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.

edutcher said...

Sounds like something out of Dickens.

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...

yashu said...

The Execuciser

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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