What is a treadmill desk?

What is a treadmill desk?

What is a treadmill desk?

Treadmill desks are still relatively unknown here in the UK. We all know what a treadmill is and we all know what a desk is and putting them together sounds like a great idea to us.

So, what do you need to make a desk you can walk at?

Firstly, you need a height adjustable desk or, as they're sometimes called a sit/stand desk or even a standing desk. You may already have one and if so, you''re halfway there already.

Then of course you need a treadmill to put under your desk. Not any old treadmill, a walking treadmill or as some people call them, treadmill bases or walking pads.

We have seen running treadmills being adapted into walking workstations by putting wooden surfaces onto the handrails and whilst we applaud the effort there are some good reasons why this may not be ideal.

Most running treadmills don't really like being walked on, especially for hours on end every day and it can burn out the motor. They prefer shorter, faster exercise where their fast spinning motor can keep itself cool and a sweaty runner keeps taking their weight off the belt as they jump into the air with each stride. We'd also question if vibration would an issue and whether you could get the right posture if the desktop was fitted to the handrails.

 

Here's one a DIY'er prepared earlier.

DIY Treadmill Desk

A Lifespan walking treadmill is designed to be walked on for hours on end and if fitted with a motor engineered for continuos duty and a quiet operation so you don't disturb others, or yourself.

 

Here is a picture of the Lifespan TR5000B which is fitted with a powerful 3HP motor.

Lifespan TR5000 Motor

You do also have to think about the controls for the treadmill and with our Lifespan models this can either be from a DT3 desktop controller if you have your own desk or with the built in controls if you choose a matching Lifespan DT5 or DT7 desk.

 

Below you can see The Lifespan DT3 controller that sits on your desk and counts steps, calories and distance.

Lifespan DT3 Desktop Controller

 

With Lifespan models, the desk and the treadmill aren't physically connected. There are some other brands available where they are connected but we question if vibration from walking on the treadmill base could be transferred to the desk.

So, I hope this has been a helpful introduction into treadmill desks, otherwise known as walking workstations, walking desks and even treaddesks! We have lots of other blogs about how to work effectively and the health benefits.

Please contact us if you'd like to chat or want any advice on how to get your perfect walking workstation set up. We've helped hundreds of people create their perfect setup, sometimes incorporating their existing furniture.

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