Is It Smart to Use a Treadmill Desk?

How did this all start?

Being someone who works at a computer a lot, I have tried out many different types of desks, chairs and other working arrangements so I lessen the strain on my back.

Yes, the dreaded back pain that comes from hunching over my computer – that I thought would never happen to me. $1,000′s of dollars later after doctors appointments, chiropractic work and physical therapy, I realized the best solution for me was to stop sitting and hunching – and start moving. (disclosure: I am not a doctor, far from it!).

Next came the standing desk…

I had been using a standing desk for a couple of years. It took some getting used to (the standing up for long periods part), but after a couple of weeks it became comfortable.

However, similar to sitting in a chair for several hours, standing in one position for a long time can aggravate the back as well. I then purchased a stair stepper to use at my standing desk, but it was a joke trying to type and stair-step at the same time. I don’t recommend it.

Where am I at now?

Now, I’m on to the treadmill desk. Besides getting me out of the sitting position, it allows me to stay continually moving so that my back doesn’t cramp up. The key is to set the walking pace at about 1 to 1.5 miles per hour so that it doesn’t make it difficult to type, write or whatever.

And more benefits…

Besides being great for the back, you can get a good 8 miles of walking in per day – or more. You probably won’t start out walking that much, but every little bit counts. And don’t forget that you can always stop the machine and stand for a while if you simply want to take a break from moving.

How many calories can you burn using a treadmill desk?

Depending on weight, people typically burn between 100-150 calories per hour when walking at a slow pace under 2 miles per hour. This may seem like nothing, but let’s do the math. Say you walk 4 hours per day, 5 days per week while at your desk, working. That’s at least 2000 calories for the week that you’ve burned – and you haven’t even hit the gym yet!

What are the options and how to save money =)

Some people who already own a treadmill build their own DIY treadmill desk simply by purchasing a shelf or board and laying it across the arms of the machine (or using bungee cords and eye hook screws if necessary). This can be a great option to test out this work style to see if you like it or not.

Desks for treadmills can cost upwards of $1000, so if you’re handy, you might want to consider building your own to fit around an existing treadmill. If you don’t already have a treadmill at home, a good deal that I’ve found is the Exerpeutic Treadmill Desk (shown above) that includes both the treadmill and desk together as one unit. This costs less, and the folding desktop also makes it easier to move and store the unit.

Other options include the Lifespan Desk Treadmill, which does not include the desk. As you can see on the right, it does not have the traditional arms attached to center console we usually see with machines at the gym.

Instead, it has a remote unit that controls walking pace, etc that you place on your desk for easy access. This makes it easy for users to position the walking platform exactly where they want it.

For comparison’s sake, the treadmill costs about $1000, without the desk.

The Lifespan desk sells separately, but is designed to fit the Lifespan treadmill (and other models too). The great feature about this desk is that it is adjustable in height. However, it will run you about $1300.

The cost is substantially higher, but the bottom line is that you want to be comfortable while working, especially if you have back problems. In that sense, the unit is cheap compared to multiple doctors visits… (and that’s taken from my own personal experience).

…and the TrekDesk…

The TrekDesk is a desk designed for people who want to work on a treadmill – and I guess people who stand too. It’s a larger wrap-around desk, so it’s ideal for people who have the space and like to have a large surface to put computers, paperwork, printers and other equipment/supplies. It’s got so much area that you might just decide to live there.

It’s priced at under $500, so it’s a really good deal when it comes to treadmill desks, plus it’s adjustable in height. It also comes with handy accessories, like cup holders, papers organizer trays and diagonal slats to lean books, tables or documents on.

No wonder lots of companies have started using these. You have to check out the people walking (and working) on them in the videos. You’ll want one for yourself. Sitting is so last century.

Are Treadmill Desks Working for People Who Tried Them?

Some possible drawbacks of the Exerpeutic Machine:

Keep in mind that treadmills designed for workstations typically don’t go above 4 miles per hour, so don’t expect to run on it while you’re not working. The Exerpeutic machine is shorter in length by about 1 foot than other machines. (The Lifespan is about 1 foot longer).

If you’re walking slowly and typing or surfing the web at the same time, most likely you won’t be taking large strides. However, this is something to consider. You can easily find this out by testing out a treadmill at a local sporting goods store to see how you walk on it at 1 mph.

Also, the desk is not adjustable in height (although you can adjust it’s angle). If you are less than 5’6″ in height, you might want to consider another option.