The Benefits of a Standing Desk Treadmill
Many of us spend much of our time sitting at our desks. A treadmill beneath your desk will boost your circulation and burn calories. It can also inspire you to move throughout the day.
The majority of treadmill desk users, according to our research are using their desks because of health-related reasons.
Improves Circulation
Humans are supposed to move around throughout the day, not sit in front of a computer. Despite studies showing the dangers of a lifestyle that is sedentary many people struggle to find the right balance that allows them to spend enough time standing and walking to improve their health. Fortunately, a treadmill for your desk can be a solution. Adding a treadmill to your desk allows you to walk while working and offers a variety of advantages that go beyond burning calories.
In addition to promoting good circulation, regular exercise increases endorphins and improves mood. Both of these factors can help to reduce stress levels, which is especially helpful when working. This can lead to greater productivity and morale, since employees are more focused and able to focus on tasks at hand.
Recent research revealed that a treadmill desk produced more immediate results than a simple sit-to-stand desk. The treadmill group showed a significant increase in the total daily standing bout patterns and duration (multimedia appendix 8) when compared to the sit-to-stand and control desk groups. The effects were not sustained at M6 or M12.
Another positive effect of the treadmill desk was the fact that it encouraged higher intensity stepping than the sit-to-stand and control groups, with the treadmill group showing an early trend within the group towards accumulating longer duration stepping sessions. However the differences weren't sustained by M6 and M12.
The treadmill desk group also had an unintended effect of favoring increased usual sedentary bout duration after just a few months of usage, while the sit-to-stand and control desk groups favored increasing standing in prescribed shorter (1-10 minutes) intervals. This is crucial because prolonged sedentary habits have been associated with chronic disease risk factors and overall health.
While it may seem counterintuitive to exercise on a treadmill while working, it has been proven that this is a great method to improve circulation and help provide the physical exercise required by office workers to maintain optimum blood pressure and body weight. This type of low intensity ambulatory exercise could be integrated into office workflows in the near future, thereby reducing the health risks associated with an asedentary lifestyle.
Burns Calories
One of the most appealing aspects about a standing desk treadmill is that it burns calories. Walking burns more calories than in a chair. Since the majority of people work for three hours on their computers every day, walking two to four miles per day can help lessen the negative effects of sedentary lives.
It's important to note that if you don't have a solid fitness background, you might prefer to start with a shorter amount of walking to assess how your body reacts. It's also a good idea for you to consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen.
It is important to wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in on treadmills when you are working at a desk. This means shoes with solid soles and plenty of cushioning to prevent any foot-related issues. It's also recommended to gradually increase the amount of time you use your treadmill each day. For example, if you only use it for 15 minutes at least twice per day in the first week, then increase that to 30 or 60 minutes per hour for the following weeks. This will help you to not get too tired, and your body will gradually adjust to the new routine.
Be aware that desk treadmills are not suitable for sprinting, and their max speed is typically less than 5 miles per hour. So, your walk on the treadmill should feel more like a stroll through town than an intense exercise. Also, it's important to note that the counters for calorie burn on treadmill desks are usually tuned for cardio exercise and not for slow walking. So, don't treat them as a diet aid!
Another thing to consider is the possibility of developing 'cybersickness'. This is a form of motion sickness that can be experienced when you are looking at a screen which does not move for a long time while you walk on the treadmill. This is a concern for those who suffer from balance or stability issues. To avoid this problem, it is a good idea to alternate between working at your desk and walking on the treadmill.
Improves Mental Performance
The majority of health experts agree that prolonged periods of sitting throughout the day can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. They suggest a balance of activity to sitting during working hours and other non-work times such as for meals or in leisure time. Unfortunately, many people who work desk jobs are still spending too much time sitting at their computers.
To counter this, many people are shifting to standing desks to reduce their sitting time. The problem is, many people have trouble being able to remain focused when standing for extended periods of time. They might get tired easily or feel like they're not as productive as before. A treadmill desk is a fantastic solution.
Treadmill desks are having a huge moment on TikTok with famous people like Victoria Beckham and Jimmy Kimmel extolling their virtues. They are a great way to stay active at work and are ideal for those who don't have time to visit the gym or take a break.
One study revealed that treadmill desks can improve short-term memory and concentration. Researchers required participants to complete an exercise in which they read an article and a series of emails and then choose which to open and summarize to their boss. Half of the participants completed the task sitting at their desks while the other half sat at treadmill desks set at 1.4 miles per hour. The results showed that participants who used treadmill desks were 35 percent more likely than those who sat at their desks and answer all questions.
Brain scans also revealed that the treadmill under desk desk users had greater alpha brain-wave activity when compared to the people who sat. Alpha brain waves have been linked to better memory performance in previous studies. It is essential to incorporate some form of exercise in your routine, even whether it's for just 30 minutes.
Encourages You to Get Active
The primary advantage of a treadmill for desks is that it can help you exercise more while working. This is one of the best ways to fight "sitting disease" and improve your health while working at a standard desk. Treadmill desks can be expensive and take up a huge amount of space.
This is among the primary reasons people aren't sure about buying one. There are, however, great alternatives to a full-fledged treadmill desk, such as a walking desk. These treadmill-compatible desks allow you to walk and work at the same time without any compromise in efficiency or ease of use.
These devices let you decide your own pace and monitor your progress through an integrated display. Some have a USB port to allow you to connect your favorite fitness tracker and monitor your daily activities. Some of these workstations are capable of monitoring your heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, in addition to monitoring your daily activity.
It is crucial to keep in mind that when you use a treadmill desk, you will not be burning the same amount of calories as you would if you were exercising or running at a gym. The slow speed of walking of most treadmills at desks means that you won't burn more than 500 calories per hour. This is still more than what you would burn if you sat in a chair all day.
If you are new to working at a treadmill at work it is crucial to start slowly, and gradually increase your pace and duration of walking. This will help you avoid overworking yourself and inflicting injuries. Additionally you should discuss your plans for using a treadmill at work with your physician prior to beginning any new exercise routine.
While there are many advantages for having a treadmill desk, certain people might be worried about the negative impact it can impact their productivity. This is a valid concern, as certain studies have proven that treadmill desks can cause slight declines in mouse performance and typing abilities. However, these declines tend to be short-lived and generally return to normal after some months of regular treadmill desk use.