According to a study entitled "Sick of Sitting,” excessive sitting contributes to obesity, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and several forms of cancer. As a way to counteract the problem, reducing sitting time is advisable.
According to a study entitled "Sick of Sitting,” excessive sitting contributes to obesity, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and several forms of cancer. As a way to counteract the problem, reducing sitting time is advisable.
However, this would also mean converting your work table into a "standing desk," which could be expensive and complicated. Thankfully, there's an easier and more economical way of doing it. Introducing the stand up desk converter, a device that efficiently converts a part of your workstation to a standing desk.
In this article, we'll provide you with a few suggestions for a standing desk converter, and a buying guide to help you choose the right one for you. Let’s get right to it.
As you might have noticed, the prices of stand-up desk converters vary widely. Hence, it's better that you start with a clear budget before checking a single item. If you do it the other way around, you'll likely overspend.
Another important point to raise is to make sure you stick to your pre-defined budget.
The height is arguably the most crucial factor that you need to consider when shopping for a stand-up desk converter. In most cases, a stand-up desk converter will be placed on top of a regular desk. Hence, measuring for the right height will also depend on the desk's height.
Start by standing in front of the desk where you'll be placing the product. Then, raise your forearm until it reaches a 90-degree angle in relation to the upper arm. While staying at this position, you'd want to measure the distance between your hand and the top of the desk to obtain the optimum height. When shopping for a stand-up desk converter, you'd want to make sure that it comes with a height setting that can accommodate that optimum height you just obtained.
Keep in mind that the 90-degree angle is what's considered as optimal. If arms and hands are at a higher angle, then you'll be placing needless weight on the stand-up desk converter. Such a scenario might lead to a collapse of the unit because of the extra weight. If the angle is lower than 90 degrees, then your wrist will be in an awkward and strained position. Staying in such a position will cause discomfort in the short term, and might lead to more serious problems (i.e., tendonitis, arthritis) in the long term.
Another key factor is the device you'll be placing on the stand-up desk converter. In most cases, it will be a laptop or a monitor, keyboard and mouse combo. Typically, stand up desk converter are specially designed to cater one of the two. Of course, some units can cater to both. However, it will likely be more expensive when compared to a unit that specializes in one device type.
The materials used can significantly impact the unit's aesthetics, cost, and longevity. Thus, it's a factor that needs more attention than most people would impart.
The conventional materials used for making a stand-up desk converter are stainless steel, aluminum, wood, and plastic. Most of the time, a couple of material types are combined to produce a single unit.
Below are a few quick points about the primary materials.
Stainless steel - Durable, but can be expensive.
Aluminum - Lightweight, but prone to scratches and dents.
Wood - Very beautiful, but can be costly.
Plastic - Very economical, but not durable.
There are other factors that you may want to consider when purchasing a unit. However, never forget about the key points that are mentioned above as they serve as a foundation for making an intelligent purchasing decision.