Standing Desk Growth in Canada

It seems like hardly a day goes by without a new study, article, or podcast highlighting the growing popularity of standing desks. And it’s not just digital media—TV segments, blogs, and workplace wellness reports continue to spotlight the standing desk as a must-have ergonomic solution. In fact, 2015 was widely predicted by Yahoo to be “the year of the standing desk,” and so far, it’s living up to the hype.

Standing desks have been put under the microscope, and so far, they’re passing every test. The health benefits—ranging from better posture and increased energy to reduced risk of chronic disease—are being backed by more and more research. What started as a workplace fad has clearly moved into the mainstream adoption phase.

How Hot Are Standing Desks in Canada?

As a Canadian-based company, AnthroDesk is especially interested in how this trend is playing out north of the border. While media coverage often focuses on the U.S., we dug into the numbers to see how the sit-stand desk revolution is progressing here at home.

The results? Standing desks are gaining serious traction in Canada, although we’re trailing the U.S. by about a year in terms of adoption. Still, the growth is fast and consistent. Sales and online search volumes for height-adjustable desks are increasing by around 50% year-over-year—a significant jump in any industry. This mirrors the growth rates being reported by American standing desk vendors.

A Countertrend to Health Risks

This surge in interest is welcome news, especially as Canada continues to battle rising rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. While we still have a long way to go, this movement toward ergonomic solutions is a step in the right direction. Most Canadian companies have yet to fully embrace standing desks, but more modern and progressive organizations are leading the charge.

Schools are starting to take notice, too. Although still in early stages, some classrooms have begun integrating standing desks for students—with impressive early results. Even at the current 50% growth rate, it could take 5 to 10 years before standing desks become a standard feature in offices and schools across the country. We’re not suggesting every desk needs to be replaced, but offering the option of adjustable desks would make a major impact.

Where the Growth Is Happening

As expected, the shift is most evident in larger urban areas. According to both our internal sales data and public search trends:

• Toronto is leading the way, especially central Toronto and the surrounding GTA, including Mississauga and Brampton, where awareness is growing rapidly.

• Calgary and Edmonton have also shown a major spike in standing desk interest and adoption over the past year.

• In the Maritimes, places like Halifax, Nova Scotia and Charlottetown, PEI may actually have the highest number of “standers” per capita. The strong presence of university research institutions may be influencing the regional uptake.

• Surprisingly, Vancouver seems to be a bit behind in adoption—though maybe that’s because more people are enjoying the outdoors and spending less time at their desks!

Top 5 Provinces for Standing Desk Adoption

Based on search trends, sales data, and anecdotal reports, the top five provinces leading the way in standing desk adoption are:

1. Ontario

2. Quebec

3. Alberta

4. British Columbia

5. Nova Scotia

Of course, this data comes from a relatively small sample size and should be taken as an indicator rather than a definitive ranking. Still, it’s a helpful snapshot of where ergonomic trends are headed in Canada.

Final Thoughts

The standing desk is no longer just a Silicon Valley gimmick—it’s a proven tool for better workplace health and productivity. While Canada may be slightly behind the U.S. in adoption, the momentum is building fast. As more Canadians embrace healthier work habits, standing desks are poised to become a standard offering in both corporate and educational settings.

Here’s to continued growth, and to a healthier, more ergonomic Canada. We look forward to seeing even more success stories, research, and awareness in the year ahead.