Locus stand-up desk is a versatile, stylish way to promote a more active office

The Locus stand-up desk.
The Locus stand-up desk.

More than likely, if you work in an American office you spend most of your day sitting down, which research suggests could lead to decreased caloric burn and health issues such as kidney disease and obesity.

A March 2011 study published in PLOS One, the journal of the Public Library of Science, found statistically significant links between occupational activity and the increase in body weight of the average American adult. Researchers analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and found that the percentage of occupations in the U.S. that required "at least moderate intensity physical activity" had declined significantly in the last half century, from about half of jobs in the 1960s to less than 20 percent in the 2010s.

In recent years, many office workers have sought ways to force themselves to get off their duffs, burn more calories and adopt a less sedentary 9-to-5 routine by transitioning to standing desks.

For their money, the staff writers at Gadget Review say the best desk for the upright worker is the Locus by Rhode Island-based Focal Upright.

Unlike some of its competitors, the Locus' has a hand crank rather than relying on a motor - the point is to burn more calories, after all - to adjust its height between 36 and 48 inches.

The slanted work surface is made of 13-layer hardwood plywood in four finishes - black matte or glacier white laminate and white oak or black walnut veneer - and features a removable central pad made of grippy synthetic leather.

The desk's incline is adjustable between zero and 15 degrees, and, depending on the particular needs of the office, the Locus is available in three sizes, from the 10-square-foot Locus 4 ($1,299) to the 15-square-foot Locus 6 ($1,699).

Gadget Review staff praised the Locus for its sleek, digital-friendly design and versatility, citing built-in through-pass holes and clips to keep cables tidy. Focal also sells an attachable, level shelf ($249-$299) as an aftermarket accessory for those who need to store a secondary monitor or any other accoutrements that might spill or topple on a slanted surface.

If standing for eight hours sounds like too daunting a prospect, Focal's accessory line also includes an anti-fatigue mat ($79), stabilizing footrest ($59) and minimalist seats ($99-$279) that pivot to promote active posture and dynamic movement and reduce pressure points.

Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.

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