Last updated: January 21st, 2026
How’s your posture doing these days? Are you sitting hunched over in your desk job for hours on end? I’ll bet you’re worried about your sedentary lifestyle.
You’re not alone.
Less than 1 in 10 office workers exercise regularly despite working long hours. Yet, our ability to focus diminishes when we sit in the same position for too long.
There are many pros and cons of using standing desks – and some downright bizarre myths are doing the rounds. I’ll be busting some of these in this article.
Stand back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
(Related: UpDown Desk Review: Still The Best?)
Wait, Sitting Down Causes Cancer?
Above: A standing desk in its lowest height setting works like a traditional office desk.
If you’ve heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking,” you might be panicked, but this kind of rhetoric doing the rounds is neither helpful nor true.
Decades of research reveal a clear link between smoking and the following physical health implications:
- Cancers.
- Heart disease.
- Strokes.
- Lung diseases.
- Diabetes.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Dental problems.
- Loss of hearing and vision.
In Australia alone, the healthcare burden attributed to smoking is $6.8 billion each year due to the 1.7 million hospital admissions to treat smoking-related conditions.
There are inherent risks of prolonged sitting, but nowhere near the magnitude of smoking. Some of these are:
- Muscle weakness and imbalance.
- Poor posture.
- Increased risk of obesity.
- Cardiovascular issues like DVT.
- Diabetes.
Important!
While anecdotal evidence suggests that “extended sitting raises your risk for colorectal, ovarian, and endometrial cancers,” there is very little peer-reviewed or quantifiable research on the matter to verify this.
Until we have more evidence and reach a scientific consensus, we can all relax.
Above: Most standing desks have electronic height controllers with programmable height presets.
To Sit or Not to Sit? That Is the Question.
That’s not to say you can’t obtain health improvements by using a standing desk. You can – and I’ll discuss some of those shortly.
But it’s a stretch to market standing desks as cancer-prevention devices.
(Related: Officeworks Newhaven Standing Desk: Worth $500?)
If you’ve been standing on your feet all day, every day, hoping to fend off the C-word, there’s a good chance you’re doing more harm than good.
In fact, standing all day is likely to exacerbate back pain and neck pain.
Did You Know?
“People who stand for work have more back pain and slightly higher rates of cardiovascular disease,” says Jack Dennerlein, professor of physical therapy at Northeastern University in Boston.
At this stage, the jury is still out on the cause and the effect.
Contrary to Professor Denerlein’s assertion, it could be that those who suffer from back pain are more likely to stand when working to cope with their preexisting back pain.
And if you’re standing all day to burn calories, the impact will likely underwhelm you. As I’m about to show you, the number of extra calories you burn while standing is minimal.
(Related: Steelcase Migration SE Pro Standing Desk Review).
Pros Of Using A Sit-Stand Desk.
Here are the main benefits you can expect when using a standing desk.
Above: The most common desktop size is 150 cm X 75 cm, enough to accommodate two monitors or laptops.
1. Better Posture.
Standing desks encourage better posture compared to sitting desks by reducing the tendency to slouch or hunch over a desk.
(Related: 5 Standing Desk Setups That Actually Look Great).
When using one, you engage your core muscles and distribute your weight more evenly between your feet, which naturally promotes a straighter spine.
As well as better posture, using a standing desk:
- Burns more calories throughout the day compared to using a sitting desk (read on to learn exactly how much).
- Promotes blood flow and may reduce the risk of blood clots.
2. Improved Productivity.
After sitting for a while, inertia sets in. We become lethargic, fatigued, and start to fidget. Brain fog clouds our judgment.
When standing regularly, your body engages more muscles to maintain balance.
This increases your heart rate and gets blood and oxygen circulating through your body, fueling your focus and energy levels.
Above: Some standing desks have advanced cable management systems. A cable spine and cable tray manage power cables under this EverDesk Max. Meanwhile, a cable channel and a scallop keep data cables under control.
3. Fosters Collaboration.
Standing promotes alertness and active engagement since office workers are unable to get too comfortable.
As far as practicality is concerned, standing makes it much easier to approach others and share visual aids such as infographics on your laptop.
Downsides Of Using A Sit-Stand Desk.
In the interest of being impartial, it’s also important to understand the downsides of using a sit-stand desk.
1. Can Cause Lower Back Pain.
When standing, your pelvis is often pushed backward, increasing the curve of your lower back (lumbar region).
This puts additional pressure on the soft tissues surrounding the lumbar region of your spine.
Technique matters.
Standing alone won’t fix your posture. There’s a correct way to do it – with your elbows and 90-degree angles, back straight, feet flat to the floor, and computer screen positioned at eye level.
If your technique deviates from that, take a break to prevent further injury. You’ll be ready for longer stints when you’ve mastered the technique.
2. Fidgeting And Distractions.
A standing desk is a novel piece of office apparatus to fiddle with.
As such, setting it to the right height can be a distraction, especially if you have OCD tendencies and need your desk height to be millimetre perfect.
Also, when you have a greater view of the entire office, you see other colleagues.
Above: Pair your standing desk with a normal office chair to alternate between sitting and standing at regular intervals.
3. An Expensive Toy.
Standing desks aren’t cheap. While cheap standing desks exist, most will put a $500-$1,500 dent in your pocket.
If budget is not a priority, we’ve reviewed the best standing desks in Australia to help you whittle down your shortlist.
Expert Tip.
Prices start as little as $450 for the Artiss standing desk and are as high as $2,500 for the UpDown Pro, a fully featured model with optional extras.
4. Cable Management.
When elevating your desk, you reveal an unsightly tangle of electrical cables that connect to all your tech. Tidiness may be one of the most important factors when deciding if a standing desk is worth it.
Here’s how you can keep your cables neat. Some of the tips included in the supplementary article reveal exactly how to:
- Disconnect and detangle everything.
- Plan your layout to avoid unnecessary tangles.
- Plug your tech into an extension to accommodate any height changes.
- Use velcro cable ties to keep cables together.
- Label cables to trace and manage cables when fault-finding or unplugging.
- Find a compatible cable tray to keep your wires tucked away.
- Get a cable box to hide your extensions and plugs.
Above: I recommend that you run a power supply to the top of your standing desk, eliminating the need to crawl under your desk each time you need to plug something in.
5. Lack Of Storage.
Many sit-stand desks, particularly electric height-adjustable standing desks, have limited or no drawer space.
Even the priciest desks, like the Desky Dual and UpDown Pro (both around $1,000-$2,000, depending on your choice of desktop) have no built-in storage.
Your tech, accessories, and stationery have to go somewhere.
You’ll need to factor in the cost of an additional purchase of drawers that match your desk and the decor of the room.
- A good quality set of drawers that matches your desk will cost between $50-$250.
- Decent floating shelves will cost you $25-$50 and are super easy to install.
Important!
Hardwoods and softwoods are always much more expensive than particle board or engineered wood alternatives.
If you do get under-desk storage, make sure you get an electric desk with anti-collision technology. This will prevent your desk from attempting to crush anything in its descent.
6. The Spotlight Effect.
Psychologist Dr Derek Chapman suggests that the use of a standing desk contributes to a phenomenon known as the “spotlight effect.”
Expert Tip.
This occurs when we’re standing, and we believe that our surrounding colleagues are paying undue attention to us – particularly if we are the only ones standing.
This can be distracting for the user, but can also put introverts off from standing and using the desk for its intended purposes.
Above: Keep your desktop clean with under-desk drawers and a 3-drawer filing cabinet.
7 Different Types Of Standing Desks.
Standing desks come in a few different types, and knowing your main options is helpful before jumping in and making a rash purchase.
Choosing the right one depends on your available space, work requirements, and health considerations.
1. Fixed standing desks.
- Are set at a fixed height and cannot be adjusted.
- Benefits: Retail or customer service employees who are required to stand for prolonged periods.
- Disadvantages: No flexibility to adjust height, so these are rarely a great ergonomic fit.
- Price: Reasonable.
2. Adjustable height desks.
- Allow users to switch between the sitting and standing position by changing the desk’s height.
- Benefits: Multitaskers like artists and designers who frequently switch between tasks.
- Disadvantages: These tend to be the most expensive desks.
- Price: Premium.
3. Desktop converters.
- Placed on top of an existing desk or workspace to convert a normal desk into a sit-stand workstation.
- Benefits: A remote office worker or freelancer who wants to convert their existing sitting desk.
- Disadvantages: Limited workspace for multiple monitors and accessories.
- Price: Budget-friendly.
4. Corner standing desks (L-shaped).
- Fit into corners to create an extra workspace).
- Benefits: Those who use multiple monitors, such as traders, graphic designers, or financial analysts.
- Disadvantages: These are often bulky and require more space, and working in a corner can be uninspiring.
- Price: Expensive.
5. Wall-mounted standing desks.
- Are attached to a wall and can be folded up, saving floor space.
- Benefits: Those who use multiple monitors, such as traders, graphic designers, or financial analysts.
- Disadvantages: A permanent installation means you have much less flexibility if you want to switch things up and reshuffle your furniture.
- Price: Economical.
6. Mobile standing desks.
- Are equipped with wheels or casters, allowing users to easily move the desk around their workspace.
- Benefits: Employees who frequently collaborate with colleagues in different parts of the office.
- Disadvantages: Less stable compared to stationary options.
- Price: Moderate.
7. Exercise standing desks.
- Have a built-in treadmill or exercise bike that allows users to walk or pedal while performing tasks.
- Benefits: Health-conscious office workers who are time-poor and unable to attend a gym outside of standard work hours.
- Disadvantages: These are quite distracting; the novelty also seems to wear off with many workers ditching them after a few months.
- Price: Overpriced.
Sit-Stand Desks And The Case For Weight Loss.
It’s quite logical to assume that you’d burn more calories when standing as opposed to sitting.
And while it’s true that you do, lower estimates suggest that you can only expect to burn an additional 24 calories when standing for three hours.
To burn calories while working at your desk, you need to get your heart pumping faster. I find treadmill desks to be invasive.
Walking at the same time as typing just isn’t practical. But the smoother motions of pedalling when using a desk bike make it a much more appropriate choice.
Remember to track your performance on a Fitbit or iWatch.
Top Tips For How To Use A Standing Desk.
Once you’ve decided on the right type of standing desk, there are a few things that you need to be aware of when getting down to business.
- Calibrate your workstation. Elbows should be at a 90-degree angle, and your screen should be at eye level.
- Invest in an ergonomic chair. Get your hands on the ultimate ergonomic pairing for your suite; we reviewed the top 12 chairs that are all the rage in Australia.
- Check out floating shelves. A space-saver that helps you maintain a clutter-free desk.
- Check the floor level. An uneven floor can affect the stability of your desk; floor mats or adjustable legs can rectify this.
- Consider a balance board. This promotes core strength and improves circulation by encouraging subtle weight shifts. You can burn up to 100 calories per hour when standing on one.
- Buy an anti-fatigue mat. One of these will provide cushioning and support for your feet when standing for long periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Standing Desks.
Let me debunk a few myths that surround standing desks.
How Much Time Should You Stand At A Standing Desk?
There are those who swear by perfect ratios, but everybody is different. Our anatomies are different.
You may have more stamina than someone else. If you’re carrying a few more pounds, gravity is going to drain your energy much quicker and put more pressure on your feet.
Important!
Research from the University of Waterloo suggests that you should stand for 45 minutes and sit for 15 minutes per hour.
Personally, I think that’s extreme.
Contrastingly, in another controlled study, the Canada Research Chair in Spine Biomechanics and Injury Prevention found that 50% of participants developed low back pain when standing at an ergonomic desk for two consecutive hours.
Your body will give you cues when it’s time to sit or stand. If you want a periodic prompt, set a timer on your phone or Amazon Alexa, but don’t subject yourself to unnecessary torture.
Will A Stand-up Desk Help Alleviate Back Pain?
Standing improves your posture and promotes the natural s-curve of your spine, which allows for an even distribution of weight and takes the pressure off your lower back.
By standing upright, you’re less prone to stretching out your neck, reducing tension in your shoulders.
Can A Standing Desk Help You Lose Weight?
When standing at your desk, your body works a little harder and burns more calories, but it’s not an effective way to lose weight.
It’s better to conserve your energy and take a brisk walk during your lunch break for 30 minutes. Doing so would burn 100–200 calories.
Are Standing Desks Are Worth It?
You need variation in your day to stay active and improve your posture. A standing desk offers that but is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for regular exercise.
Many people acquire a standing desk because they’re desperate to get more active, and yet have a poor work-life balance.
I get it.
Working, looking after pets and kids, cooking, cleaning, practising self-care, remembering to drink eight glasses of water a day and eat five pieces of fruit and veg – finding time to keep active seems nigh on impossible.
But you have to – otherwise, you’ll burn out.
Exercising before or after work helps you decompress. Exercising during work compounds your stress. (That rhymes!)
A sit-stand desk will bring some balance to your working day, but it’s only one part of a bigger health equation.
Tommy
Cody says:
Hi,
Do you know 9am HOME standing desks?
I want to know how about their desk.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Cody, I’ve never seen them before but I took a quick look for you and I’m 90% certain it’s another Jiecang desk. You can tell by the design of the feet and the lowest height (60cm). Desky, Omnidesk, Stand Desk are all pretty much the same.
Cody says:
Which one do you mean? Pesk or Robin series? I am interested in their Robin series, it looks unique and beautiful. I can’t find anyone like it in Desky.
Steven McConnell says:
I was talking about the Pesk Series. Robin series does look attractive and unusual, but I’m usually not a fan of tubular legs as they tend to be more prone to wobble. I can’t say whether this is the case in this instance, as I haven’t physically tested the desk myself. The 10 year warranty is reassuring, however. I wish they offered a risk-free trial to let you test out the legs!
Cody says:
Thank you very much, Steven; I will take your comments into consideration.
Erin says:
Do you know much about Kangadesks? There are Australian as well.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Erin, its another Jiecang standing desk. Same as Desky, Omni, Stand Desk etc. The design of the feet and 60-125cm height range gives it away. The desk appears to currently be currently on sale for $299, which is an absolute steal and I’m wondering why they’re selling their stock at 1/3 of RRP. Regardless, even if they’re about to go bust, I’d still buy one at that price.
EDIT: Be careful. Fakespot showed these warnings while browsing their website: “Multiple eCommerce scam experiences detected, Poor customer service”
Suzy says:
Hi – given all the desks are so similar, is it possible to mix a desk from one brand with a drawer accessory from another? I don’t like the UpDown desk metal drawer (hangs very low so likely to impede leg space) but don’t mind the Desky one – can these be mixed and matched?
Thank you for the reviews! Super helpful.
Steven McConnell says:
Yes, it’s possible to play switcheroo. But you may want to consider that UpDown design is curved, so it will hurt less if you do jam your thighs into it. Desky’s meanwhile, is quite angular. Pro tip: you can also find a bunch of inexpensive slimline desk drawers on Amazon.
jason says:
I’ve spent far, far too much time agonising over which desk to get haha, definitely more than a week. Very happy that you’ve added the omni-desk to your catalogue. That was the one I was considering the most untill you came you with a review saying that it was more wobbly!
Anyways, do you have an opinion on the new updown desk KLIK Series? Its advertises to be significanlty ligher while having better (on paper) specs
Thanks!
Evelyn says:
Hi Steven, great blog post – thank you! I’m also wondering whether you have any opinion or insights on the new UpDown Desk KLIK series…they come at $100 more expensive (for the same size/table top) but seem to be ‘better’ according to the UpDown website.
Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Evelyn, thanks! I will have a full review of the KLIK up around February 2025. It’s not necessarily a better standing desk – but it is lighter, less bulky and promises easier assembly.
Ben Clements says:
Hi. I’m interested to know more about whether I actually could fit the Desky cable management system in the Omnidesk? I’ve had a look at the omnidesks in person at the showroom and it looks like their cable management trays screw on (vs the clip in at the edges of the desk with the Desky tray). The desky system also has the power plugs that snap into place in the tray.
So I’m curious to know if you have you tried it, and if so how did you do it please? Or is your thinking that you’d just buy the power boards and plugs from Desky and rest them in the Omnidesk tray?
I’m stuck, because I prefer the Omnidesks but I really love the idea of a single power lead!
Thanks
Steven McConnell says:
I just had a new Omnidesk delivered to my house. Give me about two weeks to assemble it, test it out and report back.
Sunni says:
Thanks for your very helpful (and funny) review. I used the information to to buy a Desky standing desk in record time – no consumer agonising for weeks, as is my usual practice. It has a pneumatic up/down mechanism, so lets see how that goes.
Steven McConnell says:
Ha! You’re welcome, Sunni. Glad I helped you cut down on the agonising. The pneumatic mechanism is an interest choice – let me know what you think of it?
Amber says:
Hi Steven,
Really great and insightful review. It was refreshing to see something that wasn’t filled with ChatGPT affiliate link garbage!
I’m curious about your opinion on L-shaped standing desks? I know that Desky, UpDown and a few other retailers offer these types of desks and I would assume they are more strong and stable, but I’m not an expert and I can also imagine the opposite being true due to the irregular shape. I’ve been looking at these types of desks because I think their shape suits my space the best. Do you have any knowledge on this or do you only have experience with regular rectangular shaped desks?
Steven McConnell says:
Thanks, Amber. Did you know that I have a L-shaped standing desk review? Search for “arielle best corner standing desks” and you’ll find it.
Melissa says:
Hi Steven great article thank you!
I’ve spent way to much time on this, and I’m now leaning towards the Artiss thanks to your review.
I’m wondering if you have any insight into ergonomic chairs for the home office also?
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Melissa, thanks! The Artiss is a great budget pick. I’ve written numerous ergonomic chair reviews – Google “arielle best ergonomic office chairs” to find them 🙂
tania says:
hey are there any other manual desks apart from the ikea ones you don’t recommend, that you would recommend? I prefer the idea of not needing electricity to move between stand up and sit down but maybe that doesn’t really exist?
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Tania, all of the premium brands (UpDown, Desky, etc) offer a manual crank model. Definitely the way to go if you want to avoid electronics. But TBH I suggest you reconsider. Electronics are very reliable these days – and hand-cranking your standing desk is more annoying than you’d expect.
Adam says:
Hi, do you know much about the UpDown Klik vs Pro system?
Steven McConnell says:
The company has shipped their new Klik standing desk to me yesterday. Stay tuned!
Scott Long says:
You mention in your review of the Up Down Pro that you would get the cable holes and grommets done, but it looks like your (very pretty) Messmate desk doesn’t have them. Is your recommendation a hindsight reflection, or did you choose not to spoil the look of the desk with the grommets? Without the grommets can you can still run the cables behind the desk and into the cable management tray? Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Scott, I said in the review that grommets and holes are a great idea, not that I have them. They’re less important if your standing desk faces a wall. But if you have an open-plan style home office like mine, they’ll make your workspace look much cleaner. PS You can still run cables into the tray without the holes and grommets – the cables will simply run behind the desk.
Isaac Jenkinson says:
Hello,
Have you had a chance to try the new UpDown Lyft model? Curious about its stability vs the pro.
Steven McConnell says:
Isaac,
Not yet. On first glance, it looks like a budget alternative to the “big brothers”. It’s probably pretty good (UpDown has a reputation to maintain), but I’m of the opinion that buying cheap means you pay more in the long term. I’d save up another few hundred bucks and get the Pro. You can often get a melamine or bamboo-topped model on sale for around $900.
David says:
This is a great site and will help me decide on which desk to buy. Have you heard any good/bad reviews about the Blacklyte Atlas Lite or Ergo-Rise II from BDO furniture?
Steven McConnell says:
David, thanks for the kind words. Never heard of the Atlas Lite until you mentioned it. Looks like a decent gaming desk that borrows heavily from Secretlab Magnus – but why not just buy a real Magnus instead?
As for the Ergo-Rise – looks like a decent desk, but its height controller is outdated. The best standing desk brands have upgraded to OLED controllers.
Ben says:
Thank you for writing this review Steven; really helpful to break through the BS.
By any chance have you used or hold an opinion on Vertilift desks?
Steven McConnell says:
You’re welcome. God, I haven’t even heard of them – but thanks for the heads-up. There are too many standing desks on the Australian market. Obviously I haven’t used these in person, but I’m almost certain they’re yet another Jiecang variant (i.e., frames are identical to Desky). You can tell by the identical max and min heights, as well as the design of the foot.
Eloise says:
Hey Steven, I was recommended the Alwyn or Octavia (Living Fusion) 140cm sit and stand desks from Temple and Webster which don’t even get a mention in your review. Would you bother with any of their brands ? (I may have dodged a bullet by finding your review!)
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Louise, I haven’t had first-hand experience with the T&W standing desk (must add one to my list!).
However, I had a look through the specs for you.
It doesn’t look too bad, actually – considering the price. If you can’t stretch your budget to ~$950 for an entry-level UpDown or Desky, this could be a good option.
Jordan says:
Hi Steven, Thanks for the review! I am starting out with a home office set up and need a new chair and sit stand desk. I’m a student but I prefer to buy things I know will last, but I don’t have too much experience with sit stand desks. I initially thought to buy the Artiss but have considered buying the Acacia UpDown Pro+ so I know it lasts and I don’t have to buy another desk in a couple of years. Is it worth the price jump for me? Thanks!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Jordan, the Artiss and the UpDown desks sell at two very different price points. If you have the budget, I suggest you stretch to the UpDown standing desk – you won’t regret it.
jason says:
I know you’ve disqualified the flexispot e7 pro so the e7 max plus would probably also be disqualified, but a quad motor 4 column desk frame at a prices competitive with UpDown desk is incredibly tempting. Plus 15 year warrenty (if the company lasts that long)
Have you had a chance to take a look? Its like half the price of the desky quad!
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Jason, great observation. I haven’t included quad standing desks here because they’ve traditionally attracted a niche consumer – someone who needs to place a tonne of gear on the desktop and doesn’t mind paying 2X the usual price. But Flexispot’s sharp pricing on their quad desk certainly changes things. I haven’t seen one in the wild yet – but the specs look promising.
Steven