Height-adjustable desks – The ultimate guide

Why a height-adjustable desk?

Quite simply: because more and more people are working at a computer, often for the entire workday. For most of us, this posture means sitting slightly hunched forward at our desks. As a result, we're tense in the evenings. We feel the pain particularly in our neck and shoulders, and generally in our backs.
A height-adjustable desk can easily solve the problem.

How does an electrically height-adjustable desk work?

A distinction is made between manually and electrically height-adjustable desks .
Manually operated tables are adjusted either by pressing down firmly on the tabletop or by using a crank. This can be strenuous and time-consuming, which is not very helpful.

Electrically height-adjustable desks are significantly more comfortable, making it easy to regularly change your working posture. Every electric desk has either a control panel or...
with up or down buttons, or a display with altitude indicator and memory function to save different altitude settings.

This memory function allows you to repeatedly set the exact correct working height for different options or people with a simple keystroke.

How high should a height-adjustable table be?

The ergonomic height of the desk should be adjustable between 65 and 75 centimeters while seated, in order to offer optimal conditions even for particularly short or tall people.

• Your upper and lower arms should form an angle of at least 90 degrees to the work surface. Your shoulders should be relaxed, and your upper arms should hang loosely. Your feet should be flat on the floor – or, if necessary, on a footrest. Your upper and lower legs should form an angle of at least 90 degrees.
• Even when standing, your upper and lower arms should form an angle of at least 90 degrees to the work surface. The wider the height adjustment range of the desk, the more suitable it is for people of different heights.
• Legs also need freedom of movement. At least 65 centimeters in height, 58 centimeters in width, and at least 70 centimeters in depth, so that you can actually move your legs.

FLEXCUBE electrically height-adjustable desks have a lifting range of 65 to 130 cm. Thanks to this extremely large lifting range, they are ideally suited for people of all heights.

How do I adjust the working height correctly for working while seated?

Simply take the following test from Techniker Krankenkasse .

• Sit in your desk chair as you normally do. First, check your posture. Are your upper arms hanging loosely? Are your forearms resting comfortably on the chair back or desk, parallel to the keyboard? Do your upper and lower arms form a right angle? If so, you've already found the correct settings for your upper body. If not, adjust your chair seat up or down until your forearms are parallel to the middle row of keyboards, or slightly above.
• Now check your leg position. Do your upper and lower legs now form an angle of at least 90 degrees? And can you place your feet flat on the floor? Wonderful! If not, a separate footrest will help you assume the correct sitting posture.

Footrest – yes or no?

A footrest can also be useful for a height-adjustable desk.

• When seated, the footrest supports your legs and helps you sit in a back-friendly and relaxed manner. This is especially important for shorter people whose legs don't reach the floor.
• Even when standing, a footrest helps to relieve pressure on one leg from time to time.
• The more dynamically you sit or stand, the better it is for your body.

What should you look out for when buying a height-adjustable desk?

To ensure that working at a height-adjustable desk is truly enjoyable and that changing positions is quick and easy, you should pay attention to the following 8 points when choosing your height-adjustable desk:

There are several factors to consider when buying a height-adjustable desk:

1. How easy is it to switch from sitting to standing?
   The easiest way to do this is with an electrically height-adjustable desk.
   Manual cranking can be very time-consuming and annoying.
   
2. Is the memory function useful?
   This feature allows you to save different height settings. You don't have to readjust every time you change positions to find the perfect height – helpful for one user, a blessing when multiple users share a desk.
   
3. How big should the desk be?
   We recommend a work surface of at least 160 x 80 cm to accommodate standard office supplies. If less space is available for your home office, you can of course opt for a smaller version, but you should then provide additional storage space.
   
4. Are electric desks prone to malfunction?
   Your new desk should function reliably and for a long time. Good electric desks have two high-quality, maintenance-free motors integrated into the columns. Our motors are CE certified, and we offer a 5-year warranty on them.
   
5. How loud are electric desks?
   The motors should be as quiet as possible, so that those around you aren't disturbed by adjustments made at the next desk. FLEXCUBE electric desks are virtually silent at only 39 dB.
6. How good is the stability?
   FLEXCUBE height-adjustable desks are extremely stable even at their highest setting.
   So that you can work undisturbed and safely. Every single frame is thoroughly tested before leaving the factory. Adjustable feet to compensate for uneven floors should be standard. Good frames should be able to support a load of 100 to 120 kg.
7. What do stability and lifting capacity mean?
   The lifting capacity of our sit-stand desks guarantees a lifting capacity of approximately 80 kg. When stationary, the desk can even support a load of approximately 120 kg. This is also documented by the CE mark.
   
8. What is a soft start/stop function?
   This feature guarantees a smooth, jerk-free height adjustment, so that no objects can fall off the desk.
   
9. What does anti-collision protection mean?
   This feature helps prevent damage or even injuries. In the event of a collision, the movement is stopped immediately and the desk retracts. This feature protects, for example, against damage to objects underneath the desk when it is lowered, or against damage to the desk itself.
   
10. Cable management
    Finally, you should also consider cable management. For a desk alone, an integrated cable channel is sufficient, allowing you to route the desk cable safely and invisibly.
    They can be stored away. Generous cable trays under the desk are suitable for safely accommodating other cables.
    

How to use your height-adjustable desk correctly

Dynamic sitting, dynamic standing, dynamic walking – variety is important.

Ideally, you should alternate between sitting and standing regularly, preferably every two hours. This can be optimally achieved with a height-adjustable sit-stand desk. The ideal distribution is as follows: 60% dynamic sitting, 30% working while standing, and 10% purposeful walking around.

• Change your position 2-3 times per hour.
• Stay dynamic in every posture.
• Use the functions of your office chair while seated.
• Always let the chair support your back.
• While standing, take a break from putting weight on one leg every now and then. A footrest can help with this.
• Stay relaxed in every position.
  The shoulders should always remain relaxed, both when sitting and standing.
• The ideal workday in numbers: 60% sitting, 30% standing, 10% walking.