Home LivingI spent a month with a standing desk – here’s how I got onChanging from sitting to standing takes commitment, but there are surprising things everyone should know before making the swapWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingI spent a month with a standing desk – here’s how I got onChanging from sitting to standing takes commitment, but there are surprising things everyone should know before making the swapWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Changing from sitting to standing takes commitment, but there are surprising things everyone should know before making the swap
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
I’ve been working from home for over 15 years. As a writer, I’m tied to my desk and spend an unhealthy amount of time typing and staring at a screen. All while sitting down for hours on end, of course, albeit it on one of thebest office chairsaround. So why did I finally decide to get a standing desk?
Why I wanted a standing desk
What I loved about my standing desk
Rising to the occasion was the Flexispot Adjustable Standing Desk Pro E7 (see our fullFlexispot Adjustable Standing Desk Pro E7 reviewfor more), which caught my eye because it was both motorised and adjustable. I went for motorised because I don’t have the space for two separate desks, and because of previous experience with both a manual and a motorised recliner sofa; I never used for former, but the latter is instant and habitual. Motors are where it’s at and being able to transform from sitting to standing in moments – using a small keypad attached to the desk – was so convenient.
Although I had been worried about a motorised desk not being stable enough, that wasn’t a problem in practice. In fact, at 161 kg/355 lbs capacity, I shouldn’t have been worried. Nor was the dual-lifting motor particularly loud, another fear of mine prior to using it.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Once I had decided exactly how tall I needed it to be, in both sitting and standing positions, I was able to assign both values to shortcut buttons so I could simply toggle between them. Although two shortcut buttons will be enough for most, the keypad has two spare shortcut buttons. So it’s possible for two people to share the desk, which might make a lot of sense for couple who share a home office, but work at home on different days.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
What I didn’t like about my standing desk
There were only four minor issues during my test of the standing desk. The first was having to assemble it myself. It wasn’t particularly complicated, but the finished product was so heavy that I had to get someone else to help me lift it into position.
My second annoyance was the cables. I had naïvely presumed that the mains cable for the motor would exit the product at floor level. What the Flexispot Adjustable Standing Desk Pro E7 does instead is a bit of a fudge. There are actually two separate motors, one on each leg, but both trail cables to a hub on the underside of the desktop. There’s a cable cover to hide all of this, but you’re still left with trailing cables at the back. They need a bit of slack in them, of course, to cope with the up/down movement. If you have one of thebest 4K monitors, thebest computer speakersand/or thebest photo printers,it’s advisable to use an extension lead or cable reel.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
The best ways to use a standing desk
I noticed myself shifting my bodyweight from not leg to the other and feeling so tired that I just wanted to sit down for the rest of the shift. I used timers on my phone to ease myself into the new regime. Sit for 30 minutes, push the button, and stand 30 minutes. Repeat. I went one further and downloaded an app called Stand Up that monitors my movement and sends me a notification after every hour of sitting on assigned days of the week (and only in office hours), reminding me to move the desk up and down.
After a few weeks, this strict regime became second nature and I extended the sessions to an hour – but it did take commitment and experimentation.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
Final thoughts: will I continue standing while working?
I’m totally sold on standing desks, though I don’t think they’re for everyone. Once I’d figured out what heights worked best for me (my arms, particularly, ached within a few hours if I got it wrong), deciding on exactly how long to spend sitting and standing also took me some time to work out.
I quickly came to the conclusion that to get the best from a standing desk you really need to experiment, but also to commit to it. However, after a few weeks in, I felt noticeably less stiff after long work sessions and dividing my day into one-hour chunks seemed to make me more focused and organised. I now check and reply to emails only while standing up, which immediately gives me half the day to write. There’s more to standing up desks than I thought.
Today’s best Standing Desks deals$24.56View$239.99$105.99View$139.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Standing Desks deals$24.56View$239.99$105.99View$139.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Standing Desks deals
$24.56View$239.99$105.99View$139.99View
$24.56View
$24.56View
$24.56View
$24.56
$24.56
$239.99$105.99View
$239.99$105.99View
$239.99$105.99View
$239.99$105.99
$105.99
$139.99View
$139.99View
$139.99View
$139.99
$139.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Waking up for work is tough in the winter – but smart tech can help you avoid that snooze buttonHow smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother
How smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother
Are headbands the new sleep technology trend?
Hatch’s latest sunrise alarm clock finally has a phone-free design – and I’m obsessedHatch launches the Restore 3 wake-up light and it could drastically improve your mornings
Hatch launches the Restore 3 wake-up light and it could drastically improve your mornings
Withings’ smart mirror combines a smartwatch and scales into a full-length health scannerWithings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
Withings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
6 gadgets to get you through Dry JanuaryWith Christmas and New Year out of the way, we take a look at some of the best gadgets to use for Dry January
With Christmas and New Year out of the way, we take a look at some of the best gadgets to use for Dry January
This pillow flip sleep hack can help you beat Christmas insomnia – and it takes secondsIf you love the cold side of the pillow, you’ll love this quick sleep hack
If you love the cold side of the pillow, you’ll love this quick sleep hack
Therabody SleepMask review: soothing vibrations that send you to sleepTherabody’s new SleepMask promises a good night’s sleep – but does it work?
Therabody’s new SleepMask promises a good night’s sleep – but does it work?
I spent 24 hours with the new Loop Switch 2 earplugs – here’s my honest takeFrom fun to focus to calm…I tried them in every scenario
From fun to focus to calm…I tried them in every scenario
