During the workday, you should be doing a mixture of standing, sitting, and moving, if possible, said Alan Hedge, a certified ergonomist and professor emeritus in the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University. "Mixing things up reduces any negative effects [of sitting or standing] in terms of musculoskeletal discomfort, your level of alertness, or productivity," Hedge said. Standing desks make it much easier to transition from sitting to standing while keeping proper posture and ergonomics in mind.

Hedge suggests a 20-8-2 pattern based on his research and real-world testing: Sit for 20 minutes, stand for 8, stretch or walk around for 2, and repeat. These numbers aren't absolute, but what's most important is not to stay in one position for too long, Hedge said. We also recommend looking at our guide to the best standing desk mat if you find you regularly fatigue while standing.

In general, the right ergonomic standing desk height is when your elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle, and your shoulders feel relaxed when working at the desk. These charts from Uplift, BTOD, and Autonomous provide specific settings to try for your height if you need a starting place. For example, Uplift says its recommended standing desk height for someone who is 5-foot-5 would be 39.5 inches, and 44 inches for an individual who is 6 feet tall.