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.
posted Oct 19th 2007 11:02AM
This works, pure and simple. A more affordable product than the $6500 WalkStation is the TrekDesk. They have some intriguing information at their website, www.trekdesk.com focusing on the benefits of consistent daily walking. I want one!
I really like this concept. One does not need to be at the same work station all day, or they could if they choose. Between this product, regular work stations and the kind you can raise or lower to stand or sit at, the computer user will have many ways to adjust for their best ergonomic fit.
I hope that Steelcase and similar companies will be open to further developments in ergonomic technology and designs.
I built my own treadmill desk and love it. I use it every day while I do my work, some days I walk up to 8 miles, I have been keeping the weight off and feel great!!!
I'd love to try this! I'm self-employed and I sit at my computer 8-10 hours a day. People would probably be a lot more productive using a walkstation because it would keep us alert. Many times I could just nod off out of boredom and monotony. An article I read said it costs about $4300. Maybe I can rig up a walkstation of my own for less...
Treadmill desks work and despite some of the comments above there is actually proof that they do. I suggest you visit www.trekdesk.com and read some of the amazing medical studies about the health benefits. Surprisingly you DO NOT need to increase your heart rate levels in ways that are mentioned above to achieve fitness goals, even though using a treadmill desk will restory your health so that you will want to start increasing you physical abilities even more. Consistent daily walking with a treadmill desk like the TrekDesk can change lives and enhance productivity and health, I know because I have been using my treadmill desk and it is incredibly effective.
There's actually a 20/20 on the WalkStation Friday night at 10. They've done a study on a company that implemented it over a long period of time and they're going to share the results. Should be pretty interesting.
I build my own treadmill desk and started a blog. I posted lots of photos and am sharing my experience using the treadmill desk.
I like it and I use it as a standing desk too!
http://treadmill-workstation.com
Yipes, I thought that was a bit pricey for a treadmill desk so I build my own for free.
I use it as a standing desk too, If you want to see what I did , I have posted tons of photos
on my blog, http://treadmill-workstation.com
Come and say Hi and leave a comment!
Thanks
I have used a treadmill desk for the better part of a decade to lose weight and I have to say, these things really work! You do not need to invest thousands of dollars to get one either, apart from the cost of the treadmill, which can be easily and cheaply purchased at a garage sale, the cost of the desk was just $60 for to build. Apart from a little over a year where I got so busy running my software start-up I use the treadmill desk on an almost daily basis, logging between 2 and 10 miles. I even play World of Warcraft whilst walking. You can check out pictures of my treadmill desk and my adventures with one at http://www.justinlloyd.org/category/treadmill-desk/
I want that monitor stand.
I guess they never tried the equipment before they designed. This will be so difficult to use.
How can you try something before it's designed?
Ever use Windows ME? I tried that once and I swear that no time was spent designing it.
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...
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.
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.
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!
Is this from Unuseless Japanese Inventions Part III: Cindogu Strikes Back!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chindogu
I can't wait for the first discrimination suit by the employee that can't even walk and chew gum at the same time.
Alternative energy; let the treadmill provide power to the computer.
by the time you finish typing a single email, that keyboard is going to be drenched in sweat.
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.
I use it for my living room computer all the time. But, I work at home, so do everything on my living room computer. :-)
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.
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.
Same here. I already have a standing desk, I've just been waiting for someone to productize this.
Yeah this will be awesome. Now we can all have ruined knees and hips too!!
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".
Wow! Working AND excercising at the same time?
Why doesn't it just shoot you?
Please buy one so I can get one at 80% off on craigslist next year.
That could be awkward for some taller folks like me, seeing as the desk doesn't appear to be adjustable.
That's a neat looking desk. Can I get that without the treadmill?
Whatever happened to having cake infront of the treadmill?
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".
We just built one from wood. You just customize it for you.
Go to www.safco.com
Would be great for my ADD
Yes! I am a figiter myself, and this really tones it down.
That's just gross. What's wrong with this country?
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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...
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??
this thing does need an extra chair r something with it. because quite frankly (fatty here) walking even slowly for a bigger person does affect your joints.. I walk about 4-5 miles a day if not more, and sometimes I can barely walk without soaking my joints.. and I'm not that overweight I'm not morbid at least. I mean it's great if your slim enough to do that but all you folks saying fatty's yeah it's not gonna work for us we need low impact ..
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 :)
i'd buy it if it it had a chair
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?
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?
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.
Good idea. I'm sure you could do-it-yourself for less $
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/
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.
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.
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!
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. ;)
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.
whatever it takes to get people off their butt is a great idea!!!!1
I think what all companies should do is raise the height of desks in their offices and have people STAND around while doing their work (keeping chairs close by, of course). I noticed doctors, architects, designers, musicians, artists, actors and such stand around more while working. I think it eliminates the need for coffee as much, because sitting down on your lazy a** is going to make you relaxed and therefore have a need for coffee to wake you up. You'd also need less exercise if you stood longer or more often. The reason for exercise is because people sit more then they should. If you did more standing, you'd be more alert, burn more calories and won't need to exercise as much. I also think another reason people have problems with their growing bellies is because they sit or slouch too much. If people stood more, people would probably have flatter abs and stronger backs, as well as, stronger/ firmer legs & thighs. It keeps the blood circulation flowing. Probably better for the brain too. Try eating, watching tv, talking on the phone, using the computer, doing your work, talking to people, reading, etc., while standing up and/or using a counter. Try to do these activities in front of a window with more light, too. That's another thing, I think companies should also put more windows in the workplaces. Natural light and scenery is better than indoor lighting (like boring fluorescent lighting). It would probably help eliminate depression. And the only time you should be on your butt is when you go to sleep. I think all this would help eliminate insomnia too. AND therefore eliminate the need for these highly priced treadmills (not that keeping a treadmill or stationary bike is a bad idea).
I have to wonder if you actually work, or have worked, at a job where you STAND (not walk, but stand) for the entire workday. The human body wasn't evolved to stand in one place for eight hours per day, and certainly not on the hard concrete floors you will find in most workplaces.
This is Great!
I saw this earlier this Summer at www.designideas.tv website! Glad to see it finally on engadget! Cheers! Keep on Treadmillin'!
TR
That is SO awesome! I am getting that for Christmas! My daughter will thank me!
I go to a gym that on the bikes has internet, limited but touch screen and fairly easy to use for checking mail sending short ones, and yes if you stop peddling it cuts you off! but it does make the gym more , as you are never out of touch...
hmm...so what happens when u want to stop walking and sit down and finish your work?
That's great, but how the heck do you type and walk at the same time?
I've been working on a treadmill under my regular raised desk for over 4 months and find that I can type quicker than if I were sitting. This of course didn't happen from day one - it does take a little practive to walk and type but its amazing how quickly your body adjusts to doing 2 things at a time. I've heard of studies that say that low activity actually increases your concentration and this seems to be the case with me.
You gyys crack me up. What a great start to my day reading all of your comments. Personally I don't know if I should be excited about this or scared. :) Like any other toy, I want one even if I never use it!
Bad idea. Most people dislike the physical pain of stand on your feet all day jobs. Medical problems are painful legs and feet. This leads to varicose veins, cortisone shots in feet, custom orthodics, ugly shoes, and daily doses of pain killing drugs like Ibuprofen. There are plenty of fat people in stand up all day jobs. I vote no to the stand up work station.
It is a lot easier to pedal than walk or run while you read and type. I built one and use it at work:
http://office-fitness.com/?page_id=5
Yeah looks like a lot of people are building their own solutions to this, but I like this one www.TheNetRunner.com been using it for like 6 months now and it works great, it's simple and portable.
Just realized I messed up the link in my last post http://www.TheNetRunner.com not that it matters that much as all you can find it regardless. =)
I can't speak for others, but I work out to GET AWAY from things at the office.
Working out is more than physical exercise. It provides a mental break during which you can get away from the irritating things that come with one's job.
I think this sounds fantastic. I don't see it as a substitute for a real workout but as a remedy for the back pain I get after sitting at a computer for 8 or 10 hours. If you try a 1 mph pace on a treadmill you'll see it's perfectly compatible with reading, talking, e-mailing. Actually I heard there was a call center somewhere that has already rigged this kind of setup for all its employees. Now all I need is for it to drop in price by about $5,000. Great tip on NetRunner, maybe I'll do that instead.
I live two blocks from Columbus Circle in a small one bedroom apartment. I've got room for either a desk or a treadmill but not both.
When can I get a look at this thing?
Mark
I use a treadmill desk every day, and love it. Running the treadmill about .6 or .7 MPH, you don't sweat, you can type all you want, surf the net, or whatever. The only thing I have found difficult is very detailed graphic work. In fact, I forget I'm walking half the time, and am walking right now while typing this.
All I wanted was to stand because I was tired of sitting, found the idea of a treadmill desk, and now walk all day. The bonus: I lost 25 pounds in 5 months, without trying much at all. I not eat everything I want to eat, when I want, and do not gain weight. It's the answer for me, that's for sure!
Of course, you want good walking shoes, and your feet will be sore at first from being on them all day, but you get used to it. It's just like being a waitress, nurse, or any other profession where you are up and walking around all day.
Thanks for your blog, it's what got me started. You have changed my life by showing me that I could just build one. It took us just a few hours to build the desk, then we added the shelves later on as an afterthought. I love it.
Hey Splashy,
Thanks for the comments. You made my day.
Jay
http://www.treadmill-desk.com/