When comparing these two options, it’s important to recognise that they are both ultimately seeking to relieve the same, or similar, issues through taking very different approaches. This makes a comparison difficult as many of the benefits of using them are the same, and one individual might prefer to stand for long periods while another opts for a more comfortable chair. Sitting down for too long without any activity has been linked to a myriad of health issues as human beings simply weren’t designed to spend extended periods of time in any one position and a standing desk offers the solution of introducing variance into your routine and reducing your sitting time. An ergonomic chair, conversely, aims to reduce the health risks through design tactics.
The study of ergonomics is the study of how the human body interacts with objects and environments and this can be applied to anything from cooking utensils to workspaces. A chair with an ergonomic design is one which interacts with the human body in such a way as to mitigate the negative effects that come from sitting for extended periods, such as those revealed in a 2019 study which linked sitting to chronic and acute pain in the lower back. When sitting in a chair for an extended period it’s all too easy to fail to maintain a good posture and begin slouching which, over time, becomes more and more detrimental to your physical and mental health. To combat this, an ergonomic chair is designed to support the human body with an adjustable back support, armrests, seat, and height, helping the user maintain good posture while seated.
When using a standing desk, however, posture must still be consciously maintained. Alternating between sitting and standing can still be beneficial to your posture as less time spent sitting can mean less time spent slouching, but unless the user is using the desk correctly by having it at the right height, it can still be easy to slip into a slouching position. A standing desk can be more difficult to adjust and unless done properly any benefits will be minimal. Standing remains a better option than sitting, however, especially when it is introduced slowly with time divided between the two. Even sitting in a comfortable and supported manner results in being sedentary which has related to health issues such as increased blood sugar and poor cardiovascular health. Alternating between periods of standing or sitting for thirty minutes at a time has been linked with reduced levels of blood sugar, as well as increased physical and mental health. This is where a sit stand desk comes in; you can get an adjustable desk that can be used as both a standing and sitting desk.
If used incorrectly, however, a standing desk offers little or no benefits and it is very difficult to use a chair incorrectly. Ergonomic chairs are easily adjustable to match the comfort of any user and are ultimately a cheaper investment. A good quality ergonomic chair can range between £100-£200, with some cheaper and more expensive options available. When looking at a standing desk there are some cheaper options, but prices range from around £180-£400 for a good quality desk with an adjustable height.
If productivity is your main concern, then either a standing desk or ergonomic chair would be a worthwhile investment. The health benefits offered by both options can help to alleviate physical and mental pain, resulting in a higher output of work. On top of this, ergonomic designs are intended to make a workspace more efficient and engaging, removing the barriers to being productive in the first place. Much of the research around ergonomic chairs is centred around the physical benefits but in a study students were more productive when placed in an ergonomically designed environment.
Ultimately, a perfect world would see you making use of both an adjustable standing desk and an ergonomic chair. While sitting you would be able to ensure you are correctly supported with a good posture and having the option to alternate between sitting and standing means you won’t suffer the negative effects of being stationary for too long. Unfortunately, our world is not often perfect. A standing desk and ergonomic chair both offer a range of benefits that might result in one being better for you than other, but if it’s within your price range a standing desk might be the better option. For all its benefits, an ergonomic chair does little to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting and might even increase it if it’s comfortable enough. An ergonomic chair is definitely still a worthwhile investment though, especially if you’re operating on more of a budget, or if standing for long periods of time is not an option for you. They are simply different ways of tackling the same problem. Getting the correct desk and chair set is crucial!