How to Stand at a Standing Desk? [5 Steps Guide for Standing Properly]

Did you buy a standing desk or thinking of buying one? 90% of the people use their standing desks wrong.

But you don’t know how to stand at a standing desk without affecting your posture.

If so, then follow the five simple steps that I’ve discussed in this blog post.

So, let’s dive in!

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Key Takeaway

• To stand at a standing desk, first, determine the perfect height for your standing desk, and keep a proper posture.
• Most importantly keep your elbows straight at a 90° angle and keep your monitor at eye level.

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How to Stand at a Standing Desk?

If you’re thinking about making the switch to a standing desk, or if you already have one and want to make sure you’re using it right.

Read the following tips on how to stand at a standing desk.

1. Determine the Perfect Height for Your Standing Desk

Firstly you would need to determine how high should standing desk be.

To determine the perfect height for your standing desk, choose a height at which your elbows are straight at a 90° angle.

Take a look at the chart below to find the perfect desk height of a standing desk according to your height.

Your Height	Standing Desk’s Height in cm	Standing Desk’s Height in inches
5’0”	79	31
5’ 1″	81.5	32
5’ 2”	84	33
5’ 3”	86.5	34
5’ 4”	89	35
5’ 5”	91.5	36
5’ 6”	94	37
5’ 7”	96.5	38
5’ 8”	99	39
5’ 9”	101.5	40
5’ 10”	104	41
5’ 11”	106.5	42
6’ 0”	109	43
6’ 1”	111.5	44
6’2”	114	45

2. Keep Your Posture Straight

You’ve heard it a million times before – “keep your posture straight!” – but what does that mean when you’re standing at a standing desk?

For having a straight posture

• Stand straight so your ears align straight with your shoulders.
• Keep your shoulders back and chest out.
• Don’t bend your neck or back.

Standing desks also helps you to have a better posture.

3. Place Your Arms Straight at a 90° Angle

If you want to stand at a standing desk, you need to place your arms straight at a 90° angle. 

It may seem a small thing, but it’s very important for your posture.

And if your arms are not at a 90° angle, it can cause your shoulders to round forward, which can lead to pain in your back and neck.

4. Keep Your Monitor at Eye Level

To stand at a standing desk and avoid neck and back pain, it’s important to keep your monitor at eye level when you’re standing at your desk. 

That way, you can stand up straight and avoid slouching, which can lead to pain and other health problems.

If you’ve to look up at your monitor, then consider lowering your standing desk a little.

Your monitor should be 20 – 28” inches away from your eyes to avoid any kind of eye strain and posture issues.

5. Wear Comfortable Shoes and Use an Anti-fatigue Mat

Standing for long period can be hard on your feet and legs. 

So it’s essential to wear comfortable shoes and use an anti fatigue mat to help reduce the strain on your legs.

Bonus Tip: Take Frequent Breaks to Avoid Tiredness

Standing for long hours can be tiring for you if you’re not to stand a lot.

Prolonged standing for an extended period can cause tiredness and it can lead to slouching, which can cause pain in the back, shoulders, and neck.

Take a break every 15 to 20 minutes or so. 

Get up and walk around for a few minutes, or do some simple stretches.

How Long Should You Stand at a Standing Desk?

The answer to this question may vary depending on the person.

In general, it is recommended that people take a break from standing every 15 to 20 minutes to an hour to give their legs a rest.

In a whole day standing for about 1 to 2 hours is a viable range for beginners.

Top Mistakes to Avoid While Standing at a Standing Desk

Before you get too comfortable with your new standing desk setup, make sure you’re avoiding these common mistakes:

1. Not Taking Frequent Breaks

When you’re using a standing desk, it’s important to take breaks frequently to avoid fatigue and discomfort. 

Not taking breaks is one of the mistakes people make while using a standing desk.

It can lead to many issues like

• Fatigue and discomfort.
• Leg and back pain.
• Concentrating will be harder.

2. Wearing the Wrong Shoes

If you are going to use a standing desk, it is important to wear the right shoes.

The wrong shoes can lead to several problems, including 

• Foot pain.
• Lower back pain.
• Joint pain.

You need to avoid shoes that are too constricting or have a lot of straps.

3. Not Having a Wrist Rest

Not having a wrist rest can cause you to have pain in your wrists and forearms

Also, not having a wrist rest can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you have a wrist rest, it will

• Help to keep your wrists in a neutral position
• Reduce the amount of pressure on your wrists and forearms.

4. Having a Monitor at a Very Lower Height

If your monitor is too low, it can cause back and neck pain. 

The ideal height for your monitor is at eye level and 20 to 28” inches away from the eyes. 

If you need to lower your monitor, use monitor mounts or a stack of books to raise it to the correct height. Or you can reset your standing desk and place it at a new comfortable height.

5. Not Moving and Exercising Enough

One of the worst mistakes you can make is not moving and exercising enough. This can lead to many problems, including

• Muscular imbalances.
• Poor circulation.
• Fatigue.
• Joint problems.

The Best Exercises to do at a Standing Desk

Standing at a standing desk can be tiring and can cause you pain in different parts of the body.

Luckily, there are plenty of exercises you can do right at your standing desk to avoid any kind of pain and fatigue. 

Here are some of the best exercises to do at a standing desk:

1. Tilt Your Head to Maximum Point

One of the best exercises you can do to stay healthy while working at a standing desk is to tilt your head to the maximum point.

Here’s how to do it:

• Start by standing up straight with your shoulders back and your head in line with your spine.
• Slowly tilt your head right or left as far as you can without pain.
• Hold this position for 5 seconds.
• Return to the starting position and repeat.

2. Touching Your Toes While Standing

Toe touches are one of the best exercises to do at a standing desk for small spaces. It helps to improve your balance and coordination, and it also strengthens your leg muscles and back. 

To do this exercise

• Stand up straight and then bend forward at the waist, reaching down to touch your toes.
• Hold the position for a few seconds.
• Slowly stand back up.
• Repeat the exercise a few times.

3. Standing on Feet Palms

Calves raises help to improve blood circulation and reduce stress on your feet, legs, and back. 

Additionally, it helps strengthen your core muscles and improve your balance.

Here’s how to do it:

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Keep your back straight and your shoulders down and relaxed.
• Now, stand on your toe’s fingers.
• Hold this position for about 10 seconds.
• Repeat 10-15 times.

How To Make Standing Desk More Comfortable?

Regarding working at a standing desk, comfort is key. Here are a few tips to make your standing desk more comfortable:

• Use a footrest: A footrest can help take some of the strain off of your feet and legs.
• Use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse: Using an ergonomic keyboard and mouse can help reduce wrist and arm strain.
• Switch between sitting and standing: This way, you’re not standing for a long period, and you’re not sitting for long periods, either.

FAQs

Conclusion

You might have thought of switching to a standing desk or you already did. But, you don’t know how to stand at a standing desk without affecting your posture.

In this article, I’ve dismissed five simple steps and one bonus tip for standing at your standing desk.

That will help you to have a good posture and avoid any kind of fatigue and pain.

So, which tips are you going to use on how to stand at a standing desk? Let us know in the comments.