Walk While You Work

from the workout-in-the-cube dept

Tue, Jun 7th 2005 6:01pm — Mike Masnick

I don't know if this is normal or not, but I prefer to stand (and walk) when I'm on the phone -- and there are times when I prefer to stand while typing as well. Apparently, I'm not alone. While there are some arguments about how much of the obesity problem is really caused by sitting and staring at screens all day, obviously it doesn't help the situation. With office workers, finding time to work out can definitely be an issue, and some researchers at the Mayo Clinic decided to try to redesign the cubicle to fight obesity. It includes a special treadmill desk that will let you type away, while walking at a slow, but still worthwhile, pace. The walking keeps you active, but isn't so fast as to make the person sweat or get in the way of their work. The other aspects of the obesity fighting office don't actually seem much different than your typical office these days, including an area to walk around the building to keep people moving while meeting, white boards to get people to stand up (um... those are quite common actually) and a hockey goal in the cubicle to encourage people to take shots while talking to you (I think the nerf basketball basket is a bit more common -- but same concept). Still, the treadmill desk does sound pretty innovative. It also seems like it could be more ergonomic than having people sit in chairs all day long. They're in the process of talking to companies to get them to make the treadmill desk commercially -- but if anyone wants some beta testers, feel free to send a few of those suckers to Techdirt's offices.

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13 Comments

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dorpus, 7 Jun 2005 @ 7:48pm

But can you think?
Can you debug code while walking? I know I cannot do advanced math equations and swim at the same time -- rather dangerous, in fact.

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Shawn, 7 Jun 2005 @ 7:56pm

No Subject Given
Maybe they saw Woody Allen's Bananas. There's a great scene where he demonstrates a desk with resistance bars, weights, stationary bike, and a basketball hoop to help with the relexes.
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admin, 7 Jun 2005 @ 9:49pm

others may hate you
when I worked on a trading desk I spent much of the day standing with phone in hand and it annoyed the
hell out of other people who were made nervous by
my standing up. And those were the days I didn't
bring the bloody axe to work.
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data64, 8 Jun 2005 @ 2:53am

Replacing the chair
One related trend that seems to be catching on at the place I work is to use an exercise ball instead of a chair.
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StevenJ, 9 Jun 2005 @ 5:12am

Re: But can you think?
The cubicle treadmill should be a perfect fit at many companies ... they already have employees who are convinced they are running in place and not getting anywhere.
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Barb, 9 Sep 2005 @ 5:14am

treadmill computer workstation combo
Where can I get one!!?
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wincha, 25 Dec 2006 @ 7:54pm

I'd love to do this but who would pay for it? How much would it cost? How expensive would be to hook up my pc and phone. I talk on the phone and work at my computer all day and work for an insurance company. Great idea! But who pays and how much? Does anyone sell a low cost treadmill that doesn't take that much space? Cubes are not that big.
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joyce blakeman, 1 Feb 2007 @ 5:52am

Re: treadmill desks
I noticed your message about treadmill desks and the questions you had which are ones (we) have. Did you get any answers esp who is manufacturing these and how to order one.
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Jay Buster, 9 Jun 2007 @ 7:25pm

Build Your Own Treadmill Desk
Hello from atop my Treadmill, I have a blog devoted entirely to the “Treadmill Desk”. It’s designed to guide users in the design, construction and operation of their Treadmill Desks. I don’t sit at my “normal” desk anymore unless I have to, like when I’m doing my tax return and there’s lots of papers. Here's the URL: http://www.Treadmill-Desk.com/ Don’t miss the movies and slide shows! Thanks, Jay Buster http://www.Treadmill-Desk.com/
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ToniD, 17 Jul 2007 @ 1:47pm

Re: treadmill computer workstation combo
You can't get one--nobody has gone to market yet with this idea, although it's clearly just a matter of time. You have to make your own.
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Sue, 10 Apr 2008 @ 2:32pm

It Works
I have been at a treadmill desk of my own now for 2 months. First, it works. I had back issues that have disappeared. I sleep like a baby at night and during the day I feel like I am on drugs....the good kind, endorphins. I walk 6 - 8 miles a day in my home office and sweating is not an issue unless I want to ramp it up a little while I am reading on the internet. I have lost 18 pounds already so I am a convert. The cost of the WalkStation is a concern for me but there is another product that offers more flexibility to use you own treadmill during the day as a desk and for exercise after work. It is called the TrekDesk. Pricing isnt set yet but it states on the TrekDesk website that it is going to be very affordable. They also are offering a pretty snazzy exercise ball chair that swings onto the treadmill (or off) for those moments when you have to sit. The website is www.trekdesk.com and has a lot of information on studies which focus on the long term benefits of walking. Hope this helps.
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Sean, 23 Apr 2008 @ 3:39pm

Thanks for the info on the TrekDesk, it seems to be the best treadmill desk option out there.
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asdf, 5 Feb 2010 @ 9:33am

Re: But can you think?
That is when you sit down.
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