Treadmill Desk: Worth it?

efhilton

So, I'm thinking of plunking down $1600 for a standing treadmill desk. I'm a software engineer, and I spend countless hours in front of my computer. As of late, I've noticed my energy levels are quite low and my weekend outings don't seem to be sufficient.

Thoughts? Is it worth the expense? Do they live up to the hype?

benpoepen

Have you tried standing up first? I took me half a year to be able to concentrate enough to write software while standing ((re)thinking up solutions for a problem). Before that I could only do "automatic" work. (reading docs, type out simple classes, creating database tables, shifting GUI-elements)

I've tried to use a treadmill too. Best I could do is just browsing the internet or read emails. Nothing productive. Not even REPLYING emails

(I have a standing desk at work and at home. I only sit while driving and eating)

Azdak

Since you asked, here is my $0.02:

It's a gimmick and a waste of money. Initially, one can possibly achieve some weight loss because it will increase your TDEE. However, in my 30+ years of experience, these types of lifestyle activity changes do not last. Unconsciously, people tend to gradually increase their food intake or decrease their other casual activity to restore an energy balance.

And it will do little or nothing to increase your fitness level.

Depending on your situation, I would recommend spending the money on a regular treadmill and taking a couple of 10 exercise breaks during the day.

DavPul

I agree with adzak. But I do like the standing desk idea tho, if only for posture alone. For that same amount of money or less, you can get a pretty neat setup that will raise and lower so that you can sit when you have to.

snowflake930

We are all getting platforms for standing at our computers at work. They are on order, but we have not gotten them yet. I think I would really like to have the treadmill too. I know it would take getting used to, but I have a fit bit, and it would certainly increase my daily step count. Weight loss is mostly about eating at a calorie deficit anyway, so the weight loss aspect is not an issue. Besides, I am at maintenance, and more concerned with keeping the weight off now. Anything to move more seems like a good thing, at least for me, and the increased steps would be welcome.

Tortitudekitty

To me the notion of a treadmill desk sounds like an accident waiting to happen...either physically by stumbling etc. to affecting the quality of your work.

Maybe to have a standing desk or how about a desk where you sit on a Swiss ball? I gather these are an alternative for posture and giving you a little gentle core exercise.

Azdak

DavPul wrote: »

I agree with adzak. But I do like the standing desk idea tho, if only for posture alone. For that same amount of money or less, you can get a pretty neat setup that will raise and lower so that you can sit when you have to.

I'm too cheap to ever get one, but I am starting to think that those adjustable desks might have some benefits. Certainly more sustained benefit than a treadmill desk.

Thom_Kat

I just installed one in my office at the beginning of the year. This marks week 3 that I've used it daily and I've really enjoyed it. My speed is about 1.5 mph and I spend about 3 hours a day actually moving. Remember that it doubles as a standing desk

Lots of people have questioned the safety of it or how I get anything done (typing etc). I'm not the most coordinated person in the world and I've had no problems adjusting. I normally walk while doing tasks like checking email and other things that do not require a lot of brainpower. Typing isn't difficult but writing is almost impossible.

So far, I've managed to lose 6 lbs and I hit my step goal before I ever even make it to the gym. I feel better both mentally and physically and I enjoy knowing that I'm not stuck sitting for 8+ hours a day. My thinking is that there is no amount of exercise that can negate that many hours on my tush.

The expense is definitely considerable if you buy everything as a unit or splurge on a high end treadmill. Really, you're not going to be jogging, so think about checking around for something low to mid range. There are tons of DIYs online for converting a regular treadmill so no need to fork out a lot of cash.

efhilton

Alright, so after reading all your posts above and across the internet, I went out and decided to invest in one: a LifeSpan 1200-DT5. Here are my results after one week of use:

I FEEL FANTASTIC!

I'M VERY PRODUCTIVE!

My energy levels are through the roof! I'm down 5 lbs, and I have been eating like a king (I'm still logging my food into MyFitnessPal, but I now have another 1,000 calories to play with at the end of the day)! It was slightly more expensive than I wanted, but I see it as an investment into my health. At the end of one week, I've walked over 30 miles, and never knew it happened.

The first day I wasn't sure what speed to set it on, and I found it a little difficult to concentrate at both too high a speed, and too low a speed. But as of the last few days I have been working at a constant 1.5 mph, similar to Thom_Kat's comment above. My concentration levels are much higher than when I was sitting constantly, and I was able to code a very complex library for work in record time.

It took a little bit of tweaking the table height, but once I got it right, I have had no issues.

I found that standing alone was more tiring on my legs, but walking feels more natural, for some reason. Regardless, every now and then I turn off the treadmill, and simply stand there, using the treadmill desk like a regular standing desk.

In terms of having the brain multitask, I have not experienced a hit in my performance, but rather the opposite. I find myself able to concentrate more, and for longer periods of time. When I sit -- regardless of what chair I use, or what exercise ball I use -- I find that my back hurts after a few hours, and my legs feel like they are 100 years old. But on the treadmill, I have found that I can walk for extended periods of time, with no aches.

As another happy note, I was able to ditch all the extra sweaters, my blanket, and heater under my desk -- all of which I used on a regular basis when working at my seated desk. Now, my internal (core) temperature is higher, and I feel more energy.

The biggest downside so far is that I just need to remember to stretch in the morning and at the end of the day. But that's it!

So, to summarize, the treadmill desk is just another tool in my arsenal. I can now choose to walk, stand, or sit (at my old desk), depending on my mood. I now have lots of energy, and I'm very productive.

In short, I LOVE my treadmill desk.

I'll try to post an update after one month, but for now, I'm a complete believer.

Yours in Health,

-Edgar

WalkingAlong

Azdak wrote: »

DavPul wrote: »

I agree with adzak. But I do like the standing desk idea tho, if only for posture alone. For that same amount of money or less, you can get a pretty neat setup that will raise and lower so that you can sit when you have to.

I'm too cheap to ever get one, but I am starting to think that those adjustable desks might have some benefits. Certainly more sustained benefit than a treadmill desk.

Ikea sells several cheap desks that convert from 'sitting height' to 'counter height', not with the switch of a button but by manually extending the adjustable legs. At counter height, you can work standing or use a counter height chair.

I can work at my treadmill but never do. I can also leave and go outdoors all I want during work so I'd rather go out there to walk periodically and reap the other benefits you get from being outside.

Glad it's working for you, Edgar!

HeySwoleSister

Glad you like it! I could never do it because I actually get motion sickness on the treadmill! If I tried to work on one all day, I'd be puking.

fittocycle

If you can afford it, then I say go for it! Numerous studies have proven that sitting for hours at a time is bad for your body's circulation. Why not try to mitigate the damage if you can?

efhilton

Alright, as promised, here's my update after a full month of use:

I LOVE IT!

I do need to remember to stretch every now and then, but overall, I've been very happy with the acquisition.

In the last month, I've put 62 miles on this thing, at a consistent 1.5 to 2 mph pace. My energy levels are through the roof. I'm also taking more breaks, to the point that in those breaks I've managed to do things around the house (quick chores, such as feeding the laundry machine, remembering to eat, etc.).

I also have noticed that my attention and concentration is more intense, so I'm able to work faster and more effectively.

It is a little distracting during video conferences, so I have learned to stop the treadmill during video conferences (people forget about the meeting and ask me all kinds of stuff about the treadmill ... or whether I'm sitting on a camel...). Other than that, it has had no other adverse impact on my work.

In short, highly recommended.

I'll try to give another update after three months.

-Edgar

amyk0202

I made my own treadmill desk for home. I bought a treadmill off of craigslist & basically built a platform for the desk to rest on. I unscrewed the eletronic console part & attached it to the wall in front of the desk--just don't break the wires & it still works. It is not adjustable, but I am the only one who uses it. It wouldn't be hard to make an adjustable one though--maybe pvc & clamps. I found the opposite of the OP though. I have a really hard time doing tasks that require my full concentration while I'm walking. I just heard a story on NPR that was slightly discouraging about them, but I think any activity is going to be healthier than sitting on my rear all day.
npr.org/blogs/health/2015/03/30/392580747/sure-use-a-treadmill-desk-but-you-still-need-to-exercise