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.

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.

Working from home is becoming increasingly popular. Invest in the Xdesk Solo to improve productivity at home.

Right now I am writing this post in sweatpants, a t-shirt, sun pouring in through my open door, and listening to the birds chirping outside. I haven’t brushed my hair today, I haven’t put on makeup, and I don’t plan to for another hour at least.

I’m working from home.

With the rapid rise in technology, what with email, Google Docs, teleconferencing, etc., working from home is becoming not only a more viable option, but a preferable one for many businesses all over the world.

In fact, studies show that working from home at least 1-3 days a week makes for healthier, happier, and more productive employees. It is a perfect option for someone (like me) who writes or does other computer-heavy task and doesn’t necessarily need to make face time in the office so much.

The only problem here is that at-home ergonomics are often not up to par.

In today’s post I thought I’d talk about things you can do to make your work-from-home time a bit more comfortable, more productive and healthier.

1) Get a standing or adjustable height desk. Many businesses are hopping on the standing or adjustable height desk train these days, but these benefits don’t need to be restricted to the walls of your office. You can get a standing or adjustable height desk for your home too. At Xdesk, there is a perfect solution: The Xdesk Solo. This is a smaller adjustable height desk, perfect for working from home.

2) Make your own standing/adjustable height desk. This isn’t as convenient as having an adjustable height desk that will move to your perfect height at the push of a button, but it is better than sitting down all day on your couch. After a day of sitting on my couch with my laptop on my lap, my shoulders and neck are in AGONY! After a day of standing at my makeshift standing desk, I can’t even tell I’ve been typing away all day.

3) Get an adjustable keyboard tray. If you already have a good standing or adjustable height desk, you might want to think about adding an adjustable keyboard tray to maximize your ergonomic benefits.

4) Add a monitor arm. Monitor arms are the accessory of the season—for your health! These will make it so that your monitor is at the exact right height, no matter what. They are adjustable, and the perfect complement for your adjustable height desk.

So if you’re working from home, think about getting an adjustable height desk, standing desk, or perhaps getting a little crafty and making your own. Believe me, your neck, shoulders, back (and energy, weight, and health overall!) will thank you for it.

Do you work from home some or all of the week? Do you use a standing or adjustable height desk? Comment below!

The post Improve your At-Home Ergonomics appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Assembling your Xdesk adjustable height desk is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Watch the five quick and easy steps to assemble the Xdesk.

Do you have a Xdesk? Share your installation stories and what your experience was like!

The post The Ease of Xdesk Assembly appeared first on Xdesk Blog.

Learn the proper position for your adjustable height desk to reap the full benefits of standing.

In our last post we went over why Xdesk is the best ergonomic desk on the market today—it is sleek, it moves smoothly, and most importantly (and obviously) this adjustable height desk is, well, adjustable! The Xdesk glides smoothly through 267 positions, perfect for tall people and short, perfect for sitting or standing.

But how do you know what the perfect ergonomic desk height should be? How do you know where to place your keyboard, or the angle your hands and neck should be when typing? First you should listen to your body. Does it feel comfortable to sit down and type all day long with your keyboard on top of your desk? I’m guessing no.

Second, check out this checklist. We’ll tell you how to choose the right ergonomic desk height for your adjustable height desk, whether you’re sitting or standing.

Choosing the right ergonomic desk height is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1) For sitting: When your adjustable height desk is lowered for sitting, you should feel comfortable. Your feet should be flat on the floor, knees about even with your hips, and your forearms should be about level with the floor when you’re typing. Make sure it is high enough that you’re not craning your neck or banging your knees on the bottom.

2) For standing: Again, your desk should be high enough that you don’t have to crane your neck to see your monitor and your arms should be about parallel to the floor when you’re typing. Oh and just for comfort’s sake, you might want to lay down a rug or a mat if you’re standing on hard floors—your feet will thank you!

3) For typing: Okay, maybe you’re asking yourself, how am I supposed to type with my arms parallel to the floor if my desk needs to be high enough not to crane my neck? Here’s the answer: Don’t put your keyboard on top of your desk!

The best ergonomic desk height allows for good posture and the proper arm/hand position for typing, whether you’re standing or sitting. Forearms should be parallel to the floor and your wrists should be straight or at a slightly downward position. That’s why Xdesk has a 360 degree adjustable keyboard tray. You can move it up, down, and from side to side, so that no matter where you’re sitting or standing your desk will be at the perfect ergonomic desk height.

And if you’re worried about complicated knobs, levers, or clutter with the adjustable keyboard tray, never fear! Just like the rest of the Xdesk, this keyboard tray is clean lines and simplicity. You move it into the position you’d like and with the spring assisted Lift-n-Lock feature, it stays.

So whether you’re short, tall, or somewhere in between, with these three simple steps you have yourself the perfect ergonomic desk height. And best of all, you can readjust it any time, whether you want to stand, sit, or wear a pair of heels. There’s an ergonomic desk height perfect for you.

Questions or comments? Share them below and we’ll get back to you!

The post How Should I Position My Ergonomic Desk? appeared first on Xdesk Blog.