A new research study by James Levine describes the effects of implementing an upright, treadmill desk for office workers. The desk is designed so that workers can stand up and walk on the treadmill as they do their work. The goal of this is to increase calorie expenditure throughout the year, thus minimizing worker obesity. In the study, workers walked 35 minutes out of each hour, burning about 100 calories an hour more than usual. The Wall Street Journal Health Blog asked Dr. Levine some questions about this.
I encourage you to read some of the highly amusing comments to the WSJ blog on this topic. People are just insanely enthusiastic about it. My favorite comment was by one Marc, who suggested a Green twist to the treadmill desk as he would like to route the output back into the “grid” to save the firm on utility bills! HA! Output! A treadmill is an absolute energy hog, Marc.
I’m sure the real cost of this desk is well above the $2000 list price when you factor in energy costs, a whole new onslaught of worker overuse injuries, and the resulting high insurance premiums “the firm” would then face.
This seems like a perfect example of the media getting hold of a piece of science, overstating it, creating a furor and an instant fad. An excerpt from the interview:
“Q: These desks cost about $2,000 each. Is anyone besides you using them now?
A: Several Fortune 20 companies are involved. One has 20 units, others are being delivered. We’re turning away large companies. The level of interest is far beyond what it is possible for us to respond to. There are several thousand people doing this around the country. I get — at least every day — requests of where can I buy these?”
In James Levine’s defense, I guess his logic is solid. The treadmill project was born after he performed a previous investigation which found obese people spent 2 hours longer a day sitting compared to non-obese people. And to be honest, we should all find more ways to walk in a day.
I’m going to begin calling the companies purchasing these treadmills and offer to provide them on-site clinics to treat sore knees, shins, and feet.
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 http://www.trekdesk.com and has a lot of information on studies which focus on the long term benefits of walking. Hope this helps.
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 http://www.trekdesk.com and has a lot of information on studies which focus on the long term benefits of walking. Hope this helps.
Well it seems Americans are NOW just discovering Standup desk which in Scandinavia are mandatory based upon government regulations. If you are in fact a physical therapists or the like then you have obviously missed the point. Anything to get fat-ass Americans off their 800-pound Gorilla asses will be a great thing. We here in Scandinavia have been working standing up for over 20 years now. The introduction of walking desk is a new thing and obviously something that is TRULY American but I certainly welcome it. As I have an American wife who is disgusted by the fat asses over in the good-ole U.S. of A, this is better than sitting around in front of the Telly and eating doughnuts and icecream? If they get injuries well then that is probably only a tiny minority of the population. Taking into account statistical variance. It may be a good thing in that you will see an increase in the health of "would-be FAT-ASS Americans" loosing weight thus the percentage would actually show a dramatic decrease in obesity. I have never been to any other country in the world where you have such FAT people as the U.S. Shame on you! Get a Stand-up desk or a walking standup desk to say the least, thus change your diet! You are not the only people in the world so get use to it! Cheers 🙂