Sit to Stand Crank Desk an Office Fitness Solution
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My new sit to stand crank desk is everything I dreamed it would be. A simple turn of the handle and the desk rises to the perfect standing height. When I want to sit again I crank the handle back down again. It's that easy.
Another wonderful feature of my new desk is the fact that it is a remarkable 62 inches in length and 29 inches wide. It is so large that I have it set over my old desk thus preserving my drawer space. On the desktop I have room for not only all my computer equipment and papers (of which I always have a stack or two or three) but I also have left over space for a craft project or two there as well.
This truly is the best Christmas gift I have received. A big thank you to my hubby who purchased the frame / mechanism and then built the top from a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood. We could have purchased the entire unit already pre-made but my husband is pretty handy with wood products so this seemed like the more economical way for us to go. I now have the ultimate work station and I love it.
Which Features Are Right for You
I had previously spent hours online searching the price range and features of sit to stand desks. There are more than a few styles of rising desks some operate electronically and others with a crank. There are stand alone desks in varying sizes and designs as well as smaller units that sit on top of your current desk, these featuring a mechanism you can use to rise your work area up and down as needed.
The stand alone desk style was the one I decided would work best for me. I also wanted a large work space so the 62 inch desk was a definite yes. Next was choosing between an electric and a crank model. With all the current cords and electrical wiring already at my computer area I wasn't too keen on an electric desk, this made the crank feature my next firm choice. Most quality desks of this type run for around $450. to $750.
To add to my desire for this office equipment last summer my niece posted that they chipped in and purchased my sister the rising desk for her birthday. Well I can honestly say that I was more than a little jealous. Then around October I spotted the mechanism and frame sold separately from the desk top this reducing the cost by about half. With Christmas coming up I decided to ask my husband if he would consider purchasing it and making me the desk for my gift. I was thrilled when he agreed.
It Truly is a High Quality Piece of Office Equipment
Wow this baby is heavy was my first thought when the box arrived at the door. Weighing in at just over 55 pounds I figured that the desk mechanism definitely had to be of steel construction and it was. Every single piece of this unit is grade A quality. The designers of this item were very thorough in their attention to detail.
You have your choice of a desk top size range anywhere up to 34 x 63 inches. We settled on 29 x 62 inches for my desk. Once put together you can adjust the height from 28 inches to 48 inches depending on whether you want to sit or stand and of course adjust it to match your height.
There were not too many sections so the mechanism was quite easy to put together. Basically it was simply a matter of arranging the legs, cross bar, feet, and crank into the length we wanted them to be. Then screwing things together, adding the table top, balancing it to the right position and screwing it into place. Once everything is connected the unit is sturdy and strong.
My Number One Reason for Wanting a Rising Office Desk
Physical fitness for students, writers, and office workers has become somewhat of a hot topic. Most of us who work at a desk have heard the rumblings that sitting for long periods of time is definitely not a healthy thing to do. I've seen it voiced a number of times and previously have tried a variety of ways to get me up and onto my feet more often throughout the day.
For the past couple years I have looked at ways to be less stationary at the computer but it turns out that creating a physical fitness program for the office or computer area isn't as easy as it would first appear. I tried setting an egg timer so I would be reminded to regularly leave my desk for an exercise break. My idea was to walk around around the house every hour. That plan lasted about 2 days.
I tried setting up my own version of a sit to stand desk using a wood box to pop my keyboard on so as to raise it to a standing position. That idea was an epic fail. It turns out that not only does the keyboard have to rise but also the mouse and the monitor if it is to feel right. Things get tippy and it is a royal pain to have to keep shuffling everything up and down. I tried a massaging foot bath under the desk. Yes, that felt pretty heavenly but it wasn't something that could be done for a series of alternating periods throughout the day. Although the massage was good for my circulation it was something I would use for about a 1/2 hour and only once or twice a day rather than as often as it would be needed to keep my blood flowing if I sat for an extended period of time.
It's a Question of Finding the Correct Work Station for You
Now That I've Been Using it for Awhile Here is My Review
I could rave for hours on how much I love this desk. I've now been using it for just over 3 months and the crank mechanism works exactly as it should. The desk is sturdy and raises up and down without sticking. The crank handle pulls out to use and then tucks easily back in under the desk to save space.
Has it gotten me up and moving more throughout the day? Yes, it has. I still have days when I sit more than I should but this is no longer the norm. I now tend to drink my morning coffee sitting but mid day when I am at the computer I crank up the desk. It's simple to do so there is no longer an excuse not to.
Hi I'm Lorelei. I hope you enjoy your visit to my blog.