How to Set Up a Standing Desk for Ergonomics

You’ve bought your new standing or sit-stand desk, and now, you need to know how to set up a standing desk for ergonomics. Both of these types of desks help reduce the effects of sitting all day. When you stand at the best standing desks, you expect to burn more calories than when you sit.

However, you can also reduce lower back strain and increase muscle activity. If you have trouble with back pain, shoulder pain, or neck pain while using your standing desk, you should consider checking your ergonomics. Additionally, learn how to wire manage a standing desk.

Ergonomically Setting Up a Standing Desk

Deciding your desk height and distance should rely on an ergonomic workspace designed for comfort and efficiency. Many people switch to standing desks for health benefits, but they may not understand the effect ergonomics has on their comfort in the office or home space. You may want to consider getting an anti-fatigue mat or a standing mat and keep your feet flat to ease foot and leg pain.

To optimize your workspace, consider how to set up a standing desk, desk height, and your computer monitor’s height. Additionally, you should decide where you want to stand and the angle your monitor should be. For comfort, you should also work on your posture if it needs it.

Method 1: Desk Height

• Time to Complete: 3 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Tools Needed:
  • Keyboard tray (optional)
  • External keyboard (optional)
  • Adjustable height desk
• Steps: 3

1. Position the desk so it’s level with your elbows. Although a sit-stand desk has a maximum height, you should position the desk according to you and your height. However, multiple people of the same size may also have differing standing desk heights because you want your desk level with your elbows.
2. Bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle when your desk is positioned this way. Most keyboards don’t cause enough of a difference position-wise to warrant having a slightly lower table.
3. While you type, try to keep your elbows at this angle and your wrists straight as much as possible. You may want a keyboard tray and an external keyboard.

Method 2: Computer Monitor

As the primary surface, we look at throughout the day, the computer monitor plays a vital role in decreasing neck, spine, and back pain or injury. Without the monitor positioned correctly, you tend to hunch over to see your screen.

• Time to Complete: 3 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Tools Needed:
  • Computer monitor
• Steps: 3

1. Position your monitor about one arm’s length away from you. Like the desk, this factor depends on the person using it, but it doesn’t need to be as precise as the table height.
2. The top should be about eye level for your monitor’s height.
3. Angle your monitor to reduce reflections from lights.

Method 3: Standing Position

• Time to Complete: 3 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Tools Needed:
  • Computer Monitor(s)
• Steps: 5

1. Stand in front of your desk and adjust your monitor’s position. Your monitor should be directly in front of you unless you have multiple monitors you use regularly. For example, two screens should stand evenly distributed within your scope of vision. Your neck might not hurt as much if you do so because you won’t be turning as much, reducing movement of your upper body.
2. Adjust your posture. Your posture can help ease pain throughout your body caused by standing.
3. Ensure your shoulders remain relaxed and in line with your hips.
4. Keep your spine straight.
5. Hold your head directly above your shoulders, not pushed forward. However, be careful not to over-correct your spine and back, causing the opposite problem over time.

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