Standing Desks and how they benefit kids (video)

Hello, this is Seth with sethperler.com, and I am here with Trevor Brown from The Undesk. Good morning, everyone. I hope you’re doing well.

Today I’m doing an interview with Trevor Brown from The Undesk, a company that makes standing desks. This doesn’t look like much of a standing desk right now because we have it set to a low position, but I really wanted to bring this to your attention and talk about it.

I actually discovered this company because I often work at a coffee shop called The Laughing Goat, where they have one of these desks. I also have a standing desk at home that is mounted to the wall with brackets, but I really like this type because you can easily switch between sitting and standing throughout your work.

So I was excited to learn more about the company and share it with you. You can even order one for your kids or build a DIY version yourself.

So Trevor, tell us a bit about your company and how you got started.

Company Origin

“Cool, yeah. Our founder, Eric Carver, started the company a few years ago—about four years ago. He was dirt biking and doing a wheelie when he crashed badly and injured his back. After that, he couldn’t sit for long periods of time and couldn’t continue doing his job as before.

He started looking into alternatives. At the time, standing desks existed, but they were inconvenient—some had large crank systems, others didn’t adjust at all.

He saw a major opportunity and started developing a better solution. The company began selling desks about six months to a year ago, so it’s still fairly new.”

Why Standing Desks Are Good for Kids

“Great question—that’s exactly why we’re here.

The human body is meant to move. It’s meant to be active, to build, create, lift, and run. Kids especially are naturally energetic.

But in schools, we often do the opposite—we force kids to sit still and focus for six hours a day, five days a week. More and more research shows that this is not ideal.

Movement actually improves learning. It brings blood, nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to the brain, which can reduce stress and depression while improving focus and concentration. As a result, grades, engagement, and confidence improve.

I think the greatest gift we can give kids is confidence—knowing they are doing well in school, which carries into other areas of life.”

Focus, Engagement, and Movement

“It also improves engagement. When students are allowed to move, they are more focused and more engaged in learning.

Right now, students are often forced to sit still and ‘pay attention,’ but they end up focusing more on trying not to move than on the actual content.

Studies show that small movements—like doodling or fidgeting—can actually improve concentration and learning.”

Practical Benefits and Research

Some research findings include:

• Sitting on exercise balls can increase engagement and focus

• Using a fidget while working can improve concentration

• Standing desks improve posture and energy

• Weighted tools (like vests) can help some students focus through sensory input

The main idea is that humans are not meant to be stationary—we learn better when we move.

Demonstration of the Desk

“Let’s take a look at how this works.”

The desk adjusts up and down electronically using buttons:

• Up and down arrows control height

• Four memory presets allow you to save preferred positions

Once you find your ideal sitting and standing heights, you can save them and switch instantly.

Proper Ergonomics

For sitting:

• Shoulders relaxed

• Elbows at 90 degrees

• Forearms parallel

For standing:

• Feet shoulder-width apart

• Slight bend in knees

• Weight evenly distributed

• Shoulders relaxed

This improves circulation, energy, and focus.

Flexibility and Movement

The key idea is not just standing—it’s movement.

You don’t need to stay in one position all day. You can:

• Lean on the desk briefly

• Shift weight between feet

• Change posture regularly

A helpful rhythm is:

• 25 minutes working

• 5-minute break

• Repeat throughout the day

For younger students, shorter cycles (15–20 minutes) also work well.

Benefits for Students

Standing desks can:

• Improve focus and engagement

• Reduce stress

• Increase energy

• Improve posture

• Support better learning habits

Many students also struggle with slouching from screen use. Standing desks help counteract that.

Additional Options

These desks can also be customized:

• Different colors and materials (including bamboo)

• Can be fitted onto existing desktops (“retrofit”)

• Adjustable for different ages and heights

Final Thoughts

“Keep moving. Have fun. Stay active.”

I really want to emphasize how helpful these desks can be for students. I don’t believe students should be sitting all day in school and then sitting again for hours doing homework.

If you’re a teacher, this could be a great classroom tool. If you’re a student, you can also create a DIY version at home or explore different setups.

There are many ways to make a more flexible workspace, and even simple changes can help a lot.

Thanks so much for being here. I really appreciate what you’re doing. Take care.