Living a sedentary lifestyle has long been associated with many adverse health outcomes. Unfortunately, for many of us, 40+ hours is spent each week sitting at a desk, slouched over a keyboard. In fact, it has been estimated that the average American spends up to 11 hours each day sitting.
While many have turned to stability balls and stand up desks in an effort to reduce the amount of time spent sitting, many employers have taken the opportunity to promote physical activity a step further by introducing walking workstations or “treadmill desks” into their workplace. Unlike a traditional treadmill that is designed for running and walking at faster speeds, treadmill desks are designed to be used for walking at slow speeds for extended periods of time. They’re not intended to be thought of as a “workout” or as a replacement for regular exercise, but more as a reinforcement to get more physical activity and help achieve the goal of reaching 10,000 steps per day. Researchers have found that the introduction of treadmill workstations had a significantly favorable impact on both physical activity and work performance. They also seem to be very well received by employees who have put them to the test.
So there you have it. If you’re looking to get or stay active, reduce overall time spent sitting, or just clear your head during a stressful work day, a walking workstation may be the right solution for you.
