Web Workout: Make a Workstation out of a Treadmill
July 31st, 2007 (5:40am) Anne Zelenka 33 CommentsTweet This
by Susan Heid
Sure, you’re getting things done. But for some of us, being able to drink a mug of something hot while Skyping, emailing and messaging isn’t enough. We want to burn calories too.
That’s why, when I read about the workstation treadmills introduced by Dr. James Levine at the Mayo Clinic, I knew I had to have one. But I didn’t want to spend $1,600 to get it.
Here’s how I created my own workstation treadmill for a grand total of $55.
- Obtain a 1994 Sears 8.0 Exp “Lifestyler” from little brother, who is only to glad to get it out of his house. Cost: $0
- Have a metalworker friend cut down the 36-inch upright posts and reweld them so that they stand about 16 inches. Cost: $0 (if you don’t count a weekend of kitty-sitting)
- Build a worktable that stands about 50 inches high such that it straddles the newly shortened treadmill. Cost: $55 for 48-inch countertop, two sawhorse brackets and 16 feet of 2×4.
Now, while I work, I also walk about a mile an hour. That’s slow enough for me to type this article, read email and blogs, perform other mundane web work and drink my tea. If Levine’s calculations hold, I’m burning about 100 calories an hour. Since I typically walk three to six miles a day, I figure I’ve put in enough mileage to get from my home office in Nevada City, California to the post office in Wichita, Kansas.
But the set-up isn’t perfect.
- There’s the derision we walking web workers face from online naysayers.
- I can’t do phone interviews while I’m walking. I get too breathy at times (particularly when I accidentally increase my incline) and the electronics of the treadmill interfere with my recording devices.
- I’ve faced serious injury when my cat has leapt up onto my desk and then into my arms before I’ve had a chance to straddle the foot rails for stability.
- The crumbs dropped from my lunch always end up ground into the carpet at the end of my walking belt.
- Although on a cold day, my walking warms me up, on a hot day, like today, when I’m done with work, I smell like I’ve just left the gym.
Want to learn more about staying healthy while staring at a display? Check out these Web Worker Daily posts.
- Avoid Back Pain, Keep Your Spine Healthy While Working
- Web Worker stretches
- 15 Stress Management Tips for the Web Worker
- Dealing with Deskitis
What’s your approach for working out while hyperconnecting?
Web Work 101: How To Escape The Cubicle
I use nylon twine to secure my laptop to the reading tray of my treadmill.
Even cheaper!
Can you actually jog and surf at the same time. Hrm, maybe geeks are more coordinated than was previously thought.
Who said I was a geek?! If I were, I’d probably be earning more… :-)
Id like to try similar but using a modified exercise bike – that way I could sit down and generate electricity to power the laptop at the same time.
Nice! Now all you need to do is direct the energy generated from your footsteps to a battery that powers the laptop. I’d call that a nearly perfect system. You should post this on the http://makezine.com/ forums. Somebody over there should be able to figure out how to make this thing power itself.
I agree with Steve. A bike would be awesome.
Honestly, that looks like the most ridiculous setup I’ve ever seen. I still think if you can’t separate your workout and online time – your online too much.
Very cool idea.. Would save me a lot of time going back and forth to the gym.. but what of the sweat getting into my nice new MacBookPro? It’s already a problem when my Ipod gets drenched at the gym?
Still, have to give the guy credit!!!
Adios
CCW
HEHE Very cool idea! Great :)
What about Geek-a-Cycle?
Believe it or not, I just rigged up one for myself today with an old ironing board and a plastic milk crate! Not the sturdiest thing, I’d like to upgrade to something like your setup sometime. To the commenter’s talking about separating work and working out, that’s not really enough for those of us who are on a computer 8 hours a day at work, and then more at home (consulting as well as personal use). Personally, I don’t even need to lose weight, this is just a great way for me to continue working on my laptop while avoiding all the problems associated with sitting in front of the computer for multiple hours (lower back, shoulders, muscle tension, etc), while at the same time actually strengthening my body to whatever degree.
It’s not about blending work with workout, but rather making the workout less boring and catching up on rss feeds. I can’t type much this way, but I can hit the spacebar for “more” and the next page.
Hey looks cool and its cheap, thanks for the tip, will try that out too.
I built a stand-alone desk over my treadmill, with two shelves to the right to hold all my extras stuff like a printer and backup disks, drinks, food, and other assorted things. It works very well. I only walk at about .6 or .7 MPH, so can type and do pretty much anything I want. The only thing that is difficult is detailed graphics.
Oh, and I have lost over 25 pounds in 5 months also, with a little dieting. If I eat everything I want, my weight maintains. My back feels better, but my feet can get a little sore. Good walking shoes are a must.
I should mention we built it out of wood we had hanging around, but we always have scraps. We used maybe 4 or 5 2 X 4’s, and about a full sheet of 3/8ths thick plywood, with screws to hold it together.
The shelves have backs to them so things won’t fall into my watergarden. They look like two enclosed steps.
I was inspired by this post and ended up building my own treadmill desk with stuff I had around the house, I posted many photos online if you want to take a look at treadmill-workstation.
I was wondering if you still use yours and also how it is going for you. I found after the initial fun of it, I have lost a bit of interest and use it more as a standing desk lately. Which is still better then sitting all day.
Thanks!
We see a lot of people doing this and thinks it’s great. If you’re looking for a New or Refurbished Treadmill and would like to modify like this as well. Take a look at us for great deals and large selection.
http://www.bodyconcept.com
That is very cool idea…I usually walk on my treadmill while I watch TV. Need to noodle on this walk while I’m working idea.
I can’t believe this thing works!
You know, I used to do this when I was a kid. My dad insisted I walk when I studied. (I went to school under one of the toughest Indian school boards). Thus, when I was in my 10th grade, I had the roof/terrace of my home all to myself (grade 10 final end-of-term exams are VERY IMPORTANT – as important as Gr 12 exams in the U.S – seriously). Would you believe how slim I was that year? Some of my fondest memories are of that terrace – The quiet, the view of the sky, the muffled sounds of the street, the breeze in my hair…. aah, memories…
How do you keep the sweat off your computer??
Thanks for the theme. I will just still have to get a different header image.
This is a very good idea to change work position.
Great idea, my mate is an engineer, i’m thinking of following suite, but i agree with rebecca sweat and computers don’t mix! lol..
Good to see more people taking advantage of this concept, it definitely works as I’ve been doing it also for 3 months.
Walked a total of 400+ km.
I change between walking/standing/sitting through the day. but when it comes to pixel precise work, I have to opt for standing.
I recommend all to give it a crack, its by no means true exercise but it has slowly toned me legs up, more endurance I guess.
Cheers
I must admit this is a new one on me!
How the heck do you actually read anything when you are walking along? It must give your eyes a real workout too! As for phone calls – I can imagine how you would sound on a business call and it would maybe not be the image you want to put across, what with the heavy breathing and all..
Practicalities aside, thanks for lightening up my day!!
Michael
Please join our community of treadmill desk users at http://officewalkers.ning.com.