Standing desks are all the rage right now. From influencers touting their benefits on TikTok to an increasing number of studies claiming sitting is the new smoking, I started to wonder if all the hype about these desks was worth it. With only one way to find out, I ordered a standing desk and got started testing it out myself. Here’s what happened: 

My Shoulder Pain Disappeared

One of the primary reasons behind wanting to try a standing desk was that I’ve been suffering from Mouse Shoulder (yes, it’s a real thing) for over a year. While the pain was annoying, it didn’t affect me that much until the stiffness started to interfere with my workouts. When I had to stop lifting upper body for over a month because the pain in my shoulder became so severe, that’s when things got serious. I knew I had to fix something, and I’m happy to report that after a month with a standing desk, my shoulder pain has almost completely disappeared. 

My entire upper back, in fact, feels so much better. I’ve experienced less stiffness and soreness in my neck, shoulders, and traps, and have been able to get back into lifting upper body, which is a win for me. 

My Lower Back Pain Decreased 

Similarly to my shoulder, my back also suffered from sitting for over 8 hours a day. Even though I was stretching and lifting every night after work, I still found it difficult to counteract the time spent sitting at my desk. 

After switching to standing, I’ve noticed a dramatic reduction in back pain and stiffness. My back still does get a little tight if I’ve been standing all day, but I’ve found wearing a good pair of supportive shoes has helped a lot with that. I also went with a desk that has an automatic motor, so adjusting it back to sitting was easy if my legs started to feel fatigued.  

I Burned More Calories 

Standing requires more energy than sitting, so it’s no surprise that I’ve been burning more calories since I switched to a standing desk. Multiple studies support this, including one in the journal Circulation, which found that sitting burns approximately 20 calories per fifteen minutes while standing burns about 22 calories per fifteen minutes. While I wouldn’t expect to see any sort of dramatic weight loss, the extra calories still do add up over time.

I Had More Energy and Less Irritability 

Contrary to what you might think, using a standing desk actually gave me more energy by the end of the day. I also felt less irritable, and I think these changes are because I was able to move around and change positions throughout the day. I’m a naturally antsy person, so sitting has always been something that makes me feel like a caged animal. And apparently, I’m not the only one, because a 2015 study found that sitting for long periods was linked to increased anxiety. 

I didn’t feel any more or less productive 

While I enjoyed everything about my standing desk (and will still continue to use it – I’m actually writing this article standing right now), I will say that I didn’t feel any more or less productive. This seems to vary from person to person, with a handful of studies showing an increase in productivity, while others have shown no effect or mixed results. 

Final Thoughts on the Standing Desk

After 30 days of standing, I was definitely sold and will probably never go back to sitting full-time. My body feels better, my workouts have benefited dramatically, and my productivity hasn’t suffered at all. With that said, here are a few key takeaways from my month of standing: 

• A combination of standing and sitting is the happy medium for me, and research backs this up. Just like everything in life, moderation is key, as new research suggests that even too much standing can be bad for your health.
• Good, supportive shoes are a must. 
• It’s still important to take time to move. Standing all day is great, but regular breaks from your desk and computer are still healthy, and very much recommended for both your mental and physical health. 

If you’d like to give a standing desk a try, I recommend this one from Amazon. It’s pretty budget-friendly, comes in a variety of colors and lengths, and has been great for me so far. It did require a little assembly, though, so if you’re not keen on putting it together, I’d spend a little extra at checkout when prompted to include assembly services. 

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