My Tread desk

Last year I bought myself a present: a tread desk. A whaaa? you say. It’s a treadmill under a standing desk!

I often spend several hours in my car and several hours checking email each day, so my sitting time has increased markedly in the last decade. Although I have a very nice desk chair, I found that my back hurt, my legs felt swollen after sitting too long, and I was often antsy in the evening from not moving enough. Studies show that, even exercising an hour or more daily, like I do, does not mitigate the unhealthy effects of being sedentary the rest of the day. So even though alot of people (Ian included) thought I was nutty to purchase a walking treadmill, I have to say it is the best present I have ever given myself. It is easy to read emails on my computer while walking, and I find I write better too. I now only sit at my desk to write bills.

This is not exercise for me, it just makes me feel better to be moving. I walk at a very slow pace, just 2 miles an hour. I average probably 90 minutes of walking over the course of a day, although a couple days ago I logged 3 1/2 hours. More time on the treadmill than that, and something on me starts to hurt – either a knee or a foot.

The treadmill has needed fixing twice (the motor and some ball bearings) in the 18 months I have owned it, which I think is too often, but fortunately the repairs were covered by warranty.

I bought the high desk from the company, but you can make one if you want to save some money. I really recommend it for anyone who spends alot of time sitting down. I predict these desks will become much more common in offices as people realize how unhealthy it is to sit all day. I believe rotating from a chair to the treadmill over the course of the day will improve productivity and lessen back pain, weight gain and those mid afternoon energy dips.

My first day on the treaddesk. I haven't yet bought the computer stand which raises my laptop so it is ergonomically correct.

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Do a search on treadmill desks, if you are interested. I am thrilled with mine.