The use of standing workstations has recently become an area of great interest to many computer workstation users. I have been providing ergonomic and health care services for over 12 years and have recently been shocked at the number of people who are now convinced sitting will kill them!

I am hearing comments like “the more you sit, the earlier you die”; “sitting will reduce my life span”; and “I really want to stand and work so to reduce my cholesterol”.

While, there are some definite benefits, there are some things that need to be considered before you toss out your chair.

Why has sitting been labeled “bad”?

It is no secret that the number of overweight and obese Americans is increasing dramatically. The CDC put together a map of obesity trends from 1985 – 2010. This is one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen (see http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html). For example, in Texas, over 30% of us are obese (this does not include people considered “overweight”). Obese per the CDC is a person with a Body Mass Index of 30 or more. 

Here are some basic facts:

Consuming more calories than you burn causes weight gain. Sitting burns fewer calories than standing.

Moving your body not only burns calories, it also promotes increased circulation, promotes cardiovascular health, increases oxygenation to tissues, etc.

Most Americans do not get adequate movement during the course of their day.

Being overweight or sedentary are both risk factors for serious health problems.

Why has standing been labeled “life saving”?

Standing is not sitting. Standing burns more calories that sitting. Standing causes more muscle activity that sitting. Burning calories combats obesity. Movement combats sedentary lifestyles.

Coming soon....In Defense of Sitting