Althouse: The downside of the treadmill desk.

January 28, 2013

The downside of the treadmill desk.

Typos.... "up to 11% deterioration in fine motor skills like mouse clicking, and dragging and dropping, as well in as cognitive functions like math-problem solving."

It's silly to walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike while trying to work, but I highly recommend using a desk like this with a push-button motor that lets you move back and forth between sitting and standing. Here I am demonstrating it 2 years ago.

We liked it so much we bought a second one. Bought a second 27-inch iMac too.

13 comments:

Wince said...: Those workstation contraptions remind me of two iconic episodes of "I Love Lucy": a combination of Lucy stomping the grapes and working that conveyor belt in the candy factory.; 1/28/13, 8:57 PM
edutcher said...: Sounds like something out of Dickens.; 1/28/13, 9:19 PM
kjbe said...: You know, I've already fallen off the back of a treadmill when I was doing just one thing - running. Add multitasking - I can't even imagine what kind of trouble I would get myself in to...; 1/28/13, 9:19 PM
yashu said...: The Execuciser; 1/28/13, 10:27 PM
Unknown said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/28/13, 10:39 PM
Unknown said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/28/13, 10:50 PM
Methadras said...: Um, drafters have had height adjustable tables for a long time. Alas, drafting is a lost art now, and the desks are gone usually too. Maybe some are still around. I haven't seen any in years.; 1/28/13, 11:42 PM
FleetUSA said...: I like to stand when on the phone and doing many admin steps, so I organized a table desk (no dead drawers) with a phone shelf near by. With a great view it was perfect!; 1/29/13, 4:10 AM
Bob R said...: How often do you end up changing the height from sitting to standing? I worry that I would use it for a month and then gradually stop.; 1/29/13, 4:58 AM
Rusty said...: Methadras said...
Um, drafters have had height adjustable tables for a long time. Alas, drafting is a lost art now, and the desks are gone usually too. Maybe some are still around. I haven't seen any in years.

The city my BIL works for just tossed ten 4 x 10 professional wooden drafting tables with the machines. He snagged one and is using it as a reloading station.
Beautiful tables.; 1/29/13, 6:58 AM
Known Unknown said...: I had 2 drafting tables a long while ago.

Couldn't move them when I had to, so they went away.

One had a glass top and could be back-lit. It was awesome.

And yes, I'll get right to work on buying a ugly $2000 desk, right after I buy a $1200 ugly desk chair.; 1/29/13, 7:16 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "How often do you end up changing the height from sitting to standing? I worry that I would use it for a month and then gradually stop."

I usually start the day sitting down. At some point, I switch to standing. Later, I go back down. Standing seems like it might be more effort, but it's actually less stressful, and it's nice to switch back and forth.; 1/29/13, 10:15 AM
Unknown said...: Iiiinnnteresting. I've been thinking about possibly getting a treadmill desk, but I have an adjustable height desk now that I love so much, I'm not sure I could give it up! So it is good to know that there are downsides; might make my decision easier.
I use a NextDesk right now, like I said, and I really love it. This company is coming out with a treadmill desk soon, though, so if I were going to get one, it would be from them. Plus this treadmill desk would have the bonus of being adjustable in height so I think that might make it more practical.
Anyway, thanks for the post. If you do happen to be in the market for a new tread desk or an adjustable or standing desk, I really recommend the folks at NextDesk. You can check them out at www.nextdesks.com. And let me know what you think!
Thanks again.
NG; 2/13/13, 9:55 AM