5 Standing Desk Exercises You Should Do to Keep Active At Work

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Workspace Solutions

Standing desks give workers a great alternative to sitting down all day and many companies use them to provide increased energy and productivity in the workplace. However, another benefit of standing desks is that they allow you to perform a range of exercises while you work. Instead of confining you to a chair, they give you more freedom and range of motion.

In this post, we’ll give you 5 of the best standing desk exercises you can do to stay active at work.

Standing Desk Exercises You Should Be Doing

Keep aches and pains at bay by adding these exercises to your routine.

1. Calf Raises

Even avid gym goers often forget to exercise their calves. Don’t neglect yours. Give them a good workout by performing this easy exercise at your desk.

Stand with both feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Raise your heels off the floor by standing on your toes and hold this position for a few seconds. Then, slowly bring your heels back down and repeat.

To make it more challenging, you can try doing one leg at a time.

2. Desk Push-Ups

Getting down on the office floor to do push-ups might seem a little inappropriate for the workplace. Plus, who knows how dirty that floor is. You can get a good upper body workout by doing desk push-ups while standing.

Start by placing your hands on your desk, shoulder-width apart. Stretch your legs out straight behind you, keeping your back straight and your core tight. Then, lower yourself down until your chest touches the desk, and push back up again.

3. Marching in Place

Do you want to get your heart rate up and burn off your lunch? You can burn up to 300 calories an hour just by marching in place.

As well as getting your body moving, this will also stimulate your brain. If you have trouble staying focused and getting over that mid-afternoon slump, this exercise should perk you up.

4. Shoulder Stretch

Back pain is one of the most common complaints of people who work in offices. You can ease the discomfort by performing this simple standing desk exercise as part of your routine.

Bring one arm across your chest. Use your other hand to pull your arm across, placing it just above the elbow. Hold for a few seconds and then change sides.

5. Lateral Leg Raises

This exercise will help to strengthen your adductor muscles and stabilize your core.

From a standing position, simply raise one leg out to the side. As you do so, keep your toes pointing forward. Hold it for a few seconds and then change sides.

If this is too easy, try doing it with a resistance band.

Be More Productive at Work

Standing desk exercises are a great way to keep you active, focused, and alert at work. As well as being more comfortable for employees, they’re also beneficial for a company as a whole. That’s because they make people more productive.

That’s not all you can do. To make your workplace more effective, there are several ways you can rearrange the office. To find out what they are, read our post on office setups for increased productivity.

The Benefits Of Using A Sit-to-Stand Desk

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Workspace Solutions

Altitude Height-Adjustable Desk by Allsteel.

Did you know that sitting for extended periods of time can actually kill you? Perhaps you’re aware of some of the risks of sitting throughout the day. Maybe you even get up and walk around a few times during the day. But, even if you spend hours being active, after sitting all day at the office, you’re still at risk. The risks are the same as if you didn’t move all day. Surprising, right?

Whether you work from home or in an office setting, it’s time to wake up and take your health seriously. Buying standing desks or focal upright chairs are excellent options to avoid these risks. And have become increasingly popular in office settings.

You may not be aware of how detrimental sitting can be for your health. Keep reading to learn the benefits of using a sit-to-stand desk at your office or home.

1. They Decrease Risks of Cancer

The American Cancer Society states excessive sitting can enhance your risks of cancer. This is only one of many studies that have concluded the same thing. This study concluded inactivity is linked to more than 173,000 cases of cancer. 49,000 cases of breast cancer and 43,000 cases of colon cancer each year in the US included.

According to another study, sitting can increase your risk of cancer by an alarming 66%. If every office invested in standing desks this number would decrease majorly. It could be a lifesaving move for you and your coworkers too.

2. They Boost Your Productivity

Who doesn’t want to be more productive during the day? Of course, we all do. But what happens when you’re plagued with distracting neck and back pain all day?

A study showed that worker’s performance was affected when they were in discomfort. In this study, only 38% were able to focus on their work. And 37% felt they weren’t doing their best work because of the discomfort they felt.

A sit-to-stand desk is a surefire way to be more productive during the day. This is why more offices are converting to standing desks — nobody wants an unmotivated employee!

3. Aids Back And Neck Issues

Chances are if you work a 9-5 sedentary job, you’ve felt a sore neck or back at some point. But do you realize the long-term toll it’s taking on your body? Most of us aren’t using correct posture while working, and tend to get ”computer hunch”.

Poor Posture Can Affect Your:

Your back
Neck
Shoulders

Fort Wayne Chiropractor, Dr. Richard Busch of Busch Chiropractic states, “You may assume that the pain you feel while sitting at work is a momentary discomfort that will pass, but what you don’t realize is that poor posture can affect you the rest of your life.”

4. Reduces Your Risks of Various Other Diseases

If it’s not scary enough that sitting can cause cancer and severe neck and back issues — the other diseases you’re at risk for should be downright terrifying.

Final Thoughts on the Sit-to-Stand Desk

They’re saying ”sitting is the new smoking“. It’s become an epidemic that many people aren’t even aware of. Most Americans sit an average of 7 hours a day on a computer. That combined with the amount of time we sleep is a shocking quantity of time to be sedentary.

Standing desks are all the rage now, as well as other comfortable office chairs, that can make a tremendous difference to your health.

If you’re tired of slouching and having neck or back pain and ready to transition into something more suitable, come visit us or contact us today to view our sit-to-stand desk options.

Alloy Benching – Desks & Workstations

Posted on August 4, 2017 by admin

Define Personal Space, Encourage Interaction

Alloy Benching by National Office Furniture bridges the gap between personal offices and open plan spaces. Alloy Benching offers standard, standing-height, or adjustable-height desk options, multiple-configurations possibilities, base color choices, and various electrical solutions allowing you to easily tailor it to fit your needs.

Fixed height powered units feature an integrated trough for easy plug and play capabilities and cord management. Add desktop grommets to further expand power, data, and technology management options. With power and data options within arm’s reach, Alloy facilitates a hub of activity within individual work zones.

5 Surprising Benefits of Using a Standing Height Desk

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Workspace Solutions

Are you tired of feeling burnt out, unproductive, and just plain uncomfortable at your desk all day? Have you tried everything, only to see no change in how you feel by the day’s end? Try the latest office trend – a standing-height desk!

There are many benefits of standing-height desks, here are 5 reasons you should have one in your office.

1. It Boosts Your Productivity

Let’s be honest. When you’re spending all day sitting at your computer, it can be easy to feel sluggish. Before you know it, you’ve spent your entire morning scrolling through your Instagram feed and Facebook account – and yet somehow, you still feel exhausted.

A standing desk can help to boost productivity because it ensures that you don’t get lethargic. Instead, your mind will be more clear, you’ll be less prone to distractions, and you’ll be able to take sitting breaks that refuel your mind instead of draining your energy.

2. It Prevents “Computer Hunch”

With the average American worker spending an average of 7 hours out of every work day at a computer, there has been a rise in “computer hunch.” This is the curve in your spine and poor posture that develops from spending your day slumped in a chair, with your shoulders tensed and your back arched.Over time, this can lead to serious medical issues, as it puts added, consistent pressure on your neck and spine.

A standing height desk prevents this, as you’ll be able to keep your back straight all day long, won’t have to hunch to see your screen, and can relax your shoulders.

3. It Keeps You Healthy

Believe it or not, a standing desk can also help to prevent serious health issues, like obesity and even type 2 diabetes.When you sit for a long time, your body doesn’t get enough insulin, and the fasting blood glucose levels in your body will dangerously rise.

More shockingly, another 7-year study showed that for every additional hour you spend sitting every day, your life expectancy decreases by 11%.

4. It Saves Office Space

This is a more practical benefit to getting a standing desk – having more room in your office! As companies are hiring more and more employees, office space becomes a little too close for comfort. Getting standing desks leaves employees plenty of room to walk around and work without feeling crammed into the office space.

5. You’ll Be Less Tired

We’ve all experienced that mid-day office slump that makes us feel as though we could hit the floor and nap at a moment’s notice. What if you could eliminate that, work through it, and have enough energy to go out after the workday ended?

A standing-height desk engages your entire body, so you won’t feel exhausted at the end of the day.

Ready To Get Your Own Standing Height Desk?

Thanks to this post, you now know just some of the benefits associated with a standing height desk. Whether you work from home or in an office, a standing desk will help you to get the most out of your workday.

Want to pick up your own? Visit our Fort Wayne office furniture showroom to try one out!

Introducing Focal Upright Furniture

Posted on May 24, 2016 by admin

Seats for Standing-Height Desks

As we mentioned in our last article, many Americans today are suffering from “Sitting Disease” due to a highly sedentary lifestyle. Striving to become more active on the job, many workers have tried sitting on exercise balls, using treadmill desks, and standing-height desks.

“Standing-height desks are great,” says Mike Hunter of Workspace Solutions. Because sitting all day is bad for your health while standing all day is hard on your joints. Adjustible standing-height desks allow you to easily go from sitting to standing. But, some users still need a little extra support.” The solution? Focal Upright Furniture which gives workers a third option that balances the active benefits of standing with the comfort of sitting.

Focal Upright Furniture is a seat of sorts that is designed to work with standing-height desks. However, you don’t sit on the seat, you lean on it which takes pressure off of your joints and has many health benefits including:

improved posture
promotes neutral neck position
takes stress off the spine
engages the core
promotes active leg movement

There are four models to choose from.

Visit the Workspace Solutions office furniture store in Fort Wayne to try them out for yourself and see which one works best for you.

Do You Suffer From Sitting Disease

Posted on May 11, 2016 by admin

Is Your Desk Job Bad For Your Health?

If you are like most Americans, you are likely suffering from a disease you maybe didn’t even know existed. What experts now call “sitting disease”. This disease afflicts many people who work in traditional work environments where many hours are spent seated at a desk or in front of a computer.

How many hours do you spend each day sitting at work? Add on the hours you spend driving, eating meals, using technology, or watching TV. The Mayo Clinic says that 50-70% of Americans spend 6 or more hours every day just sitting down!

Sitting Disease and Your Health

“ A highly sedentary lifestyle can wreak havoc on your system and has serious negative effects on our health,” states Dr. Busch of Busch Chiropractic in Fort Wayne. Sitting for extended periods puts extra stress on your spine and increases your risk for back injuries. In order to stay healthy, our joints, muscles, and other tissues need to move. Over time, reduced activity can not only limit your range of motion and cause back problems but contributes to many health issues and significantly shorten your lifespan.”

These health risks include:

increased risk of chronic back and neck pain
a proclivity for herniated discs
shorter life expectancy
increased risk for Type 2 diabetes
increased risk for heart disease and some cancers

Reduce the Risks of Sitting Disease

How can you ward off the dangerous risks of sitting disease? Fortunately, even a moderate increase in physical activity is proven to effectively fight these health risks.

Moving more:

burns more calories
reduces body fat
improves circulation
strengthens muscles
increases insulin sensitivity
improves mood
reduces load on spine

How to Increase Activity at Work

Here are some tips from Dr. Busch to use at the office (or home, as well) to keep sitting disease and its health risks at bay:

walk while you are talking on the phone
set a timer to remind yourself to get up at least once an hour
use a pedometer or Fitbit to track (and increase) your daily number of steps
take the stairs, instead of the elevator, up one floor or down two
every time you cross something off your to-do list, stand up for a stretching break
don’t sit for one-on-one meetings — have a walking meeting around the block or around the building
park further away from your office building, the restaurants you go to for lunch, the grocery store, etc.

Sit-to-Stand Desks:

You may also consider a standing-height desk or a “sit-to-stand” adjustable desk. Researchers say that the almost undetectable muscle movement that occurs while standing is as good as, or better, for our bodies than bouts of exercise between long periods of being sedentary. Studies show that people who stand while working move around more and get the important health benefits needed to combat sitting disease.

The positive effects of becoming more active can be profound. According to a Stanford University study, workers who used sit-to-stand desks were 78% more likely to report a pain-free day.

Visit the Workspace Solutions office furniture campus in Fort Wayne to talk to our furniture experts to learn more about healthier ways to work and avoid the dreaded sitting disease!

How to Get More Exercise at Work

Posted on January 19, 2015 by wstest

How to get more exercise at work and keep your New Year’s resolution.

2015 is here, and for many of us that means a chance to start over. This time of year, New Year Resolution’s are on many people’s minds. It’s time to give up some bad habits and pick up some great new habits. For many, a popular resolution is to get rid of a few extra pounds, eat better, and do a bit more exercising.

Working in an office environment can often make it easy to pick up some bad habits when it comes to your health and fitness. Keep your New Year’s resolution with these tips on how to incorporate some healthy habits into your work day.

1. Start with your Commute

Your morning commute to work can be a great way to add some extra workout into your day. If you live close enough, ride your bike! If you take the bus, get off a few blocks earlier, and walk the rest of the way.

If you drive, parking your car on the far end of the lot can be a great way to squeeze in some extra steps throughout the day.

2. Take the Stairs

Avoid uncomfortable elevator small talk, while getting some cardio! What’s not to love? Simply switching to the stairs can be a great way to add some exercise to your day. After you’ve mastered the stairs, try taking them two at a time!

Rather than taking short coffee breaks throughout the day, take some short breaks to get in some extra exercise. Climb up and down the stairs a couple of times, just for fun.

3. Bring healthy snacks to work

One disadvantage of working in a fast-paced office environment is that sometimes you’re not left with much time for lunch. It can be tempting to go with fast food – it’s quick, it’s cheap, it’s tasty. Rather than eating a fatty, calorie loaded lunch, bring a few small healthy snacks to eat throughout the day, along with your smaller, healthy lunch.

Digesting foods more frequently will help to speed up your metabolism. Rather than simply packing your lunch in the morning, pack enough food for the entire day. Bring an apple for a mid-morning snack, and some carrots for an afternoon snack.

4. Squeeze in some workout time

During any down time you might have, use this as a chance to squeeze in some quick workouts. Waiting for the copier to print off your 50 page report? Don’t just stand around waiting for it – use this time to do some squats. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, and slowly lower your body, bending your legs so your knees make a 90 degree angle and your thighs are parallel to the ground.

You can even squeeze in some workouts while seated in your office chair! Next time you sort through your flood of morning emails, try slowly lifting your legs to an extended position. Hold that position for a few seconds, and then slowly bring your legs back down without letting them touch the ground. Repeat. This is a great, simple ab workout that can be done sitting down at your desk, while actually working!

5. Consider a standing desk

Of all of the things you do at work, sitting is by far the unhealthiest. Research has shown that typically, no amount of working out can undo the negative effects that sitting all day has on your body. Proponents of standing desks have a saying – “Sitting is the new smoking.”

“In order to combat the negative effects of sitting in a chair all day, a popular trend in office furniture is standing desks – desks built taller to force you to lose the chair!” says Brent Stoller of Workspace Solutions Office Furniture Store in Fort Wayne, IN. “Standing at work encourages frequent muscle movement and activity.”

adjustable standing desk by available at Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne, Warsaw, South Bend, and Indianapolis

If you don’t want to commit to standing eight hours per day at work, Brent Stoller suggests Quickstand by Humanscale. The Quickstand clamps right to your existing desk and is easily adjustable allowing you the option of sitting or standing while at work.

For more information on whether or not a standing desk is for you, check out Standing vs Sitting Desks.