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 October 19th 2007 11:02AM
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/