While traditional sit-stand desks are great in theory, industry research shows that 70% of people who buy them don’t move it out of the sitting position after the novelty wears off, typically in a few weeks. So enter the smart desk.There have been a lot of articles lately warning of the hazards of sitting for long periods of time; the latest research finding that sitting for more than three hours a day can shave our life expectancy by two years— even if we exercise regularly. While traditional sit-stand desks are great in theory, industry research shows that 70% of people who buy them don’t move it out of the sitting position after the novelty wears off, typically in a few weeks. So enter the smart desk.A new batch of so-called smart desks can monitor your movements, track your calories and even nudge you to stand up at various intervals throughout the day.
NY Times writer Jennifer Jolly spent the last three years researching smart desks, and here are some of her favorites, sure to fit any budget:
- Stir Kinetic Desk F1 ($4,190)
Created by former Apple engineer JP Labrosse, who was part of the original iPod team, the desk has a five-inch touch-screen built into the surface, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a thermal sensor on the underside that tracks your activity. Based on your settings, the desktop rises about an inch, then settles back down a few times an hour. Stir calls this “Whisperbreath,” a nudge that prompts you to change position without breaking your concentration.
- Autonomous Desk Smart Model (starting at $699)
This Kickstarter-funded desk begins shipping in July and promises a Siri-like voice-activated personal assistant and connects with other smart devices such as Nest orPhilips Hue to turn up the heat or turn off the lights.
- IKEA’s Bekant Sit/Stand desk ($489)
This no-frills motorized desk has a simple two-button adjustment control system. And while assembly is quite complicated, it works well, going from a sitting desk to a standing desk in seconds.
- StandStand ($69)
This budget-conscious option is essentially a portable wooden structure that turns any desk into a standing desk. The wood frame collapses to the size of a briefcase and can be quickly assembled and placed on the desktop at standing height.
ForMen takeaway: If you’re thinking of buying a standing desk, consider your budget and space restraints. Also, experts recommend that those who are new to a sit-stand desk start by standing just five to 20 minutes each hour and working up from there. Otherwise, you may end up with sore feet, a strained back and aching joints.
Relevant source:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/smart-desks-to-keep-you-moving/?src=me&_r=1Curated from The New York Times
