In part two in our discussion of problems with standing desk chairs. We’ll discuss the root causes.
Let’s face it, our legs cannot support the body weight for long periods of time. Like any other muscle, they tire out when used too much. The same goes for chairs for standing desks. Unless there is an automatic chair that can let the user sit and then stand up to support the body weight. Today’s chairs are not designed to be comfortable. Let’s look at the problems and try to solve them.
1. Some People Feel Unstable When Using It
Standing chairs are made to the body moving. Some chairs have more movement than others and manufacturers designed these chairs to move. Some models are less stable than others. These are wobble chairs with rounded bases. These standing chairs are not firmly planted on the floor. They rock back and forth and there no telling how far they can tilt.
They can tilt far enough for the user to fall over or out of the chair. Other people felt uneasy on some standing chairs and afraid to fall off the chair.
Solution
Find a standing chair that has a flat base design that stays firmly on the floor at all times. Stay away from models with casters if you want the most stable chair.
2. Limited Range of Users
Standing chairs are designed for people with specific body types than chairs that are built for the average person. Taller individuals don’t have a lot of options that go high enough for them to use at full leaning positions. Oftentimes, these taller options are more expensive.
Also, standing chairs are not suitable for heavy-set people because they have weight limits up to 250 lbs. The seats for standing chairs are unconventional and small. People with large or boney bottoms may be uncomfortable in these seats.
Solution
Some chairs do a better job than others by providing wider adjustment ranges, higher weight ratings and different seat designs. They have big adjustment ranges and 300-pound weight capacities. They don’t have a wide selection of seat options but they are wide and offer a concave design. The best solution is to have a standing chair that has a high seat height range and doesn’t have a weight limit.
3. Lack of Wheels
Wheels, also known as “casters”, are not common on standing chairs. Almost all standing chairs have a base design that stays in one place when using the chair. This is a significant innovation from normal office chairs since they almost have feature wheels always.
The downside is without wheels, you need to carry the chair to move it, set it back down and check if the position is what you want it to be. Since the chairs don’t roll, you need to get out of the chair to reach your items. This can help increase movement throughout the day but it can be tedious.
Solution
Add some casters to the standing chair to roll it to another place or to reach needed items. However, there are only a few models that have wheels the option to them. To add some wheels would entail more expense.
4. Less Productive
When using a standing chair, the worker is less productive. A standing chair can help to keep the worker more alert, energized, and from getting drowsy. But, when actually in the chair and working is not as productive as it would be in a normal ergonomic chair. The legs cannot stand for long periods of time; hence, the worker gets tired easily. Being in one comfortable position allows the user to do tasks very efficiently.
A standing chair is designed to keep the user moving constantly. This can be distracting. Not is the user thinking about moving but he will find it more difficult to type while in motion.
Solution
Unfortunately, there is no quick solution to this problem. The only option here is getting used to the standing chair. In time, the more usage in standing chairs, the more used to them the user will.
Final Thoughts
Standing chairs is a good tool for ergonomics but they are not perfect. They are more of a niche product than the majority of chairs usually found in an office setting. Don’t expect the standing chairs will change your life. Most people will at first oppose the idea of switching their sitting chairs to standing chairs. But in time that a standing chair will be a good replacement for a chair that you usually sit in for 6+ hours a day. There will be an adjustment period.
The key here is to find the right balance between standing and sitting in the office or home throughout the day. You need to find at which time you are allowed to stand and which time to sit. Alternating between the two options will give you the balance you need for a healthy lifestyle and be more productive.
It is as important to be transparent as possible with all of the products we have discussed and the downsides are the factors that influence most people’s buying decisions. These problems will not affect everyone but it will a good idea of the things to look out for when deciding to buy a standing chair.
