Sitting is the new smoking. Researchers are now saying that sitting for long periods of time can be as damaging to your health as smoking. If that’s true, a lot of people are in trouble (myself included) If you work in an office setting, chances are you sit at a desk for a majority of your work day. Sit and stand desks are a great solution to help keep your body moving but they’re really expensive. My DIY sit and stand desk is easy to make and costs well under $200! Here’s how it works:
To make it easier for you, this post contains affiliate links to the products I used in the video above. See my full disclosure here.
DIY sit and stand desk materials:
- this desk frame (there’s also an electric version that you don’t have to crank)
- desk surface of your choice
Believe it or not, that’s all it takes to make a sit and stand desk! For under $200, we made a sit and stand desk by using a stained piece of wood for the desk surface and then attached it following the directions that came with the frame.
Benefits of using a sit and stand desk
After about nine months of using my sit and stand desk, I’ve noticed some pretty dramatic benefits:
- I’ve increased my daily steps average without extra trips to the gym
- my back doesn’t hurt at the end of the day
- neck and shoulder tightness are both much improved
- I feel so much better knowing I’m doing something great for my health
- walking while I work keeps me warm in the winter
Think of your needs before you build
In my opinion, I think it’s best to build or buy a desk that allows you to sit and stand. That way you can adapt your desk to your needs. Standing and walking all day may be intimidating. Standing or walking for just part of the day is still better than sitting all day. Make sure that you take some time to think about what kind of set up would be best for you, and build your desk accordingly.
Additional options
If you want to take it a step further, you could also start using an under desk treadmill to walk at your desk. This one is specifically designed to use with a standing desk (one of my friends has this and LOVES it) If you’re looking for a less expensive option, this one may be your best bet (if you don’t mind removing the handle)
My husband bought this regular treadmill on clearance (for $45!) and modified it into an under desk treadmill. He removed the motherboard containing all the controls from the top and cut off the side bars. I have the controls placed on my desk and the rest of the machine fits nicely under my desk.
If you’re going to sit for part of the day, invest in a good chair that supports your lower back and promotes good posture. This is the chair I have and I’ve been really happy with it (sometimes you can find it here on sale)
If desk space is a priority, an under mounted keyboard tray is a great way to maximize space. This is the one I use and I’m pretty happy with it. As you can see in the picture below, the keyboard tray saves so much room!
When I’m sitting, I also use this foot rest that helps keep my knees at a 90 degree angle, keeping me safe from unnecessary strain.
An alternative
If making a new desk isn’t possible, you can try using a raiseable platform like this one. You won’t need to make any changes to your existing desk and it requires the least amount of work to set up.
Can I get my boss to buy a sit stand desk for me?
That depends on your situation but it never hurts to ask. Some employer insurance plans track activities that promote health. Having a sit stand desk could earn points towards your health insurance, which would be good for your employer too. You could also offer to pay for part of the desk to show your incentive.
My story
My job as a medical coder and blogger both have me sitting for long hours. Last year, I transitioned from working at a corporate office to working from home. It was the perfect time to do something for my health. I knew I wanted to make a desk that I could sit and stand when I want to. The choice for me was to have the flexibility to do both. I didn’t want to sit all day but I didn’t want to walk at my desk all day either. Having the option to do both was important. Most days, walk on my treadmill for a little over half the day.
I hope this was helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!
