For those of you who did to take the quiz, if you read on you’ll learn the explanation behind the correct answer, and why you should keep standing behind your adjustable height desk. Click the link in the question to discover the location of the correct answer.

Answer explanations to the adjustable height desk quiz:

1. Which famous writer was known to stand while working, or use a makeshift standing desk?

The great Ernest Hemingway was known for frequently using a standing desk, and was often photographed standing behind one – waiting to create his next masterpiece. He was famously quoted as saying, “Writing and travel broaden your ass if not your mind, and I like to write standing up.” To learn about other writers who made the standing desk famous, click here.

2. Your body burns ___ calorie(s) per minute while sitting down.

One calorie. Yes, that’s correct. Your body burns just one calorie per minute when you’re sitting down – less than chewing a piece of gum. Studies show that your fat burning ability shuts down the minute you take a seat, and if you’ve been sitting all day, you may want to change positions right now.

3. Which review of Xdesk said, “We tested all the major standing desks and the best full-sized standing desk is Terra by Xdesk.”

Xdesk was more than flattered when The Wirecutter named the Terra model the best adjustable height desk on the market. This question was a bit tricky, but could be found in two places: The review page, or the Xdesk blog. We also had to take a moment to boast about an outstanding review.

4. True or False: Xdesk uses pressed wood and solvent-based paints for their desktops.

False! Xdesk takes pride in the fact that they use only the best quality, natural materials. Most desks use pressed wood, laminate and even formaldehyde in their desks. Furthermore, solvent-based paints used in product finishes contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs that can cause watery eyes, asthma and sneezing. Thankfully, Xdesk only uses natural bamboo and recycled aluminum in their standing desks.

5. How many positions does the Xdesk accommodate?

Not only does the Xdesk accommodate 267 positions, but you can set the LED digital display to the perfect position for your height. It also has convex and concave buttons, so you won’t have to stop staring at your computer screen to change positions (unless your eyes need a break).

6. What’s the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust that’s used in every Xdesk?

In case you haven’t noticed, Xdesk is a big fan of aluminum. Not only is it the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust, but recycled aluminum is of equal quality as new aluminum. Xdesk chose to use recycled aluminum for its strength, beauty, and it consumes 95 percent less energy than producing new aluminum. And in the end that means fewer production emissions that harm the environment.

7. True or False: Spending 1-2 hours at the gym per day doesn’t offset the damage done by sitting.

It’s unsettling, but it’s true. Even if you go to the gym before or after work, that cardio workout isn’t doing much good if you’re sitting around all day. Researchers recommend moving as often as possible to preserve health, ideally five to 19 percent of your day.

8. Sitting too much can cause which disease?

Even more unsettling, all of the answers were true. Studies that analyzed obesity, heart disease and diabetes showed that sitting down can cause metabolic syndrome – something more than 47 million adults already have. So start standing to reduce the risk of disease.

9. The Xdesk Terra Pro has a ___ conservative rated lift capacity.

The Xdesk Terra Pro is similar to the Terra, but on steroids. Four 18 volt DC motors and a wider footprint allow for an increased weight capacity of up to 630lbs. That’s a large amount of lift for such a sleek looking desk – but the Terra Pro does it in style.

10. True or False: The Xdesk moves at a volume of 100 db during transition.

False. We’re not saying the Xdesk is perfect, but it’s pretty close to it. Its state-of-the-art microprocessor-controlled lift system is seamless, and moves your desk from the sit to stand positions in a matter of seconds. And even better, it’s ultra-quiet. As in 60 decibels during transition quiet – that’s lower than a telephone dial.

And there you have it – the Standing Desk Quiz explained. If you didn’t get every single answer correct, don’t worry. The Xdesk blog and website is here to guide you through all of your ergonomic workstation needs.

The post Answers to Wednesday’s Standing Desk Quiz appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Or do you?

To test your knowledge of standing desks and adjustable height desks, take the following quiz to see how you measure up. Maybe you’re a standing desk connoisseur, or an adjustable height desk master. You won’t know until after this quiz.

We promise you won’t break into a nervous sweat (unless you’re already on a treadmill desk), and here’s a hint: All of the answers can be found within the Xdesk site. Happy hunting!

How did you do? Let us know in the comment box below! If you already own an adjustable height desk, or are heavily considering one, we hope you got all 10 correct. If not, don’t fret, stick around the Xdesk blog and you’ll be a standing desk master in no time.

Stay tuned for the answer explanations in the next post!

The post Test Your Knowledge of Standing Desks With this Quiz appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Standing desks were used by some of the greatest minds across the ages.

In the last post we told you about the history of the adjustable height desk and some of the brilliant minds who have been known to use them over the years. But the list of historical figures who have used sit to stand desks or standing desks goes far beyond the few people we mentioned. T

We thought we’d delve a little bit deeper into some of those big names who have helped make the adjustable height desk what it is today.

1) Leonardo Da Vinci. Yes, the Leonardo Da Vinci. Not only did this Renaissance man complete some of his most famous paintings standing up at an easel (the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Virgin of the Rocks…), but he also designed some of his most memorable inventions at a standing desk.

It was behind a standing desk that he came up with so many versions of his flying machines, the armored car, and the parachute. It’s almost surprising that he wasn’t the one to come up with the first adjustable height desk; but he certainly got his creative juices flowing while standing behind a standing desk.

2) Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was one of the first men in history to famously use the adjustable height desk. He had a six legged, “tall” desk with a slanted, adjustable desktop. The good that came from this one man—from the Declaration of Independence, to the Louisiana Purchase, to the very invention of the Democratic-Republican system of government—is almost unfathomable. In short, this guy seemed to know what he was doing; and if used an adjustable height desk to come up with ideas, well, that’s reason enough for me!

3) Charles Dickens. “Books all round, up to the ceiling and down to the ground; a standing desk at which he writes; and all manner of comfortable easy chairs.” This was how Charles Dickens wrote in his crowded, cozy study. Can we thank the standing desk for such works as A Christmas Carol and David Copperfield? Well, that might be pushing it. But the standing desk certainly couldn’t have hurt!

4) Winston Churchill. It is widely known that this previous British Prime Minister used a standing desk in his home office. It is also widely known that he lived to be 90 years old—which may as well have been 110, considering the expected lifespan at the time.

His lengthy life certainly wasn’t due to a relaxing job (he was the leader of the U.K. during the second World War, after all), nor was it due to his healthy habits (he was rumored to smoke about 10 cigars a day). So can we chalk his long life up to the standing desk he used so often? Maybe so. We can at least say for sure that he wouldn’t work behind anything else.

5) Ernest Hemingway. “A working habit he has had from the beginning, Hemingway stands when he writes. He stands in a pair of his over-sized loafers on the worn skin of a lesser kudu – the typewriter and the reading board chest-high opposite him.”This description from the Paris Review gives us a glimpse at the working habits of one of our nation’s most celebrated writers.

Hemingway was often photographed proudly behind his standing desk, fingers positioned lightly over his typewriter, just waiting to tap out their next masterpiece. As Hemingway said of the standing desk: “Writing and travel broaden your ass if not your mind; and I like to write standing up.” Here, here.

Leaders and literary geniuses alike have used the standing desk or adjustable height desks throughout history. Today the adjustable height desk seems to be regaining some of that popularity. Chris Spurlock, the infographic designer for The Huffington Post, Anthony DeRosa, from Reuters, and even the entire staff of Men’s Health are just a handful of people using adjustable height desks, like the Xdesk these days.

So take a page out of history and join the ranks of those famous people, past and present, to benefit their health, creativity, and overall energy by using the standing desk or the adjustable height desk.

Can you think of any other famous users of the standing desk? Comment below!

The post The Standing Desk Made Famous appeared first on Xdesk Blog.