Do you work an office job? Are you seated for the majority of the day? Did you know sedentary lifestyles can have extremely harmful effects on our physical and mental wellbeing? Human bodies are meant to move and be active over the course of the day. Working from home or working at an office, unfortunately, can have negative effects on our posture, muscle retention, mobility, flexibility, and so much more. Thankfully, it’s easy to put the movement back into your work day. With a treadmill desk, it is easy to incorporate light exercise into your daily routine. Are you interested? Here’s everything you need to know.
First of All, What is a Treadmill Desk?
A treadmill desk is a two-part home workout system, consisting of a treadmill base and an adjustable standing desk. The desk surface is wide enough to accommodate your laptop, monitors, keyboard, and mouse. Meanwhile, the treadmill base is made of ultra-quiet technology, virtually undetectable in virtual meetings or calls.
How Fast Do Treadmill Desks Go?
Treadmill desks are not meant for running or high-intensity workouts, but rather for keeping active during your work day. If you work an office job, you’re bound to your desk for hours at a time. Treadmill desks are the perfect solution for that. Operating at a maximum of 5.0 miles per hour, treadmill desks are great for individuals who want a slow to moderately paced walk during their work day!
Are Treadmill Desks Loud?
One of the best features of a treadmill desk is its quiet operation. Its technology operates at a low humming frequency, comparable to that of white noise. Its volume levels are just low enough to attend virtual meetings or business calls without disturbing any of the other participants. Noise levels reach around 35 to 57 decibels, with 55 decibels being equivalent to that of an electric toothbrush!
How To Use a Treadmill Desk
The human body is not meant to be sedentary, therefore sitting for long periods of time can be really harmful to our physical health. A good rule of thumb is to incorporate some movement every hour at the very least. When we work remote, office-type jobs, we end up sitting for the overwhelming majority of our work day. Jumping right back into movement might startle our bodies, so it’s good to start off slow. Start walking for 10-15 minutes two to three times a week and then see how you feel. Once you feel like your body is ready, you can walk on your treadmill once every hour for the best effects!
How Much Does a Treadmill Desk Cost?
How much your treadmill desk setup costs will depend on a few factors. You can buy a cheaper treadmill base for a few hundred dollars, but you may not get the high-quality, virtually silent features you’re more likely to find in more expensive models. The overall cost of your setup will depend on whether the base and desk come together – you may have to purchase both separately. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $3,000 depending on the model and setup.
Are Treadmill Desks Effective?
In terms of reaching your daily steps goals, yes, treadmill desks are an effective way to make sure you are receiving enough movement throughout the day. If you’re actively trying to lose weight, walking on a treadmill desk during your work day can help you burn more calories and reach your weight loss goals. Walking burns 100 more calories per hour than sitting – substituting some of that sitting with walking sessions throughout the work day can really help shed some weight. Not to mention, movement is extremely important for physical, mental, and cognitive health.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Treadmill Desk
If you decided that you want to take charge of your health and finally purchase a treadmill desk, there are a few factors you’ll need to consider.
Space Requirements
When you’ve found a specific model you find best fits your needs and budget, be sure to check the dimensions. A treadmill base will vary in length depending on that particular model. They can start at 4 feet 10 inches and reach all the way to 6 feet 8 inches. If you’re a taller individual, it’s best to go with the model that best suits your walking stride. Make sure you have enough space to accommodate both the treadmill and the desk, which can also vary in size.
Desk Space
Do you work off one laptop or do you have a multi-monitor set up? You need to consider how much space each monitor and piece of equipment takes up. Desks will vary in dimensions, especially because some standing desks come in full size. If you work on a laptop, you can easily find a desk that accommodates one device.
Speed
Treadmill desks are not meant for high-intensity training or even light jogging for that matter. The treadmill desk reaches a max speed of 5.0 miles per hour, which accommodates most people’s natural walking gaits. If you are looking for a machine that you can also do sprints on… a treadmill desk may not be the right choice for you.
Maximum Weight Capacity
Most treadmill desks can handle up to 300 to 400 pounds in weight, depending on the model. However, to preserve the life and performance of your machine, it’s recommended that the maximum weight is around 250 to 300 pounds.
Conclusion – Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Treadmill Desk
Treadmill desks are a great way to combat a low-movement lifestyle. Put your health back into your hands and start walking to work with a treadmill desk. Incorporating gentle, low-impact movement into your daily routine is especially important for your overall physical health, but also your cognitive functioning and mental wellbeing. The light movement also helps with energy, giving you just enough to tackle your work week with motivation and tenacity. Look into a treadmill desk today!
