Steelcase's Walkstation marries desk and treadmill

Anyone who reads the fine site Book of Joe knows that the man behind the blogging empire is religiously devoted to working out while writing, and prides himself on having integrated a treadmill into his workspace. Well manufacturer Steelcase thinks that this trend has grown beyond one individual multitasking in his underwear, and is poised to introduce a nicely-designed product called the Walkstation which seems more at home in a CEO's office than your messy living room. Not many details are available on this converged piece of furniture co-designed by the Mayo Clinic's Dr. James Levine (who's been working in this specialized field for at least two years, apparently), but supposedly there's an all day demo going down on October 25th at 4 Columbus Circle if you happen to be in the New York area. And if you do go, try to show up in a cab just to be ironic.

Update: We've learned -- unsurprisingly, from the Joe mentioned above -- that this rig will retail for a cool $6,500, thereby making it the Rolls Royce of integrated workstations. Thanks, Joe, and keep, um, running for the stars!

Update 2: Whoops, guess there's no demo going on after all. You can still show up to that address, we guess, but you certainly won't have the good time you would have had working and exercising simultaneously.

[Jesse S @ Oct 19th 2007 11:09AM]

I want that monitor stand.

[Buffalo @ Oct 19th 2007 11:10AM]

I guess they never tried the equipment before they designed. This will be so difficult to use.

[melloncollie @ Oct 19th 2007 11:28AM]

How can you try something before it's designed?

[NHAnimator @ Oct 19th 2007 11:47AM]

Ever use Windows ME? I tried that once and I swear that no time was spent designing it.

[Ivy Chen @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:32AM]

It will be a great one for part time surfing, gaming etc. For sure it would not replace a full-time workstation otherwise we would be terrified of skinniness in the next century...

[Fox318 @ Oct 19th 2007 11:12AM]

This looks awesome. But as someone who does work out I can't see this of use to me. When I work out I can barely do anything else. I tried once having a laptop on my treadmill and I just could not concentrate on running and reading/typing at the same time.

But maybe thats just me.

[Matt @ Oct 19th 2007 12:00PM]

It's just you.

Actually, you're not supposed to GO ALL OUT with this thing. You just walk at about 1 mile per hour -- an EXTREMELY slow amble. You can still concentrate on your work (or on Engadget, etc.) but by the end of the day you've walked 8 miles without even knowing it!

Even small movements add up when it comes to burning calories. This is an example of what's called Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (or NEAT). You'll still burn around 100 calories per mile, no matter how slow you go.

An extra 800 calories burned per day adds up to over a pound a week! Doesn't sound like a lot until you realize that 1 pound a week for a year is over 50 pounds. Now that's impressive.

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Oct 19th 2007 12:19PM]

How long until one will get tired of walking/running and end up grabbing a chair to sit down in front of the darned computer? lol.

It reminds me of a piece of cheese at the end of a stick. If you're addicted to the computer and out of shape, they'll place you on one of these Walkstations. Better yet, they should rework the electronics, so that you have to actually *generate* the power to get the computer working!

[Sotheby @ Oct 19th 2007 11:15AM]

Is this from Unuseless Japanese Inventions Part III: Cindogu Strikes Back!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chindogu

[samson @ Oct 19th 2007 11:17AM]

I can't wait for the first discrimination suit by the employee that can't even walk and chew gum at the same time.

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 19th 2007 11:17AM]

by the time you finish typing a single email, that keyboard is going to be drenched in sweat.

[Rainier @ Oct 19th 2007 11:18AM]

Alternative energy; let the treadmill provide power to the computer.

[icingdeath88 @ Oct 19th 2007 11:25AM]

I've heard of this before. You're not supposed to run, you're supposed to walk. It doesn't interfere with productivity at all. Saw a show where they tested two radiologists, one with this, one without. The one with one of these actually made no mistakes. I think it's a good idea for offices, but not for your living room computer.

[splashy @ Dec 13th 2007 12:40PM]

I use it for my living room computer all the time. But, I work at home, so do everything on my living room computer. :-)

[KR @ Oct 19th 2007 11:35AM]

Yep, I saw a doc on TV once who modified a regular treadmill to be similar to this. He did his entire workday at 1 MPH. Walking 8 miles a day versus sitting on your butt for 8 hours a day is bound to make a difference in the tubbiness of the average desk jockey.

[Sweaty McFatty @ Oct 19th 2007 11:40AM]

This would be awesome, since I sit on my ass programming computers all day. Right now I have to get up and move around every 20-30 minutes to keep my ruined back under control.

[aj @ Oct 19th 2007 12:28PM]

Same here. I already have a standing desk, I've just been waiting for someone to productize this.

[Whiplash @ Oct 19th 2007 2:50PM]

Yeah this will be awesome. Now we can all have ruined knees and hips too!!

[Sweaty McFatty @ Oct 19th 2007 3:38PM]

When I say "ruined back", I mean a back destroyed by a crippling disease. Walking is #1 on the list of treatments.
Walking, in fact, is what the human body is designed to do.
So no, you will not destroy your knees and hips by walking. I think you are confused, or think W-A-L-K spells "run".

[farfisa @ Oct 19th 2007 11:50AM]

Wow! Working AND excercising at the same time?
Why doesn't it just shoot you?

[chris fredette @ Oct 19th 2007 12:04PM]

Please buy one so I can get one at 80% off on craigslist next year.

[booticon @ Oct 19th 2007 12:39PM]

That could be awkward for some taller folks like me, seeing as the desk doesn't appear to be adjustable.

[Andrew @ Oct 19th 2007 1:01PM]

That's a neat looking desk. Can I get that without the treadmill?

[jroc @ Oct 19th 2007 1:04PM]

Whatever happened to having cake infront of the treadmill?

[slip @ Oct 19th 2007 1:11PM]

According to Crave, the price for this thing is going to be $6500! I just want to find a decent standing desk...anyone know some good, reasonably priced (like under $300) ones? I'd want the desk surface to be at around 42".

[splashy @ Dec 13th 2007 12:40PM]

We just built one from wood. You just customize it for you.

[Matt @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:46AM]

Go to www.safco.com

[barlow @ Oct 19th 2007 1:45PM]

Would be great for my ADD

[splashy @ Dec 13th 2007 12:41PM]

Yes! I am a figiter myself, and this really tones it down.

[Elliott @ Oct 19th 2007 1:58PM]

That's just gross. What's wrong with this country?

[BeforeISleep.net @ Oct 19th 2007 5:15PM]

We eat too much fast food, and we are chastised as fat.
We develop desks to let us exercise while working, and we are chastised as oddballs.
America just can't get a break!

[tif @ Oct 19th 2007 2:00PM]

My cubicle has the desk built-in and adjustable. Two co-workers and I have all raised are desks to standing height. Cost: $0. I've been doing it for over a year. I'm standing right now. At the very least I feel better about myself. I'm certain that a slow walk would be better for your back, even if it didn't burn more calories.

[SubGenius @ Oct 19th 2007 2:57PM]

I think a stationary bike would have been a better choice.
It would also be cool if the bike attached to the computer via a USB connection.
There should be an app that monitors your peddling and dims the screen if you aren't keeping up a minimum pace.
This would force you to exercise in order to use the computer.
Would be great for overweight kids.

[Fred @ Oct 19th 2007 3:54PM]

Agreed. Too much bouncing around running/walking. add a little motivation and hook the bike to a generator so you have to keep pedaling or lose all your work!

[Z @ Oct 19th 2007 2:59PM]

If this thing doesn't serve as a sign that we're too busy in our lives (too much going on - too much multitasking), then I don't know what does.

This world is in a desperate need to slow down.

[Dan @ Oct 19th 2007 3:26PM]

Gotta love that they acknowledged the fact that some people will end up sliding too far down the treadmill, by either sleep or fatigue. "I just wanted to e-mail my boss!" Is this thing wheelchair accessible?

[cameragnome @ Oct 19th 2007 3:31PM]

I like it. I can't afford it. But I like it. I think it would be a great option to have at the office. Sometimes you just need to get up to clear your mind. Maybe it would keep my boss from getting up and walking to my office when he feels he needs to walk to clear his mind...

[chris fredette @ Oct 19th 2007 3:33PM]

Just got some pricing from a rep. I know that sells steelcase.
Pricing
U.S. List: $6,400 - $6,650.
I will now have to wait for 1000% off and that will probably be a long time :)

[Flalex @ Oct 19th 2007 3:46PM]

i'd buy it if it it had a chair

[Sergio @ Oct 19th 2007 4:42PM]

That's a great looking gadget, and I'm sure it is just the beginning of work/workout stations. Anyone have any ideas of what could be next?

[Dan @ Oct 19th 2007 5:34PM]

They need to keep working on this thing. They rushed the design. The screen needs to be double or triple sized. Where is the large drink holder on articulated arm?
The designers of this need to seriously cut down on their sugar intake. This looks like they walked through a hardware store and threw it together. Where are the special touches that show that real thought was put into this?

[splashy @ Dec 13th 2007 12:39PM]

Good points. I have an extra monitor on my desk, and two shelves to the right with enough room for all my backup disks, a printer, a DVD burner, a fan, speakers, dumbbells (usually used as paper weights) writing pads, pens, and drinks/food. I also have a book holder to the left that clamps onto the desk (a real gem!) that is fully adjustable.

[john @ Oct 19th 2007 7:05PM]

Good idea. I'm sure you could do-it-yourself for less $

[Dian @ Oct 19th 2007 7:24PM]

I was so enamored of Levine's idea that I created my own workstation out of an old Sears treadmill that my brother passed onto me. I'm at 3.7 miles for today, because I've been on the phone a lot (and I can't talk and walk). Total cost: Less than $60. Wrote about it here: http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/07/31/web-workout-make-a-workstation-out-of-a-treadmill/

[Annie @ Oct 19th 2007 11:06PM]

Dr Levine has been doing this type of movement research for over 15 years. He probably knows a thing or two about the benefits of walking slow. Treadmill only runs .5 to 2mph, hardly fast enough to break a sweat or not be able to type. If you know anything about the office furniture industry, you know that no one ever pays US list price. Most of the time its not even close.

[XenoX101 @ Oct 20th 2007 8:20AM]

Not as silly as it would originally seem, I would rather a stationery bike though, I can't imagine what my emails would look like if I was in motion.

[Annie @ Oct 20th 2007 9:54AM]

Whether its a bike or a low speed treadmill, you would still have a slight rocking back and forth motion. Your legs move in both instances. But, i can tell you from experience that it is very easy to do and does not at all affect your ability to type. Again, because you are going slow and have the right equipment. Its a height adjustable table with a high end commercial grade treadmill. I would love to be able walk an hour or two per day at work while taking care of some email, get up when i ache and loose some weight without dieting to boot!

[Felix @ Oct 20th 2007 4:27PM]

Hmm sounds like a good idea although at such a slow pace, burning so few calories, would it not enourage fattys to simply eat even more?
On the other had it could help build up the muscles needed to do some real exercise.
I suppose it depends on how you look at it. Anything is better than sitting in a chair all day.

I challenge anyone to invent some form of excersise that you can legally do while driving.

Hmm i know of one way. Disconnect your power steering pump then drive, or attempt to. ;)

[Mark @ Oct 21st 2007 4:04PM]

This is almost pointless. Sure, you can amble along at a slow pace and still get your work done, but you won't be getting much exercise. To get the benefits of cardiovascular exercise, you need to get your heart rate into a target zone. I seriously doubt that you could reach your target heart rate AND get work done at the same time.

Good luck trying to type while going at a fast walk, and good luck burning fat at a slow walk.

[Matt @ Oct 21st 2007 6:26PM]

I think this is a cool concept. I walk all the time (3-4 miles/day). If I could walk while working at my computer, I could add more miles per day. For me, this is perfect. When can I get one??