Why Tall People Deserve Better Ergonomics
As a manufacturer of standing desks and sit-to-stand workstations, we sometimes forget about people who don't fall within the “normal” size range.
Most office furniture is designed for the 95th percentile of users, which means a lot of people on the edges get left out.
And tall people? They get left out more than most.
I should probably know better than anyone, as I'm 6'5" myself.
Over the years I've learned that being tall often means things just don’t fit. Finding clothes can be a challenge. Cars can feel cramped. Airplane seats are uncomfortable. Even everyday activities can become awkward simply because the world isn’t designed for people our size.
Workstations aren't any different.
For someone who is 6'8" or even 7 feet tall, most standing desks simply don't go high enough. That means they end up doing exactly what ergonomics is supposed to prevent, bending over to work.
And if you spend hours a day at a desk like that, your back and shoulders are going to feel it.
That shouldn’t happen.
The Problem With Most Standing Desks
Most sit-stand desks on the market are designed with a maximum height somewhere around 47" to 50". That works well for many people.
But, someone who is 6'8" or taller often needs a workstation that reaches 52" to 55" to maintain proper ergonomic posture while standing.
Without that height, the desk becomes more of a problem than a solution.
A Lesson We Learned After 20 Years
We've been manufacturing standing desks and custom workstations in the United States for over 20 years.
Because our desks are built using precision aluminum extrusions, we have the ability to customize sizes in ways that many manufacturers cannot. Aluminum extrusion allows us to build products that are:
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Extremely durable
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Visually clean and modern
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Customizable to nearly any dimension
We've built thousands of custom workstations over the years — including some for very tall individuals.
But honestly, it took us a while to connect the dots.
We were already building solutions for tall users… we just hadn't formally developed a product around that need.
Built for Tall People — But Not Just Tall People
One of the nice things about designing a desk with an extended height range is that it still works for everyone else.
A desk that can raise up to 55 inches for a very tall user can still lower down to 29 inches for someone sitting.
That means the same desk can easily work for:
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Multiple people in an office
- A shared workstation
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A home office used by different family members
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A growing teenager who suddenly shoots up a few inches
Just because a desk is designed to accommodate someone tall doesn't mean it's only for tall people.
And for those of us who are tall…
Just because we technically look down on everyone doesn’t mean we think we’re better than them. 🙂
Tall People Shouldn't Have to Adapt to the Desk
There's no reason a 6'8" or 7-foot-tall person should have to hunch over just to work comfortably.
Ergonomic furniture should adapt to the person, not the other way around.
That's why we've started focusing more on extended-range standing desks designed specifically for taller users.
These desks provide the additional travel and height range needed so taller individuals can work in a natural posture whether sitting or standing.
Because good ergonomics shouldn't stop at the 95th percentile.
Designing for the People Everyone Else Forgets
One thing I've learned from being tall is that sometimes the products you need simply don't exist yet. But when you manufacture furniture, you have the opportunity to change that.
Tall people deserve workspaces that fit them just as well as anyone else. And if you're 6'6", 6'8", or even taller, the right desk can make a bigger difference than you might think.
Our Elegante XT Custom Extended Desk has a travel range of 29" to 55", allowing taller users to work comfortably while still lowering for others in the office or home.
Just because a desk is designed for tall people doesn’t mean it’s only for tall people.
👉 Click here to contact us about our Elegante XT Custom Extended Desk.
If you need more height than 55", just let us know. We can customize it.
Your back will thank you.
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