This Is How Many Calories You Actually Burn at Your Standing Desk  

I love my standing desk. Throughout the workday, I like to stand for 20 minutes or so every hour to keep my energy up, while relieving my aching back and butt from poor sitting posture.

I like to think that it’s a healthy habit that’s keeping me fit, active, and maybe even a few pounds lighter. But new research disagrees.

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For a new study, published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health, researchers asked 74 people to sit while using a laptop and watching TV. Then, they were asked to stand while watching TV, and finally, they were instructed to walk at their own pace.

The participants performed each activity for 15 minutes while the researchers measured their calorie burn. The study authors found that walking burned significantly more calories than sitting or standing (major duh). But also, standing only burned nine more calories per hour, on average, than sitting. 

RELATED: 12 Ways to Burn More Calories During ANY Workout

OK, that’s a measly amount of cals. But we should also note that the study participants were instructed to move as little as possible while they were standing. And who doesn’t move when they’re standing? Another limitation of this depressing research is that the sample size of 74 people is super small.

That being said, standing has plenty of other benefits besides weight loss, such as improving blood sugar levels (which happens to be key in losing weight) and posture.

RELATED: The Workout That Burns More Calories Than Running

So if you're looking to slim down, don't ditch your standing desk if you have one (or your dreams of getting one) because of the weak calorie torching power. Instead, look for more ways to move—a lot—during your workday. Your waistline—and your tush—will thank you.

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