Are Standing Desks Overrated? - My 1 Year Experience 

This is how all RU-vid videos should be -- dense with information and helpful advice, rather than filling it out with fluff. Thanks for this!

One benefit of standing desks is that they allow you to customize the height while sitting. I find that most desks/tables are not the right height for me while sitting. My standing desk lets me set it precisely to the sitting height that suits me.

4 years later and yet tremendously helpful. Thank you for the effort that went into producing this video. It was very well thought out and concise.

I've been using a standing desk for the past 6 months (hand cranked) and it is one of the best, health, investments ever! I am retired and, probably, twice David's age, and have suffered from intermittent lower back problems for at least 10 years now. I have spent for too much time sitting during the past 15 years or so, and that has definitely contributed to my reoccurring back pain. Have tried some of the expensive office chairs but they all involve 'sitting' - and therein lies the problem! I stand during the day and crank the desk down early evening - office hours :) Since buying the desk, I have not experienced any back issues - and it is so much easier to walk away from the desk and stretch my legs and get other things done. I also like that when cranked down, the desk height can be set to just the right height whereas my old desk was never really at the right height. I wish I had thought of this ten years sooner. It won't suit everyone but most people ought to give it serious consideration. Mine was purchased used from a dealer who sells surplus and used office furniture here in the UK.

Wow you put the TL:DR in the first 20s of your vid? You're awesome man.

I just love walking right up to my desk in the morning (working from home) and getting started. I have a lot of back-and-forth tasks early on, and it somehow helps my energy and focus to be able to just walk away, let the dog in or out for the 900th time, and walk right back to my work. I generally work standing until I'm uncomfortable. Then I lower the desk until the end of the day. I like to end the day standing, normally, which also leaves the desk ready to go for the next day. I know the whole standing desk is a gimmick for most, but I'd never go back. Even just having the option to rase the desk a few inches to adjust to your current posture, or a new chair, is great.

Definitely deserve more subs! This video is well paced and has great video/audio quality! Lots of useful information and no droning on about useless/unimportant information! Great job!

Been working from home for about 5 years now. I've had 2 standing desks in that time. One was a desk that you could place over your current desk that lifted your keyboard and monitor up, and the other one was a smart desk from autonomous that had the buttons and presets that lifted the entire desktop. They were pretty cool and it helped me out a lot, but over time I quit using the stand mode because of how wobbly it became. Over time, my sit-stand desk became just a gimmick to show off when I had company over lol. Now I use a regular desk that feels comfortable for me and I often get up and walk around the house to get the "health benefit" and it also lets me get away from my work to give my mind a break which has honestly made it much easier to keep focused on my work. Great video though! In the current youtube world of keeping people on a video long enough to profit, I find that your videos are really informative right away.

Thanks for your honest input! I have a motorized standing desk at work, which has basically spoiled me, so now I find it difficult to work from home without the option to stand. I'm currently in the process of converting my home desk to sit/stand. But I definitely have to agree with all of the pros, cons, and general comments you made. I would still choose it again if given the choice. Your videos are so helpful, thanks again!

Great review. When I started out working as a draftsman in the early 1980's we all worked on drawing boards that you could easily raise and lower in seconds. there was a foot pedal that you would step on and that would release a brake that held the table at whatever height you set it at. The only thing you had to be careful of was that the table was biased to raise under spring pressure so you had to make sure you applied some downward pressure to balance out the upward force. It was actually quite easy to raise and lower the board and I would alternate sitting and standing throughout the day. Perhaps if someone wished to explore this type of setup they might be able to find one of these drawing boards for sale out there and modify it to serve as a computer worktable. You would have to lock the table into the horizontal position because they all tilted. You wouldn't want to tilt it accidently and dump your PC and monitor onto your lap.

David, you addressed all of our concerns for a stand/sit desk in one short , well spoken video. We look forward to watching more of your reviews if you should post any. Thank You for sharing!

You are so succinct! I love the conclusions right at the beginning... and I watched the whole video to see what your thoughts are because I can see you are already thoughtful on delivery of key information.

Great video, I’ve been a user of standing desks for over 6 years and it’s definitely one of my best investments!! ✌🏾

Excellent video! I agree on all points. I bought an IKEA manual sit/stand desk, because I had read reviews indicating the IKEA electric version is unreliable. My manual desk has been very sturdy (no wobbling even in the "standing" position), but I raise and lower the desk much less often than I would had I bought the electric version. One thing I haven't seen in any of the reviews (including yours) is how convenient it is to raise the desk when you are working on your computer or printer down below. I raise mine whenever I clean the dust filters. Also, for anyone with "well-fed" cats that like to jump on your desk, you may want to think twice about getting a sit/stand. Once again, great job on the video!

Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video! Hugely helpful!

Just subscribed because that was one of the best reviews I’ve come across in a while ! Keep up the good work !! 👌🏼

I feel like there is a lot of health benefits to standing vs simply having a good chair and its mainly due to leg muscles & blood flow. But the best idea is to switch between them often as either too much sitting or too much standing has its own disadvantages. An anti-fatigue mat also relieves the pressure from long periods of standing so that's another health benefit. Combine all 3 of those and your body will feel a lot better and less stiff over the next few months.

Your channel, videos and setup - all are pretty clean and satisfying. 🙂

Your advice is so relatable! And therefore actually helpful. I've been shopping for a desk for a while and I've finally decided to go for it, you really helped me a LOT. :) Thank you!

One of the only actually great standing desk videos on RU-vid. Lots of things I hadn't thought through all the way, the Ikea countertop idea is brilliant too.

Damn. This was super well done: informative, concise, speaks to the concerns I actually have without highlighting features that ultimately don't matter. Good job, sir.

I'm so happy to see your channel growing 😊

Even after 4 years, this video was incredible. I'm planning on buying my own desk like yours in a couple of months and this is the one. Thanks for your honest review.

I really like the stair stacked pics on your wall! Very informative, thank you!

I LOVE this Jarvis desk! I've been working in IT for 30 years and working from home for about 20. I've had a LOT of different styles and brands of desks. This has to be my favorite. It came packed extremely well... and it's HEAVY!!! I LOVE the bamboo look and the alloy frame I chose. I recently decided to go standup in my new apartment and splurged on this desk

The manual desks are cool. I cut the handle off and tighten my drill over it. Raises in less than 10 seconds.

oh man, finally a quality review of standing desk experience. Really good. Thanks!

This was a really helpful and informative video! Thank you for the no-nonsense approach

Does this opinion still stand? _Ba dum tss_

Nice review. I was recommended to get one from back problems from sitting too much and studying. I am also a kinesthetic learner so standing will allow me to move more to help me retain what I'm studying. But thanks for the review.

Thinking about to get one recently. Thank you for the review and the comments in below also help me to make the decision too. Thank you all.

I never leave comments, but this was the most precise informative video about a product I've ever seen. You considered every variation or issue. Thanks

Those are all some very very good points! I really appreciate this video presentation... shopping around for the right desk!

Thanks for the very quick summary, It gives me a good idea of your thoughts but I stayed for the video since I wanted to know more.

Really instructive and well done video. Perfecttion. Congrats!

Thank you. This video was packed with useful information; the opinions presented seemed reasonable and thoughtful; the length of time was just right; the look and sound were appealing. This is a good service to other people seeking such information.

Great video, thank you for all the tips and research that you've done. I have to say if you are finding a desk too tall sitting when you are 5 foot 7 then I might just skip the idea entirely at 5'2" !

I've personally used three different kind of standing desks, and while the $2000+USD electric desk I used was nice, and certainly better then the slow crankers, I significantly prefer the table top risers. They're actually the quickest to change position of the 3, can fit in any space, can be used with a desk I already like, can move easily should you need to switch desks, and in many cases they actually increase your desk real-estate with multiple levels. They're also something like 2000% cheaper then the electric desk, which honestly is their biggest advantage over the electric ones, but even if they cost the same I think I might still like my table top riser better. Anyway, to each their own, great video.

Also really loved the tip on the shoes instead of the mat. I use to have a stand up desk at work and the mat was helpful for leg fatigue, however it was realllly annoying having to always move it. So I love the idea of the sandals instead.

Great video! My experience with standing desks has been awesome so far. I got back pain from long desk hours and I bought FlexiSpot desk a while ago, it is definitely helping me a lot.

Dude i have back problem, and i can tell you standing while working helps!

Impressive video; to the point; great details, pragmatic; thanks dude!!

First time watching your video. Nice info, not boring and too much info that helps your viewers esp those who’s looking for this kind of stuff. Thanks.

Such a useful video! Thank you for combining information with your experience. It helped me a lot with deciding what type/height I probably need.

why nobody tries laying in bed setup.

I built the exact same desk setup as yours after seeing your video months ago. Best investment I ever made. The IKEA walnut tabletop is beautiful, and very spacious. The sit to stand legs are perfect also. I've offered to build the same setup for a few of my friends who loved it when they saw it. Only took me about 1 hour total once I had everything.

This is the most helpful advice I have received in weeks of deciding whether to get a standing desk and what to consider.

Great video, was looking into standing desks!

I've never used a standing desk but I could see the benefit of being able to occasionally stand. Its kinda like taking a long pane ride, you get tired of sitting down for hours at a time. Once you land and get to you destination, everyone is like have a seat, you're like, no thanks, I've been sitting for hours. So a standing desk is seems like the best of both worlds.

I'm glad you addressed the minimum height. I'm nearly 6ft, and would need a 25 to 26" desk for proper posture. The standard 30 to 31" non-adjustable desks are outrageous!

excellent video David..thanks for sharing! Covers many points to consider.

Love the practical advice. Very helpful. Thank you for this information!

I have the same standing desk. The benefit of being able to micro adjust the height for things like typing VS using a drawing tablet can't be overstated. I'd get one even if I wasn't going to use it for standing.

The key is height adjustability. Most fixed desks are designed at a height (typically 29”H) that are only ergonomic for a small percentage of people’s heights, so it’s often too low for most people. For example, before I had my height adjustable desk, I was adjusting my task chair so that my elbows were bent at 90 degrees (as recommended), but that meant my chair was too high off the ground so only my tip toes were touching the ground (not at all ergonomic). Yes, height adjustable tables (standing desks) were designed for folks to take a break from sitting for so long, but they were also designed to accommodate the broadly varying body types of most workers. Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m a certified commercial interior designer and some of my clients often want to forgo height adjustable desks to save money. They’ll claim that their employees wouldn’t ever stand while doing their work, but that’s not the sole purpose of height adjustable tables so it’s a bummer when they can’t see the additional benefits.

David, thank you very much, this was the perfect size between cold hearted analysis and a bit of "personal opinion", showing ans saying exactly what I needed ... So Congratulations!! Made me also have a look at other videos from you ...

I definitely need one for my next office set up, as long as it can adjust. Like you explained, both are very beneficial. Well done and well said!

I'm developer and working 9-12 hour sitting, 3 year ago started venous insufficiency, and my leg color turn purple, im still sitting work 1 year ago, clot(DVT, EMBOLİSM) broke and came to my lungs(Pulmoner Embolism), and I almost died, That doesn't matter, if you are sitting or standing, you dont move 1 or more hour, your blood coagulation slow and that risk.

Excellent video as always, so thank you for it... Maybe I missed it, but can you please tell me which desktop/tabletop you got from Ikea? I really like the color but want to make sure that the dimensions are all correct. Thanks!

I like how you nail every possible outcome

Excellent video! I just bought the legs and the countertop and it’s working really well. Thank you

I'm considering getting one of these. Two questions if you don't mind: 1) How wide is the desk in this video? 2) In your experience, does a larger desk (top) cause more wobble?

You know this review is brutally honest when the host leaves his tissue box on the table.

Thanks David for the very clear and helpful video. Has helped a lot. Ciao!

Great video, I’ve literally just assembled the Jarvis legs by fully and waiting for my custom desktop to be delivered, so having fun watching an empty frame go up and down 😀 However those cables you’ve got dangling loose were giving me palpitations 😂

What type of monitor are you using in this video?

what is that feet roll thing? I always looked for something I can get my feet on (other than my wall and leaving dirt over time)

Precisely the information I was looking for! Thanks!!

Best video on the subject I´ve seen so far. Big thanks!

Honestly I've never thought I'd need a standing desk, but it was SO AMAZING to use it at my office for a previous job - LOVED it, and I found myself really missing it and wanting/NEEDING one at my next office/job. It's especially great when you're trying to work after coming back from lunch. Either from a full stomach, or just the food coma around 130-230PM. Helps me so much in not feeling too bloated and/or focus better. Or just not the best office chair or having sat for too long over too many days - if you don't have much time being active outside of work. Standing up around 3-430PM. I would usually stand for 40min-1hr (1hr or 1hr+ in office, so it doesn't seem like I'm using the standing desk for fun lol, but its not tiring at all, in fact I enjoy it, just shift my weight between each leg every now & then, and feel much more refreshed with my blood flowing when I sit down after that) Can't imagine using one at home though, having things on my table - unless its a separate office desk and you work from home most of the time, then if you can invest, I can bet it'll be put to great use - even more than in office since you can get restless at home

That note about buying the legs separately just saved me hundreds

Very useful, lot of good points that I havent considered before. Made my desk choosing process much more easier, now I know exactly what to look for. Thank you very much!

Thanks David, the video was really helpful and very well done.

0:28 When you go from CS:Go to DJ Zhang

When I stand at my standing desk, I jog in place over the course of the day for just about any reason...waiting for Word to load, waiting for the portal to open, during conference calls, and waiting for blah blah blah. The result, when I stand, by the end of the day I have typically between 5k to 7k steps already mashed out. When I sit all day, I am lucky to hit 1k. I think the key is to remember any "non-activity" sitting or standing is likely not beneficial. Keeping your blood flowing and body moving is obviously optimal. Prior to getting a standing desk, I was pushing towards 220 at 5"10 and my blood work was in the pre-diabetic range and my cholesterol had started eeking up significantly year on year. I was also gaining about 5 to 8 pounds a year and had awful back pain. Post getting a standing desk, all numbers have been creeping down without drastic changes in my lifestyle or diet. For me the proof is in the pudding, standing up daily and staying on the low to moderate activity scale has made a significant difference. It's said that you burn 45 more calories an hour standing vs. sitting which is supposedly the equivalent calorie burn of running 10 marathons in a year (remember, that is not the same as saying "it's like running 10 marathons a year"). If true, that's over 16k extra calories burned in a year. If anything, that should help with trying to slow the gain we experience as we get older.

Great video David. Very helpful and good pros and cons. Thx.

Exquisite review mate! I’ve been looking at getting a standing desk for the longest of time but when you said that you sat 80% of the time that just told me I need to spend more time doing other things in my life than sitting at my desk,thank you! I have the Herman Miller Embody and Aeron chairs & i still get figity.. cheers

dude wtf that has to have been the best review iv ever watched

I've had one for a while. I works. Less distractions & I stay awake.

Watching this was informative, complete with details on what to expect on your purchase.

Excellent video, David!

I have a tall office chair/foot rest and a fixed standing height desk at work and i definitely don’t want to go back to a sitting desk. Having the option to stand is very nice although I would agree 80% of the time I do choose to sit.

Standing desk health benefits are debatable? Umm no... Sitting all day simply is not good for your body. It tightens your hip flexors and weakens your glute muscles over time. Granted having excellent posture, vs. Slouching makes a huge difference.

Thanks David! Good practical advice.

Thank you for uploading a useful video! Until now, when I used a computer for a long time, I used to do a little exercise in my room to recover my waist fatigue.

Being able to stand up for 15 minutes out of each hour has been great for my back.

I work a job that requires standing for 7 hours a day and the health benefits from standing for hours on end are not real, trust me. If you start getting sore from sitting go take a 2 mile walk, walking is actually relay good for you, unlike standing.

Fabulous review. Covered everything!

Best review of standing desks I have seen. Great work.

Got a standing desk recently, it's amazing, should've had it years and years ago. Don't consider it, DO IT.

We recently bought a standing desk for my girlfriend, because she works from home. The biggest reason for it was the walking pad we bought. Now she can move and get like 30k steps while working. Her backpain went away, even though she has a pretty high end office chair. Standing desk basically changed her whole work life

No nonsense and straight to the point. Very helpful.

the first review ive seen on standing desks that isn't just trying to sell me something. u r amazing

I've switched to standing desks for over 3 years already. Please, don't just stand for hours. It slowly kills your knees, literally. You have to use a treadmill or something similar that allows you to slowly walk. Otherwise, just keep sitting. Your back, although it may be tiring after many hours of sitting, will resist much more than your knees. I'm having problems now, and I never had any on my knees, ever. Be careful people.

Helps me keep focus on my work, *Stares at the neighbor through the window for 10 seconds* xD

this is one of the best youtube videos i’ve ever watched. this is a perfectly crafted film.

Thanks for your insights! In another life, I was a bartender standing for eight hours + per day. It helps if you have a box or ledge or something about a foot high to rest one foot on to shift your weight from leg to leg when standing makes your legs or feet tired.

this is my dream about 5 years ago. but nobody listen to me. would you make a tutorial how to create this kind of desk, cheaper ? like using a jackscrew if possible

IMO the biggest benefit of a standing desk comes from the benefit of height adjustment. Desks with a static height will almost never match the appropriate sitting height for a person. The reason I'd look to buy a standing desk isn't for the benefit of standing but for the benefit of being able to adjust the height such that it fits me. Thoughts?

Video starts and he's already gotten to the point! Well done! 😎😎😎

For a moment, I thought I was watching a "Verge or Cnet" review! This was such a dense and professional review!! Loved it!! Subscribing as we speak!!!