Updesk http://myupdesk.com/ The official site of Updesk. en-us Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:11:57 -0600 Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:54:02 -0500 Updesk info@anthologycreative.com (info) info@anthologycreative.com (info) updeskbloghttps://feedburner.google.com How Sitting at Your Desk Can Cause Anxiety (or Something Even Worse…) http://myupdesk.com/blog/how-sitting-at-your-desk-can-cause-anxiety-or-something-even-worse- info@updesk.com (Kamron)

If your heart beats faster when you think about your UpDesk standing desk, you don't need to worry - that's a completely normal physiological response. But if your heart beats fast all the time, you might want to check out this recent Business Insider article about anxiety and its link to sedentary behavior. Yes, It's finally been confirmed: Sitting too much is pretty much the worst thing ever.

We already knew that sitting too much at your computer desk was bad, and we knew about all of the adverse physical effects. We knew that sitting too much at a traditional office desk increased the risk of heart disease. We knew that it increased the risk of type 2 diabetes. And the risk of osteoporosis. And the risk of obesity.

Anxiety is a pretty nasty thing. Researchers weren't sure why the studies found a correlation between being overly sedentary and feeling overly anxious. They pointed out that sitting too much can cause problems with sleeping, lower metabolism, and social interaction. Each of those could result in increased levels of anxiety.

In the midst of all this bad news, we want to point out that the article is called "This new study about anxiety will make you want a standing desk." No, we didn't make that title up, but we think it's awesome. Because a standing desk could change your life, and we're not just saying that because we make standing desks.

Of course, sit-to-stand desks aren't without their own risks. For example, there's the risk of weight loss. Not unhealthy weight loss, of course - we're simply referring to the fact that you burn more calories - up to 50 more an hour - while you stand.

Then there's the risk of hyper-focus. That's what happens when you push the "up" button on your UpDesk, stand up, and experience a renewed sense of clarity and vision about the task at hand. This is partially a result of increased blood flow and partially a result of simply shifting your position.

And most critical of all is the risk of mega-productivity, which is a potential side effect of hyper-focus.


But if you can handle these risks, we think that a standing desk might be a great choice for you. Check one out today at https://myupdesk.com. We're confident that the only anxiousness you'll feel is from the excitement of waiting for your new desk to be delivered!

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:54:02 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/how-sitting-at-your-desk-can-cause-anxiety-or-something-even-worse-
The Washington Post Shares More Reasons Why You Need a Standing Desk http://myupdesk.com/blog/the-washington-post-shares-more-reasons-why-you-need-a-standing-desk info@updesk.com (Kamron)

Want to know why standing desks are awesome? Check out Shannon Wurthman's quote, from a recent Washington Post article about the dangers of sitting: "If your butt's not in your seat, you're probably not doing your job." If you're like most of us here at UpDesk, you do 95% of your work from a computer desk. And because of newfangled things like "computers," "pocket calculators," and "the internet," it's pretty hard to get any work done when you're not at that desk. We all know that, and our bosses know it too. So we tend to sit because we don't feel like we're getting anything done otherwise.

But that has all changed, thanks to another newfangled thing, the "UpDesk standing desk." In our minds, it's just as groundbreaking as the computer or the pocket calculator. Because now you can work AND stand at your desk! Sure, we understand that we're not actually telling you anything you don't know. But we thought Shannon really nailed it with her quote in the Washington Post, so here are several other nuggets from the article that we thought were pretty cool.

  1. We've said this before, but the article reaffirmed that standing for between two and four hours a day is an ideal ratio.

  2. Standing at your desk is crucial. And you can get additional time on your feet by taking your phone calls while standing, having standing meetings, or even something simple, like walking over to a colleague's desk instead of emailing them. (Crazy, we know...)

  3. Gavin Bradley, a health expert quoted in the article, told everyone two things that we've been saying for years: Use a comfort mat, and use something like the UpDesk app to remind you when to sit and when to stand.

  4. Your metabolism slows down by up to 90% after you sit down at your office desk for half an hour. Enzymes that help get rid of "bad fat" slow down. And after a couple hours of sitting, your good cholesterol takes a big hit.

  5. Don't forget that most of us are sedentary at home, too. Most of us aren't lucky enough to have a standing desk that functions as a coffee table in our home. So all that time we spend on the couch makes it that much more important to stand and be active at work.

Take it from us: Standing desks are awesome. And if you don't take it from us, take it from the Washington Post.

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:01:44 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/the-washington-post-shares-more-reasons-why-you-need-a-standing-desk
Top 100 Accounting Firm Touts Benefits of Standing Desks http://myupdesk.com/blog/top-100-accounting-firm-touts-benefits-of-standing-desks info@updesk.com (Kamron)

Accounting Today recently gave UpDesk standing desks a shoutout in an article on an accounting firm that encourages the use of standing computer desks in their office. Montgomery Coscia Greilich LLP is a Top-100 firm in Plano, Texas. But the company's enthusiasm for standing isn't limited to office furniture.

Co-managing partner Tom Montgomery explains in the article that he asks his employees to stand during conference room meetings: "I found that our meetings in the standing conference room were twice as productive and took half as much time."  Montgomery then explains why this philosophy translates from faster meetings in the conference room to more productivity in the office space: "You get to the point where you go in and you sit down. You get comfortable, your metabolism doesn't get going, you're not on top of your game and then you just start going through the motions."

Montgomery Coscia Greilich LLP didn't get to be a top-100 accounting firm without being smart with their money, so instead of immediately replacing all 308 desks in the office, they offered a $100 subsidy to employees who wanted to order a standing desk. Nearly 100 employees took them up on the offer. Montgomery explains that new standing desks come in about every other day now. This is a result of employees seeing how their co-workers benefit from their new office desks.

Much of the employee buy-in centers around the well-documented health benefits of standing desks. The article points out that "some hope that they will burn more calories, while others are focused on balancing their stance." Montgomery is thrilled about those advantages, but for him, the benefits also extend to the health of the firm's bottom line. He's finding his employees to be more engaged with their daily work. This adds to the type of atmosphere he wants to create at Montgomery Coscia Greilich - a workplace atmosphere that's passionate, enthusiastic, and dynamic.

With a topic that's as trendy and new as the standing desk, there are bound to be questions about its longevity. Montgomery addresses this in the Accounting Today article. He points to the balance ball - which many of his employees have used to improve their balance: "There are huge health benefits to that, but at the same time it is very hard to do detailed work that we need to do on the computers and manually when you're on a balance ball." He sees the same issue with treadmill desks.

Adding UpDesk standing desks to your office space may not transform your company into a top-100 firm overnight. But it's sure to increase health, productivity, and energy. To see the great options we have, check out our website! We've even got some new, funky desks for those who are looking to add a little trendiness to the practicality of their standing desk.

Tue, 09 Jun 2015 11:57:26 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/top-100-accounting-firm-touts-benefits-of-standing-desks
What Kind of UpDesk Standing Desk is Right for You? http://myupdesk.com/blog/what-kind-of-updesk-standing-desk-is-right-for-you- info@updesk.com (Kamron)

Have you ever browsed all the standing desks on the UpDesk website? If so, you've probably noticed a couple different things. First of all, there's a high-tech graphic of a standing desk on the front page, and you can click its control panel to move it up or down. Second, you probably noticed that we have an incredible selection of standing desk models and sizes (23 combinations, but who's counting?). That means that no matter what kind of person you are, there's an UpDesk computer desk that's just right for you.

The PopUp:

Are you a flexible, forward-thinking person who's ready for just about any situation? If so, the UpDesk PopUp would be a great choice for you. It can turn any office desk into a standing desk, which is great if you're in a temporary office space, but still want the advantages of being able to stand up at your computer desk. It's available in single- and dual-monitor configurations, too.

The UpWrite:

Are you a dreamer? Do brilliant ideas pop into your head at random times? If a traditional office desk can't contain your creativity, you should probably check out an UpWrite. It's a brilliant hybrid of a dry-erase board and a standing desk. It's great for people who like to doodle to clear their thoughts, or for people who like to make sketches to help visualize new concepts.

The SquaredUp:

If you're the type of person who can never have too many new projects in the pipeline, you should consider the SquaredUp. It's the standup desk with enough desktop space for all your new projects, and its massive ergonomic curve ensures that each of those projects is quickly accessible.

The PowerUp:

Are you the type who likes to use every resource at your disposal to tackle each project? It sounds like you'd appreciate an UpDesk PowerUp. It's got a motor in both legs, and that means every time you touch the control panel, it applies maximum power to raise your desktop... and your standard.

The CrankUp:

Maybe you're the kind of person who wants to get the job done right without expending any extra resources? Check out the UpDesk CrankUp. It's a standup office desk for people who are on a budget but don't want to compromise quality.

No matter how you approach work, there's an UpDesk that's perfect for you and your workflow. So stop by our website and see for yourself!

Thu, 28 May 2015 00:00:00 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/what-kind-of-updesk-standing-desk-is-right-for-you-
How to Get the Most Out of Your UpDesk Standing Desk http://myupdesk.com/blog/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-updesk-standing-desk info@updesk.com (Kamron)

When you invest in an UpDesk standing desk, you're investing in more than a premium piece of office furniture. You're investing in better productivity and better health. That's why you want to make sure you get the most out of your standing desk investment. Here are a few suggestions from UpDesk on how to make that happen.

Don't forget to stand

Here's the hypothetical scenario: You've got your new UpDesk, and you love it. It's sturdy, stable, and the ergonomic desktop makes it easy to reach all of your electronic gadgets. It's the ultimate computer desk, so it's easy to forget that it's a standing desk. And the next thing you know, you've gone the whole day sitting down! It sounds obvious, but the easiest way to get the most of your new UpDesk is to make sure you're standing regularly. Switching positions functions as a sort of "mental reset" that can improve your focus and productivity.


Even if you're not a scientist, you can still do cool experiments at work. Whether your new office desk is a PowerUp, an UpWrite, or a SquaredUp, it has over 250 different desktop height levels. Don't be afraid to try a few out to see which height works best for you. By the way, that suggestion applies whether you're sitting or standing.

Explore the space

Much like Will Ferrell's character in the infamous "Cowbell" skit, you should feel free to explore your office space, especially if you've got a wheel-set on your UpDesk. You know that classy, antique leather armchair over in the office lobby? That could be a fun (and comfortable) change of pace. When you've got a standup desk, you can take advantage of chairs, bar stools, couches, or any surface that would normally be too high or too low.


We've got a great selection of accessories that are made just for your UpDesk. Some of them are practical, like our comfort mats, and some are super fun, like our Spooner Board Pro. And some are a nice combination of practicality AND fun... we're thinking specifically of our standing desk cup holder, which can hold a practical beverage like water or a fun beverage, like kombucha (assuming that you think kombucha is fun to drink).

In order to get the most out of your UpDesk, you first need to HAVE an UpDesk. If you don't, head on over to our website, or give us a call at 855-312-9675 if you've got questions about which UpDesk is right for you!

Tue, 26 May 2015 08:53:09 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-updesk-standing-desk
Is My Standing Desk Improving My Energy and Productivity at Work? http://myupdesk.com/blog/is-my-standing-desk-improving-my-energy-and-productivity-at-work- info@updesk.com (Kamron)

This is the fifth column in the lauded "Dear Kamron" series, in which Kamron discusses standing desks, office politics, and other work-related issues. This week, Kamron takes questions from folks who have experienced mysterious increases in their productivity and energy levels at work. As always, names and details are completely fictional, except the details about UpDesk standing desks. Those details are completely true. 

Dear Kamron,

I'm the logistics specialist for a stucco factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Every house in New Mexico is finished in stucco, so I've got stacks of work waiting for me every time I sit down at my computer desk. I have two mobile phones that I use to keep up with our distributor network, plus a tablet that I use to run our inventory software. Then there's my laptop, plus all the usual office supplies. Organizationally, my desk is usually a disaster zone, and it's always been hard for me to keep up with work. But two weeks ago, I got a new standing office desk - an UpDesk SquaredUp - and ever since then, I've been getting a lot more done each day. I can't figure out why I'm so much more efficient, and I'm worried that it's a temporary thing! The only change I've made is getting the new desk, but whoever heard of a desk improving productivity?

Signed, Miss Mysteriously Productive 


Dear Miss Mysteriously Productive,

Don't worry - I've identified the source of your productivity increase, and it isn't temporary. It's the ergonomic curve of your SquaredUp standing desk. You might've thought we just put that curve there so you'd feel like you were flying a spaceship, but it's actually intended to make you more efficient at work. The curve allows you to quickly access every area of your desk. That's why an UpDesk standing desk is perfect for someone like you, who's constantly switching between different devices.

You can relax and enjoy your newfound productivity, because it's there to stay!

Happy Standing,



Dear Kamron,

I'm a freelance music composer in Seattle. My biggest client is The Sleep Center, a company that tests people for sleep apnea. I spend about eight hours a day sitting at my computer desk, composing music that's supposed to put people to sleep as quickly as possible. In the past, I'm really good at writing this type of music. In fact, I might be a little TOO good, because, until last week, I've had trouble staying awake while working. But last week, I had a new UpDesk UpWrite delivered, and I think it's interfering with my ability to write sleepy songs! I'm not doing anything differently during the writing process (other than standing about half the time), but the songs just aren't putting me to sleep the way they used to. Have I lost my edge?

Signed, (No Longer) Sleepy in Seattle


Dear (No Longer) Sleepy in Seattle,

I've got good news for you, but I've got a little bad news, too. The good news is that your new standing desk is not hurting your ability to compose sleepy songs. Your "sleepy-time songs" don't put you to sleep anymore because you have more energy at work, and that's because you've got an UpDesk! You see, most people find that standing at their UpDesk for about 30 minutes every hour tends to improve their energy and focus! The bad news is that you might not be as good at your job as you thought... you might've just been sleepy because you had a traditional office desk.

Happy Standing,


Thu, 21 May 2015 00:00:00 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/is-my-standing-desk-improving-my-energy-and-productivity-at-work-
How to Know if the Health Benefits of a Standing Desk are Right for You http://myupdesk.com/blog/how-to-know-if-the-health-benefits-of-a-standing-desk-are-right-for-you info@updesk.com (Kamron)

So you're in the market for a new computer desk and you've seen all sorts of articles and blogs about the health benefits of a standing desk. But you're not sure if a standing office desk is right for you. After all, they're a little more expensive than a traditional desk. How do you know if a standing desk is a good investment for your health?

We recently ran across a great animated video about how too much sitting can be detrimental to your health, and we think it answers that question very well. Without further ado, here's a list of specific types of people who might experience health benefits from having a standing desk.

People who don't want to have back problems in the future

We understand that some people may want to have back problems later in life. But those of us who don't should consider the fact that excessive sitting can cause excessive wear and tear on your spinal discs. And if that's not something you're into, a standing office desk might be a great investment.

People who like their lungs to function properly

Sitting for too long on a consistent basis can strain muscles that help balance your position. This shrinks your chest cavity, limiting the amount of oxygen that your lungs can take in. Not only can that cause trouble when you're walking up a flight of stairs, it can also be detrimental to your focus while you're at work.

People who aren't interested in getting cancer, or heart disease

If you're one of those rare folks who just can't seem to get excited about cancer or heart disease, a standing desk might be a great choice for you. Recent studies suggest that cancer and heart disease are two of the long term effects of an overly-sedentary lifestyle.

People who want to avoid liver problems, kidney problems, and diabetes

We don't know you personally, but we'd bet that you're the type of person who isn't especially interested in an increased risk of liver problems, kidney problems, or diabetes. And if we're right, then you might want to pop on over to https://MyUpDesk.com and take a look at all the great options we have.

We're not saying that a standing desk will prevent you from having health problems. But we are saying that studies show a correlation between less sitting and better health. And if you're the specific type of person who's interested in better health, a standing desk might be the right choice for you.

Tue, 19 May 2015 08:44:35 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/how-to-know-if-the-health-benefits-of-a-standing-desk-are-right-for-you
New York City TV News Discusses Danger of Sitting, Features UpDesk http://myupdesk.com/blog/new-york-city-tv-news-discusses-danger-of-sitting-features-updesk info@updesk.com (Kamron)

You probably heard it here first: Sitting can kill you. But it turns out that we're not the only ones extolling standing desks and their health benefits. Our new friends at WPIX, a major New York TV news station, recently featured the UpDesk PowerUp in a news report about the dangers of sitting too much at your office desk. The good folks at WPIX spoke to a few different medical professionals, and each one made suggestions about the benefits of standing. They also referred to a World Health Organization study that called sitting - being too sedentary -  the 4th highest cause of death worldwide. Here are a few other details from the WPIX 11 news segment:

It's Complicated!

One of the doctors interviewed by WPIX pointed out that, when you spend too much time sitting at your computer desk (or any office desk, for that matter), you begin to lose flexibility in your spine. That doesn't sound like too much fun to us. But it gets more complicated, because when you lose flexibility in your spine, your circulation can be impaired. In addition, fluid can build up in your spine and your muscles, and when fluid builds up, your body becomes more vulnerable to infections and sickness.

Biomechanics and Stuff...

We've always loved the word "biomechanics," because it just sounds awesome. Anyway, in their news special, WPIX also talked to physical therapist John Gallucci Jr., who discussed the biomechanics of sitting at a desk too much. He explained that as the spine loses flexibility, the body goes into "compensatory patterns" that result in other parts of the body (Gallucci mentioned the hips) becoming less flexible. In other words, it's sort of a biomechanical chain-reaction. And while that's a combination of words that sounds pretty cool, we're confident that it's not the kind of thing that would feel good.

The Simple Solution

Yes, sitting can result in all kinds of unpleasant physical complications. Fortunately, there's a simple way to avoid those complications: Make the switch to a standing desk, like an UpDesk PowerUp. Watch the WPIX video if you want to see just how well the twin motors raise and lower the high-quality desktop. The folks at Channel 11 were impressed, and we think you will be, too. Head on over to our website and check out the great selection of standing desks. While you're there, take a look at our revamped accessories page. Be informed that we don't carry the two accessories requested by the anchor of the WPIX segment... But that's just because she requested a microwave and a refrigerator. Don't believe us? Watch the segment and see.

Thu, 14 May 2015 00:00:00 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/new-york-city-tv-news-discusses-danger-of-sitting-features-updesk
Standing Desks, 1970s Detective Movies, and Workplace Weight Gain http://myupdesk.com/blog/standing-desks-1970s-detective-movies-and-workplace-weight-gain info@updesk.com (Kamron)

With this blog, I'm going to connect the dots between standing desks, 1970s detective movies, and weight gain at work. Sounds like some pretty difficult writing, but when I'm standing at my SquaredUp standing desk, I'm up for any challenge.

I'm currently standing at my desk and watching Dirty Harry while pretending to work. If you've ever seen Dirty Harry, The Enforcer, or any other 1970s detective movie involving Clint Eastwood, you know that no good detective wants to be stuck with a desk job. When you're a detective, you want to be where the action is. You don't want to be that portly, slobbish detective who does all their work sitting at a computer desk in the personnel department.

As someone who has a desk job in the most literal sense possible, I take offense to that stereotype. I've never been one to "toot my own horn," but I've got to tell you, ol' Kamron is every bit as lean and fit as Detective Harry Callahan was in Dirty Harry. And I owe that to the fact that I spend more time standing at my office desk than I do sitting. But I know that not everyone is that fortunate. And that's where the topic of weight gain at work comes in.

I just ran across a blog about corporate wellness. It talked about how obesity is a problem that "continues to raise concerns in the workplace." Here's the stat that struck me: According to the the blog, 42% of workers claim to have gained weight in their current job. And over half of those folks gained more than ten pounds! The study attributed workplace weight gain to stress and lack of exercise. Almost half of the people surveyed stated that, after sitting at a computer desk all day at work, they felt too tired to exercise.

I definitely understand the feeling. With so many people raising their standards and buying UpDesk standing desks, at the end of my workday, I feel like I've been chasing criminals in a 1970s detective movie! That's why it's absolutely criminal (ahem...) if you're stuck sitting at a traditional office desk. I stand up at my SquaredUp desk for about 5 hours a day. And not only does that help me to stay lean and mean (it's a saying... I'm not really mean), I find that I have more energy at the end of the day. And my focus is improved, too.

So if you find that you've put on a few pounds at your desk job, remember that this is one mystery that you don't have to connect a bunch of dots to solve. Get the hottest new piece of office furniture on the market, an UpDesk standing desk. You'll burn more calories, you'll feel more energized, and you won't feel like you're stuck sitting at a desk in the personnel department.

Tue, 12 May 2015 11:47:38 -0500 http://myupdesk.com/blog/standing-desks-1970s-detective-movies-and-workplace-weight-gain
What’s the Best Standing-to-Sitting Ratio for Your UpDesk? http://myupdesk.com/blog/what-s-the-best-standing-to-sitting-ratio-for-your-updesk- info@updesk.com (Kamron)

UpDesk is a company that makes standing desks, so it makes sense that we'd talk a lot about their health benefits. If you're one of the millions of people who read our blog, you know we love to point out how "sitting is the new smoking," and by now, you're aware that it's good to spend a little time standing while you work. But exactly how long should you spend standing at your desk?

We're glad you asked... But you were probably curious, so it's convenient that the Kinesiology Department of the University of Waterloo recently did a study that will help answer that question. We think the results will surprise you.

It turns out that there's no magic number for the exact amount of time you should stand while working at your computer desk. But there is a magic ratio, or at least a magic ratio range. The University of Waterloo study found that the ideal standing-to-sitting ratio is between 1:1 and 3:1. Take a second to reread that... No, we didn't get the numbers mixed up. The kinesiologists at University of Waterloo say that you should stand at least an hour for every hour you spend sitting. And they say that there are health benefits to standing for up to three hours for every hour you spend sitting. So if you spend eight hours at your office desk each day, you should spend between four and six hours of that day standing.

Hold on... If you've already been sitting at your desk for three hours today and you're just now reading this, don't jump up and stand the rest of the day to make up for all the sitting. That's one of the big mistakes people make. Just like all things in life (except cheesecake), standing is best done in moderation. Standing for more than an hour at a time may result in back pain. The trick is to switch back and forth between sitting and standing. Try sitting for the first 15-30 minutes of each hour, then stand for the remainder of that hour.

Sit, stand, stand, sit... It probably sounds like a lot of up and down. We've all gotten healthy-lifestyle tips that were inconvenient to follow (like when your dietician recommended that you eat three pounds of kale every day). But that's the beauty of a standing desk like the UpDesk PowerUp. With the push of a button, you can set your desk to just the height you want. Not only does this help alleviate the health risks associated with being sedentary, it can also help you reset your mind and get your focus back on your work (or on pretending to work).

For more information on the health benefits of standing desks, check out our blog. For more information on how you can raise your standard with an UpDesk standing desk, visit our website.
