April 2017

It’s not only offices that are embracing the use of standing desks but classrooms are getting in on the action. Abby Brown, a teacher at Stillwater Area School District in Minnesota, shares her enthusiasm over the use of standing desks by stating, “This way, students feel much more in control. They feel like it’s their option, and they don’t have to sit perfectly still and feel confined.”

Study #1

In a study conducted in 2008, children have to move in order to focus during intense mental tasks. Additionally, director of the Laboratory of Integrative Human Physiology, Dr. Donald Dengel co-authored a 2011 study which researched changes in caloric expenditure from standing desks. Participants burned 113 kilocalories a day, equaling half a candy bar.

Study #2

In another study, researchers followed third and fourth graders in three elementary schools in Texas. The study found that children who spent more time on their feet lost weight when using standing desks instead of standard classroom desks.

Study #3

During an ongoing study of two years, 24 teachers were randomly assigned to incorporate standing desks or regular desks into their classrooms. Results indicate that students who used standing desks for two years in a row had their BMI move 5 percentiles lower.

Study #4

Creator of the first treadmill desk, James Levine, explains that it’s important for students to stay active during the school day. Test scores even jumped 10 to 15% in schools that used standing desks.

Other research has found that sedentary time is linked to poor academic achievement as well as low self-esteem. Making children sit is unnatural as they need to move around and stay active. Pediatric endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Dr. Seema Kumar, states, “Children may become more active overall and these changes in behavior may translate into better weight outcomes, improved ability to learn and pay attention and greater self-esteem.”

If you’re interested in purchasing a standing desk for your school, take a look at our options. Each desk is adjustable, lightweight and fits perfectly in your backpack. Rather than lifting heavy standing desks, you simply set ours up in seconds and begin teaching!

If you’ve recently purchased a standing desk and are still having some difficulty getting adjusted, have no fear because there are plenty of ways to make yourself comfortable. From standing desk chairs to anti-fatigue mats, we’re going to walk you through the best standing desk accessories to help you get acclimated.

Anti-fatigue Mats

Anti-fatigue mats are one of the most common accessories as they are specifically designed for those using a standing desk. These minimize back and foot pains as well as general aches, helping to decrease stress levels and boost productivity. The mats are typically comprised of vinyl, wood, PVC tubing, closed cell foam, nitrile rubber, and polypropylene.

We highly recommend CubeFit’s Terra Mat which comes with a power wedge, pressure peaks, balance bar, massage mounds, and support track.

Standing Desk Chair

You may not be comfortable standing for 8-10 hours at a time, and we don’t blame you! Standing for hours on end can be quite draining so it’s best to have a chair nearby for some rest. There are several standing desk chairs on the market which can be easily adjusted to fit the height of your new desk. The BOSS Pro Chair with Footrest & Arms is a great product which comes with a chrome foot ring so you can relax your feet. Other chairs include the iMovR Tempo TreadTop Chair, Norstar Drafting Stool and SPACE AirGrid Drafting Chair.

Foam Rollers

A foam roller is a cylindrical tube that is positioned under your foot to stretch the ankle, calf and leg muscles. There are several sizes available and they typically range from $8 to $30.

Trigger Point Foam Rollers are textured, making it feel like a foot massage right at your desk! However, these are a bit more pricey, starting off at about $40.

Rumble Rollers are much more textured making them ideal for those with serious aches and pains; these rollers are roughly $45.

The OPTP Pro Foam Roller are designed for those using a roller on a regular basis and are the best option if you utilize your standing desk everyday.

 

Foot Stool

Think about when you’re having a friendly conversation with someone – do you often place one foot in front of the other, usually raised on a platform or chair? We’ve all done it at some point. When standing at your desk, it might feel natural to prop up your foot somewhere. You can actually stack up some books or purchase a unique foot stool to spruce up the office.

 

Haven’t purchased a standing desk yet? Browse around for an adjustable standing desk featured in bamboo or birch. Fill out our contact form for more info.