Monday 11 January 2021 You’ve finally moved from the sofa to a desk and invested in a proper office chair, but given how little most of us now move during the working day, the time has come to make a stand for better posture and improved productivity. While any significant weight-loss claims have long been refuted – standing burns roughly 88 calories an hour compared to 80 calories while sitting – there’s strong evidence to suggest not sitting at the desk for hours can improve back pain, posture, mental health and even lower blood sugar and cholesterol. Advertisement On the flip side, standing still for long periods of time isn’t great either, with back, leg and foot pain all common symptoms.