A standing desk is one of the simplest ways to break up a long day at the desk. But not all standing desks are equal, and the research on standing has moved on in the past couple of years. Here’s what’s new, and how we’ve built our Newcastle standing desk range around it.
Standing all day isn’t the answer (sorry)
In 2024, University of Sydney researchers analysed data from 83,013 adults in the UK Biobank who wore activity trackers, then followed them for almost seven years. Sitting more than 10 hours a day was linked to a higher risk of heart disease and circulatory problems. But standing more didn’t lower heart disease risk, and standing beyond about two hours a day was linked to a rising risk of circulatory conditions such as varicose veins. (Ahmadi et al., International Journal of Epidemiology, 2024)
The lead researcher’s takeaway was simple: standing for long stretches won’t undo an otherwise sedentary day. Moving is what counts.
There’s encouraging news for standing desk owners too. In a six-month trial published in the journal Ergonomics, office workers given a sit-stand desk reported less musculoskeletal discomfort and less end-of-day fatigue by the end of the trial. The researchers also suggested that standing a bit more each day may help with low back pain. It was a small study, but the direction is promising. (Silva et al., Ergonomics, 2025)
Put together, the message is clear. A standing desk isn’t a place to stand guard for eight hours. It’s a tool for changing position often, and the easier it is to change, the more you’ll do it.
Why lift speed matters more than you’d think
Here’s something the brochures rarely mention: a desk that’s slow to adjust tends to stop getting adjusted. If raising it feels like waiting for the kettle to boil, you’ll quietly stop bothering by about week three.
Our frames have a motor in each leg and lift at 60mm per second, so going from sitting to standing takes around 6 seconds. Press the button, and you’re there.
Frames in Australian-inspired colours, with round or square legs
Our frames come from an Australian supplier. Black and white are standard. If you want your desk to suit your space rather than disappear into it, there are 12 more colours being gradually introduced, named after Australian places: Thredbo, Whitehaven, Jervis Bay, Lake Eyre, Docklands, Barossa, Katoomba, Simpson, Broome, Esperance, Daintree and Nullarbor. Not every colour is in stock straight away, so ask us what’s available.
Choose round or square legs to match your style. Square legs give a crisp, architectural look. Round legs soften the lines, which suits many home offices.
You can also choose the foot. A T foot sits the leg in the middle for a classic, balanced look. A C foot sets the leg further back, giving you more legroom at the front.
Desktops made to size in Newcastle
Our 25mm desktops are made locally by a Newcastle supplier. Choose from 1200, 1500 or 1800mm wide, all 750mm deep. Need more room for dual monitors and plans? Ask us about a custom size.
Pick from nine finishes: Natural Oak, Rural Oak, Young Beech, Select Beech, Oyster Grey, Greystone, Alaskan, Polar White and White. Each top comes with a scallop cable cut-out at the back, or you can go without one if you prefer a clean edge.
Every desk is built to order, usually within 1 to 3 weeks. Buying local means less freight, quicker turnaround and a real person to talk to if anything needs sorting.
Finish it properly: cable trays and power
A standing desk moves, and your cables need to move with it. Our under-desk cable tray with power keeps leads off the floor and puts sockets at desk level, so chargers and screens plug in where you can reach them. An optional Cable Boa guides everything neatly down the leg, so the desk glides up and down without dragging a bird’s nest of cables behind it.
Need somewhere for the bits and pieces? Our anti-gravity caddy fits under the desk, with a drawer, a shelf and a side hook to keep your bag off the floor. We can also fit monitor arms to free up desk space.
Getting the most from your standing desk
A few simple habits:
- Switch often. Change position whenever you notice you’ve been still for a while. A reminder on your phone or computer helps.
- Save your heights. Store your sitting and standing heights in the controller’s memory presets so switching takes a single press.
- Move while you stand. Shift your weight, take calls on your feet, and step away from the desk regularly.
- Pair it with a good chair. You’ll still spend plenty of the day sitting, so make that time count. See our range of ergonomic chairs.
Delivered and assembled across the Hunter
We deliver across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Greater Hunter, with assembly and setup available. Prefer to see and try first? Our Warners Bay showroom is open for visits by appointment from 3 November.
Build your desk
Call Josh on 0409 512 434 to talk sizes, colours and options, email sales@selectergo.com.au, or browse our standing desk range online.
