Are standing desks really worth it? Here is a review of the FlexiSpot E7 standing desk and my experience using it.
I’ve been interested in the standing desk concept for years.
When I’m not traveling, I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk, and to be honest, I probably spend a little too much time at my desk!
I sometimes work at my kitchen counter, but it’s always fun to work on my computer while standing. It’s hard to explain, it just feels different.
When I work standing up, I feel more engaged, more focused, and more energized.
Unfortunately, my kitchen counter isn’t high enough, so it’s a bit difficult to use, and moving the computer from my desk to the kitchen is quite a pain (when I’m working next to a biscuit shelf, I don’t have the temptation or Don’t worry about the distractions). So sit/standing desks have been on my interest for a while!
When FlexiSpot contacted me to see if I’d like to review their adjustable FlexiSpot E7 standing desk, I jumped at the chance to upgrade my office.
Assembling the FlexiSpot E7
The standing desk arrived in three packages, two of which were large and heavy.
My husband Sam was very kind to put my desk together. Sam is very handy and she can assemble flat pack furniture in no time, but she assured me that this desk was really easy to assemble. He said it is very heavy, adding additional difficulty when assembling it. But other than that it was really easy.
When I first assembled the desk, I was a little disappointed because it was smaller than my previous desk. But I quickly got used to it and realized that the extra space on my old desk was just an easy excuse to collect unnecessary clutter. So now I actually prefer having a small and tidy desk.
I chose the FlexiSpot E7 with black legs and a bamboo top. I really like the look of it and it fits well with the vibe of my office.
The main benefits of a standing desk for me
A boost of energy and consciously separating tasks into ‘sitting tasks’ and ‘standing tasks’
For me, the main benefit of a standing desk is that it allows me to consciously focus on one task at a time.
I often do one task while sitting and then another while standing, so having a desk helps me stay focused and not jump from one task to another. Masu. I don’t change tasks until I change positions. This physical movement is very helpful in separating the work.
This will increase your productivity and make you more aware of what you are doing overall.
I used to do this a lot when I was working from home many years ago. Once he finishes one task at his desk, he moves to the couch, then to the kitchen table, then to the kitchen countertop, then does a little work on the floor, and maybe even a little work on the bed. For me, it’s not just about sitting or standing, it’s also about changing positions for different tasks. But of course, it’s not practical to move around the house with all your work tools, and now that you have kids, that’s not possible. Because you just need a really quiet place to work.
When you go from sitting to standing, you feel a lot of energy. It’s like drinking strong coffee and then splashing cold water on your face!
FlexiSpot E7 standing desk review
The FlexiSpot E7 standing desk is smooth and easy to use.
adjustable from 58cm to 123cm.
Not only is the up and down movement smooth, but it’s also very quiet, with only a quiet “whoosh” sound.
it has a load capacity of 125kg, so you don’t have to worry about carrying too much luggage. It doesn’t wobble when you stand or sit on it (there’s a promotional video of someone using it to clean windows while standing on it!)
It also comes with a child lock! ! ! It took me a week or two to figure this out, but my youngest daughter was driving me crazy. She thinks moving it up and down is the best thing ever.
There are 4 memory presets for different heights
Pros of the standing desk
- It moves up and down very smoothly, so you don’t have to worry about things spilling or falling over on your desk
- Range of motion is vast and moves much higher and lower than I would like
- Choose from a wide variety of colors and styles to match your office interior
- It’s a really good size
- Easy to use up and down buttons
- There is also a USB port inside the button for additional charging options
- Has 2 memory functions to save your ideal standing or sitting height
Cons of the standing desk
There are actually only two disadvantages to standing desks
- No storage as standard, additional draws must be purchased separately
- Sometimes in my case it gets stuck and I can’t get it back. It must be fully lowered and “reset” before it can rise again.
My experience using a standing desk – Helping my workflow
I really enjoy using a standing desk. You’re probably using it 40% of the time standing and 60% sitting, so you’re still sitting a little more than standing.
People are starting to get into the habit of standing up for certain tasks and sitting down for others. I always answer emails while standing, and I also like to edit photos and videos while standing. But I like to sit down and write.
This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it actually breaks up the tasks I’m doing and separates one thing from another.
So I find that I have to stick with one job and don’t jump back and forth between tasks or try to multitask as much.
The thing that keeps me from being as productive as I can is multitasking. I know it doesn’t help, but I’m still trying to do everything at the same time. Why do we do this? I don’t know.
Dividing your work into sitting and standing will help you stay on track and get used to a steady flow of work.
When I sit down to write, even if I feel like checking my email or scrolling through social media, I stop because I’m standing up. I started to feel weird checking my email while sitting, so I stopped.
For me, this is the biggest benefit of a 100% standing desk.
These are all physical benefits of a standing desk as well.
Physical benefits of a standing desk
I’m not going to take the many facts I find on the internet at face value. I’d rather see lots of “internet facts” that say standing desks are better for your health and reduce your risk of illness. Weight gain and heart disease. I’m sure there is a lot of truth in this, but everyone knows that even if you have been standing for several hours, you will not suddenly drop a stone or two.
The main physical benefit for me is the fact that I have to stand up straight and correct my slouching posture. This will help you instantly relax and let go of your tension. You will also automatically start taking deep breaths, which will help you feel more relaxed and mentally clear.
I’m a physically active person anyway. I work out most mornings, walk as much as possible, and am always on the go (she has 3 active kids to thank for that!), so I’m the kind of person I see. I don’t know if it is. Other physical benefits.
Pomodoros and a standing desk
One thing I love to do at my standing desk is Pomodoro. For those who aren’t familiar with Pomodoro, it’s a productivity technique where he works focused for 25 minutes, then takes a break. You are supposed to take a 5 minute break and extend your break by 10 minutes after every 4 Pomodoros. Timers help you stay on track, increase productivity, and add a gaming experience. (Actually, I take a 10 minute break every time, but 5 minutes is not enough!)
This is a great technique to avoid distractions and works really well with sit/standing desks as you can lower and raise your desk with each Pomodoro.
In addition to setting an alarm, I’ve found that changing my position helps me stay focused and gives me renewed energy after every 25 minutes of work.
Can you have a treadmill with your standing desk?
i’ve seen people use deadmills under their standing desks, and to be honest, I’ve even looked online for standing desk treadmills. But after using the desk in a standing position, I find it almost impossible to concentrate on the computer and walk on the treadmill at the same time. You could probably watch a video, but you could also do it using an iPad on a regular treadmill.
It’s certainly possible, but I’m not going to buy a standing desk just to put a treadmill under it.
I’m convinced that simply taking a walk outside can have far more positive effects on your physical and mental health, and probably improve your overall productivity as well.
Could you use an exercise bike with a standing desk?
This is a little more realistic and I think you could set up a stationary bike under your standing desk and pedal slowly.
But again, I wouldn’t buy it purely for this purpose.
I have a Peloton bike right across from my desk. I like it here because it reminds me to stop work and ride his bike for a 15 minute break.
Overall thoughts
If I was looking for a new desk, I would 100% buy a sit/stand desk. Personally, I don’t think about buying a regular sitting desk anymore. Now I can’t imagine sitting still at a desk for 8 hours a day!
I highly recommend the FlexiSpot E7. It’s a great all-rounder that’s suitable for most people and most situations, whether it’s purely for work use, crafting, making, or even just laying down a keyboard. FlexiSpot has other designs as well, so be sure to check out their website.
Is it worth upgrading if I already have a decent desk? I don’t know. These desks aren’t cheap. Prices for the E7 start from £419.99, so it’s an expensive upgrade, but we think it’s worth it.
FlexiSpot is also running a Black Friday sale with up to 31% off from November 25th to 28th, 2022, so it’s worth checking out their official website!
Learn more about the FlexiSpot desk here.
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