Sitting is the new smoking, and many of us do far too much of it in our personal and professional lives.
According to research by Start Standing, excessive sitting causes cancer and increases mortality. Americans are sitting an average of 13 hours a day and sleeping an average of 8 hours, resulting in a sedentary lifestyle. And these numbers climb even higher for those working from home.
Even if you exercise on weekends or after work, the long hours working from the sofa or any old chair at home are bad for your health. Chances are you aren’t going to change your career anytime soon just to get in good physical shape, but you can change the way you work.
Research shows that you may end up with a slower metabolism and gain extra pounds while working continuously on your laptop or PC. But all that can change with a suitable treadmill desk – a great way to incorporate movement into your normally sedentary lifestyle.
Moving our body every 20 to 30 minutes is the healthiest thing we can do throughout the day, ultimately limiting the harmful effects of desk jobs and a sedentary lifestyle. If you are new to the world of walking desks or looking for enhanced productivity that has positive outcomes on your health, continue reading this blog as we reveal the benefits of a walking desk.
A Brief Overview Of Walking Desks
Walking desks, also known as treadmill desks, have a desk-like working area that you can only reach when standing. But what makes them several degrees better than plain standing desks is that they are fitted with a treadmill underneath.
So, to use your desk and anything on it, you’ll need to hop onto the treadmill and walk briskly while you work. Certainly better than sitting in a chair all day.
These machines were developed for people who were tired of sitting for eight working hours per day.
The walking treadmill is quite different from the fitness treadmills. Fitness ones have low torque motors that allow people to run on them at considerable speeds. But that walking desks aren’t designed to run at high speeds. Instead, they allow employees to stroll in place for hours at-end.
All in all, they are an excellent way of getting in shape without compromising productivity.
Pros Of Walking Desks
Wondering whether a walking desk is a good investment for you?
Here are a few of the benefits –
Increased Productivity
Walking is known to cause muscular contractions, which allow more oxygen to flow through the body and brain, subsequently increasing brain activity. According to a study by PMC, the adoption of treadmill workstations improved overall work performance, quality, and quantity of productivity and interactions with coworkers.
In another study by Science Direct, treadmill desks enhanced the attentiveness and memory of workers. They help reduce the time spent being desk bound in a work-from-home environment, improve health benefits, and positively impact work performance and employee efficiency.
Improved Energy And Mood
When you exercise or keep your body moving, it releases chemicals known as endorphins. These endorphins interact with the brain receptors and cause a euphoric feeling. Ultimately, mood and energy are directly linked with the quality of work.
A study found that happiness and enhanced energy among employees resulted in a 12% increase in productivity.
Weight-Loss Aid
A vertical computer workstation on a treadmill allows workers to burn an additional 100 calories per hour. This means that using a treadmill workstation for 2 to 3 hours a day could lose 44 to 66 pounds per year.
Less back pain
Sitting for long periods tightens your muscles which hurts your lower back, especially when you have a poor posture. We usually tend to hunchback and work on our desks. As a result, aches and pains become a part of our lifestyle.
Walking desks seem to ease the back pain by including movement in our inactive working lifestyle.
Walking Desk – Safety Features
Are treadmill desks safe to use in the workspace?
The answer’s a big yes.
They are safe to use because these treadmills are built with safety in mind. Here’s what you get:
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Intelli-guard which automatically recognizes when you stop moving and pauses the treadmill belt
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Audible safety alert lets you know then the treadmill is starting
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Starting speed of 0.4 MPH; it doesn’t exceed 2 to 3 MPH
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Safety key
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Walking belt markings that keep you from stepping onto a moving belt
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Raised side rails that help you step on and off the moving treadmill belt
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Plenty of space surrounding the treadmill desk
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Anti-collision features which prevent abrupt starting and stopping
Price Range – Can You Afford A Treadmill Desk To Work From Home
A walking desk is indeed the perfect solution allowing individuals to work comfortably while walking.
Manufacturers have responded with walking treadmills meeting all kinds of requirements. There are a variety of treadmill desks along with treadmill bases available in the market.
If you want the cheapest path to owning a treadmill desk, expect to pay as little as $300. On the contrary, an advanced treadmill desk with state-of-the-art built-in features usually costs $700.
Moreover, a commercial walking desk could cost you upwards of $2,000. But for many, the price is worth it since they get Google Fit and Apple Health integration, graph overview of health, and a range of other functions.
Bottom Line
If you are still wondering, is it possible to get work done while walking on a treadmill desk? The answer is yes.
There is no denying that sitting with a laptop in your lap or on a computer desk all day is harmful to your health in many ways. But, at the same time, we don’t want our productivity to get affected.
The solution is a walking desk, allowing employees to keep their bodies in shape without impacting productivity. Instead, it proves to increase employee attentiveness and efficiency.
It’s a new concept, and only a handful of people have had the opportunity to take the walking desk for a test drive. Still, with the amount of evidence supporting it, it’s best to invest in one to make our working and physical lifestyle better.
