Common Mistakes To Avoid When Using A Standing Desk

The 2025 statistics are out, and it’s clear that standing desks are winning this popularity contest. After all, over 44% of companies are now providing standing desks to their employees or offering subsidies and incentives to the same effect. The goal? Companies want to cultivate a culture of wellness where employees spend less time sitting, which results in more active lifestyles and fewer aches. Of course, the fact that using standing desks also promotes productivity in the workplace doesn’t hurt. But here’s the thing – these benefits are only present where employees use the desks correctly. Let’s look at the common mistakes people make when adopting the standing desk setup and how you can avoid them.  

What Mistakes Do People Make?

Comfort is integral to productivity in the workplace, whether this means a comfortable chair, ambient temperatures, a tidy workspace, etc. The same applies to standing desks. If they are not comfortable, productivity takes a dip. Here are some of the most common issues that arise in the use of these desks:

Using the Wrong Desk Height

Setting up your desk too high or too low strains your eyes, neck, back, and shoulders, making you feel uncomfortable. Your desk should be set so that your elbows meet the surface at a 90-degree angle so that your monitor is at eye level.

Of course, setting up the desk over and over can be quite tiring. However, you can simplify this by getting an electronic desk from a reputable manufacturer like https://desktronic.co.uk/, which allows you to configure your height preferences. With the push of a button, you can quickly move from one setting to the next, which saves you time while helping you avoid strain.

Adopting Poor Posture

Have you ever considered how your posture affects your overall performance? Well, it does. Many people have the habit of leaning forward or slouching their shoulders as they work, patterns that they have relied on when working while seated. So, when they move on to standing, they keep on slouching or leaning, which strains their necks, back, and shoulders.

The easiest way to address this is to be aware of your posture and correct it whenever you find yourself leaning or slouching. Aim to stand straight, have a neutral spine while keeping your shoulders relaxed, and distribute your weight on both feet. Sometimes, you may need to shift your weight from one foot to the other, but your spine should remain neutral.

Not Taking Breaks

The excitement of using a standing desk can be so much that you may forget to take a break. Some people even choose to stand all day! However, when you stand for longer than your body can bear, your productivity takes a hit. Not only are you likely to use the wrong posture, but your mental focus also suffers.

There is value in taking breaks. You relieve your muscles of tension and allow your body to recover from fatigue, resulting in more comfort. Along this line, work with a 1:1 or 1:2 stand-sit ratio. For example, you can work while standing for an hour and then sit for the next one.

Wearing the Wrong Shoes

Stilettos or flat loafers may look great, but are they built to provide adequate cushioning while standing? Hardly. The type of shoe you wear matters as it affects how well you distribute your weight on your feet and where you feel the pressure of standing.

Choose comfortable shoes for your standing work sessions. Ideally, these should be slightly elevated with adequate padding, such as trainers and running shoes. If you plan to stand for long periods, you can also improve the cushioning by getting orthopaedic insoles.

Finally, are you paying attention to how your body feels? While using a standing desk is great for productivity, there will be times when you will need to cut back on your standing time or not stand at all, e.g., a day when you are under the weather. Balance is key to reaping the benefits of these desks.