Could You Work in a Walkstation?

Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:16PM EDT

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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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  • 6 Posted by jtgowen2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it can work if say someone opened up a office gym but at 6500 dollars its not feasable at this time for an in-home workout.

  • 7 Posted by mltaubman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Any post about this that doesn't reference "The Execusizer" from "Bananas" misses a golden opportunity.

  • 8 Posted by rkoscher on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I would like to have it as an option in my office. I can sit or do the work out if I choose too.. Maybe a cycle machine would be good as well, since we can sit on it and wouldnt be a far stretch from what we currently are doing... I love the idea!

  • 9 Posted by patbergin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like this idea quite a bit. However, I think the cost is prohibitive. Once the price for these comes down, they may really take off.

  • 10 Posted by august553 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    "Stupid is as stupid does." Forrest Gump

  • 11 Posted by sstawicki41 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    I would use it if my company installed it. I find myself getting up from my desk frequently to move about. I'd welcome this technology.

  • 12 Posted by amardeep_sandhu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I heard..Human mind can only do one thing at one time. Either work or walk:)

  • 14 Posted by platt_phil on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    Love it -- definitely wish my company would buy these.

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

    I think it's a great idea! I'd do it at work in a heart beat however we don't have a work place gym so I don't see it happening anytime soon. :-(

  • 17 Posted by fia131 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is an EXCELLENT idea!- especially for employee morale!

  • 19 Posted by ohsocoolgirl on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've been asking my hubby to try to rig this for a year...lol. I think I might show him the 'shelving unit' note above.

  • 20 Posted by kmaria1202 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it's a great idea. What better way to go through pointless e-mails than while getting a little activity, too?

  • 21 Posted by w.snyder3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Utterly insane...but i might just work...

  • 22 Posted by aviddavid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    what are humans hampsters.....? where's the water bottle..? horrible product idea

  • 23 Posted by dnmercy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    can I get one in a stairmaster version?

  • 24 Posted by scott_121467 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    Great idea...maybe alittle too expensive...but great idea...I like where its going...

  • 25 Posted by tls192003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    that's idiotic. you are not going to get any work done while walking. sure if you are getting paid to pretend to work it'd be great cause at least your body would feel like it had done something. but it's just another effort to get americans to try to do more at the cost of quality. multitasking is bad for you and for your company. do one thing well is that so hard?

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