My walking desk

Last year I bought a standing desk. Along with biking to work a couple days each week, it was part of my plan to shed 20 excess pounds. I like my standing desk. I like it a lot. But what I discovered is that I can’t stand all day long without my knees aching. I adjusted by sitting while at work, and standing while at home.

I read that standing all day is a great way to experience joint pain. The solution is always the same: don’t just stand there, walk. I researched treadmills and decided a Bowflex Series 7 treadmill was the one. And I wanted to pay the lowest possible price. So I set up a RSS feed to watch craigslist. After several months, I didn’t see a single one sell for less than $700. So I started bidding $700 on every one that showed up on craigslist. Finally, 9 months later, I have my treadmill.

I had to move the desk up a few inches to slide the treadmill in under it. I’m tempted to move it up another couple inches. As you can see, my arms are actually sloping downwards from my elbows. I’d rather they were nearly level, but I also want Jen to be able to use my workstation.

I’ve now worked at my walking desk for two days. I walked barefoot for the first 4 miles and found the treadmill belt to be abrasive on my feet. Now I’m alternating between barefeet and socks, until my feet have built up some calluses.

Update: I did move it up 3 more inches. Now it’s just right.

4 thoughts on “My walking desk”

  1. Looks like a great idea! Do they make one that fits under the kitchen sink? I would say that I spend at least 50% of my day at the sink.

  2. What a great idea! I’ve seen a patent application for a treadmill mounted flush in the floor, but, I know of nobody who has actually sells such a thing. Yet.

  3. Can you walk and chew gum at the same time?

    I was surprised how fast I adapted to walking at the desk. I’d guess it has to do with conscious versus unconscious thought. While my conscious effort is directed at the tasks on the computer, other parts of my brain handle keeping me balanced and my arms comfortably near the keyboard. What did surprise me was that after I stepped off the treadmill for a while, and came back, without turning the treadmill on, I found myself falling forward while standing.

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