Start with an Adjustable Desk

The ideal way to add more standing (and more movement) into your day is with an adjustable height desk like Evodesk. Having the ability to easily switch from sitting to standing and vice versa at the push of a button will do wonders for your standing experience. Evodesk even has a standing desk hybrid called the XE that fits on your existing desk, turning your standard desk into an adjustable height desk. Whether you’re in the middle of a game or focused on a task at work, Evodesk makes switching your desk’s position completely effortless.

Keep Moving

While standing is good for you, too much of a good thing can be bad. It’s not just about standing all day, it’s about adding movement into your day. When you stand, you should keep moving. Switch your feet positions, try a footstool to give you feet a break, or even consider desk stairs or treadmills. Standing with no movement for long periods of time can lead to back pain and fatigue. It’s better to alternate between sitting and standing, and not just remain in one position all day.

Listen to Your Body

If you begin to feel uncomfortable while you stand, you should sit. It’s that simple. Particularly when you first switch to standing, you might experience some soreness from muscles that aren’t typically used while sitting. This is normal, and usually goes away once your body adjusts to standing more. It’s best to ease into longer periods of standing by alternating between sitting and standing.

20/8/2 Rule

A useful guideline for determining when and for how long you should stand is the 20/8/2 rule. This means that every 30 minutes, you sit for 20 minutes, stand for 8, and get up and move for 2. This will help ease you into a routine of standing more without getting tired or feeling sore. A good old fashioned phone alarm works great for reminding you when it’s time to transition between positions.

Comfort is Key

Whether you’re a seasoned standing pro or a newbie, comfort is key. If you’re not comfortable while standing, you’re likely to quickly fizzle out. The key to staying comfortable is proper shoes, an ergonomic mat, and even some types of chairs.

Shoes: Choose shoes that are supportive and comfortable. If you need to wear heels at work, it might be a good idea to keep a pair of flat-footed shoes at your desk to change into when you stand.

Mat: Ergonomic mats are both supportive and comfortable. Evodesk’s anti-fatigue mats provide the perfect amount of stability and cushion, and are available in several color options.

Chair: Of course you want a comfortable chair to sit in, but you could also try a leaning chair to help take some of the weight off your feet and joints, or just be a really cool conversation starter.

Pay Attention to Ergonomics

Having your desk positioned correctly is crucial to both sitting and standing comfortably. Your arms should be at a comfortable 90-degree angle, and your monitor should be level with your eyes. If you have to look up or down, you could suffer from a sore neck or back. Improper keyboard placement could cause your wrists and arms to ache. Evodesk has several accessories to help you ensure your set up is ideally positioned.

Breaking up long periods of sitting is great for productivity, mental clarity, and your overall health. The best way to set yourself up for standing success is with an power adjustable height desk like Evodesk. Build your desk today and take a stand for your health.

The post How To Switch To A Standing Desk appeared first on Evodesk Blog.

Most DIY Standing Desks Are Unstable

Let’s think about what you’re risking here. Most likely, your desktop holds thousands of dollars worth of hardware, meaning your job, your business, etc. are literally balancing on that rickety pile of books. We know it seems like the best use for your old college textbooks or those phone books that (for whatever reason) are still being delivered, but please, for the love of your electronics, reconsider.

If you bought a protection plan for your laptop or generally care about the well-being of your computer, why would you rely on a JENGA® tower as your work surface?

Most DIY Standing Desks Can’t Go Up And Down

If you reach for the nearest stackable materials to lift your work space to standing height, chances are it’s not going to be easy to adjust. It’s important to be able to adjust your desk height, because the secret to reaping the health benefits of a standing desk isn’t just standing all day–it’s simply adding movement into your life. This means moving from sitting to standing to sitting periodically. In fact, Cornell University recommends a 20-8-2 rule to balance the amount of time you spend sitting and standing. Plus, an adjustable-height desk will save you from having to restructure every time you get a craving for a soda.

Most DIY Standing Desks Aren’t Ergonomically Adjusted

Standing doesn’t do your body any good if your posture is bad. An ergonomically adjusted desk should lift your monitor screen to your eye line, and your elbows should rest at a comfortable 90-degree angle with your wrists floating about your keyboard. If you have to look down at your monitor, you’re likely to develop a stiff neck. And a keyboard that is even slightly too high or low can cause your wrists and forearms to ache. An average person would probably need 1.5 to 2 of these Pringles cans to reach their ergonomic height, and, well, refer back to the first point.

Most DIY Standing Desks Look DIY’ed

Maybe you don’t care too much about aesthetics, but there really is something to be said about having a workstation that is neat and tidy. Sure your milk crate/cardboard box/stacked book set up may kind of work, but more than likely it just looks cheap and messy. Studies have shown that orderly desktops not only help you stay focused, but they can also prevent illness because it’s easier to keep clean from dust and germs.

Most DIY Standing Desks Can’t Handle Attachments

Part of the appeal of having a mobile workstation is that your whole work space raises with you. Take a look at those images above again. Would you really want to risk mounting two monitors on those chip cans? And where are you going to fit your CPU amidst those books? An adjustable height desk like an Evodesk offers you enough space and stability to support whatever you want to keep on your desktop. No shakiness to worry about or struggling to fit your accessories.

Why You Should Invest in An Adjustable Height Desk

An adjustable height desk such as the Evodesk is really the best way to go for your health if you’re looking to add life enhancing movement into your workday. With soft touch buttons that effortlessly lift and lower the desk to your programmed ergonomic heights and enough desktop surface area to support just about any workspace set up, it’s easy to enjoy all the benefits a standing desk has to offer. Plus, Evodesk offers several customization options from materials, colors, accessories, and even protective printed DeskShields to make your desktop unique to you. Click here  to start building your customized Evodesk now!

The post Why You Should Avoid A DIY Standing Desk appeared first on Evodesk Blog.

Let’s start with an accessory that is particularly great with standing desks like the EvoDesk. It’s the perfect height, has a sleek appearance, and is easy to keep out of the way.

Okay, just kidding! Here are some things you should actually try at your desk if you love coffee.

Mug Warmer
It’s inevitable: you get called away for a “quick” meeting, or need to respond to an urgent email, and the next thing you know, your coffee is cold. Rather than traipsing back to the kitchen for a new cup or a quick zap in the microwave, just get a mug warmer. It’s unobtrusive and will keep your drink at a constant temperature until the last drop. Plus, after you’re done with your coffee, you can use it as a candle warmer for your favorite coffee-scented candle scent (we’re looking at you, die-hard coffee lovers).

Cup Clips

If you have a tendency to spill your coffee or feel like you’re in a constant battle with drip rings, you should consider a cup clip for the edge of your desk. It secures your drink off to the side so you’re less likely to reach for your phone and knock over your cup. This one works great for to go cups and travel mugs.

Desk-Friendly Brewing Methods

If the quality of office coffee just doesn’t cut it for you, there are a few really simple desk-friendly brewing methods. Plus, you’ll be the envy of the aisle with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting from your desk. If you like cold coffee, cold brew is seriously easy. All you need is a French press, ground coffee, and a refrigerator. Just pour cold water over your grounds in your French press, stick it in your fridge before you leave work, and it’ll be ready for your enjoyment by morning. Here are more in-depth directions.

A French press is also great for freshly brewed coffee at your desk, only you’ll need hot water instead of cold. Just let it steep for a few minutes, press, and pour into your mug. Another great at-your-desk brewing method is the AeroPress. It makes a delicious cup of coffee in just a few seconds, and cleanup is a breeze. You can get an AeroPress here.

To-Go Creamers

Coffee creamers are the perfect way to customize your coffee, but usually need to be refrigerated. CoffeeMate recently developed squirt bottles of their flavored cream, similar to squeezable water flavors. This way you can keep your favorite creamers at your desk without having to worry about any coworkers “borrowing” yours from the office fridge. Find them at your grocery store, or online here.

Stain Remover Pens

Last but not least is the very important stain remover pens. We love our coffee, but we don’t need to advertise it with evidence of drips or spills on our favorite shirt. Keep a little pen like this at your desk and pretend like that little spill just never happened.

Take a stand against mediocre coffee! It’s easy to elevate your daily coffee experience with handy accessories and a superior work environment. So raise your mug (and your Evodesk) and toast to a new and better way to get through your work day.

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Standing Desks Just Reached New Heights

Your desk is your own little nook of the office. It’s the place you display pictures of your family, friends, or cat. You’ve got your favorite pens, notebooks, posters, and other items that make your desk area more “you”.

Now, there’s already a running list of cool accessories that work great with your Evodesk here, but the personalized desk game just changed with Evodesk’s newest launch: DeskShields.

With these new DeskShields, you can literally turn your desktop into whatever you want. Super rare woods from the Amazon forest, high-definition views from NASA, and even photos from your favorite destination can now cover your desk. There are hundreds of designs to choose from, and soon you’ll be able to upload your own photos as well.

There’s two different kinds of DeskShields: FullShield and TopShield.

FullShield

TopShield

The FullShield is a factory-applied skin that wraps around the edges of the desk, and the TopShield can be factory or home installed. The TopShield only covers the top of the desk, and it’s easy to remove and change out your designs.

These DeskShields don’t just customize your desk, they also help protect it. They’re printed on automotive-grade vinyl and finished with a durable laminate covering. Plus, the TopShield’s adhesive is residue-free, so if you decide to switch your designs, your desk won’t feel sticky.

Now’s the time to beat the crowds and be one of the first to get your hands on a unique, personalized Evodesk.

Check out all the designs available here and order today!

The post Introducing DeskShields by EvoDesk appeared first on Evodesk Blog.

The story may seem unbelievable.

At Evodesk, we credit ourselves with helping the desk evolve into a customizable and amazing standing desk. However, science took over and our standing desk took the next evolutionary leap all on its own. Here is an account from our engineer Shane:

“I came in and there it was. The Evodesk standing desk was just looking at me with these incredible eyes and I stopped in my tracks. I mean [voice breaks] how are you prepared to see the next stage in standing desk evolution?”

Our legal team states that I have to warn you about what you are about it see. If you continue to scroll you will see the self-aware Evodesk standing desk. We must warn you, this may be a shock.

We know. It is intense. Much like the discovery of the ninja lanternshark and the ongoing studies to find Planet X, this is a vast universe that still manages to produce surprises and wonder: like the self-aware Evodesk standing desk.

We are still trying to understand everything that happened to make the Evodesk standing desk evolve, but this may take years of testing. In the meantime, you can still purchase our non-self-aware Evodesk standing desks.

While they don’t greet you in the morning with warm, thoughtful eyes, you can still program them to rise and lower to your perfect ergonomic heights for sitting or standing. You can also choose from over 200,000 unique combinations of features and styles for the perfect standing-desk adaptation for you. That is pretty amazing in and of itself. And starting at only $599, it’s truly evolutionary.

Plus if you really want to, just add googly eyes for a couple of bucks, or class up your standing desk with a monocle or tiny top hat.

The post The First Self-Aware Standing Desk! appeared first on Evodesk Blog.

The Coolest Office Plants For Your Standing Desk

1. Air Bonsai

This Kickstarter idea for an office accessory is one of the coolest things that I’ve seen and it would look awesome on the Evodesk standing desk. Imagine a floating, spinning bonsai tree on top of your height adjustable standing desk. The future has arrived my typing friends!

2. USB Flower Pot

“I like things that multitask like I do.” Say no more overachiever, and check out this flower pot that doubles as an electronic device. Think of it like a floral giga pet. Plug the USB into your PC and the flower pot will remind you when it needs to be watered. It even reminds you about sunshine and care. So even people with black thumbs have more of a chance at keeping their little desk plants alive.

3. “It’s a me! Mario desk plants!”

Nothing says I have a love for classic video games like a Super Mario Bros. desk plant. Whether you go with the piranha pipe plants, or some adorable level-up Mario mushrooms, the whole office (at least the coolest people) will admire your gamer style.

4. Zen Gardens

Here is where three awesome things combine: color, zen garden design, and a plant. Not only can you de-stress with doodling, but you can also enjoy a pick-me-up from the vibrant, colored sand.

If designing isn’t in your wheelhouse, you can play it safe with the less colorful, but equally cool yin yang desktop garden from Buddha Groove.

5. Book Planters

When I saw these book planters, I couldn’t beleieve how they have been missing from my life… and my standing desk. Crafted by Mitsubai Tokyo, these standing desk stand outs are sure to have people visiting your desk.

For other cool desk plants or office designs, check out our Ultimate Office Design board on Pinterest. And for that epic standing desk that’ll be the perfect place to put those office plants, check out Evodesk.

The post Coolest Standing Desk Plants appeared first on Evodesk Blog.

If you are trying to start your day earlier, don’t worry, we wouldn’t leave you to figure it out on your own. Here are some easy tips and tricks to wake up early.

In addition to these tricks for waking up early, here are a couple more:

• Snooze Button: Don’t use a snooze button. It’ll confuse your body and it could leave you feeling more tired than if you had gotten up the first time.
• Natural Light: Natural light helps your brain wake up and if you sleep with the blinds open, the morning sun could be a great wake up call.
• Warm Room: It can be even harder to get out of bed if the room is cold, with those blankets looking too good to pass up. If the room is warmer, it makes it easier to get out of bed.

Hopefully these tips on how to get up early will help you jump start your day. And once you have been super productive, you can keep that productivity going with your Evodesk standing desk. Known to give a boost in energy, your Evodesk standing desk is ready to carry that get-it-done momentum throughout the day.

The post How To Wake Up On Time appeared first on Evodesk Blog.

Do plants really make a difference?

More Productive

In a study from Dr. Chris Knight and others, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, he set out to see how much of a difference plants can have in the office. To start, he went to minimalist offices that didn’t really have pictures or desk decorations. Once he added plants to the office, he found that the employees became 15% more productive. When everyone could see a plant from their desk, he explained that if, “there’s something to get you psychologically engaged you are happier and you work better.”

Cleaner Air

B.C. Wolverton, in an article from NASA, found that growing house plants inside can help to eliminate VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the air. VOCs are bad news, which is why we keep them out of our standing desk process. All of the Evodesk standing desks are finished in the U.S. without toxic chemicals so pairing that clean air with a desk plant can help you get even better air.

Less Stress

In a UTS research study, they found that office plants make a huge difference when it comes to stress. In three months, they noted that employees with plants at their desks were 30-60% less stressed and had reduced negative feelings. On the opposite side of the coin, people without plants had a 20-40% increase in stress and negativity. Here are the surprising stats:

• 37% less anxiety
• 58% less depression
• 44% less anger
• 38% less fatigue

All in all, plants seem to be making a big difference in the workplace. And if you put one of those plants on your Evodesk standing desk, watch out because you are in for even more perks. Studies have shown that standing desks can have an increase on productivity, focus, creativity and even your mood. So imagine the possibilities of combining an office plant with an Evodesk standing desk. Can you even handle how awesome you would be?

The post Office Plants For The Win appeared first on Evodesk Blog.

The SXSW Gaming Expo takes place on March 17- 19, and if you love gaming of all kinds, from board games and card games to PC and mobile games, there is something for you to enjoy.

When the SXSW Gaming Expo starts tomorrow, there will be a number of different events to enjoy:

• The Geek Stage alone will have celebrities combined with brand new gaming footage.
• For the fan, you can watch the ESports Tournament Stage that will have players battling it out.
• The Indie Corner has 40 awesome games for you to try out, and you can help decide which one could win the Gamer’s Voice award.
• Need a break from video games? Check out the Tabletop Experience with over a hundred board games from the classics to the newest.
• Want to enjoy a PC game? The Free Play PC Arena let’s you play and even enter tournaments.
• The 4th Annual Cosplay Competition takes place on Saturday so you can interact with your favorite heroes.
• Ready for the future of gaming? Check out the Gamer’s Voice Stage where the indie gamers will be pitching their latest and greatest.
• “I used to play that game and there were only two buttons.” Relive the wonder at the Videogame History Museum.
• Forget March Madness. See the best mods for your favorite games at the Mod Madness stage.
• And last but not least, the Free Play Arcade Bunker has some of your choice arcade games from when you were little and some of your top recent games that have been redone for the arcade world!

When it’s all said and done, the SXSW Gaming Awards will take place on Saturday and there are tons of different categories from favorite streaming personality to best independent video game. You can see the full list in the link above and cheer on your favorites after you’ve sampled them yourself. This SXSW Gaming Expo is truly a great even for anyone who loves gaming.

And for anyone who really loves gaming, there is a gaming desk for that. The Evodesk gaming desk has several features that make it the ideal gaming experience for a player or a Twitch streamer. From the EvoGuard coating that makes your desk feel like “one big mouse pad” to the Ergo Edge design that gets you closer to the game and the action, there are a number of different features to enhance your gaming experience. As one standing gamer put it, playing at a standing gaming desk helped him, “feel more like a commander.” And when you’re gaming, isn’t that exactly what you want?

Checkout our standing gaming desks and if you are local like us, check out the SXSW Gaming Expo.

The post Gamers Unite! SXSW Gaming Expo appeared first on Evodesk Blog.

Since this is the 30th anniversary, it’s going to be extra special. Here are just a handful of the awesome things that are at SXSW this year.

For films there are tons of premieres that are happening. From the “spirited sequel” to Dazed and Confused (Everybody Wants Some) to intense documentaries like Beware the Slenderman, there is a movie screening for everyone. Honestly the inner child in me can’t wait for Pee-wee’s Big Holiday while the sci-fi lover in me wants to watch Midnight Special all about a father trying to protect his son who has powers. But the winner might be the Master Pancake Saint Patrick’s Day special.

For those of you unfamiliar with it, Master Pancake is when they screen a movie and people with microphones make comments that are hysterical the entire time. Think of it like a live Mystery Science Theater 3000 that you are invited it. This year they are roasting Leprechaun 4 which I believe takes place in space. Yes, this is just a sample of the wonderful originality that comes out of SXSW.

For music, there are honestly too many venues, performances, and shows to list. Even if you were to get all of the concerts, there are so many surprise shows and live bar performances that you could spend the entire trip just focused on music and you would hardly scratch the surface. Here is a tiny idea of the music scene to help you choose.

And last but not least, there is a slew of tech innovations that push the limits every year. For example Hishori Ishiguro brought his team of androids and geminoids (a completely new term to me) including one that was his double. This android looked just like him and even had conversations with audience members.

One of the reasons Evodesk is so proud to be close to Austin is that it has become synonymous with innovation. SXSW gets an audience from all over the world to talk tech and the future. As a standing desk company, tasked with bringing a more beneficial product that could help boost your productivity and your health, we think that Austin is just the right neighborhood. And as innovators ourselves, our trademarked EvoGuard standing desk coating is a proprietary process that we cooked up for exceptional protection, mouse precision, and environmental acknowledgement. And as more people folk to the new Silicon Valley (a.k.a. Silicon Hills), our standing desk tech, materials, and designs will only get better. So cheers to Austin for “keeping it weird” and tech wonderful.

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