Sittin' Ain't Pretty
Sit-stand workstations can keep you healthier
By Deborah Quilter
First published September 16, 1997

A new generation of workstations offer people the option of computing while standing or alternating between sitting and standing, an even better choice.

Sitting improperly is a major risk factor for repetitive stress injury. In addition to straining your neck, back, and forearms, slouching impedes breathing, slows circulation, and shortens the hamstrings. When you stand properly, your spine can maintain its natural curve. (Standing improperly could be the subject of a whole other column.) Standing also encourages you to move and take frequent breaks because any static posture causes fatigue.

SELECTION BASICS

A typical sit-stand workstation has a base made up of a pedestal or two side supports that stabilizes shelves for your equipment. The shelves--which hold your system unit, CRT, and so on--move up and down so you can adjust them optimally for sitting and standing work. The keyboard tray should be tiltable in the negative direction (toward your knees).

There are several factors to consider before you buy a sit-stand workstation.

Availability. Test it first. Go to a showroom and try adjusting the unit yourself. Don't buy from a catalog unless you can return the product.

Range of adjustment. Stand tall and position the monitor so that the top of the screen is level with your eyes. Place the keyboard so you don't have to lift your shoulders even slightly to reach the keys. If the workstation can't be adjusted to your height, don't buy it.

Ease of adjustment. If the workstation isn't easy to adjust, you're less likely to alternate between sitting and standing.

Durability. Sturdy equipment is especially important in workstations that you'll use heavily and adjust frequently.

Design. Watch out for highly reflective surfaces, instability, and sharp corners.

Casters. Casters let you roll the cart into the conference room for a presentation and reach behind your computer without straining. Be sure rolling casters lock in place.

Customer service. Some manufacturers will send salespeople to train you or advise you over the phone. If you buy inexpensive equipment, you could be on your own when it comes to assembly and adjustment.

The SOHO adjustable computer workstation fits most people.

I tested sit-stand workstations from SOHO, SIS Human Factor Technologies Inc., and 3M. None are perfect in terms of adjustability or height range, and even reasonably handy people may need help assembling the SOHO and 3M models.

The SOHO adjustable computer workstation ($169 to $199; 800/299-7646) has the greatest range of heights: 12 to 42 inches. If you need a higher standing level, you can order an extension from the manufacturer. A wider keyboard shelf is also available.

Be prepared for ground-up assembly, including oiling the center posts. You can adjust the shelf with your CPU and monitor aboard, but don't try it alone. The keyboard shelf has positive tilt but not the more desirable negative tilt. Casters lock in place with a flip of the foot, an important safety feature.

You probably won't bother moving it up and down because adjusting it requires turning two knobs and jimmying the shelf one side at a time, which can be frustrating. Watch out for the sharp corners, too.

Recommendation: SOHO offers the most range for very tall and very short users. Its difficult adjustments make it more feasible as a sit- or stand-only workstation. But at $200 or less, it's the best bet for the budget-conscious.

The $1,299 Generation 4 Duplex Rectilinear table (model 5850) from SIS Human Factor Technologies (603/432-4495) moves up and down with a hand crank and is easily adjusted with monitor and keyboard in place. The manufacturer will even install a motorized crank and casters for an additional fee. The keyboard shelf has separate adjustments for height and negative tilt, and the front edge is rounded for safety. (However, corners are sharp-edged.) Casters lock in place with a flip of the foot. Very tall people may need to slide telephone books under the monitor.

Recommendation: Although not perfect, the Generation 4 table is the best of the three for people who want a sit-stand workstation they can adjust frequently.

Unlike the stand-alone SOHO and SIS units, the $444 3M AKT200 (800/332-7843, www.mmm.com/cws/akt200.html) has an adjustable keyboard tray that allows you to sit or stand while you type. Be advised that you'll need a separate monitor arm to take advantage of this setup. The tray has negative tilt and smooth, rounded edges. The sliding mouse platform can be mounted on the left or right side. Sometimes it got in my way during typing and stuck when I tried to move it.

Though easier to adjust than the SOHO, the lack of spring-loading means you need to turn a lever and lift the unit. You also have to readjust the tilt mechanism when you move it, which doesn't encourage frequent alternation. Unless you want your keyboard to crash to the floor, use the Velcro provided to secure it to the tiny, 7-inch-by-16-inch platform.

Recommendation: In theory, this keyboard tray would be ideal for retrofitting an existing workstation. But in practice, the tray is hard to adjust, which means it stubbornly stays put. Wait until the designers work out the kinks before you buy it.

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