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We’ve all heard it by now, right? “Sitting is the new smoking.” While that catchy slogan may be a little exaggerated, it certainly won’t hurt us legions of mostly sedentary office workers to spend less time on our bums.
Enter The FlexiSpot E7 ($499+). It’s a motorized desk that allows you to sit or stand with just the press of a button. I was impressed by the quality of the materials, how easy it was to put together, and its moderate price compared to other motorized desks.
After using only a seated desk for my entire adult career, I’ve adopted the FlexiSpot E7 as my full-time workspace for the past month. Here are my honest thoughts.
FlexiSpot setup and controls
I’ll be honest: This desk sat in boxes in my office for far longer than it should have, because I was certain that putting it together would be a major PITA.
So imagine my surprise when I was all done in an hour and a half, having only called in my husband once to help secure the desktop to the legs with his drill. This desk was ridiculously easy to put together.
The controls are also really easy to use. There is an up button, a down button, and a memory button. When you press the M (for memory), you can assign a specific height to one of the four presets.
There are four preset buttons you can customize with your preferred heights.
Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable
Right now, my home gym and my office share one very small, cramped extra bedroom. The standing desk has conveniently allowed me to consolidate a little bit. I currently have presets for walking on my under-desk treadmill and sitting at my weight bench on a balance ball seat. Previously, I had to keep a large office chair in here because my weight bench was too low for my desk.
Finally, you can also lock the controls by holding down the M button, and unlock it by holding it down again. This feature has been a lifesaver since my kids are constantly running in (and they’re always perplexed by whatever new products I’m testing), or I brush against the buttons when I’m reaching for something on the bookshelf next to my desk.
Lowering the desk lets me use a weight bench and balance ball as my desk seat.
Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable
During setup, you can choose which side you want to install the control panel on. My only wish is that I had chosen the opposite side of my desk. I could change it, but it’s not a huge priority. It just beeps when you press on the control panel while it’s locked, so I unintentionally get beeped at quite frequently. Something to consider if you decide to purchase.
The control panel also has a USB port, which adds a handy place to charge my phone at my workstation without introducing yet another cable to the bird’s nest under my desk.
My new and improved workspace
I was extremely surprised at how much my productivity increased by standing or walking at my desk. Maybe it’s the novelty of it, and I’ll see my productivity decline over time — but right now I am basking in better focus and being more resistant to distractions.
Being deep in my third trimester of pregnancy, I can’t walk or stand for too long without feeling enormous pelvic pressure, so the desk makes it a breeze to sit when I’m ready.
I’m able to walk on my treadmill while I work with the desk in standing position.
Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable
The motor is extremely quiet and moves very smoothly. It doesn’t jerk or shake at all, and I feel perfectly comfortable adjusting the height with a full glass of water sitting on the desktop.
The E7 also comfortably fit my dual screen setup and external keyboard and mouse (with some note-taking space too!), although I did have to move a few other things off my desk to ensure that there was always clearance for the desk to move up and down. There are some larger and smaller options on the FlexiSpot website too, if you require more or less space for your work.
The brand also sells some cable management accessories specifically made for FlexiSpot desks, if you want to do a better job of that than I did.
Is the FlexiSpot E7 standing desk worth it?
If you work from home, then this desk is 100 percent worth the investment. It has only done good things for my productivity, my focus, and my health. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to a regular desk (nor do I plan to).
It’s even better if you can also afford an under-desk treadmill or bike, so that you can add a physical activity component as well.
I also think the E7 is fairly priced and really great quality, although it would be nice if the desktop was included in the base price. Desktops start at an additional $80, so the lowest all-in price is just under $600. However, FlexiSpot frequently offers sales too, so you’re unlikely to pay full price when you’re ready to buy. The most comparable motorized option is the Uplift Desk, which also clocks in at just under $600.
Although I was skeptical, this desk has got me humming REM like the elder millennial I am — “stand in the place where you work.”
