For as long as humans have been standing, they have leaned against

trees, rocks, and buildings for support. Recent research indicates that

sitting for extended periods can lead to profound health impairments.

Compared to standing or moving, sitting uses less energy and slower

metabolism. Studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time may

increase the risk of obesity and related health conditions, including high

blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist,

and elevated cholesterol levels. In fact, excessive sitting has also been

correlated with non-metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease

and cancer.

 

In view of this research,  there is renewed interest in encouraging people to

sit less and stand more. Standing desks have become a fixture in modern

offices because they allow workers to stand while reading, typing, talking

on the phone, and carrying out other office-based tasks that have been

traditionally associated with desks and chairs.
 

Although a number of accoutrements have been developed for promoting standing activities in the

workplace, there remains an unmet need for equipment that can be used to promote standing in

other situations. It is to these and other deficiencies in the prior art that the present invention is

directed.