I have a treadmill desk; I really like it but I certainly can't max it out like your wife! I can do about 2.5 to 3 mph for tasks that only involve sort of basic typing and emailing. But for fiddly stuff like graphic design work, I can't use it at all.
It does help me a lot when reviewing long, boring documents. I have ADHD and find I focus much better when my body has something to do.
That's definitely true. I get my best ideas while I'm walking or riding my bike. Something about being forced to be inactive makes my brain just shut down.
The timing of this post couldn't be better. My wife just recently started working from home and is getting way less steps than when she was in an office. She always intends on going for walks on breaks but then gets called into a meeting or the weather outside is awful. I was wondering if a desk treadmill would be a decent alternative, turns out it is!
This is such a cool post! I'm a medical resident and work in a giant hospital in New Orleans. Because I always take the stairs I get a ton of steps in while working. Curious which standing desk she uses? My husband could really use this setup.
Pasting this from the response above ... Leah said the desk is from Costco. Things to know about it:
#1. The phone charging pad stopped working after a month and that seems to be a popular complaint.
#2 there’s a bottom cross bar that allows just enough room for the treadmill I use to slide under, but it also makes it so I can’t see any of the speed or step settings on the treadmill.
She hasn't tried barefoot. Those treadmill tracks can tear up your feet. You could probably walk barefoot in stints, but it would add a layer of complication to her completing work while walking.
Okay so I’m late on this, but… is that a polycarbonate/other material mat under the treadmill? Any details for the curious? Mine just arrived and is on a carpeted floor… thinking a mat might be a good idea.
Just ordered! Leah is my inspiration! Signed up for Half Marathon and USMS. Go Leah! And thanks Michael for this great article. My Leah Walking Pad comes on Monday!
We had a treadmill desk but I got way too dizzy/nauseous when using it and trying to work (I need to do a lot of reading). I jog at the gym but only using the manual treadmill (the self-powered kind). Anyone know of a low-profile manual treadmill? The ones I’ve seen online are big and super expensive (minimum $5500!).
I'm so happy to see this treadmill desk recommendation. My daughter had one that literally burned out, so we were on the hunt for a new one. She is ordering it when her paycheck hits tomorrow!
I love my IKEA standing desk, but I'm considering adding the treadmill to my setup. Standing is better than sitting, but it also makes me want to move more, which, in the end, is not the best for my productivity—walking away from my desk all the time makes it hard to type. Haha! I might need to steal my daughter's for a test drive when it arrives.
TBH, I didn’t either. When she said she was getting a treadmill desk I was thinking it would be $1000. Nope! Less than $300. And it’s totally great and functional for the price.
This sounds like a great way to move while "being strapped to a desk."
Does anyone besides the medical resident in the comments have a job they can do while moving around a lot?
Michael, I'm guessing you could write a whole series on this topic. It may help some people decide what type of job to try.
Looking for active jobs worked for me. Tired of the sedentary academic scene after graduating college, I got into the construction trades and have been at it 25 years.
I currently run my own small commercial painting business so I get a decent all day workout carrying buckets of paint, running an 18" roller, going from place to place...
And if the day hasn't produced enough activity for me, I can still workout, walk, run or ruck when I get home, just like anyone else.
Love the idea of a "jobs that move your body" post.
My husband works as a geotechnical engineering field tech, and while he does not wear a tracker, he often hikes into job sites (while hauling gear), and I'm sure he gets 15,000–20,000+ steps most days. He also walks with me every morning, and on my tracker, our walk is over 5,000 steps.
One question I had with walking treadmills is if people on calls get bothered by it? I am on a lot of work calls and meetings but don’t have to be on video every time I’m just wondering about the sound
My coworker walks during meetings, and I never hear her treadmill. It does not bother me at all. Most walking pads I've seen advertised share the decibel level of their machine. You could look for that before you buy.
I loved everything about this article, I am so inspired by Leah! Thank you
As am I. :)
Glad you enjoyed the post!
Always get inspired with every new article ! Keep up the amazing work and research !!!
That's great to hear. Thanks for reading!
I have a treadmill desk; I really like it but I certainly can't max it out like your wife! I can do about 2.5 to 3 mph for tasks that only involve sort of basic typing and emailing. But for fiddly stuff like graphic design work, I can't use it at all.
It does help me a lot when reviewing long, boring documents. I have ADHD and find I focus much better when my body has something to do.
That's great to hear. There's some fun research around creativity and walking—in short, people tend to be more creative while walking.
That's definitely true. I get my best ideas while I'm walking or riding my bike. Something about being forced to be inactive makes my brain just shut down.
The timing of this post couldn't be better. My wife just recently started working from home and is getting way less steps than when she was in an office. She always intends on going for walks on breaks but then gets called into a meeting or the weather outside is awful. I was wondering if a desk treadmill would be a decent alternative, turns out it is!
Yes! Let me know how she likes it.
This is such a cool post! I'm a medical resident and work in a giant hospital in New Orleans. Because I always take the stairs I get a ton of steps in while working. Curious which standing desk she uses? My husband could really use this setup.
Residents get SO MANY STEPS. :)
Pasting this from the response above ... Leah said the desk is from Costco. Things to know about it:
#1. The phone charging pad stopped working after a month and that seems to be a popular complaint.
#2 there’s a bottom cross bar that allows just enough room for the treadmill I use to slide under, but it also makes it so I can’t see any of the speed or step settings on the treadmill.
I believe this is the desk: https://www.costco.com/tresanti-geller-47%e2%80%9d-adjustable-height-desk.product.4000139627.html
Completely badass! Your wife’s average step count over nine months is nuts!
Two questions:
Did she win the challenge?
Does she ever try barefoot over a certain amount of time?
Ha, she won.
She hasn't tried barefoot. Those treadmill tracks can tear up your feet. You could probably walk barefoot in stints, but it would add a layer of complication to her completing work while walking.
I look forward to your post on the benefits of barefoot stint trail walking!
Okay so I’m late on this, but… is that a polycarbonate/other material mat under the treadmill? Any details for the curious? Mine just arrived and is on a carpeted floor… thinking a mat might be a good idea.
Just ordered! Leah is my inspiration! Signed up for Half Marathon and USMS. Go Leah! And thanks Michael for this great article. My Leah Walking Pad comes on Monday!
It’s Leah’s world and we’re just living in it!
And things the truest thing ever: “I think when people plan to be active but aren’t it weighs on us. It weighed on me.”
We had a treadmill desk but I got way too dizzy/nauseous when using it and trying to work (I need to do a lot of reading). I jog at the gym but only using the manual treadmill (the self-powered kind). Anyone know of a low-profile manual treadmill? The ones I’ve seen online are big and super expensive (minimum $5500!).
Super helpful post!
I'm so happy to see this treadmill desk recommendation. My daughter had one that literally burned out, so we were on the hunt for a new one. She is ordering it when her paycheck hits tomorrow!
I love my IKEA standing desk, but I'm considering adding the treadmill to my setup. Standing is better than sitting, but it also makes me want to move more, which, in the end, is not the best for my productivity—walking away from my desk all the time makes it hard to type. Haha! I might need to steal my daughter's for a test drive when it arrives.
Didn’t realize this strategy (the treadmill itself) was so affordable. Thanks for sharing!
TBH, I didn’t either. When she said she was getting a treadmill desk I was thinking it would be $1000. Nope! Less than $300. And it’s totally great and functional for the price.
This sounds like a great way to move while "being strapped to a desk."
Does anyone besides the medical resident in the comments have a job they can do while moving around a lot?
Michael, I'm guessing you could write a whole series on this topic. It may help some people decide what type of job to try.
Looking for active jobs worked for me. Tired of the sedentary academic scene after graduating college, I got into the construction trades and have been at it 25 years.
I currently run my own small commercial painting business so I get a decent all day workout carrying buckets of paint, running an 18" roller, going from place to place...
And if the day hasn't produced enough activity for me, I can still workout, walk, run or ruck when I get home, just like anyone else.
Love the idea of a "jobs that move your body" post.
My husband works as a geotechnical engineering field tech, and while he does not wear a tracker, he often hikes into job sites (while hauling gear), and I'm sure he gets 15,000–20,000+ steps most days. He also walks with me every morning, and on my tracker, our walk is over 5,000 steps.
Thanks again, Michael! Researching walking pads now and hope to get one ASAP!
One question I had with walking treadmills is if people on calls get bothered by it? I am on a lot of work calls and meetings but don’t have to be on video every time I’m just wondering about the sound
My coworker walks during meetings, and I never hear her treadmill. It does not bother me at all. Most walking pads I've seen advertised share the decibel level of their machine. You could look for that before you buy.
Awesome thanks!
Michael, didn’t you post not too long ago how one time you went for a crazy nigh number of steps in one day (something like 50k)???