Do you find yourself sitting at your desk for hours on end, feeling sluggish and unhealthy? What if there was a way to stay productive and active while at work?
The sedentary lifestyle that comes with working a desk job has been linked to numerous health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and even certain cancers. As a result, many people are turning to innovative solutions to stay active during the workday.
Enter desk treadmills, the latest trend in workplace wellness. These machines allow you to walk or jog while working, providing a low-impact workout and boosting your overall health. But are they worth the investment?
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of desk treadmills and help you decide if they’re the hack to better health you’ve been searching for.
What is a Desk Treadmill?
A desk treadmill is the perfect way to get fit while working, so you can stay healthy and productive! This type of exercise equipment is also known as walking treadmills that allow people to walk or run on a belt while they work at their desks.
This has been gaining in popularity as more people realise how much time they spend sitting in front of their computers for work. Desk treadmills provide an activity that can help reduce the risk of many diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle, such as heart disease and diabetes.
It also provides an opportunity to burn calories and increase physical activity without having to take additional time out of your day. This type of equipment allows people to move around while still being productive, enabling them to multitask – something many busy professionals appreciate.
Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Desk Treadmills
Using a desk treadmill to walk while working can be an effective way to improve one’s physical and mental health. Not only can it help reduce body fat percentage and aid in weight loss, but it also has the potential to improve the circulatory system and heart health. It can also lead to increased energy levels, as well as reduced stress levels. All of these benefits make a desk treadmill worth considering for those looking to get healthier.
1. Improved Circulatory System and Heart Health
Walking on a desk treadmill can significantly boost your circulatory system and heart health. Walking on a treadmill while going about your work in the office can help to improve the cardiovascular system by slowly increasing your heart rate and blood flow.
This will result in an increased amount of oxygen in the blood, which is important for overall heart health and helps to regulate blood pressure levels. Sitting for long hours in front of the computer is definitely not boosting your heart health. So why not do some light activity like walking on the treadmill while working?
2. Reduced Body Fat Percentage
Regular use of a desk treadmill can contribute to reducing your body fat percentage. Desk treadmills are perfect for those who want to increase their physical activity levels without leaving their workspace.
By using a walking treadmill, you can be able to combine some of the health benefits associated with exercise while still keeping up with your work. These treadmills allow you to get in some extra physical activity that can help reduce your body fat percentage over time and improve overall health.
As opposed to traditional treadmills, desk treadmills keep the user in an upright position while walking which is beneficial for those wanting to reduce their body fat percentage as it requires more energy expenditure than regular walking.
3. Weight Loss
Stepping onto a desk treadmill can be an effective way to kickstart your weight loss journey. Desk treadmills offer a variety of speeds, from slow and steady to fast-paced workouts, allowing you to customise your workout for maximum results.
This type of exercise helps elevate energy levels while burning calories, which can lead to significant weight loss over time.
Moreover, desk treadmills are designed with the health goals of those who lead sedentary lifestyles in mind. They help reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease due to their ability to bring movement into the workstation environment.
Studies have found that using a desk treadmill for just 30 minutes per day can drastically improve overall health and wellness as well as boost weight loss progress.
Regular use of a desk treadmill provides users with an opportunity for sustained physical activity throughout the day which is essential for long-term weight management success. The combination of increased physical activity and an improved diet will have numerous positive benefits on your body composition and overall well-being.
4. Increased Energy Levels
Taking a few strides on a desk treadmill can give you the energising boost you need to power through your day. Desk treadmills are designed for walking at low speeds for short periods, which helps to increase your energy levels.
Not only that, but regular use of a desk treadmill can improve physical health by helping to control blood sugar levels. Imagine having mo more afternoon slumps from a sugar crash.
5. Improved Stress Levels
Using a desk treadmill can also help you manage your stress levels, allowing you to stay focused and productive while taking a break. Light physical activity like walking for a change from sitting all day helps decrease anxiety. Here are three ways it helps:
a. Regular exercise on a walking treadmill improves oxygen flow.
b. The gentle body movements that come with using a desk treadmill reduce cortisol production which is linked to stress.
c. Desk treadmills help to refocus the mind away from negative thoughts or anxieties and towards more positive ones instead.
6. Improved Focus and Concentration
When you walk on the treadmill, your body releases endorphins, which trigger feelings of pleasure and happiness. This emotional expansion may lead to new ideas and more creativity, which can lead to a better relationship with your manager or colleagues. You may also be more receptive to feedback, which can improve your performance and enhance your career prospects.
Improved focus and concentration are also significant advantages of using a treadmill desk. With better focus, you can tackle tasks in a shorter amount of time and with greater accuracy. This productivity can lead to career advancement and ultimately, a better quality of life.
Studies have proven that physical activity can improve brain function, with regular exercise linked to increased cognitive function, memory, and mental clarity. By using a walking treadmill, you are staying active and engaging your body, resulting in many physical and mental health benefits.
Who Can Benefit from a Desk Treadmill?
Employing a desk treadmill can be beneficial for a variety of individuals, from those seeking to improve their overall fitness and health to those wanting to enhance their productivity at work.
These treadmills are especially useful for people who regularly spend extended periods of time sitting at a desk or computer throughout the day, as they can help reduce the amount of sedentary time. They can help combat the afternoon slump experienced by many people while working, allowing them to stay productive and focused.
How to Get the Most Out of a Desk Treadmill?
As someone who is interested in using a desk treadmill to improve my health, I want to make sure that I’m getting the most out of it. Establishing an appropriate pace for working on a desk treadmill and setting goals and tracking progress will help me do this.
Through these strategies, I can ensure that my desk treadmill use is helping me reach my personal fitness goals in the most effective way possible.
Establishing an Appropriate Pace for Working on a Desk Treadmill
Finding the right balance of speed and intensity when working on a desk treadmill can be tricky, but it’s essential for maximising effectiveness and avoiding injury.
The key is to find an adjustable speed that best suits you so that you don’t overexert yourself in the afternoon.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your walking treadmill:
- Start off with a moderate pace until you get used to walking while working. Once you have mastered this skill, then slowly increase your maximum speed as needed.
- Make sure to adjust the speed of your walking workstation according to how much energy you have available throughout the day so that you can maximise its potential without overexerting yourself.
Setting Goals and Tracking Progress
Setting goals and tracking progress on a desk treadmill can be a great way to stay motivated and make sure you’re making progress.
With the features of most models, it’s easy to set goals for yourself in terms of minutes walked per day or the number of steps achieved while using the machine. I set mine to 10,000 steps a day so I know to reach that goal while I am at work.
Tracking your progress allows you to ensure that you’re consistently reaching your goals, which is essential for achieving better cardiometabolic health. According to Medical News Today (2023), the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease reduces by 40% to 50% just by increasing the daily steps to between 6000 and 9000 steps.
Moreover, having a desk surface built into the treadmill makes it easier to work while walking, allowing you to get more done in less time.
Potential Drawbacks of a Desk Treadmill
While desk treadmill benefits are numerous, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks before jumping in. One disadvantage is that prolonged standing and walking can cause tiredness, discomfort, and possible overuse injuries.
Here are several examples of potential drawbacks of using a treadmill desk that users should be aware of:
- Tripping or falling while walking and typing could occur if you’re not accustomed to the movement or not paying close attention
- Difficulties typing or concentrating while walking may occur, which can lead to errors or decreased productivity
- Tiredness and discomfort in your feet, legs, and back may develop if you stand or walk for an extended period of time.
To prevent these risks and to optimise treadmill desk usage, here are a few things you can do:
- Use a slow speed to start, especially if you’re new to the concept
- Wear comfortable and supportive shoes that fit well to prevent blisters, or soreness and consider using a mat for extra cushioning
- Take regular breaks to stretch and adjust your position
- Practice good posture to reduce stress on your spine and muscles.
It’s also important to remind yourself to listen to your body and adjust your habits as needed. By taking a balanced approach and staying mindful of potential drawbacks, you can make the most of your treadmill desk and enjoy all the benefits.