Studies show that up to 50% of workplace injuries are as a result of musculoskeletal problems.
More often than not, these problems occur when employees are improperly positioned or uncomfortable while working.
Musculoskeletal problems can affect employees in all industries, from the office to the assembly line. The best way to stay safe is to improve your workspace ergonomics.
If you’re particularly interested in avoiding these problems, then you’ve probably heard about ergonomic products like a standing desk, an ergonomic mouse, an ergonomic keyboard, and more. In addition to enhancing productivity and good health, improving your workplace ergonomics also aids to improve your posture. Moreover, it reduces soreness, stiffness, and fatigue.
Of all these ergonomic products, standing desks are increasingly becoming more popular. But having a standing desk alone is not enough. It has several limitations. For this reason, it's important to build a workstation that incorporates essential standing desk accessories to serve you better.
Read on to find out the accessories you can include to make your standing desk infinitely more productive.
Monitor Mount
The best position for your monitor is directly in front of you. Ideally, the center of your screen should be in line with your eye level.
When the screen is too low, you tend to tilt your chin down, when the screen is too high you tend to tilt your chin up, and when the screen is off to one side, you tend to turn your neck and head while working. All these awkward positions bear a negative impact on your overall health.
That’s where a monitor mount comes into the picture. It gives your body a natural position, thus eliminating shoulder pain and eye strain.
Before you buy a monitor mount, make sure its compatible with your monitor. Also, make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold your monitor in position.
In terms of aesthetics, standing desks that have computer mounts also boast of a more professional look.
Our monitor arm features a vertical range of 20" and a 360° rotation and is designed to help you create a flexible workstation. Use it to tailor the rotation and height of your computer screens to match different postures and enhance your productivity throughout your workday.
Ergonomic Office Chair
A lot of emphases has been placed on the harmful effects of sitting all day. But let's not forget that standing all day also comes with its negative effects. For instance, a job that requires you to stand for 8-10 hours subjects your feet, calves, and thighs to a lot of strain, making them feel painful and inflamed.
The best way to get around this is to purchase an ergonomic office chair.
A good option is the ErgoChair 2. It’s a fully adjustable chair that allows you to tailor support and resistance according to your needs. Its durable construction, breathable fabric, extensive customizable features, and more make it one of the best ergonomic chairs available in the market right now.
Remember that even the most avid standers can’t stand all day. They need to take a few breaks to rejuvenate and re-energize. And for that, they need an ergonomic office chair.
An ergonomic chair is designed to encourage good posture and to provide you with the utmost comfort throughout your workday.
Also, it’s designed to easily fit under at a stand-up desk to allow you to switch between sitting and standing without much interruption. They are available in various sizes, shapes, and styles that can fit effortlessly into any office interior design.
Anti-Fatigue Mat
Standing can get tiring and boring very fast if you don’t do it correctly. The same way you get tired after standing for extended periods in a long line at the supermarket is the same way standing all day at your standing desk makes you tiresome and wears out your feet fast.
The main reason for this discomfort is because you are probably standing on a hard surface. While supportive, comfortable shoes will help you relieve some of the pain, you can get an extra layer of support and comfort from a good anti-fatigue mat.
Don’t just go with any anti-fatigue mat you come across. Be sure to select one that is comfortable, durable, ssatisfyyour needs, and is within your budget.
Foot support while using a sit stand desk shouldn’t just stop at the shoes you’re wearing, you should also take into account what’s under your shoes. An anti-fatigue mat is usually the most suitable option because its properties enable you to constantly adjust your body position even while standing.
Given that there are several variations of standing mats be sure to test the one that you’re planning to purchase. Your choice should be based on your personal preferences and body type because the material and firmness of an anti-fatigue mat determine whether you’ll feel pain or discomfort.
Contrary to popular belief, a standing mat is not only meant for your feet. It also helps you to maintain a healthy back. That’s because it encourages you to stand with a proper posture, thus helping you to relieve yourself of the pressure that builds up in your lower back and neck.
Comfortable Footwear
Just like walking and running, standing for extended periods also demands that you use quality footwear. Ideally, the shoe should have decent arch support or comfortable soles.
In light of these requirements, running shoes will do the job just fine.
Wearing dockers or 5-inch heels at a stand up desk is not a good option. That’s because if you stand for long hours, a lot of weight is directed to your feet, increasing the need for proper feet support.
Wearing the wrong shoes is a great recipe for feet and back problems. Make sure to always have a pair of comfortable shoes at your desk.
Treadmill, Mini Elliptical, Or Bicycle Trainer
A treadmill isn’t a perfect solution for everyone because it requires a lot of space. The same applies to a bicycle trainer.
Nevertheless, using a walking treadmill is one of the best ways to stay active while working. Most treadmill models usually come preinstalled and easily fit under a standing desk.
A regular elliptical usually takes up a significant amount of space, which is something that most offices lack. Another problem with traditional ellipticals is that you would have to move away from your desk to use them. That’s where a mini elliptical trainer comes in. It provides you with the ability to move and work at the same time.
A Timer
A timer is without a doubt one of the most essential standing desk accessories if you’re looking to benefit significantly from your desk. Since you are still in the process of transitioning from sitting to standing, it’s vital that you regulate the amount of time you spend standing in a given position.
A timer also comes in handy when it comes to regulating the amount of time you spend sitting in your chair, so you don’t fall back to your old sitting habits. Be sure to divide your work hours into sequences that help to improve your overall productivity. For instance, you could set the timer to five minutes and use that time to take a walk to relieve the cramps, aches, and pains that result from standing for extended periods.
It’s not necessary to purchase a timer separately because you can always find one on your smartphone, on the web, or your desktop. What’s most important is that you don’t forget to use your timer.
Under-Desk Mouse and Keyboard Mounting Platform
The best position for your keyboard is at elbow height, while your arms are bent to at least a right angle. Any other position would mean more stress on your muscles, all the way from your fingers to your shoulders to other parts of the body. The result is hand and wrist pain, or a more serious problem like carpal tunnel syndrome.
The good news is that you can avoid these problems by installing a keyboard arm that easily adjusts to the best ergonomic height, regardless of whether you’re sitting or standing while working.
To complement the under-desk keyboard arm, you need a keyboard tray. It’s mounted under the desk to help you adjust your keyboard to the best height for typing. Ideally, this should be at elbow height for both sitting and standing.
Place your arms in a neutral position, keep your wrists as straight as possible, and bend your elbows at a right angle. A good keyboard height means you are not forced to extend your arms or reach out to use your mouse or keyboard.
A keyboard platform is also vital for optimizing your typing posture in multiple directions. The ideal ergonomic position for your keyboard is when it’s adjusted to a negative angle, where the top of your keyboard slants downwards. These tilt adjustments aid you to maintain your wrists at a neutral angle to avoid injuries.
Furthermore, being able to swivel left or right offers you more flexibility in positioning, which is vital for people who like to move around more often.
Some keyboard platforms also feature a mouse platform that aids to position your mouse at the ideal height both while sitting and standing.
Under-Desk CPU Holder
Mounting your CPU beneath your desk comes with a wide range of benefits. Firstly, you’ll be able to keep your computer nearer to your keyboard and monitor.
Keeping your monitor and computer closer means you won't be forced to purchase longer cables, which can be vital when you want to raise your desk.
Mounting your CPU under your desk also keeps it away from the dirty floor. In addition, the suspensions also aid to improve cooling. You also get to clear clutter and create more space on your desktop by mounting the CPU under the desk.
Balance Board
Balance boards are specifically designed to give you the best balancing function. They help you to improve your fitness, strength, and balance even as you’re working at your standing desk.
Always go for the most durable office balance boards that assure you of great balancing function for a long time. Using a balancing board increases your activity in the office, which in turn promotes productivity and good health.
Foam Rollers
Another important accessory to help you improve your standing desk experience is a foam roller.
A foam roller is a cylindrical tube onto which you can place your foot while working to help stretch your leg, calf, and ankle muscles. It leaves you feeling supple and nice throughout your workday.
Foam rollers have more or less the same shape but are available in a wide range of designs. This means you have the convenience of selecting the design that gives you the utmost comfort.
High-density foam rollers are lightweight and firm and range from $7.99 to $30. Basic soft foam rollers, on the other hand, are priced starting from $9.99. Although they are great for relieving sensitive pains and aches (thanks to their softness), excessive use can result in compression. This causes the foam roller to lose its roundness, giving it an oval appearance. A foam roller in this state doesn’t offer many benefits when used with a standing desk.
Trigger point foam rollers feature a textured design. They are effective for stretching your calves and ankles and providing your feet with a pleasant massage while working at your standing desk. Trigger point foam rollers are more stylish compared to basic soft foam rollers but are relatively more expensive. Priced at around $39, they are certainly worth their price tag.
Just like the trigger point foam roller, the Rumble Roller is also textured. Nevertheless, its texturing is a little bit more extreme. It is effective for relieving deep set pains and aches in your legs, calves, and ankles. Priced at around $44, they are more expensive than the other designs.
The OPTP Foam Roller is another excellent option. It is designed to last regardless of the amount of use it is subjected to, making it a fantastic option for use with a standing desk. It costs $37.
Conclusion
A standing desk is a fantastic product. But it’s even more attractive and functional when you accessorize it with the right items. These are some of the best accessories you should incorporate in your standing desk workstation. Each standing desk accessory is special in its own way. Together, they help to improve your standing desk experience and enhance your productivity and wellbeing.
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