9 Evils Of Sitting

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If you're new to the standing desk revolution (and haven’t seen the headlines or health blogs lately), it might surprise you just how bad sitting really is. Most of us sit far too much—at work, at home, during commutes—and it's slowly wrecking our health.

Here are 9 powerful reasons why sitting too much is hurting your body, and how standing can help turn things around:

1. Sitting Can Kill You Sooner

Yes, it's dramatic—but true. The average person sits more than 8 hours a day. Research shows this behavior increases your risk of dying prematurely by up to 40% compared to people who are more active.

Let’s say you had a 14% risk of dying this year—just as an example. If you start standing and moving more, that risk could drop to 10%. That’s a huge payoff for a small lifestyle change.

2. Sitting Slows Down Your Metabolism

After just 60 minutes of sitting, your body reduces production of enzymes that regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. This contributes to a sluggish metabolism and increases your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Fortunately, standing up and moving throughout the day helps kickstart those processes again.

3. Sitting Is Worse for Your Back Than Standing

Sitting tightens your hamstrings, flattens your natural spinal curve, and increases pressure on your lower back. Standing helps restore proper posture and reduces spinal strain.

4. It Messes with Your Hips and Pelvis

When you sit, your hips are stuck at a 90-degree angle—an unnatural position that causes tension in the hips, spine, and lower back. Standing desks and leaning stools help open that angle, reduce compression, and improve comfort.

5. Exercise Doesn’t Undo Sitting All Day

You might think an hour at the gym makes up for 8+ hours of sitting—but research says otherwise. While exercise is still vital, it can’t reverse the negative effects of prolonged sitting. Movement throughout the day is what matters most.

6. Micro-Movements Matter

To counteract the damage of sitting, make it a habit to get up every hour. Short breaks—even 2–5 minutes of walking or stretching—can reactivate your muscles, stimulate blood flow, and improve focus.

7. There’s No Perfect Chair

Sorry, but no $800 ergonomic chair is going to save you. Even with all the lumbar support and fancy features, sitting is still sitting. It's the lack of movement that’s the issue—not the chair itself. Your body needs regular position changes to stay healthy.

8. Sitting Makes You Gain Weight

Standing burns around 50 more calories per hour than sitting. That might not sound like much, but over time, it adds up to about 8 pounds of fat per year. Becoming a “stander” is one small change that can support long-term weight control.

9. Sitting Increases the Risk of Early Disability

Even if sitting doesn’t shorten your life, it could impact the quality of it. Prolonged sitting increases your chances of developing disabilities or chronic pain earlier in life—due to musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic issues.

So, Is Sitting Evil?

Not exactly. Sitting has its place, especially for tasks that require fine motor skills or intense focus. The real issue is too much sitting without movement.

The solution? Use a height-adjustable standing desk so you can switch between sitting and standing throughout the day. Your body was designed to move—honor that design, and your energy, focus, and health will thank you.

Final Thoughts

Standing more isn't just a trend—it's a science-backed way to feel better, live longer, and stay productive. If you’re ready to start, check out ergonomic standing desks and accessories at AnthroDesk.ca for inspiration and tools to support your healthier work routine.