How do you stand for long periods of time? If you are new to the use of a standing desk, there is a big likelihood that this is one of the first challenges you will encounter as you try and live this new lifestyle.

For most people, prolonged standing is not natural as much as prolonged sitting is. However, if you want to live a more active life despite your busy schedule, the use of a standing desk is one of the most effective solutions you can go for. But, you must know that the use of a standing desk will entail certain adjustments, especially if you are generally not active, and most especially if you live a sedentary lifestyle.

Some questions you might be asking now are: how long should you stand for a day, and how can you stand longer without suffering from standing fatigue? We’ll look into that here in this article.

How to stand for long periods of time

Just like any muscle, your leg muscles will likely need some time to adjust the moment you decide to sit less and stand more. So if you are starting your journey in the use of a standing desk, know that it is normal to feel a certain amount of fatigue after some time of standing. However, if the problem is persistent and you find that it is disrupting your work or keeping you from being comfortable, there are some things you can check and do.

Check the standing desk height

Check to see that the standing desk is set to the correct height, and this height will depend on the specific height of the user. Setting the height is easy with the use of the built-in keypad on the desk. Just press the button and watch the desk climb to the right standing height.

To confirm that the desk is at the right height, check your body’s position while standing.

• Your feet must be comfortably flat on the floor.
• Your arms must be comfortably bent at a 90-degree angle
• The monitor must be placed on the table in such a way that the top of the monitor is at eye level or slightly below it

Incorrect desk height will cause you to either strain to reach your keyboard or laptop comfortably (if the height is too high) or to hunch over your laptop or keyboard (if the height is too low). In any case, these can both contribute to standing fatigue. So, make sure your desk is set to the correct height to ensure you will be comfortable when standing.

It’s all in the shoes

Ask yourself: how comfortable are the shoes that you are wearing when you are standing? When embarking on a new routine with the use of a standing desk, it’s important to prioritize comfort. That means this is not the time for high heels, or at least not when you are standing, because high heels will cause strain to your feet and legs, and this can easily lead to standing fatigue.

Anti-fatigue mat to the rescue

One of the reasons behind leg fatigue is the immense amount of strain that your feet and legs are exposed to when you stand because of the concrete floor. Adding an anti-fatigue mat to your space will help absorb the pressure from the floor, providing some form of cushion and protecting your feet and legs from discomfort, pain, and fatigue.

The anti-fatigue mat is a simple rubber mat, but it can go a long way in keeping you comfortable and able to stand longer.

Learn your rhythm

How long should you stand in a day, especially when you are using a standing desk at work? What is the right amount of standing that you need relative to sitting?

If you are new in the use of an adjustable standing desk, it’s not advisable that you jump straight to 100% standing throughout the day—this is the perfect recipe for fatigue and for losing interest in developing the habit. You have to learn your rhythm and follow it. This means starting at the right pace, and then taking it slow as you give your body time to adjust.

Perhaps start with 15 minutes of standing and 45 minutes of sitting every hour. As you get used to standing more and more, you can increase your standing time and reduce your sitting time, until you become fully comfortable with standing longer.

Are you standing right?

This is a question you also have to ask yourself. How well you are standing will determine your comfort and the amount of fatigue you will experience in a certain amount of time.

So, what is the right way to stand? The first is to make sure that you stand straight—good posture is important in keeping yourself comfortable. The second is to ensure that you shift your body weight between your left and right feet. Do not stand with all of your weight on one leg for a long period of time, or that leg will likely suffer fatigue.

We hope that the 5 tips mentioned above will help you develop the habit of standing more throughout the day so that you can break free from your sedentary habits and live a healthier, more active life. Remember that more than checking how many hours you should stand in a day, you also have to check how you stand, adjust your environment so it supports you new habit, and live an overall active and healthy life even outside of work.

With all of these combined, you will have a fruitful standing desk experience.

About Us

MotionGrey is a Canadian standing desk company that specializes in ergonomic furniture. We supply and install only the best quality standing desks and ergonomic chairs in the country. We offer free shipping within Canada and the US.

What made you switch to standing desks? Our products are designed with wellness as the focal point. From our electric standing desks to our office and gaming chairs, we deliver best value by putting your health, safety, and comfort as top priority. Boost your creativity and level up work performance. We want you to create great outcomes so we’re providing you only the best tools to make them possible.

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, check out our Refund Policy.