rating, saying it is easy to put together, looks good in many different decors, and is cheap enough that it fits the home office needs nicely. The chair comes in 11 vibrant colors, making it popular with the artist crowd. It is on gliders and not wheels, so it will stay put throughout the day.
Safco Metro Extended-Height Chair
One reviewer says it is the most comfortable office chair he has ever had, and it gives excellent lumbar support. The seat height can go from 23 to 33 inches. One self-described tall person says it is not quite as tall as it needs to be for her standing desk. More than 89 percent of the reviewers rate the chair at four or five stars. They mostly all agree that the chair is comfortable. Many call it a quality chair.
Muvman Sit/Stand Stool by Aeris
The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal have done articles on the chair and the innovative German company that designed it. Numerous design awards were won by the Muvman and its predecessor, the swopper. The stool is neither for sitting nor for standing but for sit/standing with motion. It is museum worthy. The stool is too innovative to have much history on Amazon; three people love it, three like it and one says the pedestal pushed through the base to the floor, but she is continuing to use it. A final person realized it was not what he wanted, so he returned it.
It is obvious, remaining active while doing desk work is not a fad. Studies have linked sedentary office jobs with a shortened life span; many people are now trying to reverse the trend. A standing desk makes moving during the day easier. Chairs that support that movement or, as the Muvman does, create the movement are a valuable part of the new, active office day.