Guide to Proper Ergonomic Posture with a Standing Desk

Having the right tools for the job is important, but it’s only half the battle; you have to understand how to use those tools to reap the full benefit. Because we are the height-adjustable desk experts, our customers look to us for advice on positioning their desk so it’s in exactly the right place while seated or standing. Many repetitive stress injuries (RSI) are caused by a lack of circulation, and this lack of blood flow is caused by working for hours on end in the wrong position. The good news is you can prevent this from happening!

The simple rule of thumb to follow is to keep your joints at about a 90 degree angle or larger, but not less than 90 degrees. This means typing with your forearms parallel to the ground with your wrists straight and your elbows relaxed at your sides. If you are reaching slightly up or out to type, you are restricting blood flow to your hands. This means your ideal desk height will mainly be determined by the distance between the floor and your elbows while you are typing comfortably. When you are seated, the same rule applies to your hips and knees; keep them at 90 degree angles, or slightly larger, to promote blood flow. That’s easy to remember, right? And with the UPLIFT 900 desk, you have four memory presets on the keypad, as well as a digital read out, so you can change from a seated to a standing position easily, quickly and consistently.

Improve your position even more by adding ergonomic accessories like a keyboard tray and monitor arm. Remember how I said you shouldn’t reach out or up to type? A keyboard tray helps you bring your keyboard and mouse to you, so you can type right inside your neutral zone. A monitor arm is also a great tool, not only for freeing up desk space, but also for making adjustments to the position of your monitor as you move from sitting to standing to prevent eye and neck strain.

You can also use our ergonomic desk height calculator for some guidance, but it will be slightly different for everyone, since we are all made differently. The most important rule to remember is to listen to what your body is telling you. Being uncomfortable is not mandatory!

Learn more about our height-adjustable desks and ergonomic accessories on TheHumanSolution.com!

Related Reads

• Infographic: The Health Risks of Sitting All Day
• The UPLIFT 900 Series: Which One is Right for You?
• Accessorize or Die: Desk Accessories That Nobody Should Live Without!