Selecting a Sit-Stand Desk: Standing Elbow Height
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 9:45AM 
There are many things people take into consideration when switching to an adjustable-height desk. How does it adjust? What’s the lifting capacity? How high does it go?
The last question might not seem as important as the first two, but a desk that isn’t tall enough can make the difference between ergonomic and not.
Luckily, it’s pretty straightforward to determine how high you need your desk to raise. We call this measurement: Standing Elbow Height. Nothing fancy, just a clear measurement to make sure your decision is the right one.
As we discussed last week, one of the key components to an ergonomic workstation is the neutral reach zone. If your work surface is too low you’ll likely spend time reaching and straining at the shoulders, rather than resting comfortably with your arms parallel to the ground.
Our desks are in the 45” - 53” height range which works for the vast majority of clients. People over 6’2” would want to take a look at something like the Adjustable Desk 129 model, as it raises to an industry-leading 53”. That probably wouldn’t be necessary for many of you, but but if you are planning to use the desk with something like a treadmill (more on this idea coming soon—hint, we’re not convinced it contributes to healthy working) you’ll need something that moves taller than some of the other options out there.
If the desk you are interested in is right on the edge of not being tall enough for you, think about adding casters (if available) to get another 2 - 3” of height.
Click here for a very quick video on how our desks adjust to standing elbow height.
Reader Comments (1)
Hi, thanks for the post! I spent a lot of time looking into adjustable height desks recently, because I do use one at work-- the NextDesk Terra. I wanted to get something smaller and more affordable for my home, but I wasn't finding anything that I liked as well as my NextDesk (I did look into this Human Scale Model that you guys mention; it was still just too big.)
Anyway, lucky for me and just in time for my birthday, NextDesk has come out with a smaller version of their NextDesk Terra. They call it the "Solo." It is small and less expensive-- needless to say I'm pretty excited about it.
Just thought I would share the news with you all since you're constantly on the lookout for all things ergo!
Thanks again for the great post.
Natalie