Are you planning to ditch your conventional office desk for a healthier alternative?
Congratulations! You are on the right track to making healthier life choices.
There are several great benefits of getting out of your traditional office desk and chair and getting on your feet during your work day. But there are two popular ways of doing so that may confuse you about whether to go for a standing desk or a treadmill desk.
There are pros and cons of both standing desks and treadmill desks, and that's what we look at in this post. Here we share an insight into the benefits and disadvantages associated with standing desk and treadmill desks so you can decide on which one is best for you.
So let's get started.
An Insight into A Standing Desk
With the regular use of a conventional desk and an office chair, it's common for individuals with a desk job to experience several health concerns. After all, persistent sitting is the new smoking and leads to several physical and mental health conditions. Moreover, it also harms productivity, concentration, and output quality.
Prolonged sitting strains your neck, shoulders, and back and is also connected with several other health conditions, including obesity and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer.
Standing up provides a solution as it can help manage pain and several above-mentioned health conditions.
Flexispot is home to high-quality ergonomic office furniture and accessories that can help you transform your workstation and opt for work surface combinations that enhance your productivity and your overall health and well-being.
Pros of Using A Standing Desk
If you're wondering why you should invest in a standing desk, here are a few pros that you should know about.
Use of Standing Desk Helps Burn More Calories
With the use of a standing desk, you can burn 47 more calories with every hour of standing. Over the course of the entire year, if you spend 3 hours standing every day, five days a week, you will end up burning 8 pounds of fat each year.
Moreover, when you stand and work, your heart beats more quickly with an average of 10 times more per minute which enhances blood circulation and further contributes to increased calorie burning and results in about 30,000 more calories burned over the year.
Don't all these numbers make a great reason to invest in a standing desk?
Use of Standing Desks Enhances Productivity
With your heart beating quickly and increasing blood flow throughout the body, you are more likely to experience a surge of energy and a better mood while standing. And who doesn't want to be happy while working? After all, being in a better mood at work can transform the overall atmosphere of your office and leave the employees feeling great, so they can generate more and better-quality output.
Standing Desks Boost Morale in the Office
Many customers look forward to better interaction with the staff, which doesn't always happen when the staff is chained to the chair. With the use of standing desks, employees can better connect with the customers and other business stakeholders, which positively impacts the overall office environment as well as the bottom line of the organization.
Cons Of Using A Standing Desk
While there are many benefits of using a standing desk, there are a few downsides that you should know so you can make the right choice for yourself.
Not All Standing Desks Serve as a Convenient Option
While you may find height-adjustable standing desks, not all standing desks allow you to adjust the height. If you choose one such standing desk, it means you are committing to a long day of standing that can lead to pain, discomfort, and even swelling in your legs and feet.
Over time, if you continue to work on a desk that doesn’t allow you to adjust the height, you are more likely to develop conditions such as varicose veins and may also experience swelling in your ankles.
Using Standing Desk with Heels Can Contribute to Foot Conditions
If you are using a standing desk, your choice of footwear can play an integral role in determining your workplace comfort. If you rely on heels, then prolonged standing can contribute to discomfort, pain, and several foot conditions such as corns, bunions, and hammertoe. Hence, you must watch out for your footwear and switch to more comfortable shoes that are made for standing when you choose to work at a standing desk.
You May Need to Use Accessories Along with Standing Desks
As your body spends a long time standing instead of sitting, you are more likely to get tired. And to overcome fatigue and associated discomfort, you may need to invest in additional accessories such as anti-fatigue mats that can help reduce the strain on your ankles and feet from standing.
An Insight into a Treadmill Desk
Similar to a standing desk, a treadmill desk is an alternative to conventional desks that are designed to sit. However, it allows you to place a treadmill under the desk to stay fit and active while working.
Treadmill desks make a great time-saving piece of ergonomic furniture that allows you to work out while you are working, so you don't need to take extra time to hit the gym or go to the park for a walk.
Pros of A Treadmill Desk
If you're wondering why you should invest in a treadmill desk, here are a few pros that you need to know.
Treadmill Desk Helps Combat Health Risks
Similar to a standing desk, a treadmill desk allows you to combat the several health risks associated with prolonged sitting and a sedentary lifestyle. Since it provides you an opportunity to work out while you are at work, it leaves no excuse for why you don't have time for exercise.
With a more active lifestyle, you can combat several health risks such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, Type II diabetes, and much more.
Treadmill Desk Helps You Save Time
When you invest in a treadmill desk and a treadmill, there is no need to take out extra time from your schedule for the workout, as a treadmill desk provides you with an opportunity to be active while you are still at work.
Cons of A Treadmill Desk
Given that a treadmill desk provides you an opportunity to be active while you are still at work, it comes with a few cons that you should know.
A Treadmill Desk May Contribute to Stress
Exercise is generally a way to unwind; however, when you combine exercise with your work, it may turn out to be a more stressful activity. Instead of being more productive, you might end up being more distracted and even more stressed out.
Not All Individuals Enjoy Walking While Working
It doesn't always come naturally for employees to work while walking. Some people may enjoy it, but for others, it can be a stress to work while walking. Moreover, some individuals may also experience motion sickness while using a treadmill under a treadmill desk.
Furthermore, there can be safety issues that you need to keep in mind before you invest in a treadmill desk.
Standing Desk vs. Treadmill Desk: Making the Best Decision
At the end of the day, the choice between standing desks and treadmill desks comes down to functionality and comfort more than anything else.
If you are looking for a great way to improve your blood circulation and get some workout while you are working, a treadmill desk makes a great way to do so. But if you are genuinely concerned about improving your comfort and productivity, then it's best to invest in a standing desk. Moreover, it is even better if you go for a height-adjustable standing desk that allows you to switch between sitting and standing, maximizing your productivity, output, and comfort.
Do yourself a favor by choosing Oval Shaped Standing Desk (E8) by FlexiSpot, which makes an excellent choice for modern-day workplaces. Featuring a dual motor frame and oval leg design, the Oval Shaped Standing Desk (E8) makes a classic combination of functionality and style. The height adjustability feature allows you to switch between sitting and standing and vice versa, so you can reap the benefits of a standing desk without worrying about the implications of prolonged standing.
To find out more about Oval Shaped Standing Desk (E8) and other ergonomic office furniture and accessories, get in touch with FlexiSpot today.
