The Kronos 6752 Lift Desk from BDI allows you to sit or stand, just as you’d expect from an adjustable-height desk. Kronos is a little different from other standing desks I’ve seen, though, because it adds a shelf to keep your desktop organized. And its motorized adjustment makes going from standing to sitting and back again as easy as pressing a single button.
The desk is made of powder-coated steel, high-pressure laminate, and walnut veneers. Work surfaces are smooth and durable. In addition to the shelf, there’s a flip-down keyboard and storage drawer that’s lined to keep contents secure. The workspace measures 61.75″ wide x 30.75″ deep; height adjusts from 29″ to 54″ tall.
Height adjustment is simple with the electronically-powered leg system that’s controlled with the digital keypad. The keypad is programmable with four user-defined presets. Built-in wire management channels and a “modesty panel” on the back conceal wiring to keep your workspace neat and uncluttered.
Kronos is available in white and natural walnut only. BDI also offers a matching mobile credenza and multi-function cabinet to complete your office.
The BDI website can help you find a local retailer, or you can purchase BDI products from online retailers. One online retailer offering the BDI Kronos 6752 Lift Desk is the Modern Essentials website, where it’s available for $1999.00.
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Standing Desks are everywhere nowadays. So, once you’re no longer seated, what do you use to keep your feet occupied and in motion while you’re just standing there? One suggestion is a balance or wobble board. We were sent one from FluidStance, their Level model in cast aluminum and bamboo, to test in the Gadgeteer way. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and here’s what I have found.
Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.
What is it?
The Level is a beautiful Bamboo (also available in Dark Walnut and Natural Maple) deck mounted to a solid cast aluminum framework that allows you to stand, rock, pivot, and in general keep moving while in a standing position. Made from quality materials with a conservative modern design, it will fit into any office or home environment where a standing desk is in use.
Hardware specs
From the website:
26.5″ long x 12.2″ wide x 2.5″ tall
Approximate weight: 7lbs, 12oz
Designed for use under 250 pounds
Ships in 1-2 business days
Design and features
The idea behind balance boards is that while standing, your feet will be happier with constant small movements, to keep the blood flowing. Your calves, ankles, and toes will all get a workout, and your core muscles will be engaged. This dramatically ramps up the health benefits of just standing versus sitting. Think of it as skateboarding, but without going anywhere. I’ve seen balance boards in materials from high-end laminated woods and exotic hardwoods all the way to cheap plastics. A work colleague recently had her 2-year-old get one as a birthday gift in plastic with decals and eye-popping colors. Another model had a ball-in-slot maze, where your challenge is to move the trapped ball from one part of the maze to another by changing your balance. (Think of it as a Labyrinth game that you play with your feet and shifting body weight instead of two knobs.) It’s all about moving.
The Level is FluidStance’s second tier product, but it’s far from a cheap-o board. The cast aluminum .19” military-grade aluminum frame raises the bamboo deck off the floor about 2.5”, and is designed for folks under 250 pounds. At 7.75 pounds, it’s not something that will slide out from under you, and it’s not going to crack or fall apart in normal use.
I used it for a day or two at home, just to see if I was going to survive using it. (At my age, that’s the first criteria! Note warning in the photo above.) I dropped it off at my office over a weekend and started using it there on Monday. My office is equipped with sit-stand adjustable desks throughout. Many folks spend all or part of their workday standing, so I was not sticking out by elevating my desk. I used it for 30 minutes or so, and then took it down to a sitting level. My legs felt good like I’d just done a quick run or ride, rather than the usual stand. I stood and used the Level a few more times that day, and have been using it more and more since.
I’m up to about 4 20-30 minute sessions a day now and find that a good place. Since most of my work is phone calls from customers, it’s not necessary for me to be perfectly still, and the note-taking/typing I do while on calls if not hindered by moving around. I did move my standing setting up a few inches to take into account the height of the deck. (There are 4 saved settings I can use, but it is fully adjustable across a huge range. I use heights from 27” – 43”.)
As soon as someone walked by and saw my feet and legs going, however, they were intrigued. I’ve loaned it out to several folks in the office, and they all really enjoy using it. (Note the variety of feet in the photos!) My boss even brought in one she had found at a discount store made of plastic. It’s not nearly as heavy or stable as the Level but still gives you a workout.
What I Like
Well designed and crafted from quality materials
Gives your legs and core muscles something to do while standing.
Conservative but modern design fits in with any office decor.
What needs to be improved
I really couldn’t think of anything, except maybe a chain lock to keep coworkers from borrowing it and not returning it!
Final thoughts
If you’re someone who chaffs at having to be sitting or standing at a desk while doing work to pay the bills, this may keep the fidgets under control. If you’re a more sedentary person, who needs to move a little or a lot more for your health, this may be the best thing you can get. It’s a bit of an investment, so you may want to try a less expensive model at first, or you may want to take the leap and use your financial investment to force yourself to use it more. However you decide to use it, you’ll probably enjoy it, and benefit from it.
Price: $389.00 Where to buy: FluidStance Source: The sample of this product was provided by FluidStance.
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This is the first time I have written a review while actively using the product I am reviewing. I am in the standing mode of my workstation and beneath my feet is the Santa Cruz Wurf Board and I feel great. The Wurf Board is an inflatable pad for use when standing in one place for any amount of time. When I received a standing desk station from my employer, I went out and bought what I thought was the best available pad for standing on while I work. I thought I had the best there was, that is until I received the Wurf Board. Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with the product, it had everything I thought I needed and I was moderately comfortable using it for long period of time. The Wurf Board has changed my expectations of a pad for my standing desk.
I honestly didn’t know much about the Wurf Board when I agreed to review it. I had a picture in my mind of what one of these pads was and I thought that this was just another one of those with some bold graphics on it…wrong. I hadn’t researched enough to know that it is inflatable. At first, I thought “why would someone want an inflatable standing pad for their desk and how durable can this thing be?”. Those questions were answered as soon as I inflated it in a matter of seconds using the pump that is included and standing on it for the first time. INSTANTLY, I could feel the micro movements in my feet and legs and the pressure on the bottom of my feet was gone.
At this point, I began experimenting with different amounts of air in the board. When I released some air, the board obviously became softer but I immediately noticed that I was moving a lot more while standing in the same place. My weight was shifting and I was engaging my core and leg muscles without thinking about it. I tried it with my shoes on and off, both felt great but honestly, I remove my shoes at every chance I get to use this because of how great it feels. On the website, there is a link called “The Science” that has a number of resources for customers to utilize to learn about the benefits of standing desks, active standing, overall benefits of movement and more. I really recommend you checking it out because I was aware of the benefits of my standing desk since, after all “sitting IS the new smoking” but I didn’t think of my feet or legs getting fatigued while using it.
Included in the package is also a poster with different exercises you can do using the Wurf Board. These are easy motions that you are all most likelyfamiliarr with anyways but using the slight instability of the air filled board helps to further engage those small muscle groups and your core. I cannot say that I do the exercises every day but I am probably doing some or all of them 2-3 days per work week. This is a benefit to this product that is not possible with the first standing pad I bought nor did it ever cross my mind.
Nearly every time someone walks into my office and sees me standing on the Wurf Board, they ask what it is. People have seen standing pads before but never one with a surfboard graphic on it. I don’t mind the surfboard look since that is part of the marketing behind this product but I do wish there were other options in this product. I wear a size 14 shoe so the large was the only good option for me. The Santa Cruz is offered in small, medium and large sizes ($199, $239, $269) for either more space to move on or to accommodate larger feet like mine. All of the Santa Cruz models have a similar surfboard graphic on them. They also offer the Maui Wurf Board, which is currently offered in the medium size ($299) and features a slight curve on the bottom that encourages even ore movement while standing. This product is offered in three different colors and features a water/geometric design.
The large that I have is 32.9″ x 17.7″ and can hold up to 300 pounds. It weighs in at only 2.2 pounds so it is very easy to pick up and move around. The surface features a no slip dimpled design that grips all types of flooring when weight is applied to the board. It is designed to work with or without shoes but not stiletto heals. Every board comes with a 2-year warranty against manufacturer’s defect and offers free shipping within the USA. All Wurf Boards are FDA Class I registered Medical Devices, which may open doors for help paying for this product with your FSA or insurance but please check with your individual policy first, I just thought it was worth noting.
Overall I am extremely happy with the Santa Cruz Large Wurf Board. I use is every day and slip in some desk exercise with it when I can. I would definitely recommend this product to those who have or who are looking to get a standing desk. I do wish it was offered with other graphics options as I am not a surfer and it looks a little out of place in my office but the function it provides makes this something I would buy no matter what the color or design is. The price is definitely more than a vast majority of pads out there but having owned another standing desk pad before that I paid about $150 for, I think this is well worth the money since I am able to stand at my desk for much longer using this than I was able to previously.
The sample for this review was provided by JumpSport Inc. For more information on the model I reviewed, please visit the product page and order from Amazon.
Lightweight; adjustable firmness; engages muscles while you stand; eases foot and leg fatigue while standing at your desk; easy to inflate and get going; FDA registered Medical Device
Cons:
Only one color/graphic option; price may push this out as an option for some.
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The Jaswig Nomad standing desk is inexpensive enough to be a student desk but flexible enough for any office. It was actually invented for and by a PhD student to help with her neck and back pains. It’s made of all natural materials, like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified birch plywood and low-VOC, low-formaldehyde varnish. It adjusts from 36″ to 48″ tall in 1.5″ increments, and its built-in footrest allows you to shift your weight from leg to leg for even more comfort as you stand. It can support up to 100 pounds. Its tabletop reminds me of an old school desk from the mid-20th century, with a storage cubby under the top. You can choose from the standard desktop size of 20″ X 25.5″ or the large desktop of 21.5″ X 31.5″. The Jaswig Nomad standing desk starts at $295.00 for the standard desktop. And there’s even a Jaswig My First Standup for little students, too, for $245.00.
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Standing desks have obvious benefits. They promote standing to do your daily office work instead of sitting in front of your computer all day. I’ve tried a couple standing desks and like them just fine for a few days, but then I either get bored standing or my feet and knees begin hurting. The Wurf Board has been designed to solve these issues.
The Wurf Board is an anti-fatigue mat that has been designed for people who use standing desks. The Wurf Board is a fully adjustable air spring platform that you control from springy to firm.
When you stand on the platform, you’re compelled to make lots of micromovements that help with your circulation, standing comfort, and according to the people who make the Wurf, you’ll be burning 32% more calories than you do when you’re just standing stationary behind a desk.
Wurf Boards come in different sizes to match your weight and shoe size. They are priced from $199 to $299. You can find out more by visiting wurf.com and Amazon. We’ll be reviewing the Wurf Board in the coming weeks.
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