The truth that everyone agrees on is that sitting for long hours is not healthy. Experts have found this to be linked to many health issues. However, a lot of gamers are not exactly ready to give up the comfort of sitting as they battle their virtual foes. However, you can admit that sitting at your desk for more than 7 hours a day at work, and then for a couple more hours gaming, is not exactly healthy.
The solution to this is using standing desks for gaming. When the standing desk conversation comes around, most people first think of a work and office setting for these desks. However, the sit-to-stand desks are the answer. Just to be clear to the sceptics: Yes, gamers do need standing desks, if for nothing else then for their health.
Switching to a standing desk is a transition that requires a bit of patience. This is the step that most people rush. While standing when gaming may sound like a strange concept at first, once you’ve tried it, you will understand the benefits of sit-stand desks or standing desks for your gaming.
The Transition: Uncomfortable at First
The raw truth is that this will not be an instant comfort situation. But looking at the long-term benefits. This transition period is worth it. It is crucial that you allow yourself time to adjust to standing. The gamers who’ve used standing desks detail their first week being quite unlike what they expected. To avoid that surprise, be ready for a bit of discomfort.
However, in the grand scheme of things, this is all necessary and natural. To avoid effects like achy knees and a sore body, make sure to research all the good to do’s when using a standing desk. Remember to be patient with yourself; you won’t get everything right the first day.
First of all, it is okay to feel tired fast. Your body is used to sitting for long hours. Therefore, standing will be a change that the body needs to adjust to. Secondly, consider your posture when standing. Shifting a lot and leaning all your weight on one hip could lead to body aches. It is also essential to check on your surface as well. If you’re standing on an uneven surface or one that’s hard, you will definitely experience discomfort during the transition. An anti-fatigue mat can solve this for you.
The Benefits Outweigh the Discomfort
Don’t let the initial discomfort discourage you from getting a standing desk for your gaming area. The benefits are worth that little adjustment period. They include:
Better health
An active workstation will help you cut down on the amount of time you spend sitting. If you factor the time you spend on your commute, sitting at work and your gaming desk, only to turn around and lie down (which is just as bad), it makes up more than 10 hours of your day. This is quite concerning and could lead to health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
The simple solution is to switch out your sedentary lifestyle for an active one. This means trading your traditional gaming desk for a standing desk. Standing has been proved to have many physical and mental benefits. One of the things you’ll notice is the reduced back and neck strain. Your blood circulation and oxygen expenditure are also improved. One of the causes of these physical issues is poor posture which you can correct with a standing desk.
It is important to note that while advocating for standing, you shouldn’t overdo it either. Remember to switch between sitting and standing. Spend more time standing but take breaks in between. With all these observed, you will become a happier and healthier gamer.
Better focus
When slaying foes and scaling levels, being in your element is a gamers best life or couple of hours of the day. This is the main source of the standing while gaming scepticism. However, the experience of gamers who’ve used standing desks proves that it will better your game. Standing makes you more present and engaged, even animated as you game.
Most people say that they feel more connected to the game and what’s happening as opposed to when they were sitting, and they’d shift around to find the best position. Being alert when playing helps with your focus and reactions, which will improve your performance.
One of the ways that gamers and most people use to stay alert is through snacks, sugary drinks, and coffee, for some. A standing desk is a perfect excuse to cut back on all these.
Energy Boost
Spending long hours staring at a screen leads to fatigue. Standing up will give you a much-needed energy boost. You know that slouched seated position you like when gaming? It affects your overall mood and tiredness. Without knowing it, you get tired faster and even more depressed. However, standing can push you to game longer because you’re more energized.
How to choose a standing desk that meets your gaming needs:
A checklist always helps know precisely what to look for because though standing desks are great for an active lifestyle, not all suit a gamer's life. Here’s what to look for:
1. Worksurface
You cannot compromise on the size of the desk you get. You need a large enough surface to fit all your gaming stuff. Most standing desks don’t have additional storage, which means you need to factor that as you look for one. Another thing to focus on is your gaming setup; most gamers have multiple monitors. The desk should be large enough to accommodate them all.
2. Stability
We can all agree that shaky furniture, for gaming or anything else, is quite annoying. You don’t need to deal with shakiness when you adjust your standing desk. Besides the concern for your equipment, lack of stability will affect your performance, sucking the joy out of your gaming. If you’re tall, ensure you get a desk that adjusts to a comfortable height for you and will be stable at that height.
3. Load capacity
Different standing desks have varying weight capacities that they can hold. You want a desk that can hold all your equipment, even at the highest setting. Smaller, cheaper desks are often built for one monitor or a laptop as they’re primarily for office use. A gaming desk needs to be sturdy enough to support multiple gaming monitors and other equipment.
4. Adjustment speed
As you know, one lost second in gaming can be the reason you lose or get stuck at a level. Therefore, go for a standing desk that adjusts through its height settings fast and seamlessly. This should be true for going from sitting to standing and back. The quietness of the desk’s motor is also an essential factor to consider.
5. Desktop – the probability of staining. Yes, most gamers eat at their desks. Snacks are a way to keep focused when gaming and fill up without getting up from your desk for hours. As such, you need a desk that is spill-resistant to avoid staining. Consider the type of workspace on the desk, how easy to clean it is before committing.
The Next Steps…
With the desk down, don’t forget to consider other things like an anti-fatigue mat, monitor arm (if the desk you buy doesn’t come with one), and other useful accessories you’ll need to complete your gaming setup. If you’re unsure what else to get, a quick peruse through Flexispot.com can help you find things you’ll need. It is worth mentioning that you can opt for desk converters for your old desk if you don’t want to go for a standing desk. These can help transform your current desk into a standing gaming desk.
Let's Summarize
Whether you are a professional or recreational gamer, a standing desk is a necessary upgrade for your setup. An ergonomic boost is just what you need, and your body will thank you for it. Above all, your health should always come first, and a sedentary lifestyle will rob you of that. Getting a standing desk will help you balance out your life and, as we highlighted above, sharpen your focus, making you a better gamer. So, what are you waiting for?
If you’re still not sold on your gaming desk being a standing desk, you can take comfort in the fact that it’ll help with digestion, and you’re burning 16.7% more calories when standing. That’s something.
