Healthy Workspace Guide To Great Posture

5 September 2022

#1 STEP-BY STep Guide to great posture

Here’s an introductory step by step guide on how to get the most out of your standing desk from day one.  if you haven’t got a standing desk, then simply skip to the sitting section for a guide to great posture while sitting.

To determine the optimum working height of your standing desk, relax your shoulders, and create a 90 degree angle with your elbows, leaving your forearms parallel to the desktop.

Adjust the working height of the desk to just below yourforearms.

Guide to great posture for height adjustable desk

Guide to great posture while sitting

1. Thighs should be parallel to the ground, and feet placed on the ground, about shoulder width apart.  It is very important to ensure that you are using an ergonomic chair, with adequate adjustment to achieve these goals – check out https://healthyworkspace.co.uk/products/ergonomic-seating/ergonomic-seating-all/ for all Healthy workspace recommended options.

2. Wrists should be roughly in line with your forearms.

3. Your head and shoulders should in the upright position, with ears in line with your shoulders. Eyes should be in line with the top third of your screen.  If this is not possible with your screen as it is, then it is essential that an adequate monitor arm used to ensure that this is workable.

4. For best posture, make sure that your rib cage is directly in line above your hips, so that your torso is not angled or tilted towards or away from your desk as this can result in unnecessary strain on your lower back and neck bones, joints and muscles.

 

Guide to great posture while standing

1. Your feet should be sturdily situated on the ground shoulder width apart, the same as when seated.  Wrists must also be roughly in line with your forearms, and parallel to the floor.

2. Maintain head and shoulders in the upright position, with ears in line with your shoulders as a guide. Eyes should also be in line with the top third of the screen.  As with our advice while sitting, you may need to invest in a monitor arm to facilitate this.

3. Finally, but very importantly, your knees should be straight but not locked – if your knees are locked out, then you’re likely to be leaning backwards slightly, causing strain and potential longer term issues with the lower back and pelvis.

It is advised that when working at your standing desk, you should always start by spending a minimum of two hours on your feet spread periodically throughout the day, with a target of reaching around four hours standing in an average eight hour day – make sure you mix it up though, and pay as much attention to our guide to great posture to ensure that whether you are standing or sitting, you are positioned correctly!