Could You Work in a Walkstation?

Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:16PM EDT

See Comments (447)

Okay, I know most days I am not moving enough and am sitting too much, typing and surfing the web on my computer. So this "walkstation" designed by Dr. James Levine of the Mayo Clinic and Steelcase, the office furniture maker, could be the future if we don't want to be bunch of obese desk dwellers hunched over our keyboards day in, day out.

It's not so far-fetched when you think of all the treadmills with TVs that get snatched up first at the gym. But I have always had a tough time reading while walking or, gasp, running, on a treadmill. I can't envision getting actual work done. Writing emails or blog posts seems a stretch but surfing the web and reading possible.

But Levine designed it for walking slowly because, he says, even just walking 1 mph can increase energy and burn calories. The idea is any kind of movement is better than no movement.

At $6,500 each, I can't see this in many bloggers' budgets or homes, but if companies were to build them into office gyms, they might get some play.

Good idea or not realistic? Chime in. If you're in New York on Oct. 25, there will be an all-day demo of the Walkstation at 4 Columbus Circle.

LINKS: I'm so fat I need a treadmill at my desk [Time.com] Steelcase's Walkstation marries desk and treadmill [Engadget] 

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  • 27 Posted by nickmcd1983 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    dumbest idea ever if youre really that lazy maybe you should just give up

  • 28 Posted by bteefey on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    Very unrealistic, working while walking??? Come on. However, a sitting staionary bicycle would work, since there would be less movement in the upper body. I would buy that in a heartbeat, but walking...ummm no.

  • 29 Posted by davisservicecenter on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Nice idea! The thing about trying new things is getting use to it so it will work. Practice a little and it might be the best thing.

  • 31 Posted by kleinstein1284 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think that it is a great idea. Too many people sit all day at work and don't get any kind of exercise. This leads to big problems which could possibly include blood clots and be lethal. Although I am in the health field and on my feet all day, my sister works in an office and complains plenty about having to sit all day long in front of a computer. If American's want to beat the obesity challenge we are experiencing, ideas like this would be best to invest in.

  • 32 Posted by lacyd_1999 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's a good idea that's not realistic. Like someone previously said, I can't see companies paying for more than one per company. They barely want to give they're workers fast running computer. We get broken desks, and companies are just recently getting into the ergonomic furniture and computer equipment. They figure if they give us decent benefits, then we can be as out of shape as we want!! :)

  • 33 Posted by deidre.cimino@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I work for a huge company and they would do this in a second. They are all out ergo and this would be wonderful to break up a 9 hours- sit of your butt day. We all have work stations that go up and down, so I think this idea is great. It is slow enough to type and talk with out being out of breath.

  • 34 Posted by jc022186 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    Not realistic. There's not even a space to put a chair. I don't think people would want to walk 8 hours a day by their desks.

  • 35 Posted by jmphotos05 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think its a great idea, especially for home use. We'll wait a while and soon it won't cost more than an expensive treadmill already does.

  • 36 Posted by ahartman31 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    My co-worker and I thought of this while walking to lunch one day. I think it's a GREAT idea. Even if every office had just one that they could spend an hour or two at each day, rotating in and out.

  • 37 Posted by fivelagomorphs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    lorismithwest thanks for the tip. BTW- Did you see any results with weight loss using your device???? annielynn7017 is correct. This machine is designed to be used at work and not as actual gym equipment. Getting hot, sweaty, and out of breath at the office is not good.

  • 38 Posted by tiffanyhooker on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    I love this idea and think that it would be great. This might help employees to become more happy, friendly and eager to serve others on the job. Also it will obviously help with weight issures, in addition I think it helps to promote wellness as a viable realistic and needed part of our society and work environments. I also think that if people have the right energy coupled with the proper diet will not only boost work flow and create a positive attitude but it could also help to change the views or our society. Helping to make the U.S. a more family and people friendly place to live. I would definitely love something like this!!!!

  • 39 Posted by isguroo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    It should generate and power the laptop and devices you have plugged into its USB ports have wifi for sharing and BlueTooth. ;) That way, if you stop walking or moving, an alarm can go off and the pink slip processing code can run to the mother ship and tell the boss you're being un-productive in the 2k ooberdesk they bought you. :D

  • 40 Posted by bowe7218 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why do we have to be expected to work all the time? Can't we even enjoy a moment at the gym with answering the phone or working at the computer? The Canadians have it figured out.

  • 41 Posted by danielscheng on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think a treadmill is so archaic. Plus walking is a fairly jerky motion. How am I suppose to type a legible email while walking even at a slow pace. They should create a smoother natural motion elliptical platform with a floating keyboard that actively moves with your body. Now that would be a winner!

  • 42 Posted by jcb1948 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't know if this would work out (no pun intended), but it would be an improvement if our desks were just high enough so that we could stand. You could have bar-height chairs for times when you needed to sit. Another suggestion I've seen is to use a yoga ball as a chair; this makes you use calories just to sit "still" plus is improves your posture.

  • 43 Posted by slhousecat on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    Whoa! If my boss sees this, she'll have the treadmills hooked up to a dynamo and make us generate part of our own electricity!

  • 44 Posted by heatherdietel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sounds like a cool concept. I would try it if it was available but I wouldn't want that for an every day workstation. Sometimes sitting is good. My work is great. My old job was huge corporation nightmare job. If they could get their employees to work while working out they would. Some people deserve that alone time to recharge and not think of work.

  • 45 Posted by jorgecarlostapia on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    There will be an issue of possible overtraining certain muscles as even walking for hours can be harmful to muscles and joints; and thinking that you will not work for only 60 minutes, the more minutes over 60, the more posibilities of over training you get. Other important thing: will you be willing to be in the office sweating? what's that office gonna smell like!, and letd not forget, stiky keyboards and mouse!; other thing, people with glasses, it will be very dificult to focus vision on readng and small things... Good intention, not plausible.

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