Columnist Danny Sullivan recently tried a treadmill desk and measured just how much more productive he was. He reported his findings on CNET and gave some great advice on how to use a walking desk. Sullivan provided insight to standing versus walking, what to consider when buying a treadmill desk, and how to prepare yourself to walk the majority of your day.

As a recent standing desk user, he noted that using the desk for basic tasks like emailing, and reading worked perfectly. Then he took it to the next level with a treadmill desk.

The results were unsurprising – Sullivan felt great! Not to say he wasn’t tired, but he felt successful that he put in exercise and was able to multitask on a treadmill desk throughout his day. If you’re thinking about investing in a treadmill desk, know that it’s important to start slow and work your way up to walking most of the day.

Unlike jogging or cycling, walking isn’t a high-intensity work out, so your joints won’t ache or be exposed to injury. But you will feel the effects of walking all day on a treadmill desk – in a good way!

Treadmill desk users should also be aware of how to dress while using the desk, the most important being proper footwear. No one wants to walk all day in uncomfortable shoes, or worse, barefoot, so Sullivan noted that running shoes paired with comfortable, loose-fitting clothing was the best option.

Sullivan reported that toward the end of his work day he found himself leaning on the treadmill desk for added support. After realizing his poor posture, he stopped. And once he started to get used to being on his feet all day, it prevented him from leaning.

One result from his experiment (again, unsurprisingly) was weight loss. He lost about four pounds during the trial period, so that’s one small step toward long-term health benefits!

Another interesting outcome of using a treadmill desk was when he compared standing to walking. Obviously treadmill desk users don’t have to walk wall the time, but he said that he started to crave walking during the day, and felt odd if he wasn’t moving. So be careful if you’re thinking about a treadmill desk, you may find yourself itching to walk more and more every day!

Sullivan couldn’t give an accurate answer to which treadmill desk is the best to buy since he only used one, but he did offer sound advice on what to consider before investing.

He emphasized height control as a factor, and said some treadmill desks only offered adjustments within 1-inch increments. Luckily our adjustable height desks solve that problem, with programmable memory presets to set the perfect height to match a treadmill desk. The convex and convex buttons also help you focus on walking and working, since you won’t even have to look at which button adjusts up or down.

The display on the treadmill desk was another factor to consider. The Xdesk Fit has a small, modern console that won’t get in the way of your work. The digital LED display shows steps taken, walking time and belt speed, distance travelled and calories burned. The Intelli-Step feature counts the number of steps taken, and it’s more accurate than a pedometer. The console also has a safety key that shuts down the treadmill once it’s removed, which leads to another factor: safety.

Xdesk Fits have AutoSense, so the belt senses the exact moment your feet stop walking on the treadmill desk. After 20 seconds, the treadmill automatically pauses, so you won’t have to worry about the safety hazard of stepping on and off the treadmill.

Needless to say, after Sullivan’s trial run with a treadmill desk, he was a quick convert. He’s looking forward to a future of walking, and all the long-term health benefits associated with that. See his full story HERE.

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A recent study found that brisk walking lessens the risk of heart disease more than running, when both physical activities were compared and the same amount of energy was used. That means, you really can walk your way to better heart health!

The researchers studied 33,060 runners and 15,045 walkers aged 18 to 80 over a period of six years. The results showed several benefits of walking. A point to pay attention to is that the benefits of walking outweighed the benefits of running when the same amount of energy was used.

For every calorie burned, the walking participants experienced a stronger impact on heart disease risk factors, and walking ultimately reduced the total risk of heart disease by 9.3 percent. Running reduced the risk of heart disease by only 4.5 percent.

The benefits of walking found in the study seemed to be endless! The risk of high blood pressure was reduced by 7.2 percent in the walking participants, while the runners experienced only a 4.2 percent reduced risk of high blood pressure.

Additionally, the risk of high cholesterol was reduced by 7 percent in the walking participants, while runners experienced a 4.3 percent reduction.

The study also found that the risk of diabetes was lowered by 12 percent for both walkers and runners.

At its most basic level, the study shows that it’s important to stay active to lower your risk of harmful diseases. Remaining sedentary isn’t doing your body any favors, so stand up, start walking, or hit the gym!

“People are always looking for an excuse not to exercise but now they have a straightforward choice to run or to walk and invest in their future health,” study leader Dr. Paul Williams, from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, said.

We’ve relayed our love of adjustable height desks, and showed the benefits of standing countless times, but if you want to greatly improve your health, and shed pounds along the way, you may want to think about a treadmill desk.

You can experience the same benefits as the walking participants by using a treadmill to accompany your adjustable height desk. Think about it: reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol – all symptoms the body is exposed to the longer it remains sedentary.

Whether you choose to add a treadmill to your standing desk and walk to better health, or decide to hit the gym after work, just make sure to stay active on a daily basis!

The study was reported in the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. See the story from The Guardian.

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The results speak for themselves.

Skeptics believed it was the next Silicon Valley fad, since adjustable height desks in the workplace is the mark of a hip, tech-savvy office (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Google, Facebook Twitter and AOL are just a few companies that have jumped on the standing desk bandwagon. But they were convinced otherwise once they gave it a try.

They also noted that the editor-in-chief of ReadWrite Owen Thomas has taken sit to stand desks to the extreme with his treadmill desk – which he proudly uses on a daily basis.

The employees at Draugiem Group scientifically measured the impact standing desks had on four different stages: productivity, wellbeing, concentration, and the ability to work.

They took it to the next level and used an app they created called DeskTime to accurately track productivity at the office. It’s really useful, so if you’re in the market for something to help manage employees or keep yourself on track, check it out HERE.

And how much did the employees progress after using an adjustable height desk? They proved to be 10 percent more productive during the one week experiment. If 10 percent seems small, think of it in the long-term.

That 10 percent boost in productivity every week can lead to a lot more “taking care of business” throughout the entire month, and that doesn’t include the overall physical and mental health benefits the participants in the study experienced by switching to a sit to stand desk.

Unfortunately the standing desks didn’t help them lose weight or cure any diseases, but it was only a week-long experiment, and we’re always thinking about the long-term benefits over at Xdesk.

One interesting thing the participants experienced while standing behind an adjustable height desk was a sense of urgency to complete the task at hand. They went on to explain that standing worked well for tasks that needed to be completed quickly and accurately, while sitting allowed their minds to wander when they were working on something more creative.

This fact is a win-win situation, since it’s not only about standing all day during the workday, it’s about having the flexibility to switch between sitting and standing positions for the best possible outcome.

Thankfully Xdesk gives you the freedom of movement, so if you’re feeling the pressure from that spreadsheet while standing behind an adjustable height desk, with the small touch of a button you can sit back and relax, without having to look away from your task.

Other things they noted (to no surprise) were higher energy levels. No more food comas after lunch, or the need to grab a third cup of coffee for the day. Other results were higher concentration levels on set tasks. The desire to check emails and browse social media was eliminated while standing.

And on an even more positive note, one participant had fewer headaches while another realized standing more behind his adjustable desk helped stave off cigarette cravings. If that isn’t benefitting your health we don’t know what is!

The article mentions other good things like standing desks throughout history, and goes into detail about the influential companies today that use adjustable desks. To read the whole thing, check it out HERE.

What do you think about this experiment? Give it a try yourself and tell us how it worked!

Photo via

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Or do you?

To test your knowledge of standing desks and adjustable height desks, take the following quiz to see how you measure up. Maybe you’re a standing desk connoisseur, or an adjustable height desk master. You won’t know until after this quiz.

We promise you won’t break into a nervous sweat (unless you’re already on a treadmill desk), and here’s a hint: All of the answers can be found within the Xdesk site. Happy hunting!

How did you do? Let us know in the comment box below! If you already own an adjustable height desk, or are heavily considering one, we hope you got all 10 correct. If not, don’t fret, stick around the Xdesk blog and you’ll be a standing desk master in no time.

Stay tuned for the answer explanations in the next post!

The post Test Your Knowledge of Standing Desks With this Quiz appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Staying hydrated is important, so don’t skimp on the water intake just to avoid sweating while working at your treadmill desk. Men and women should drink at least 2-3 liters a day, so grab a few water bottles and start walking.

First off, invest in a fan—or a wind tower if you want to get complicated. A cheaper fan will save you money, but you’ll spend most of your time figuring out the exact angle it should be placed instead of getting work done.

With a wind tower your office will remain a cool temperature, relatively quiet and keep those beads of sweat at bay.

Walk, don’t run. There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition to see who can walk at a faster pace at your treadmill desk, but don’t be afraid to lose that game. You can continue to walk at a slower pace and avoid victoriously raising pit-stained arms as the winner.

Everyone will have a different walking pace, but take time to gradually increase your speed to avoid over-exerting or injuring yourself. Start with 15 minute sessions throughout the day and increase from there.

In winter, save on the electric bill and keep the heat off in your office. Wear a sweater or a light jacket until you feel yourself heating up while in-step.

Hopefully these tips were useful in your treadmill desk investment. Let us know what you thought!

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Standing desks, treadmill desks, and adjustable height desks have been shown to act as a great outlet for nerves, stress, or extra energy. When you’re sitting all day and something comes along—a sudden deadline! An overdue report! A broken printer! Whatever!—it is no wonder that you get stressed out.

Your body goes into fight or flight mode, your muscles tense, and all you want to do is run! Well, with a standing, adjustable height, or treadmill desk, you have an outlet for that energy. Then you can focus on the task at hand—and not the idea of running out the door!

Aside from a treadmill desk, adjustable height desk, or standing desk, there are many other ways that you can relax and reboot at work—without even leaving your office.

• Listen: Listen to your surroundings, the type of your coworkers’ keys, your breathing.
• Sweep: Practice a mental sweeping of the chalkboard of your mind. Pause intentionally and visualize an eraser ridding any overwhelming thoughts.
• Look: Look at a picture of your family, pet or a vacation spot you love.
• Count: I think Thomas Jefferson said it best: “When angry, count to 10 before you speak. If very angry, count to 100.”
• Take in relaxing sounds: Listen to calming music or a recording of soothing ocean waves, rain, or whatever sound floats your boat (perhaps the sound of a boat?). This will calm you down—plus, studies show that classical music can improve brain function.
• Organize your desk. If you are surrounded by clutter, it is no wonder your mind might feel cluttered as well. If you’re stressed, take a moment, breathe, and clear off your desk, thus clearing your mind.
• Workout. Who needs an hour and a half to sit down and eat anymore? Use that time more wisely and hit the gym, go for a run, get to yoga, or just move! You can eat in a few minutes when you get back. Work that stress out.
• Meditate. The beauty of meditation? It requires nothing—nothing at all. You don’t need to be at any special place, in any special position, or in any special state of mind. Just close your eyes, focus on your breath, and merely observe the thoughts that flit around in your mind, like leaves blowing in the wind. They’ll start to slow. And so will your stressed-out heart rate!

If you’re stressed at the office, try some of these de-stressing tips (note—these de-stressers work just as well at home too!). And get up, stand up, and get moving with a treadmill desk or even a standing desk to prevent anxiety in the first place. Remember, things don’t stress you out—it is all about your reaction to them. It’s your choice.

Do you use an adjustable height desk or treadmill desk at work? Have you noticed a difference in your stress levels? Share your thoughts!

The post How to De-stress at Work appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

You can find time to enjoy the summer and manage your workout schedule behind a walking desk.

In a matter of days, summer vacation will officially begin. The kids will be home from school, those long, sun-filled days will be the norm, pool parties, days at the beach, on the lake… In short: bathing suits, bathing suits, bathing suits.

The paradox of summer is that it’s bathing suit season, but with the kids at home and so much going on, there is hardly any time to work out!

That’s why a treadmill desk like the Xdesk Fit is such a wonderful option, not only for those trying to lose weight, but for anyone with health in mind. Treadmill desks in general are great, but the Xdesk Fit treadmill desk in particular has things that the others don’t.

• The Xdesk Fit treadmill is an unobtrusive 29”x 70.5” (outside dimensions) and has modern styling with sleek lines. This desk is the height of technology—not only because of its adjustable height, but because of the treadmill itself. It comes with an LED digital display that you can place on top of your setup—no matter where it is positioned. This will list your walking time, calories burned, distance traveled and your speed.

• This treadmill desk is Bluetooth-enabled, so you can track your progress right on your computer’s desktop with a handy app. Talk about being productive at the office!

• The Xdesk Fit walking desk also comes with added safety. Most of these treadmill desks continue to run if you step off for a moment, which can be dangerous if you need to stop walking or pause to take a call. With a walking desk from Xdesk, the belt will know when you step off and will stop after just 20 seconds.

Aside from walking while you’re working, here are a few other tips to help you shed that winter insulation and feel confident and healthy in your swimsuit this summer.

• Snack smartly. Yes it’s true, snacking can be good—if you choose the right foods. The best picks are filling, protein-packed snacks, such as one stick of string cheese, a tablespoon of peanut butter on a piece of fruit, or a medium-size bowl of edamame.

• Turn off the T.V. If you’re mindlessly eating while watching TV, research shows you can take in up to 40 percent more calories than usual. Texting, driving, or any other distracting activity during a meal can also result in eating too much.

• Build your muscle mass. Do sculpting workouts (push-ups, lunges, weights, etc.), at least three times a week. This will help boost your metabolism—and give you a healthy toned look.

• Steer clear of sugary drinks. Studies show that liquids travel too quickly through your stomach for your brain to notice the calorie consumption, so all those sugary drinks (not to mention high-calorie beers!) may not feel like they’re filling you up, but they really are—filling you up with calories.

• Eat your veggies. Nutritionists sometimes joke that “no one ever got fat eating carrots.” Truer words have never been spoken! Eat lots of veggies and leafy greens. These will keep you fuller longer and boost your energy, metabolism, and overall health.

So if you’re trying to lose weight for summer but find that you don’t have time (and who can blame you?!), hop behind your treadmill desk during the workday, and be mindful of what you’re putting into your body.

Any other tips for healthy weight loss? Share your thoughts below!

The post Healthy Ways to Lose Weight appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Walking can reduce the risk of diabetes, prevent cancer and boost your brain function.

If you want to know how good for you walking is, read on. But to feel it for yourself, here is a simple experiment: One day at work, try just sitting down all day in front of your desk. Get everything done. Then go home.

The next day, try using a treadmill desk—if you don’t have one yet, try just taking walking breaks as often as you can. Walk down the hall rather than send a co-worker an email, walk up the stairs, or take walking meetings. Just keep moving!

Compare the days and I know you will find that on day two you were more productive, felt healthier, more energetic, looser, lighter, and probably happier overall (Unless you turned your ankle or something the second you stepped out the door. In which case, sorry about that!).

Why does walking feel so good? In today’s post we’ll go over 7 reasons why walking is good for your health.

1) Walking can help you lose weight.
The average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 6-10 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood.

Neighborhoods with poor walkability are barriers to physical activity. Research shows that people walk more if living in a walkable neighborhood. If you can’t help but live in a sprawling area, do what more and more people are doing these days and invest in a treadmill desk.

2) Walking can help prevent cancer.
Yes, really. Just one quick example: Women who walked 1 to 3 hours per week had reduced the risk of death from breast and uterine cancer by 19 percent. When they walked 3 to 5 hours per week, their risks of the same cancers were reduced by 54 percent, according to a study by Harvard University.

3) Walking can reduce your risk of diabetes.
A recent study of more than 3,000 overweight adults found that walking 2.5 hours per week (along with a healthy diet) reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent. For overweight adults 60 years and older, the risk was reduced to 71 percent.

4. Walking can keep your arteries unclogged.
In the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, a study found that exercise before a meal may help stem the effects of high-fat foods on blood vessel function. Unclogged vessels and arteries keep blood circulating throughout the body.

5) Walking can help prevent heart disease.
Studies show that as walking increases, heart disease decreases. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, retired men who walked more than 1.5 miles per day had a significantly lower risk for heart disease (compared to men who walk less).

6) Walking can reduce blood pressure.
Getting the recommended 10,000 steps a day, or even a minimal 30 minutes of walking each day can significantly reduce blood pressure.

7) Walking can boost your brain.
Many studies prove that exercise can improve mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. It is also shown that physical activity (like walking) can help boost self-esteem and brain function. So, want to get out of a rut? Try going for a walk.

Of course, as mentioned above, in the best possible scenario you will be able to walk around your city, to work, to the store… But we can’t all live in New York (though with the population density, it seems people are trying!).

So what is the next best thing? Walk while you work. Take breaks, get outside and enjoy the fresh air, try working remotely from the park, and when you’re in the office, try using a treadmill desk like the new Xdesk Fit.

No matter how you do it, just keep walking. Your body will thank you for it!

Do you use a treadmill desk? Have you noticed a difference in the way you feel at work and after?

The post Walking Your Way to Better Health appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Check out these shoes that will have you walking at your treadmill desk in no time.

By now you know all about the benefits of walking, and you know just how to squeeze it in to an otherwise very busy day—with a Xdesk Fit treadmill desk! After all, it is recommended that you get 10,000 steps a day—that’s about 5 miles!

Here’s what we’ve learned so far: walking = good. Walking at work = great. But walking at work in the wrong shoes? That can be really bad. Bad for your feet, your joints, your comfort, and probably your productivity. After all, you’re not going to be focused on the Jamison Report when you’re busy thinking about how much your feet hurt.

In today’s post I thought I’d give you a list of some of the highest-rated and best-reviewed walking shoes. Pair these with your Xdesk Fit and you’ll have the perfect work outfit to stay productive in style.

And if you need to slip on some heels or nice flats before a meeting or something, that’s fine. Just don’t wear uncomfortable shoes at your treadmill desk or even your standing or adjustable height desk.

Without further ado, the 6 best shoes to wear with your standing desk or treadmill desk:

1) Asics Gel QuickWalk: A cushioned heel paired with a flexible forefoot to accommodate your natural stride. Plus, the mesh helps keep your feet cool and dry. 

2) Rockport truWALKzero II: These feature a breathable suede wing tip—comfortable and work-appropriate (you won’t even need to change out of these stylish shoes). 

3) New Balance 1765:This style is built like a running shoe but made for walking long distances.

4) Ryka Constant: The Ryka’s have extra cushioning in heavy-wear zones, like the heel and toe. They’re perfect for walking quickly.

5) Adidas Energy Boost: The Energy Boost can double as both your walking shoe and running shoe.

6) Skechers Gowalk 2: The padded nubs on the sole of the shoe give plenty of cushion for long days at your walking desk.

Do you use an adjustable height desk or a treadmill desk? Are you on your feet a lot? Share your favorite types of shoes below!

The post These Shoes are Made for Walking appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Stand up and start walking toward better health.

The title of this post might seem a bit confusing. Walking? Right now? But I am reading this post!

Well, if that was your immediate reaction, let me let you in on a little secret: You can be walking right now, staring at your computer monitor, or even typing along in the comment box below, all with the magical help of a treadmill desk.

But why should you be walking at work with a Xdesk Fit? After all, you go to the gym, you exercise, you eat pretty well, right? Studies show that even with regular exercise, if you’re sitting at work all day, you are not as healthy as you should be.

Here are some more reasons to get up and start walking with a treadmill desk:

1) You’re designed for it. The human body is designed to be actively walking most of the day. And when we deprive our bodies of walking, they suffer. The evidence is seen in back, neck, and shoulder pains, becoming overweight, vision problems, and general weakening of the body.

2) Walking is one of the healthiest ways to exercise. Walking is a low impact workout for your whole body, just like biking, yoga or golfing. They won’t take a toll on your joints like running, soccer, and cross training might (Believe me, I am a living testament to what can happen to joints after too much high impact work!).

3) Walking is good for your cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system is comprised of the heart, veins, and blood vessels, and if you don’t strengthen these organs (i.e. by sitting around all day), you are more prone to diseases and health issues. Walking is wonderful for strengthening our heart, veins, and blood vessels, and it does so easily.

4) Walking boosts your metabolism. Lots of types of exercise will increase your muscle mass and decrease fat, but walking has the added benefit of increasing your metabolism very consistently. Walk regularly, keep moving, stay active, and your body will be a fat-burning machine—even when you are stationary!

5) Walking strengthens your immune system. Walking helps increase the number of macrophages, the cells that attack bacteria, and the number of immune cells circulating throughout the body. In short: walk more, get sick less.

6) Walking is a great stress reliever. Think about a time when you were stressed out at work and you were stuck sitting at your desk—you practically feel like you’re going to boil over! The best thing you can do is get out and take a walk, but sometimes you just can’t escape the office. With a treadmill desk, you can relieve your stress and stay on task (but then get outside and get some fresh air when you can—we weren’t designed to be cooped up all day!).

7) Walking will make you live longer. Yes, the Big Reason to walk. Turns out walking and low impact exercises is one of the factors that constantly pops up in societies around the world that live the longest, healthiest lives. They don’t kill themselves in the gym, they don’t do marathons—they walk and do consistent, low impact exercises. It is a part of their lives.

So if you aren’t walking while reading this, I recommend that you order your own treadmill desk immediately. And while you’re waiting for it to arrive, you can start implementing walking more throughout your workday by:

1) Take walking meetings

2) Walk to your co-workers’ offices, rather than send emails

3) Walk up the stairs to work

4) Park further away from work

5) Walk to lunch

6) Walk around the office when you’re feeling tired

7) Walk to work.

In short, just walk.

How do you implement walking and movement throughout your day? Do you use a treadmill desk?

The post Why You Should be WALKING Right Now appeared first on Xdesk Blog.