It’s no surprise that once with the digitalization era job diversity changed with many people switching from labour work to intellectual work, positions such as business analyst, software engineer or web developer being one of the most popular jobs in 2021. Should you pick the standing desk or ergonomic chair? Nowadays, everything is digital and most of the work is done using a computer and a desk. According to statistics, 80% of Americans work desk jobs, and in the UK 81% of office workers spend between four and nine hours at their desks daily.
It’s no secret that desk jobs put their toll on workers’ health from lower back problems to more serious health risks such as cardiovascular diseases and carpal tunnel syndrome. Many workers complain about uncomfortable work spaces with rigid chairs and old-fashioned desks that don’t facilitate a good posture or feeling comfortable while working. Two popular trends that fight to combat those issues are the standing desk and ergonomic chair, but the question that many ask is which one is better? We’ll briefly discuss each trend and establish once and for all which one is better.
Standing desk
The standing desk is the new trend in desk design with adjustable height to accommodate both sitting and standing while working, an update from the classical desk that only facilitates sitting in a chair. Standing desks come in two options: automated which can raise and lower with the push of a button or manual which makes use of a manual handle. The price of standing desks can vary from three hundred pounds to a few thousand pounds. But are standing desks really worth their price? Medical journals acknowledge the health benefits of standing desks, from reducing the pressure on the lower back to the reduction in obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Many people affirm that they love the flexibility standing desks offer and the ability to easily alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. The standing desk can also improve the employees’ productivity as the state of standing can make work feel more urgent, encouraging workers to get things done sooner.
Ergonomic chair
An ergonomic desk chair is a type of chair designed to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by sitting for long periods of time. It can help alleviate back pain, promote good posture, and provide lower back support and even head support. Currently, there are many ergonomic chairs with pricing varying from $59.99 to $999.99. There are a few things to look for when choosing an ergonomic chair, from the lumbar support, backrest, seat width and depth. The seat height is another factor that should be considered when choosing a good ergonomic chair. It is important to allow users to adjust the height of the chair so that they can have their feets flat on the ground.
The ergonomic chairs are considered a must for every office, a healthy back is key to good health and can decrease chances of irritability and depression, improves the well-being of employees, makes them feel more comfortable and ultimately happier.
Which one is better?
Should you pick the standing desk or ergonomic chair? Now that we have described each product together with the associated benefits, it’s time for a comparison. Both products promote good posture, reduce back pain, improve health and comfort. Moreover, both products increase productivity and facilitate well-being at work. A main difference between the two is the price, an ergonomic chair is more affordable than a standing desk being sold at a lower price which makes it more accessible to the population and more appealing when buying furniture for the whole office. On the other hand, a standing desk reduces sitting which has been dubbed ‘the new smoking’ due to its risks. Another benefit of standing desks over ergonomic chairs is the flexibility offered as people can stand and sit according to how they feel at a specific moment. Finally, to avoid the elephant in the room, at the end of the day the standing desk and ergonomic chair are two different types of furniture: a desk and a chair. To work comfortably you need both but one thing that is true is that you can’t go wrong with either as they both have their benefits and ultimately don’t be surprised if a consumer chooses to buy both, the final choice stays in the hands of the buyer and their preferences.
