"This was certainly a comfortable alternative and something I’ll be recommending that all my colleagues should try at some point."

Steven Nathaniel (pictured), Account Manager at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, reviews a standing desk.

For the past week I’ve been test driving a standing desk solution provided by Chamber member I Want a Standing Desk. The idea is you stand at a desk with adjustable height while you work. Experts and studies suggest that this comes with health and productivity benefits.

Last Friday I jumped in with both feet and set my laptop and monitor up at the standing desk. Within a few minutes I noticed some straining in my calves and back…this can’t be right… so I did the very unmanly thing of checking the manual… sure enough, once I’d watched the online tutorial and made a few adjustments the strain eased and it was actually very comfortable.

Over the last week I’ve been in and out of the office and used it most days, never for more than 90 minutes at a time but averaging 3-4 hours per day. I found it particularly good to use when I had admin, emails and other activity that meant typing, I suspect my productivity was increased. Whenever I had any hand written work or reading lengthy documents I still preferred to sit.

I am assured that I was burning anything from 25-40% more calories while standing compared to sitting which is good to know. Improvements in posture, aches and circulation are also benefits of standing while you work. The longer term benefits that brings are obvious.

While I’m not quite prepared to give up my chair full time (and I don’t need to as these are sit-stand desks), this was certainly a comfortable alternative and something I’ll be recommending that all my colleagues should try at some point.

The desk was provided courtesy of Nick White at I Want a Standing Desk and if you take the health and welfare of your staff seriously you can find more information atiwantastandingdesk.com