Are you considering transitioning from traditional desks to adjustable sit-stand ones, but curious about how standing desks are powered? Here's an informative piece dedicated to answering all your burning questions. Let's dive right into the discussion.
Standing desks adopt two main mechanisms: pneumatics and electricity. A pneumatic standing desk leverages the power of compressed air for sleek adjustments in height, offering a seamless transition between sitting and standing positions.
This shift is usually enabled through a lever or button action, making a pneumatic model a fantastic option if you're seeking a low-maintenance choice.
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However, if absolute ease and adaptability are what you desire, then electric standing desks or standing desk converters might just be your best bet. As their name suggests, these desks utilize an electrical source to amend desk height, allowing for effortless height modifications.
Electric standing desks, by virtue of their design, require connection to a consistent power source. A control box that requires electricity for operational adjustments controls their uplift and descent.
Hence, to be able to change settings and modify desk heights, these standing desks must be connected to a power source.
To better facilitate height adjustments, standing desks typically employ one of two kinds of motors. A single motor controls a solitary column, offering basic functionality but with somewhat limited capacity.
On the other hand, a dual-motor, which operates two columns, offers enhanced stability alongside an increased load bearing capacity. Thus it provides added value, reflecting in the greater reliability of standing desks.
To understand their differences better, you can read our article Single vs. Dual Motor Standing Desks.
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As for whether a standing desk is manual or powered by motor, the answer is that both types exist. Electric standing desks attract clients with their smooth operation and ease of use, although they come at a higher price.
Conversely, manual models with a hand crank mechanism present an affordable alternative. Despite requiring a little extra effort as you switch from sitting to standing positions, they offer significant leverage - they're not affected by power outages and are cheaper to boot.
From this discussion, it's evident that standing desks come in various forms, each with its distinctive mechanism and associated benefits.
Whether via pneumatics or electricity, manual adjustment or motor power, these desks offer tremendous versatility, meeting different budget constraints and functionality preferences. Only personal preference and specific needs can determine the perfect standing desk for you.
Standing desks represent an innovative approach to modern working conditions, enabling flexibility and promoting healthier lifestyles. Whether it's conserved effort or increased adaptability that you prioritize, there’s an option for everyone in the world of standing desks.
Everything to Know About Standing Desks
This is a guide and an introduction to standing desks. Why have they grown in popularity, what are the benefits of an adjustable desk, what stand up desk options are out there, and what do you need to know before buying and using a sit and stand desk??
Why do people use standing desks?
Once an office novelty, standing desks are taking over our workplaces and home offices. For some people, an adjustable desk is the best way to add movement to a long work day. For others, they reduce discomfort of sitting all day, or allow flexibility to perform different types of work. Particularly for people who suffer from lower back or neck pain, having the ability to adjust positions can help alleviate the discomfort.
That said, there are plenty of people who do not want to stand at work, or certainly not all the time. Standing all the time can result in stress injuries or vascular issues. The sweet spot is generally somewhere in the middle – standing occasionally, with opportunities to sit and vary posture as well.
What types of standing desks are there?
Standing desks have likely been around almost as long as any other kind, with famous historical thinkers like Thomas Jefferson known to prefer them. Currently there are a few main stand up desk options.
Fixed height standing desks
Fixed standing desks don’t move, so people who want to do all of their desk work while standing often choose this style. Fixed height desks are generally wallet friendly, and can be attractive in their minimalist design. If you don’t use your desk that often during the day because you’re moving around a lot, you may always want it in the standing position. However, fixed height desks lack one of the key advantages of height adjustable desk – to the flexibility to change postures at will.
Sit to stand desks
Straddling the category of traditional sitting desk and fixed standing desk, we have the sit-stand variety. In order to look at sit stand desk pros and cons, we have to keep in mind that sit-stand desks come in a few different styles, each with its own strengths.
provide controlled, powered assistance to raise and lower the work surface. An electric adjustable desk can have high lifting capacity, if you have a place to plug it in and actually need to lift 200+ lbs of computers and accessories.
come at a lower price point than other types. Their adjustment mechanism may negate some standing desk ergonomics benefits and usage if the manual cranking mechanism is cumbersome and slow.
raise and lower the work surface smoothly with cylinders powered by air. Pneumatic desk adjustment tends to be smooth, quiet, and speedy.
use fluid to achieve mechanical power. A hydraulic standing desk generally requires electricity and has the potential to leak oil, but this type can lift some of the heaviest loads.
can be attached to a traditional desk to allow it to function as a stand up computer desk as well. For people who already have a traditional desk and don’t want to swap it out, the standing desk converter is a way to adapt to a sit-and-stand work day. Some converters can be a more portable standing desk. However, it can be harder to make these adapters ideal in terms of appearance and useful space. And for shorter users, converters severely limit the ability to achieve an ideal ergonomic position.
For people who are on the fence about adopting a standing desk vs sitting, one of these sit and stand desk models can provide a middle ground.
Desks for exercise equipment
Although standing itself is no substitute for actual exercise, a sit stand workstation can be used with other accessories to burn more calories or ramp up fitness while working. Some types of fitness equipment that can boost your fitness include balance boards that you use while standing to increase core muscle strength, or balance balls to do the same while sitting.
: Treadmill desks are available as an all-in-one option, or as a regular height adjustable desk paired with an office treadmill. Either option can help burn calories, but integrated options often include ergonomic features that make it easier to work while walking, like adjustable keyboard trays to assist with stability.
: Some standing desks are designed especially for use with exercise bikes, with features like a crossbar for balance. These can be used with a bike-and-chair combination. There are also fully integrated bike desks that combine bike, chair, and desk.
What materials are standing desks made from?
Materials define the overall style of the standing desk as well as its durability. The materials of construction have a lot to do with whether the desk will last a year or hold up to daily use for decades to come.
Standing desk leg materials range from steel to wood to polymer plastic. Work surfaces can be made from solid hardwoods like walnut, soft sustainable woods like bamboo, plastics, or laminated substrates. For production workshops or for a completely industrial look, some manufacturers offer a stainless steel standing desk. In most cases, the strength of stainless steel is reserved for the desk legs, which may be powder coated to achieve different colors and textures, but specialized desks that are constructed entirely of metal are used in production workshops.
Due to offshoring in the furniture industry in recent decades, standing desks made in the USA are harder to find than those made elsewhere. Some American made standing desks source materials from different countries of origin for an even higher quality end product.