The infographic does reiterate the negative health effects of sitting, like how good cholesterol drops by 20% the moment you sit down. And it brings to light statistics, like a study in 2012 that showed by reducing “excessive sitting” to less than three hours a day, life expectancy in the U.S. could increase by two years.

But the infographic also offers solutions to the harmful effects of sitting, and supplies an informative picture of how to stand behind an adjustable height desk, and even how to sit while you’re working or reading for better ergonomics.

[Via Visual.ly]

In this helpful infographic you’ll find plenty of stats and advice for using a standing desk. For more help about how to stand and sit at your standing desk look here. And for the “finest standing desk available today” (via Digital Trends), see the Xdesk standing desk.

The post Sitting vs. Standing: Standing Desk Stats appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Is the study saying that sitting for long periods of time isn’t dangerous?

No. At the very top of the study, the second sentence, it states, “Long periods of sitting increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, and overall mortality.” That is stated as a fact with studies cited and it is never called into question.

What is the study actually saying?

NPR explains it here with Lucas Carr, a professor of behavioral medicine at the University of Iowa:

“Carr says the finding of the Cochrane review doesn’t mean that standing desks and variations are useless. It just means there hasn’t been enough study of the desks to say either way. “The state of the science is definitely early,” he says. “There needs to be longer studies with more people to get a good sense these desks actually cause people to stand.”

They are stating that there need to be more studies. To make the findings stronger, they need to be long term, have a larger sample size, be better designed, and they need to show that having a standing desk results in people standing more often. Here is a quote from the article itself.

“…there is very low quality evidence that sit-stand desks can reduce sitting at work at the short term… We need research to assess the effectiveness of different types of interventions for decreasing sitting at workplaces in the long term.”

Standing desks can’t make people do anything. They can’t make you stand. Whether you stand or not is up to you. Just like a gym membership, a workout program, or anything else: just buying it doesn’t make you use it.

One of the features we designed at Xdesk is called Pulse, which is software that reminds you to stand up. That’s about as much as we can do to help you stay on track with your standing goals. The rest is up to you.

Does this cancel out all of the studies about the dangers of sitting?

There are plenty of long-term studies with evidence detailing the dangers of sitting for long periods of time. And one study claiming that they need more data showing that “sit-stand desks can reduce sitting time at work” does not negate all of the studies and science that show how bad sitting is.

All it means is that people who get standing desks need to use them. Their experiences can help support the findings that standing desks are beneficial to your health. And just because there needs to be longer studies, doesn’t mean you should give up and sit for eight hours a day.

But you sell standing desks, so of course you would say this.

Sure, we are biased. We sell standing desks because we believe in them. But don’t just take our word for it.

Listen to the Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society, Harvard Medical School, Smithsonian and even the Huffington Post who wrote again, and again, and again and again about the dangers of sitting. They even wrote that the standing desk, “is a step forward” and that “it’s an easy way to reverse the amount of time sitting each day.”

This may seem confusing since their recent article is titled “Experts Say Your Standing Desk is Basically Useless.” Carr already explained that the “Cochrane review doesn’t mean that standing desks and variations are useless.” There just needs to be better, longer studies.

If you read to the end of the Huffington Post article in question, you’ll see plenty of opinions in favor of standing desks. Some talk about how much standing desks have helped them, and some express that the writing is “inaccurate click-bait,” “bad journalism,” “disingenuous,” and “it’s the same as saying exercise equipment is useless because people don’t use it enough.” But read the study for yourself and make your own opinion.

Bottom Line

Look out for more detailed, longer studies about standing desks in the future. This is an important topic, and now that the world has seen a need, there are sure to be plenty of researchers and scientists to fill it. But be aware, one of the issues is that the studies need to be longer, so it may be a while before these new standing desk studies come out.

In the mean time, don’t give up (and especially don’t give in to click bait). Read the study for yourself, get the facts, and make up your own mind. And if you have a standing desk, use it.

If you don’t have a standing desk, don’t be scared away because someone said “You’ll just sit down anyway so it won’t make a difference.” You are in charge you. You know the dangers of sitting, and if you want to help yourself, you’ll use your standing desk and sit less.

That’s a fact.

The post Standing Desks Cut Down On Sitting If You Use Them appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Schools that were once the obvious place to “sit still and listen” are now becoming “stand up and engage.”

The Science Behind Student Standing Desks

In a recent blog post, we talked about how student standing desks are making a difference in not just the classroom. Teachers noticed that their students were paying more attention, able to focus better, and had improved posture. The parents noticed that their children even slept better after a day of school at their student standing desk. And the scientists in a study noticed that when the children worked at a student standing desk, they burned 17% more calories than the ones who sat.

In another blog post, we found studies that explained just how much focus and fat burning can come from student standing desks. In one program, they noted that when children worked at student standing desks, they were able to stay on task 12% better. That equated to about seven extra minutes of productivity than they would have while sitting. And another study showcased that student standing desks helped kids burn 300 more calories per week while their overweight peers burned 575 more calories per week than if they had been sitting.

Most recently, we found a study that credits student standing desks with 7-14% higher neurocognitive test scores. They even noted an increase in activity in their left prefrontal cortex while the students were standing!

As more and more studies continue to come out regarding the benefits of student standing desks, this list of standing desk benefits will only grow. Until standing desks are in your child’s school, they can always do their homework at a standing desk. One of the most convenient features of a Xdesk standing desk is that it is height adjustable. With just the press of a button, the desk electronically lifts to just the right height for both standing and sitting. And if you have a Xdesk standing desk in your home, everyone in the family can enjoy it. Set the programmable height options to each person’s standing desk height, and when someone else needs to use the standing desk, their correct ergonomic height is just a button push away.

See all of the different standing desk styles Xdesk has to offer, and with 267 different height options, you are sure to find the right standing desk that fits the whole family.

The post Student Standing Desk Facts appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Save the desks

If you already have a desk that you love, you don’t need to replace it. Having a Xdesk CrossOver standing desk converter means you can place this on top of your existing desk. Plus if you are in a cubicle with a built in unit as opposed to a desk, the CrossOver should fit on your writing surface. The CrossOver can go where a standing desk cannot, which means almost any area can become a standing desk.

Stretch that dollar

A standing desk converter like the Xdesk CrossOver is a more affordable option than most power standing desks. Starting at the $399 price point, you can make the most of your budget.

Electric adjustments

Unlike other standing desk converters, the Xdesk CrossOver is the world’s first power height adjustable model. Without hand cranks, scissor lifts or hand clamps, the push-button technology gives you the kind of convenience you didn’t think was possible with a tabletop standing desk.

You Still Get Proper Ergonomics

Unlike pop-up standing desks or DIY standing desks, the CrossOver standing desk converter gives you the right ergonomic heights, specific to you. With the press of a button, your CrossOver we reach the right keyboard height for your arms and the monitor will be at the correct eye level so your back and neck will stay in the right alignment. To see the correct way to stand at a standing desk, read this blog post. See just what makes the Xdesk CrossOver the answer to your standing-desk needs. For convenience, affordability, and comfort, the Xdesk CrossOver is the first (and only) electronic, height adjustable standing desk converter.

The post Pros Of A Standing Desk Converter appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

1. Green drinks that aren’t beer: I know this one might sound cruel, but if you are looking for a delicious green smoothie, we’ve got you covered. Thanks to Today, you can sample a “Kiss me, I’m Irish” Kale Smoothie. The recipe isn’t too complicated and with kale, almond milk, banana, mango, pineapple and ginger, you’re taste buds are sure to be doing a healthy jig.

2. Run with the leprechauns: Holidays are always a fun time to join other health-minded people and enjoy a race. Check out Running in the USA for a list of all of the Saint Patrick’s Day themed races across the country. From the Chase a Leprechaun 5K to the Shamrock Shake Up Indoor Triathlon, there are so many different races (and styles of races to choose from). Keep this website in mind, or keep your ear to the ground for local events in the future, that can have you working out on all of your favorite holidays.

3. Go to a festival: Enjoying an outdoor festival is a great way to get some movement, excitement, and even some great food. For example, if you are local to Xdesk (Austin area) you could attend the family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day festival. With plenty to do and see, you are sure to be burning off plenty of calories just from walking around.

4. It is easy eating green: Start your day off right with some Matcha Green Tea Coconut Pancakes or Green Pancakes made with greek yogurt, cottage cheese and swiss chard.  Both of these recipes are listed at the Greatist with many other delicious and nutritious-looking snacks and meals. Check them all out for a meal that may be healthier than a loaded stew or a heaping helping of Shepherd’s Pie.

5. Enjoy the Irish dancing: Whether you are going to a festival that has dancing or you are partying at home, dancing is a fun and easy way to burn off calories and get a workout without realizing it. At festivals, you could run into clogging or Irish step dancing. And at home, a quick YouTube search will have you tapping along with the best of them. Also, if you are working today, having a standing desk like Xdesk could keep you jigging while you type. Just press a button and your height adjustable desk could lift up giving you plenty of room to type and dance on your tip-toes. 

If you can think of more healthy, fun Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, leave a comment below. And remember, everyone is Irish today!

The post Happy, Healthy Saint Patrick’s Day! appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Appfluence recently took a look at the latest technology to help entrepreneurs, and the Xdesk standing desk made the cut.

They explained that entrepreneurs are always looking for a faster, better way to do things. They are even expected to spend over 19 billion dollars by 2018 on wearable tech alone. They recognize the importance of saving time, and they are willing to spend the money if the investment is smart enough. Enter the Xdesk.

In the same list are fantastic tech achievements like a smart wallet, a “smart lock,” a pocket printer, and a smart pen. With so many high-tech achievements, it was a proud moment to see the Xdesk standing desk holding its own. The only standing desk, and desk for that matter, on the list is the Xdesk adjustable-height desk. It surpassed the standing desk competition for being a “sensible buy for entrepreneurs who work on various kinds of projects.”

They stressed that the Xdesk standing desk is great because of its ergonomic benefits as well as serving as an, “all purpose work space.” By alternating between sitting a standing, you can achieve boosts in your energy, productivity, creativity, and even your health. Any entrepreneur will tell you that to enjoy all of those benefits all while doing your work (essentially multitasking) is no brainer.

You can read the entire list here, and you can check out all of the beautiful Xdesk standing desk designs here. With thousands upon thousands of different standing desk configurations, you are sure to find the right style for your entrepreneurial office.

The post “The Best Tech” Xdesk Standing Desk appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

1. Reduced risk of obesity
2. Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
3. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
4. Reduced risk of cancer
5. Lower-long term mortality risk

And besides the physical benefits of a standing desk, there are plenty of mental health benefits that may appeal to someone who is studying in a library:

1. Increased Focus: A study on student standing desks found that children were able to stay on task 12% better when they worked at a standing desk.

2. Increased Productivity: In the same study, they explained that the extra focus resulted in about 7 extra minutes of productive work than if the subjects had been sitting. When you are studying, you know that every minute counts.

3. Higher Test Scores:  One recent study even credits student standing desks with 7-14% higher neurocognitive test scores. By hooking the participants up to a  brain imaging device, the scientists were able to note an increase in activity in the left prefrontal cortex. Talk about a brain boost.

And to anyone who is studying, researching, or working on their law degree all of these mental boosts are a welcome help. I remember just how crowded my college library was before final exams or the week before term papers were due. Every advantage you could get was welcome, and there are plenty of physical and mental benefits from standing desks. And with more and more schools transitioning to standing desks, it’s only a matter of time before libraries follow their lead and adopt standing desks as well. Until standing desks are in your local library, you can always enjoy the improved mental capabilities at your own standing desk. Take a look at the Xdesk standing desk options to see which style would make your office look the most studious. And when you are setting up your standing desk, we sure to adjust it to be the ergonomically correct height, because long hours of studying in the wrong posture could leave you sore, achy, and more focused on your pain than your upcoming exam.

The post Mental Boosts! Standing Desks In Libraries appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

 How You Might Know Digital Trends

It’s the online source for tech news, and it’s the latest guide to gadgets that make an impact on the way we live. So it’s no wonder that they were drawn to the Xdesk Terra standing desk.

How Did The Standing Desk Competitors Stack Up?

This review is especially helpful because not only did they review the Xdesk Terra standing desk, but they have also previously reviewed it’s standing desk competitors (in their own separate reviews). And who came out on top? The Xdesk Terra standing desk had the highest scores out of all of the other standing desks they reviewed including the Rebel Up 2000, UPLIFT, and Jarvis. Their rating ranged from  6 -8 out of 10 and 3 -4 stars out of 5. Both stats were eclipsed by the Xdesk Terra standing desk review which topped the standing desk charts at 9 out of 10 and 4.5 stars out of 5.

If you want to know the difference in the numbers, Digital Trends gets in depth about their standing desk rating system.

4.5 stars means the standing desk is “amazing.”

“Outstanding in every way, has no major drawbacks, and is at the top of its category.”

They also handed the Xdesk Terra standing desk an award that none of the other standing desks received. While some of them got the “Recommended Product” sticker, which they described as “…not our absolute favorites…” none but the Xdesk standing desk got the Editor’s Choice seal of approval reserved for “the best of the best.”

“These are the standouts, and made a mark on our reviewers and editors.”

This award isn’t just a fluff sticker. This means a lot and it is in high demand, but only one standing desk has the honors: Xdesk Terra standing desk.

If you want to settle, there are plenty of standing desks to choose from, but if you want “the best of the best,” rest assured that “Xdesk’s Terra is the finest standing desk available today.”

Honestly there are too many great quotes from the Digital Trends article, that to fit all of the praise in this blog post we would need to copy+paste so much that you might as well read their Xdesk Terra standing desk review.

As a teaser, they pointed out that the “fastest rising desk on the market” is also their “favorite high-tech desk.”

The post Review: “The Finest Standing Desk” appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

In a year-long pilot program Ranjana Mehta of the Texas A&M School of Public Health studied to see how much of an impact standing desks would have of high-school freshmen. The results were very encouraging.

As Ars Technica explains, “Using a standing desk generally improved the kids’ neurocognitive test scores by seven to 14 percent.”

The study included 27 freshmen over the course of a school year. At the beginning and end of the school year students were given five tests that focused on reasoning, quick decision making, cognitive strategies, cognitive flexibility and memory. Amazingly, they even attached the students to a brain imaging device to watch their brain activity.

And while the tests showed that their scores went up, it also proved (thanks to the imaging) that there was an increase in activity in their left prefrontal cortex- the part of the brain that deals with executive functions and memory.

For schools, this number could be huge. Swapping out old school desks with student standing desks could bring higher test scores which could also bring higher ratings for the schools. And for you, that could mean better choices at work, better ideas about your projects, who knows. Thankfully adults don’t have to worry about tests that often, but thinking and reasoning are always going to affect our job and your performance.

You can read the full study here and you can see how your own standing desk could improve your neurocognitive abilities at Xdesk  standing desks.

The post Higher Scores With Standing Desks appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Is Excessive Sitting Connected To An Increased Risk Of Cancer?

In a 2011 study, epidemiologist Christine Friedenreich linked 173,000 cases of cancer a year to excessive sitting. Published in Scientific American, Friedenreich spoke at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) conference and detailed that inactivity can be connected with:

• 49,000 cases of breast cancer
• 43,000 cases of colon cancer
• 37,200 cases of lung cancer
• 30,600 cases of prostate cancer
• 12,000 cases of endometrial cancer
• 1,800 cases of ovarian cancer

And these numbers are shockingly per year.

The great news is that Neville Owen, another presenter at the event stated that taking one to two minute breaks while sitting can have huge effects. He explained that interrupting periods of sitting with these bouts of light activity can decrease the levels of molecules in your body that are connected with an increased risk of cancer.

And a standing desk is an incredibly easy way to stand up without interrupting your entire work flow. Small breaks can be tricky with a regular desk because you have to stop your work. But with a height adjustable Xdesk standing desk, you can just press a button and easily transition between sitting and standing.

Whether you are looking to bring a new level of sophistication to your office or if you are interested in as many health perks as possible, Xdesk standing desks are designed with thousands of different configurations for your just right, dream desk.

The post Cancer From Too Much Sitting? appeared first on Xdesk Blog.