Choosing a Sit Stand Desk – What is the right option for me?

With the new trend for Sit to Stand Desking being the current rage in the market place it is hard to know what option might be the right one for you. Often it is hard to find options that you can try first to know whether they are the right choice for your needs! Here is some great advice to help make a tricky choice easier!

When Choosing a Sit to stand option you need to take into account 4 Main Measurements:
Eyeline height when seated,
Eyeline height when standing,
Elbow height when seated
Elbow height when standing.

The height of your eyeline when standing is moderated by how tall you are (standing eyeline height), and when seated by how tall you are and the length of your upper body (seated eyeline height).
The height of your elbows when seated and standing is relative to how tall you are but also the height of where your shoulders sit and the length of your upper arms dictate where your elbows will sit, this is different for every person and effects the optimum height for your keyboard and mouse.
For example a tall person with high shoulders and shorter upper arms will require a high monitor height (dictated by eyeline) and a high keyboard height (dictated by elbow height). But a tall person with low shoulders and long upper arms may need a high monitor height (dictated by eyeline) and a lower keyboard height (dictated by elbow height).
Remember your Eyeline should be level with the top 3rd of your Monitor when seated or standing, so your head can be relaxed in a neutral position and look directly at the screen without tilting down or upwards. The Keyboard and mousing surface should be just below the level of the elbows when seated or standing. This allows for a position of 90 degrees or just over at the elbow joint while the wrists stay inline while keying or mousing, (not flexed upward or downward to contact keyboard or mice). Your shoulder should always be relaxed in either standing or sitting and never hunched upwards. If you are humchihgn or raising your shoulders the keyboard/mouse platform is too high!

Therefore it’s important to make sure that the Sit Stand Solution you select meets your requirements:
The monitor adjusts low enough in seated position and high enough in standing position:
The Worksurface sits between the Keyboard and screen height
The Keyboard and mouse tray or Work surface (if all in one unit), adjusts low enough in your regular seated position and high enough in standing position.
The Unit can accommodate the number of Screens or use of a laptop if required in the manner you expect.
The Worksurface is of adequate size for your type of work

Now we need to apply these steps to the different types of Sit Stand work Stations to see which suits best, let’s identify them.

Complete Sit to Stand Desks:
Electric, Manual Lift, Counterbalance or Wind up mechanisms.
I recommend these units for people that require a lot of desk space, are constantly moving from PC based work to Desk based work, write a lot, use large folders, draw or design or have lots of constantly used reference material sitting on their desk.

Sit Stand Units that convert current desks to Sit to Stand:
By either Clamping to the front or rear of an existing desk or by sitting on top of the existing desk.
I recommend these units for workers that are more PC based and Mouse or Key a lot, or use headsets while on the PC. They generally don’t work between desk and PC often and are happy with limited space for reference material.

Complete Sit to Stand Desks. Electric, manual lift Counterbalance or Wind up mechanisms.

Fly/Light/Mid/Style/Junior/Workhorse/Heavy Duty Electric Desking, Axis Electric Desk and Wind Up Desking, Float Desk and Workfit C& D
PROS: The best way to get your whole worksurface moving from Sit to Stand with ease…no space limitations
CONS: May still have to mount your Screens on monitor arms or raisers: Generally a more expensive option
NOTES: Be sure to choose the Right Desktop size/shape for you: Make sure the Desk goes low enough for your seated position and high enough for your standing elbow height: Also take note of the Weight rating in comparison to what you are putting on the Desk surface.

Weight Rating 70 – 80 Kg    1 Screen and PC – standard peripherals
Weight Rating 100 Kg           Dual Screen Laptop and standard peripherals
Weight Rating 150 Kg           Multi Monitor Laptop standard and extra peripherals
Weight Rating 200 Kg          Quad to Eight Monitors Heavy Peripherals and Accessories

Units that convert current desks to sit to stand by either Clamping to the front or rear of an existing desk or by sitting on top of the existing desk.
Ergotron Workfit S – Single LD HD – Dual Screen – Combo (1 screen + laptop)
PROS: Front Clamping: Easy to move: Very quick to adjust up and down: Stable: Can drop down lower than existing desk height
CONS: Moves user away from desk (Keyboard Tray):may limit existing desk worksurface useability
NOTES: Shipped Flat Packed: Simple installation once assembled: great for shorter users whose desks are to high due to use of drop-down keyboard tray

Ergotron Workfit A – Single LD HD – Dual Screen – Combo (1 screen + laptop)
PROS: Clamps to Rear: Is angleable and moveable to increase existing desk useability
CONS: Difficult to Fit or move: Is a suspension arm and heavy keyers will notice movement when keying.
NOTES: Ships Flat Packed: A very versatile solution, great for light keyers who require maneuverability

Ergotron Workfit T
PROS: Comes Fully assembled ready to go : Large Worksurface and Keyboard Area: Assisted easy up down motion: Moves directly upward: Handles placed front corners
CONS: Heavy Unit to shift/move : May still have to mount your Screens on monitor arms or raisers: Raises the minimum desk height
NOTES: Fully Assembled: For shorter users be wary of raising the minimum desk height: Has great height range gain for taller users

Humanscale Quickstand – Single – Dual
PROS: Easy to move up and down : Does not limit existing desk useability : Incorporated Cable Management: Stunning Design
CONS: Expensive option
NOTES: The most clean sophisticated Sit Stand solution on the market : Beautiful Design

Kangaroo – Pro – Junior – Dual – Elite – MAC
PROS: Sits flat on desk: Moveable: Can overhang desk surface: Great for Monitors on stands or MACS: Stable with support leg
CONS: Must lock in when adjusting up and down
NOTES: Choose the Model that suits your needs, note how the screens mount and the size of work surface required. All models adjust to the same height : The MAC version is reinforced for greater weight capacity.

Varidesk
PROS: Cheaper option on market: Comes assembled: Desk mounted
CONS: Heavy Unit: More difficult to adjust with less mechanical assist: Limited Keyboard/Mouse area on some models : May still have to mount your Screens on monitor arms or raisers: Raises the minimum desk height: Must lean forward to adjust unit
NOTES: Good option for basic users without existing injuries, For shorter users be wary of raising the minimum desk height

At Seated we can provide free trials of sit to stand desking and we recommend that purchases try before they buy, or at least visit a showroom to investigate their needs.

If you require a trial please contact [email protected]
For sales assistance please contact [email protected]