| "Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles | | | | that goal. Were each American desk worker to use |
| staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless | | | | this invention, we would undoubtedly see an increase in |
| forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on | | | | the general health and well being of our citizenry. |
| about about mission statements." - Peter Gibbons | | | | But at the same time, the idea of the treadmill desk |
| (Office Space) | | | | simply feels... odd. In some ways, this invention feels like |
| What is such a thing? | | | | a symptom of the unwillingness on the part of many to |
| Let me explain precisely what it is. It is a treadmill and a | | | | assume responsibility for their own health. Were |
| desk all in one, and I am not kidding. This is an actual | | | | people willing to simply devote the time to exercise a |
| invention, and may be commonplace in offices | | | | little bit each week, there would be no need for |
| relatively soon. Treadmill desks are the brainchild of Dr. | | | | treadmill desks. That the obesity epidemic has reached |
| James Levine of the Mayo Clinic. The concept is quite | | | | such proportions that someone invented a product |
| simple: it is a conventional treadmill other than that it | | | | such as this is quite alarming, though it is a reflection of |
| has a desk affixed to it. This is the way it functions. | | | | our true situation. USA Today recently reported that if |
| Generally speaking, rather than remaining seated while | | | | present patterns persist, roughly 43% of American |
| using your computer, a person is able to walk the | | | | citizens will suffer from obesity within 10 years. Obesity |
| entire time they work. Experimental users managed to | | | | related illness may end up costing the United States |
| burn 100 calories for each hour they spent using the | | | | more than $340 billion, or more than 20% of all health |
| treadmill desk on a slow setting (1 mph). | | | | care expenditures by 2018. |
| What purpose does this serve? | | | | I work in an office setting, and I can unequivocally say |
| The concept is to offer office workers who are | | | | that a have no use for a treadmill desk. |
| strapped for time the chance to get some exercise. | | | | Why is that the case? There is no reason whatsoever |
| How many pounds could a person reasonably expect | | | | for me to use one. While I spend at least 40 hours a |
| to shed? Using a standard 40 hour work week as a | | | | week in the office, my lifestyle is anything but a |
| baseline, and extrapolating out to 50 work weeks | | | | sedentary one. For me, getting a great deal of |
| annually, a person could gain an additional 2,000 hours | | | | exercise in my free time is a priority. In my opinion, |
| of walking each year. Burning calories at a rate of 100 | | | | being busy with work should not be a justification to |
| per hour, this totals 200,000 calories. Each pound of fat | | | | ignore health and well-being. Indeed, for me, remaining in |
| translates to roughly 3,500 calories, so if a person's diet | | | | good health and keeping physically fit is even more |
| remains constant, this comes out to approximately 57 | | | | important than my work. The fact is, while your job |
| pounds annually. | | | | may provide financial stability, it cannot save you from |
| Does this offer any added positive features? | | | | ill health as you age. In the case of most people, no |
| Dr. Levine and his colleagues who support the concept | | | | compromise between the two priorities should be |
| of the treadmill desk believe that on top of its calorie | | | | necessary. Someone who works 60 hours weekly still |
| burning benefits, the additional activity completed during | | | | has an additional 108 hours to dedicate to other |
| workdays will reduce stress and enhance worker | | | | endeavors. Undoubtedly, it is possible to spend just a |
| creativity without stifling productivity. With long-term | | | | few of those hours improving your health for the long |
| use, employees will become more physically fit, which | | | | run. |
| may equate to greater levels of energy and fewer | | | | What do I recommend in place of something like a |
| sick days used, thus potentially making the employer's | | | | treadmill desk? |
| expense in installing these desks justifiable. Indeed, a | | | | Physical activity outside the workplace. Head outdoors |
| number of large enterprises including Mutual of Omaha | | | | and exert yourself. Get involved in sports. Undertake a |
| have instituted the use of treadmill desks under this | | | | weight training regimen. Dive into a pool and swim |
| type of rationale. | | | | some laps. Go for a bicycle ride. Maintain a healthy diet. |
| My impressions of the treadmill desk are somewhat | | | | While I have not spent much time discussing diet, as it |
| ambivalent. | | | | is not the main focus of this piece, adopting wise |
| I can certainly see the benefit in this type of novel | | | | alterations in the type and quantity of food you |
| method for blending physical fitness into the daily | | | | consume is likely to make you healthier than any kind |
| routine of desk workers who do not move very much | | | | of exercise, including using a treadmill desk. However, |
| otherwise. Anyone who is familiar with my writings on | | | | these are just my own beliefs on the subject. What |
| the topic of cardiovascular exercise knows that I | | | | about those reading this? Send along your thoughts |
| promote low-intensity, steady state workouts, | | | | and give me your opinions. Would any of you who |
| particularly those incorporating walking. In my opinion, | | | | spend long days at your office ever consider using a |
| everyone ought to walk more each day, and this | | | | treadmill desk? |
| certainly provides an innovative way to accomplish | | | | |