Important Elements to Consider When Selecting a Sit/Stand Desk Converter

          Due to the nation-wide public order for “Shelter-In Place”, workers might begin to consider purchasing a sit/stand desk converter at home such that they can work in a more ergonomically justified fashion.  Regardless of whether you will get reimbursed or not for obtaining a sit/stand desk converter, there are some elements that you must consider before you select the equipment.  Below includes some tips when you select a sit/stand desk converter:

1. First thing you must do before you select a sit/stand desk converter is to measure your desk size.  Take notes of the dimension of your existing desk, particularly the depth and the width. If you have an overhead bin, measuring how much height clearance is also critical.  After you have taken down the necessary measurement of your desk, you can select a sit/stand desk converter that appeals to you.  Once you have selected the one you like, check the specification of the desk converter and make sure that it will fit your desk size.  Many people who are not in the field of ergonomics would possibly miss this important step and end up buying equipment that does not fit their existing desk.

2. Select a sit/stand desk that requires effortless maneuvering.  Nowadays, there are many sit/stand desk converters that use gas spring for easy maneuvering.  I would highly recommend that you select the one that uses gas spring.  Further, a few in the market even incorporates electric power instead of manual maneuver.  Those are even better for users who have already suffered from shoulders or upper extremities discomfort albeit higher costs would incur compared to the manual ones. 

3. Consider obtaining a monitor arm (if you use one monitor) or dual monitor arms (if you use two monitors) to perform your work tasks.  When you have a sit/stand desk converter, the height of the monitor or monitors might be too low when you stand up in your standing work sessions.  You can obtain monitor stands for lower cost, but it takes up time and effort to adjust the height of the monitor or monitors with a monitor stand.  With monitor arm or arms, the height of the monitors can be adjusted easily with little effort. 

4. If you obtain dual monitor arms for dual monitors, select the one that can be swiveled. Although the monitor arms that can be swiveled are slightly more expensive than the one that cannot be swiveled, it is worthy to invest in the one that can be swiveled because the swivel ones can help reduce neck rotation (neck turn to either left or right) while viewing the two monitors because you can adjust the angle of the monitors separately. 

5. Document the brand and model of your monitor or monitors and review the weight of each monitor.  Taking the weight of the monitor or monitors into consideration is important because you want to ensure that the monitor arm or arms that are recommended above can support the weight of the monitor or monitors for safety reasons.

6. Implement a footrest if you obtain a sit/stand desk converter for your standing work sessions.  When you are in your standing work sessions, place one foot on the footrest and after 10 mins, switch with another foot.  The idea is when you place one foot on the footrest while you are in your standing work posture; it helps lower your lumbar pressure and helps reduce the odd of developing back injuries. 

7. One level vs. two level sit/stand desk converter.  Although selecting a two-level sit/stand desk converter is more common, if you don’t need a lot of work space for reading and writing, you might go with a one-level sit/stand desk converter if budget is a constraint.