Day after day, we go into work (or home office) and sit at our desks for 8 hours or more. Many of us also sit in our cars driving to and from work each day, and then plop ourselves onto the couch after a stressful day behind our desks.
Yet many of us don’t realise the negative impact that continuously sitting for extended periods can have on our bodies. This is why we (the whole Fitness Mag crew) decided it’s time we give one of SA’s most innovative products in this space a trail, the DeskStand.
I received a DeskStand early Feb, and followed their guided 2 week stand program to get me into it. It’s not advised to just unpack and assume that you can stand a full day once you’ve received your DeskStand. Like anything new, you have to work your way into it. The DeskStand comes with a 2 week program to help transition you into standing more. The program recommends that in the first week, for the first two days you only stand for 1 hour and then for 2 hours the following three days. In your second week, for the first two days the program suggests standing for 3 hours, followed by 4 hours for the last three days of the week. The program allows you to ease into standing more, allowing your body to adjust.
A noteworthy improvement over this period was my lower back pain since I started using it. It has also helped me move more during the day, while making me more aware of my posture.
Why a sedentary lifestyle can be life-threatening
Living a predominantly sedentary lifestyle can actually be dangerous for your health. Chronic inactivity heightens your risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. You’re also more likely to be overweight if you sit too much.
In fact, sitting is the most damaging way to spend our time. It can affect your body in the following ways:
- Weakens leg and gluteal muscles, which will eventually start to waste away without an intervention. These muscles are important for stabilising your body when you stand, walk and run. When they are weak, you increase your risk of falling or suffering other lower-extremity injuries.
- Sitting shortens your hip flexors and stretches your gluteal muscles, which can result in a strength imbalance in your hips. This usually presents as an anterior pelvic tilt, which can cause lower back pain or compromise movement efficiency.
- Sitting for too long can compromise your digestion. The seated position can compress your intestines, which slows transit time and makes the entire digestion process less efficient. This can cause digestive discomfort, or may cause you to retain more fats and sugars.
- Continuously sitting for long periods throughout the day without adequate core strength and engagement can lead to poor posture. Over time, this can compromise spinal health and cause issues such as vertebral disc compression, which could lead to premature degeneration.
Outstanding solution
A far more anatomically and biomechanically correct position is standing. Humans are designed to live and move with an upright posture. Everything works more effectively when we do!
From our cardiovascular system to our bowel functions, standing more makes it easier for our body to function optimally.
But how exactly do you stand more during working hours? Enter DeskStand, an acclaimed innovation in standing desks. These sustainably-conscious products are designed for every active lifestyle and helps to promote a healthy posture.
DeskStand products offer a healthy balance between sitting and standing while working. The JUMBO DeskStand is also the most affordable high-quality standing desk.
How can I improve my posture when standing?
- Stand up straight and tall
- Keep your shoulders back
- Pull your stomach in, and engage your core
- Put most of your weight on the balls of your feet
- Keep your head level
- Keep your feet around shoulder-width apart
Home-grown innovation
DeskStand was founded in 2015 by Capetonian and industrial product designer, Ryan Roberts. It was launched at that year’s Design Indaba and won a runners-up award.
Ryan developed this height-adjustable standing desk for medical reasons – he suffered from lower back pain following years spent sitting doing design work for over 10 hours a day.
DeskStand allowed him to work either sitting or standing. Ryan immediately recognised a need in the local and global market for an ergonomic sit/stand desk. So finalised the first prototype and registered the patent before bringing the DeskStand to market.
The DeskStand concept went on to win 1st place in the prestigious PERA Awards in the Emerging Business Category in the Western Cape.
For more info on DeskStand click here, or to get your hands on one click here.
Author: Logan Leigh Rix
Logan blends her passion and profession by working as a digital and social media marketer and content creator in the fitness, health and wellness industry. She’s also a personal trainer, former Face of Fitness finalist and Fitness Magazine featured athlete.
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