Spending hours sitting at a desk is now the new reality in the work environment. With the increasing awareness of the health risks of sitting most of the time, there is an increasing number of people seeking out flexible and ergonomic products that would give them the option of sitting and standing up during work. The riser desk, also known as a desk riser or standing desk converter, is one of such solutions that have become very popular.
A riser desk will convert a conventional sitting desk into a sit-stand work station without the need to replace the entire desk. It provides a cheap, space-conserving, and convenient means of experiencing the joys of standing during work.
What is a Riser Desk
A riser desk is a thing that can be placed on the top of another desk and elevate your workstation to a standing level. A riser desk is not a replacement for your whole desk, like full standing desks. It raises your monitor, keyboard, and even other accessories, and you can comfortably work when standing up.
The riser desks are usually adjustable, and one can sit and stand at any time of the day. This is among the primary factors that make them common amongst office workers, distant employees, college students, and gamers.
How a Riser Desk Works
The riser desk is operated by a vertical up-lifting of your place of work. This could be done by manual mechanisms, gas springs, or electric motors, depending on the model. Other riser desks do permit the user to raise the platform manually, whereas others have lever or button controls that raise and lower the platform in a continuous motion.
After it is put on a desk, the riser desk offers a lift-up surface for your monitor and a separate or built-in platform for your keyboard and mouse. When it is lowered then you can sit in comfort, and when lifted, it brings your screen to eye level and your keyboard to a standing height.
Types of Riser Desks
There are various designs of riser desks that suit various needs and preferences.
Fixed Riser Desks
These models elevate your workstation to a height. They are basic, are frequently lightweight, and inexpensive. They are, however, not flexible as they do not give one the ability to change to standing.
Adjustable Manual Riser Chairs
Manual riser desks enable you to raise the height with the help of a lever, crank, or spring-assisted mechanism. They are flexible and not fixed as well, as they are often utilized in home offices.
Electric Riser Desks
Electric riser desks are operated by a button press that will move the platform vertically with the help of a motor. They provide both light and accurate adjustments and can be used by those users who often change their position or handle heavy equipment.
Key Features of a Riser Desk
There are a number of significant features that are common to most riser desks and make them useful and ergonomic.
The most important feature is height adjustability, which enables users to sit or stand in a proper posture. Several riser desks also have two tiers of platforms, keeping the monitor and the keyboard on different levels to improve the alignment of wrists and arms.
Another important feature is stability. An excellent riser desk must not tip even when at full length. Other models have a non-slip base or reinforced frames to eliminate the wobbling.
It has the added advantage of portability. Riser desks are not permanent structures and can therefore be easily relocated among desks or even places.
Benefits of Using a Riser Desk
Encourages Movement
A riser desk has one of the greatest benefits, which is that it promotes frequent movement. An alternating sitting and standing position will assist in decreasing the stiffness and focuses on better circulation.
Improves Posture
Riser desks enable you to put your monitor at eye level, removing the neck strain when looking down at the screen. Correct positioning of the keyboard and mouse can also aid in having a neutral position at the wrists.
Lessens the Medical dangers of Prolonged Sitting
The long sitting time has been associated with back pain, poor blood flow, and reduced energy. A riser desk also helps to interrupt long sitting, which can also be associated with improved overall health.
Standing Desks: Alternative Cost-Saving Alternative
Riser desks are relatively cheaper than full standing desks. They are offering the same benefits without having to overhaul the entire workspace.
Easy Setup
The majority of riser desks need very little assembly and can be assembled in minutes. This would suit the renters, shared offices, or those who just have a quick upgrade ergonomically.
Who Should Use a Riser Desk
The riser desks can be used by very diverse customers. Professional workers who spend much time in front of a computer will be able to enjoy better posture and comfort. The design is flexible in nature and space-saving for remote workers and freelancers.
Learners who engage in prolonged studying can sit on riser desks and remain more active. Standing can help even gamers and creative professionals to focus better and be less tired after a long time.
How to Properly Use a Riser Desk
In order to reap maximum out of a riser desk, it must be set up properly. When standing, your monitor must be exactly or nearly at eye-level, and your elbows ought to be at approximately 90 degrees in typing. Your feet are to be in contact with the ground, and your weight is to be evenly distributed.
One should not stand throughout the day. Experts suggest that after every 30 to 60 minutes, one should alternate between sitting and standing. The comfort when standing longer can also be increased with the help of an anti-fatigue mat.
Limitations of Riser Desks
Although riser desks have numerous benefits, they also possess several constraints. They heighten your already available desk, which might not suit the short user unless it is adjusted accordingly.
There might be a risk that some of the models cannot hold several monitors or accessories. Bigger installations can be supported with heavier riser desks.
Also, riser desks lack the customization of full standing desks, particularly when it comes to legroom and built-in cable management.
Riser Desk vs Standing Desk
The primary distinction between a riser and a standing desk is in the design and dedication. A standing desk is a replacement for your traditional desk and is made with the purpose of sitting and standing. A riser desk, in its turn, is a desk placed over an existing desk and transforms it into a standing workstation.
Riser desks are cheaper, portable, and more flexible, whereas standing desks provide a more long-term and, in many ways, more spacious alternative.
Final Thoughts
A riser desk is also an affordable, convenient solution to the problems of ergonomic work and alleviation of the disadvantages of long sitting. It allows users to switch positions between sitting and standing and thus makes working behaviors healthier without necessarily altering a current setup significantly.
Be it in the company office, a home setting, or a common space, a riser chair can be a good move towards a more comfortable and active working experience. It could make a noticeable difference with the proper setup and frequent movement in both productivity and well-being.
