Are Standing Desks Good for You?
03.02.2026

Are Standing Desks Good for You?

It’s widely recognised that sitting all day is bad news for your health, and as a result, there’s a growing number of professionals looking for ways to stay active during the working day without compromising productivity. This goes hand-in-hand with the rising trend of standing desks amongst health-conscious workers, whether they’re office-based, remote or hybrid.   In this blog post, we’ll explore the negative health consequences of prolonged sitting – including back pain, poor posture and reduced energy levels – as well as the benefits of standing desks and how they can improve health and productivity of you and your employees. You’ll also find practical advice on how to transition to a more ergonomic workspace for a healthier work environment.

Are Standing Desks Good for You? 

It’s widely recognised that sitting all day is bad news for your health, and as a result, there’s a growing number of professionals looking for ways to stay active during the working day without compromising productivity. This goes hand-in-hand with the rising trend of standing desks amongst health-conscious workers, whether they’re office-based, remote or hybrid.  

In this blog post, we’ll explore the negative health consequences of prolonged sitting – including back pain, poor posture and reduced energy levels – as well as the benefits of standing desks and how they can improve health and productivity of you and your employees. You’ll also find practical advice on how to transition to a more ergonomic workspace for a healthier work environment.  

So, starting with the big question… 

Why is sitting down all day is so bad for us? 

In short, we humans were not designed to live a sedentary lifestyle. Far from it. We were – and throughout evolution always have been – optimised for constant movement, be it travelling from place to place, gathering food or hunting. Movement was essential for the survival of our ancestors. Now? Not so much. But our bodies don’t know that… and they don’t like lack of movement one bit.  

With a substantial proportion of the population in jobs where working at a desk all day is a basic requirement, this can pose a problem. Not only can it cause back pain and a poor posture, but your energy levels can take a serious hit, too. Metabolism slows, muscles become weaker, and your likelihood of suffering from chronic diseases increases. And that’s not even the half of it.  

 

And just how prevalent is the problem of sitting so much?  

As an example, the British Heart Foundation ran a poll with 2000 UK office workers and discovered the following (worrying) results:* 

  • 38% confessed to emailing someone right next to them 
  • 52% regularly eat lunch at their desk 
  • 31% sit for so long they even put off going to the toilet 
  • 78% feel they spend too much time sitting down at work 
  • 62% fear this could have a negative impact on their health 

 

Not ideal – but what’s the solution to prolonged sitting? 

Two words: standing desks. And if you’re new to the idea, it may sound strange. You might be thinking: how on earth will I manage to stand up all day? Hint: you don’t need to. It’s all about movement, but we’ll come back to that in a moment. You could be wondering if it’s going to cost the earth (it won’t). You’re almost certainly concerned about how comfortable it might be. But hear us out. 

Just like sitting all day isn’t advised, nor is standing in one position all day, which comes with its own set of problems (think: leg pain, circulation issues and fatigue). The key to a healthy relationship between your desk and your body is to alternate, and move as much as possible.  

Remember the 60-30-10 rule. Spend up to 60% of your day sitting, 30% standing and 10% moving – which can include light walking or gentle stretching. And you don’t even need to replace your desk to achieve this goal – a simple and affordable standing desk converter allows you to switch from sitting to standing with ease. 

 

What's the best type of office chair to use?

So, we know that alternating between sitting and standing as you work is one recommended way of staying active throughout the day. It's clear that some sitting needs to happen in an office environment, and we can't - nor should we try - to cut it out completely. And those traditional office chairs with their lack of flexibility could soon be a thing of the past.

Ergonomic office stools encourage movement and activity by swivelling and rocking to strengthen your back. With seats that contour to your body to spread your weight evenly and reduce the pressure on your legs, and tilt allow you to lean in any direction, you’ll never need to sit still again. 

Sitting balls are another dynamic seating alternative that keep you active whilst you work, encouraging back and core muscle movement to improve your posture and relieve back pain.  

How to implement ergonomic desk setups in the workplace

If you're thinking of switching to standing desks for you or your team, try to gradually increase standing time. Consider additional ergonomic accessories like foot rests for sitting or anti-fatigue mats for standing, to increase comfort levels.  

Once you’re happy with your standing desk setup, it’s time to look at the seat you’re regularly using. Is it ergonomic, fully adjustable and supportive of your body? Consider whether an office stool or sitting ball is an additional more posture-friendly option for you. 

If you're prone to getting absorbed in your work and letting hours fly by without moving a muscle, a simple timer on your phone or computer can work wonders when it's time to switch things up.

 

Should my team swap to standing desks?

From improved posture to maximised productivity, when it comes to standing desks for health and efficiency, the benefits are undeniable. 

Why not take this as your sign to explore the many ergonomic solutions available, including standing desk converters, office stools and sitting balls? If you’re leading a team, share this article with your HR team to encourage them to support these initiatives with ergonomic assessments for all staff members, and take the first step towards a healthier workplace. 

*Source: bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/news-archive/2015/march/on-your-feet-britain 

**Source: bmj.com/content/363/bj.k3870