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Eat healthy, move more, stress less…each and every day we’re bombarded with messages, subliminal or direct, about the ways to achieve a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Whilst much of the popular advice will of course divide opinion, most will agree that sitting too much is seriously bad for your health. People who sit a lot have an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. In addition, sitting all the time burns very few calories which has been linked to weight gain by scientific studies. This is a major problem for office workers as they sit down for most of the day. Sit stand desks are becoming increasingly popular.

So what is a sit stand desk?

To coin an old phrase, it does exactly what it says on the tin. Essentially it’s a desk that allows you to stand up comfortably whilst working, allowing the user to vary the height of the desk and alternate between sitting and standing.

White papers conclude that using a standing desk can have impressive benefits for health and overall productivity. At the very least, using this type of desk can partly negate the harmful effects of sitting too much.

So, from the team in the know here at Formetiq, we’ve compiled four benefits of using a standing desk.

1. Standing lowers your risk of weight gain.

Weight gain by its very nature is caused by taking in more calories than you burn. While exercise is the most effective way to burn calories efficiently, simply choosing to stand instead of sitting can be hugely beneficial. In fact, when compared to an afternoon of sedentary work, an equal amount of time spent standing has been shown to burn over 170 additional calories…still want that Mars bar?

2. Height adjustable desks reduce back pain.

We’ve all been there, when the clock ticks three o’clock and your back finally screams enough! Indeed, back pain is one of the most common complaints of office workers who sit all day. Whilst there have been many studies on the aforementioned topic, one concluded that its participants reported up to a 32% improvement in lower back pain after several weeks of using standing desks.

3. Standing boosts productivity.

A common concern about sit stand desks is that they hinder daily tasks such as typing. However a recent study well and truly puts that myth to bed – in a study of 60 young office employees, standing for 4 hours each day had no impact on characters typed per minute or typing errors.

4. Sit stand desks improve mood and energy levels.

In a 7-week study, those using sit stand desks reported less stress and fatigue than those who remained seated the entire working day. Additionally, 87% of those using standing desks reported increased energy levels through the day.

Upon returning to their old desks, overall moods reverted to their original levels. These findings align with broader research on sitting and mental health, which links sedentary time with an increased risk of both depression and anxiety.

After a beautiful weekend wondering through the Suffolk countryside, nipping in and out of the cafes that appeared to line our entire route, I’ve arrived back in the office recharged and ready for whatever the forthcoming week holds for me. As I settled down with my morning cup of tea, my email inbox going “ping, ping”, I’m aware that the rain is beating against the window and Monday morning appears to be exactly that… a typical Monday morning.

But as I sit back and relax into my luxurious Formetiq task chair and fine-tune my desk height to reach my optimal position (yes I’m a creature of habit), I wonder how many other people are enjoying the comforts of their workspace… or lack of.

You see, my line of work means that I’m lucky enough to be invited into businesses of all sizes and whilst there are of course exceptions, it never ceases to amaze me the varying quality of our nation’s workspaces.

However, change is in the air.

Sit stand or height adjustable desks are becoming more widespread as consumers and employers recognise the health benefits and become fully aware of the dangers associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Indeed, recent studies have shown that sitting for long periods of the day is a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, sitting in a conventional office chair will increase the vertical loading on the spinal discs by up to 50% compared to a standing posture.

New users of height adjustable desks have recognised a number of benefits:

• Improved circulation helps energy levels and better concentration
• Can assist in reducing back pain caused by static and poor posture
• Achieve the ideal desk height whatever your height may be
• Improvement in productivity and communication

Formetiq is pleased to present a range of sit-stand and height adjustable desks that are the epitome of style and function. Our metaphorical microscope is on the Alto with its 3-column legs, anti-collision detection and desktop height variation from 610mm to 1260mm. With a whole suite of options including Bluetooth, the Alto is a welcome addition to any workspace environment.

You can also speak to a product expert by calling 01502 533433 or by emailing us at sales@formetiq.com

Picture the scene… the end of summer is nigh, those summer nights have been replaced by darkness at 5.30pm, a drizzly haze filling the evening sky and gusty winds that remind you winter is just around the corner. However, it’s not all doom and gloom as its time to raid the wardrobe, rescue that woolly jumper and curl up on the sofa in-front of a roaring fire, binging on those old Friends box-sets.

We’ve all done it, meticulously planning and furnishing our respective living rooms to be the ultimate place of comfort and relaxation…or put another way, our happy place.

So why can’t that same dedication be applied to our workspaces? So that we look forward to going into work, arriving at a workstation that oozes style, sophistication and above all, comfort? Well if you follow our advice, you can.

Sit-stand desks

As the name suggests, a desk that switches between standing and sitting means that you can be active without staying on your feet all day – too much standing could cause leg and foot swelling. Our self-confessed style guru’s recommend that you wear comfy shoes with a low or flat heel and lots of arch support whilst standing on a cushioned mat.

Flexible seating

We’ve all had it, eyestrain and acute back pain at some point or another, often caused by an archaic desk or an office chair that’s reminiscent of something found in the terraces of a football stadium. The key to comfort and increased productivity is a chair that easily glides up and down, so you can position your gaze in relation to your monitor, and contours to your back, improving your overall posture.

We’re more aware than ever about the issues of pollution and sustainability. Many of us have been shocked and moved by the images reported in the mainstream media of fish and sea birds caught up, and in some cases, feeding on plastic bottles and materials.

As business leaders we have an obligation to do our bit, not only for our workforce, but for the worldwide community in which we live. Education is definitely hard at work, we just need to persevere and keep driving it through to ensure a more sustainable approach common practice.

Get the metaphorical ball rolling…

It’s important that you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Afterall you’re aiming for longevity and a change in daily practice, not a one-off headline or sound bite which will soon be forgotten.

Consider first your workspace environment. Are your computers switched on all day and left on standby at night? Research suggests that devices left on standby use ten times more electricity than those that are turned off. Incredibly, people leaving lights and electrical devices on accounts for a massive 50 per cent of your office’s energy consumption. Maybe think twice next time you leave something on?

Let everyone know you’re making a stand

Establish a green policy and make sure it’s circulated internally and externally. Add notes to the bottoms of emails asking recipients to restrict printing out unless strictly necessary. Even simple tasks such as only filling the kettle with as much water as you need can have a considerable impact.

Have you got a refurbishment or fit out around the corner?

As designers and manufacturers of contemporary office furniture and storage, we’re ideally place to advise and factor in the most carbon conscious products through the specifying process. What’s more, our inhouse installation team will do all the hard work so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy your new surroundings.

We live in exciting times, with our work places becoming more vibrant and diverse than ever, both culturally and with a mix of generations. This article explores the attributes and attitudes of each.

“Baby Boomers” – Born 1945 > 1964

I was born during the baby boom after World War 2 when the UK economy was in turmoil. I’m often defined by my spirit, determination and hard work. I have extensive knowledge of the company I work for which is why I hope to have a “job for life”.

I value productivity and hard graft and prefer to collaborate face to face rather than send an email. Because of my general work ethic, my company is assessing ways to keep me and my fellow Baby Boomers in the workplace as my knowledge and skill set are required for survival in today’s challenging environment.

“Generation X” – Born 1965 > 1979

I grew up in a recession, so my parents went to work, often juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. As a result I became known as one of the “latch-key kids”. I am independent and resourceful in both my approach to life and work. I grew up in a world of conspiracy theories which means that generally I’m sceptical and ready to challenge the status quo. As a manager I believe I have earned my private office and like to keep an eye on my team so that I can intervene if needed. As a result I’m not keen on the concept of agile working.

Flexibility and privacy are very important to me and I may look to leave an organisation if this is not available to me.

“Generation Y” – Born 1980 > 1994

It’s the birth of the digital age, and I find everything online and tech related second nature. I have thousands of virtual friends which means I have access to a network and markets that the older generation can only dream of. My parents are from the Baby Boom generation and as a result work very long hours under pressured circumstances. I want a work-life balance that allows me to see the world and take in new experiences.

I’ve worked my way through university, enjoying campus life which means I fully embrace the agile working concept which is why I want my workspace to be the same. I enjoy the café culture and can often be found in Costa on my laptop working away. I see my career as an extension of myself and have adopted a non-traditional ethos of “anywhere and anytime” working. As a result I have lots of different skills and like the idea of regularly changing jobs.

“Generation Z” – Born 1995 > 2009

I’m at school and looking forward to university. Whilst I anticipate I’ll be entering the world of work in the next few years, I want to expand my horizons through education and travel. A consistent topic of conversation continues to be the global recession and austerity, so, with the help of my parents, I’ve become more financially aware. We live in an uncertain world with terrorism and extremism dominating the news headlines, so I’m looking for stability and therefore a job for life.

Im part of the YouTube generation and prefer to use influencers to inform my decisions. I cant imagine life without technology and prefer to be networking around the clock. A fast-paced life and constantly challenging work environment is vital to stop me becoming bored.

The afore mentioned generations require very different working environments in order for them to reach their personal goals and maximise their productivity. If you’re interested in unlocking your workspace potential, why not speak to one of our consultants today?