The DESK step to office success

(Getty images)

So, we've all been there right? Tired, stiff limbs, stressed out; if you work (or have ever worked) in an office, you know what I'm talking about.

It’s a well-known fact that sitting too long is never a good thing. It induces sleepiness, lack of motivation, and worst of all: negative effects on your health. From bad posture to weight gain to depression, the threat is real. Most of the time we can avoid prolonged sitting due to ease of mobility. What about the times when you can’t avoid it? If you work in an office or cubicle regularly, then you likely fall into the category of unavoidable.

However, all is not lost! In addition to taking breaks to stretch or go for a walk (make sure those breaks aren’t TOO long), companies are taking a new approach to helping employees be limber. How, you ask? The treadmill workstation (or desk treadmill)! This unique workstation combines the ability to maintain productivity while letting you move.
(photos courtesy of Amazon.com)I saw a feature on my local Fox news affiliate and saw a woman who typically spends 10 hours a day around her desk as a customer service representative. It was interesting to see her still take calls, get a workout, and not miss a beat. Of course, the treadmill doesn’t move fast but wouldn’t it solve people’s main complaint? I know personally I miss the days of college where I walked all over campus and sat in seats no more than 2 hours at a time. Imagine the culture shock to basically be expected to be desk-bound for the majority of an 8-hour day. Most offices do allow employee breaks and are certainly open-minded about stretching, etc but it does something to your mental state to be deskbound for more than a couple of hours.

I personally think it would be interesting to have something like this in my office. I probably would not want to walk and work all day but it would be nice to rotate from sitting to walking occasionally. Within the last year, I developed upper back pain and I knew it was from prolonged sitting. Work breaks are only but so long, as is lunch and taking long walks or hitting up the gym is not always possible. Other than granting us siesta periods to be used for leisure or shortening the average work day/week, employers are on the right track. Another idea that many companies have explored is inner-office yoga and Zumba.  I am a Zumba enthusiast, so I would be all for it.  As for the treadmill, it will be interesting to see if more companies adopt this technology and if people will actually use it. 

So what do you think? Would you use the desk treadmill? Do you have other suggestions on how to get fitness into the workplace while still maintaining efficiency? Leave a comment and let me know!


Check out the concept:



MyFoxAtlanta news report





Other great sites on this topic:

http://last10pounds.org/blog/2008/09/27/lose-weight-using-a-treadmill-workstation-desk/
http://livehealthy.southernliving.com/2008/10/putting-work-in.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/22/desk.job.bad.health/