Adjustable vs Fixed Standing Desk

The recent push to increase activity in offices has led to the prevalence of adjustable vs fixed standing desks. The best standing desk provides the same desktop space for keyboards and a monitor as a traditional desk while increasing the likelihood that employees will stand while they work.

However, standing too much can negatively affect your health as well, meaning a fixed standing desk isn’t always the answer. Read on to find out the benefits of standing while working. You may also be interested in learning the difference between a bike desk vs a standing desk.

Comparing a Fixed Standing Desk Vs an Adjustable Model

The ability to adjust the height of your desktop is the primary difference between a fixed and adjustable standing desk. Of course, the two desk models also vary in price range, health benefits, and potential issues.

When you search for a new desk, consider how the positives and negatives of an adjustable desk measure up to those of a fixed standing desk. If you opt for a fixed model, consider having an additional work surface at your sitting height. For further information about other desk types, check out our article on standing vs kneeling desks.

Adjustability

Many standing desk models enable you to adjust the height of the desktop. Some more expensive models include the ability to set multiple options. As a result, you can select a product with the ability to preset a standing and sitting position, making it easy to adjust the height of the table.

Fixed standing desks resemble traditional desks, but their position is higher. You have to stand the whole time when working at one of these desks. So, they are ideal for jobs where standing is required, such as in retail. They are not recommended for a traditional office setting because they do have some negative effects on the body.

Price Range

You can buy fixed standing desks for less than some adjustable models. This lower cost comes from the lack of a motor, crank, or pneumatic tube. However, you will have to consider whether comfort or price is more important for you.

Sit-stand desks contain more moving parts in their design than stationary desks, leading to a wide range of prices. A motorized, electric standing desk requires you to pay for the motor to lift or lower the desk surface with the keyboards, papers, and monitor, and the engine must have enough power to make adjustments.

A hand crank desk typically costs less than an electric model but more than a stationary one. Pneumatic desks adjust using pressurized tubes, and they are the least common. These models cost about the same amount as manual sit-stand desks.

Health Effects

All standing desks help fight the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, like those experienced by people who work in an office. Standing can burn extra calories to a small degree compared to sitting. Additionally, some standing desk manufacturers claim their product improves mood and productivity.

However, humans can only stand for so long without experiencing adverse effects. People who work in factories or stores that are required to stand for several hours may experience leg pain, foot pain, and swelling. The same is true of those with a stationary standing desktop.

As a result, experts recommend that you alternate between sitting and standing, which is impossible with a fixed standing desk. However, you can also opt for a regular desk with a standing desk converter and keyboard tray.

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