Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Treadmill Desks

A year or so ago, the SCBWI Bulletin ran an article on treadmill desks, written by authors Arthur Slade  and Joëlle Anthony. Supposedly, what you do is walk on a treadmill while you’re writing (or surfing the web, or whatever). The idea struck me as absurd—I can hardly keep my place in a large-print book propped up in front of me that I’m trying to read while on a treadmill. How could I type? How could I even think?

Homemade treadmill desk
But I read the article and it planted a seed. Apparently, you set the treadmill on the lowest possible speed and just barely amble while you write. It improves your concentration, people claim. It’s perfectly easy to keep your fingers on the right keys, so you don’t even realize you’re walking after a while—or so they say (notice any skepticism about the whole idea?).

According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic came up with the treadmill desk as a way to get sedentary office workers (authors?) up and walking. But Slade and Anthony, among others, find that their productivity improves as well.

You can spend a lot of money on a sleek model, or make one yourself for $39, according to claims (I assume that’s in addition to the treadmill). I’ve found a few treadmills on Craig’s List for under $100, and the rest of the supplies do look pretty cheap.

According to yesterday’s New York Times, moving even a little bit makes a big difference in health and longevity. You don’t have to break a sweat to benefit. That particular fact isn't news, perhaps, but as it turns out, your brain also benefits.

Anybody use one? Please leave a comment!


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6 comments:

  1. MaryMarch 17, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    Hi Tracy,
    I have been thinking about this. I would love to try it, but not sure I can afford to put the time, energy and money into it at this point without knowing if it would work for me. I would love to hear how it goes if you do it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tracy BarrettMarch 17, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    I know, Mary--me too! There are a lot of used treadmills on Craigslist for under $100, though, and I've found a few sites where they say you can make the desk part for $39, so I'm really tempted. Space is another issue, but I might just commandeer my daughter's bedroom. She's been out of the house for almost 8 years, after all!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CherylApril 11, 2012 at 10:16 AM

    I'm coming really late to this discussion, been busy!

    You might want to look into voice recognition software for your computer to use while exercising. Dragon Naturally Speaking is one for Windows PCs. I think the iPad has some built-in voice recognition.

    C.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Elizabeth J. NealJanuary 13, 2015 at 4:54 AM

    The idea struck me as absurd—I can hardly keep my place in a large-print book propped up in front of me that I’m trying to read while on a treadmill. How could I type? How could I even think? Reebok ZigTech 1410

    ReplyDelete
  5. albina N muroJanuary 18, 2015 at 5:48 AM

    I spend a lot of money on a sleek model, or make one yourself for $39, according to claims (I assume that’s in addition to the treadmill). afg 5.1at treadmill

    ReplyDelete
  6. MaximilianJune 4, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    There are a lot of used treadmills on Craigslist for under $100, though, and I've found a few sites where they say you can make the desk part for ... utreadmilldesk.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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