Office Furniture That Lets You Exercise While You Work

Posted on February 9, 2015 Updated on February 6, 2015

For the “modular employee” that likes to keep moving, even when at the office, or individuals that need or want to include some exercise in their day even though life and work demand otherwise, there are office furniture solutions just for you.

Introducing the treadmill desk!

Similar to the sit-stand desk, the treadmill desk is a desk or table top with a height adjustable stand. However, attached to the foot of the stand amidst the desk’s legs is, you guessed it, a treadmill. Now the modular employee can bring work and exercise together by walking while he/she continues regular business activities.

The treadmill desks are built with certain safety features. Unlike regular treadmills that are seen in a gym, the treadmill desks have a limited maximum rotation speed of six kilometers per hour (6km/h) which does not allow for jogging or running. They are built with a high torque system that rotates at the walking speed of its user and stops when the user stops, thus encouraging effective exercise and reducing the possibility of falling off when the user stops walking. The desks also include a monitoring device which informs the user of his/her walking speed, distance and/or number of steps.

The advantages of the treadmill desk are obvious. On the health side, use of the treadmill desk promotes healthy circulation, improved metabolism and a reduction in the occurrence of back pain and disease. On the business side, studies have shown that the use of the treadmill desk boosts brain activity and focus which in turn improves productivity and creativity.

But why stop with the treadmill desk? If walking while you work is not your style, why not try working while you bike? That’s right! You can actually trade your treadmill attachment for a stationary bike attachment.

Offering the same health and business benefits as the treadmill desk, the Bike Desk allows its user to sit and pedal while conducting ordinary business activities. It also has a monitoring device to inform its user of the number of pedal revolutions being made while in use. Regarding space, the stationary bike attachment takes up the same amount of space as that of a regular office chair, so it can be a convenient option for any work space.

So, for businesses wanting to promote a healthy, positive and productive working environment and who want to attract top-quality employees, introducing the sit-stand, treadmill or bike desks into your office space design could put you ahead of your competitors.