A year or two ago (maybe more), a writer friend, Mindy Starns Clark, shared that she had started writing while walking on a treadmill. She actually has three work stations: seated, standing, and walking.
That was the first time I’d heard of the concept of the treadmill desk. Since I have an exercise cycle, I wondered if the same thing could be done with the cycle, but since I’m not a hammer and nail kind of girl, I didn’t think about it too long.
Then last month, the RWR (magazine of Romance Writers of America) had an article written by two members who have both created treadmill desks to work on. That piqued my interest a little more.
My recent bout with back trouble, however, made me more interested than ever. Then, when running an errand last week, I happened to see an outlet fitness store (70% to 80% off, the sign said). So I whipped into the parking lot and went inside to see what they had. I didn’t expect to buy anything. I was just going to look. But when I saw the price of one unit, it was too good to pass up. About a fourth of what I thought I would have to pay. (This is not a top of the line model, of course, but it should do the trick for a couple of years.)
A really good friend from church made me the “desk” to put across the handles on the treadmill (cut to fit and fastened with velcro strips). I quickly found that the laptop needs to be raised up higher, so Sunday evening I bought a pretty basket to put on the board. I used the non-skid stuff you can put in drawers to make sure my laptop doesn’t slide off (both under and on top of the basket). A photo of my treadmill desk is shown at the top of this blog. To the right is the TrekDesk which I would love to have if/when the day comes that I could (1) justify the expense and (2) if I could rearrange furniture enough to make it work in my limited space.
I have a small office with a desk and credenza and bookcases already using up all available space so the treadmill is in the spare bedroom right across from my office. Yesterday was only the second time for me to use it, but I think I will slowly work my up to using it quite a bit each day. Even an hour a day would be helpful for my health. And hey, if I could drop twenty pounds (like the guy in the GMA video), I would not complain!
Embedded below is the aforementioned video from Good Morning, America’s segment on the treadmill desk if you’re interested in knowing more. It really is pretty fascinating.
Have you tried it? Have you thought about trying it?
I have known about the treadmill desks for a good while now. I would love one but my space is limited. My treadmill is put up and I am using a Gazelle now, but would really like to get the treadmill up and running. The desk pictured above is available at Amazon if you need a larger work surface. http://www.amazon.com/Trek-TD-01-TrekDesk-Treadmill-Desk/dp/B002IYRBI0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1303817670&sr=8-3
You’re so creative. I just ordered a simple one on line. I learned my lesson after my old laptop fell off and was no more. 🙁
Yes, Sandie. The TrekDesk is the one I used the photo for. But like I said, it is pretty pricey and large so it will have to wait until I can make some changes. I totally understand the limited space! A reason I hadn't replaced the treadmill I had prior to 2004.
Hope it works for you, Katy Lee. And yes, I've thought about the laptop falling off so I'm doing what I can to make sure that doesn't happen (including trying to make sure the cat can't jump up there!).
LOL, I can see you on that treadmill watching Idol and blogging about it as you hit the 5 mile mark.
Just might do that, Bob. Although I tend to be very lazy by the end of a work day.
I want to planning a make one and try the Treadmill desks. In the morning have not time so it is good for me to the exercise with the daily work summary reading data. It is good blog for me.