Steelcase's Walkstation marries desk and treadmill

Anyone who reads the fine site Book of Joe knows that the man behind the blogging empire is religiously devoted to working out while writing, and prides himself on having integrated a treadmill into his workspace. Well manufacturer Steelcase thinks that this trend has grown beyond one individual multitasking in his underwear, and is poised to introduce a nicely-designed product called the Walkstation which seems more at home in a CEO's office than your messy living room. Not many details are available on this converged piece of furniture co-designed by the Mayo Clinic's Dr. James Levine (who's been working in this specialized field for at least two years, apparently), but supposedly there's an all day demo going down on October 25th at 4 Columbus Circle if you happen to be in the New York area. And if you do go, try to show up in a cab just to be ironic.

Update: We've learned -- unsurprisingly, from the Joe mentioned above -- that this rig will retail for a cool $6,500, thereby making it the Rolls Royce of integrated workstations. Thanks, Joe, and keep, um, running for the stars!

Update 2: Whoops, guess there's no demo going on after all. You can still show up to that address, we guess, but you certainly won't have the good time you would have had working and exercising simultaneously.

[Sue Smith @ Apr 9th 2008 6:53PM]

This works, pure and simple. A more affordable product than the $6500 WalkStation is the TrekDesk. They have some intriguing information at their website, www.trekdesk.com focusing on the benefits of consistent daily walking. I want one!

[Matt @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:51AM]

I really like this concept. One does not need to be at the same work station all day, or they could if they choose. Between this product, regular work stations and the kind you can raise or lower to stand or sit at, the computer user will have many ways to adjust for their best ergonomic fit.

I hope that Steelcase and similar companies will be open to further developments in ergonomic technology and designs.

[Tino @ Jun 25th 2008 9:09PM]

I built my own treadmill desk and love it. I use it every day while I do my work, some days I walk up to 8 miles, I have been keeping the weight off and feel great!!!

[Renae Stephens @ Jul 15th 2008 9:40AM]

I'd love to try this! I'm self-employed and I sit at my computer 8-10 hours a day. People would probably be a lot more productive using a walkstation because it would keep us alert. Many times I could just nod off out of boredom and monotony. An article I read said it costs about $4300. Maybe I can rig up a walkstation of my own for less...

[Sue @ Jul 20th 2008 6:58AM]

Treadmill desks work and despite some of the comments above there is actually proof that they do. I suggest you visit www.trekdesk.com and read some of the amazing medical studies about the health benefits. Surprisingly you DO NOT need to increase your heart rate levels in ways that are mentioned above to achieve fitness goals, even though using a treadmill desk will restory your health so that you will want to start increasing you physical abilities even more. Consistent daily walking with a treadmill desk like the TrekDesk can change lives and enhance productivity and health, I know because I have been using my treadmill desk and it is incredibly effective.

[Paul @ Jul 30th 2008 10:22AM]

There's actually a 20/20 on the WalkStation Friday night at 10. They've done a study on a company that implemented it over a long period of time and they're going to share the results. Should be pretty interesting.

[treadmill-workstation.com @ Oct 4th 2008 8:48PM]

I build my own treadmill desk and started a blog. I posted lots of photos and am sharing my experience using the treadmill desk.
I like it and I use it as a standing desk too!
http://treadmill-workstation.com

[Linda Lee @ Nov 27th 2008 1:12AM]

Yipes, I thought that was a bit pricey for a treadmill desk so I build my own for free.
I use it as a standing desk too, If you want to see what I did , I have posted tons of photos
on my blog, http://treadmill-workstation.com
Come and say Hi and leave a comment!
Thanks

[Justin Lloyd @ Jun 12th 2009 8:27PM]

I have used a treadmill desk for the better part of a decade to lose weight and I have to say, these things really work! You do not need to invest thousands of dollars to get one either, apart from the cost of the treadmill, which can be easily and cheaply purchased at a garage sale, the cost of the desk was just $60 for to build. Apart from a little over a year where I got so busy running my software start-up I use the treadmill desk on an almost daily basis, logging between 2 and 10 miles. I even play World of Warcraft whilst walking. You can check out pictures of my treadmill desk and my adventures with one at http://www.justinlloyd.org/category/treadmill-desk/

[Jesse S @ Oct 19th 2007 11:09AM]

I want that monitor stand.

[Buffalo @ Oct 19th 2007 11:10AM]

I guess they never tried the equipment before they designed. This will be so difficult to use.

[melloncollie @ Oct 19th 2007 11:28AM]

How can you try something before it's designed?

[NHAnimator @ Oct 19th 2007 11:47AM]

Ever use Windows ME? I tried that once and I swear that no time was spent designing it.

[Ivy Chen @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:32AM]

It will be a great one for part time surfing, gaming etc. For sure it would not replace a full-time workstation otherwise we would be terrified of skinniness in the next century...

[Fox318 @ Oct 19th 2007 11:12AM]

This looks awesome. But as someone who does work out I can't see this of use to me. When I work out I can barely do anything else. I tried once having a laptop on my treadmill and I just could not concentrate on running and reading/typing at the same time.

But maybe thats just me.

[Matt @ Oct 19th 2007 12:00PM]

It's just you.

Actually, you're not supposed to GO ALL OUT with this thing. You just walk at about 1 mile per hour -- an EXTREMELY slow amble. You can still concentrate on your work (or on Engadget, etc.) but by the end of the day you've walked 8 miles without even knowing it!

Even small movements add up when it comes to burning calories. This is an example of what's called Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (or NEAT). You'll still burn around 100 calories per mile, no matter how slow you go.

An extra 800 calories burned per day adds up to over a pound a week! Doesn't sound like a lot until you realize that 1 pound a week for a year is over 50 pounds. Now that's impressive.

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Oct 19th 2007 12:19PM]

How long until one will get tired of walking/running and end up grabbing a chair to sit down in front of the darned computer? lol.

It reminds me of a piece of cheese at the end of a stick. If you're addicted to the computer and out of shape, they'll place you on one of these Walkstations. Better yet, they should rework the electronics, so that you have to actually *generate* the power to get the computer working!

[Sotheby @ Oct 19th 2007 11:15AM]

Is this from Unuseless Japanese Inventions Part III: Cindogu Strikes Back!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chindogu

[samson @ Oct 19th 2007 11:17AM]

I can't wait for the first discrimination suit by the employee that can't even walk and chew gum at the same time.

[Rainier @ Oct 19th 2007 11:18AM]

Alternative energy; let the treadmill provide power to the computer.

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 19th 2007 11:17AM]

by the time you finish typing a single email, that keyboard is going to be drenched in sweat.

[icingdeath88 @ Oct 19th 2007 11:25AM]

I've heard of this before. You're not supposed to run, you're supposed to walk. It doesn't interfere with productivity at all. Saw a show where they tested two radiologists, one with this, one without. The one with one of these actually made no mistakes. I think it's a good idea for offices, but not for your living room computer.

[splashy @ Dec 13th 2007 12:40PM]

I use it for my living room computer all the time. But, I work at home, so do everything on my living room computer. :-)

[KR @ Oct 19th 2007 11:35AM]

Yep, I saw a doc on TV once who modified a regular treadmill to be similar to this. He did his entire workday at 1 MPH. Walking 8 miles a day versus sitting on your butt for 8 hours a day is bound to make a difference in the tubbiness of the average desk jockey.

[Sweaty McFatty @ Oct 19th 2007 11:40AM]

This would be awesome, since I sit on my ass programming computers all day. Right now I have to get up and move around every 20-30 minutes to keep my ruined back under control.

[aj @ Oct 19th 2007 12:28PM]

Same here. I already have a standing desk, I've just been waiting for someone to productize this.

[Whiplash @ Oct 19th 2007 2:50PM]

Yeah this will be awesome. Now we can all have ruined knees and hips too!!

[Sweaty McFatty @ Oct 19th 2007 3:38PM]

When I say "ruined back", I mean a back destroyed by a crippling disease. Walking is #1 on the list of treatments.
Walking, in fact, is what the human body is designed to do.
So no, you will not destroy your knees and hips by walking. I think you are confused, or think W-A-L-K spells "run".

[farfisa @ Oct 19th 2007 11:50AM]

Wow! Working AND excercising at the same time?
Why doesn't it just shoot you?

[chris fredette @ Oct 19th 2007 12:04PM]

Please buy one so I can get one at 80% off on craigslist next year.

[booticon @ Oct 19th 2007 12:39PM]

That could be awkward for some taller folks like me, seeing as the desk doesn't appear to be adjustable.

[Andrew @ Oct 19th 2007 1:01PM]

That's a neat looking desk. Can I get that without the treadmill?

[jroc @ Oct 19th 2007 1:04PM]

Whatever happened to having cake infront of the treadmill?

[slip @ Oct 19th 2007 1:11PM]

According to Crave, the price for this thing is going to be $6500! I just want to find a decent standing desk...anyone know some good, reasonably priced (like under $300) ones? I'd want the desk surface to be at around 42".

[splashy @ Dec 13th 2007 12:40PM]

We just built one from wood. You just customize it for you.

[Matt @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:46AM]

Go to www.safco.com

[barlow @ Oct 19th 2007 1:45PM]

Would be great for my ADD

[splashy @ Dec 13th 2007 12:41PM]

Yes! I am a figiter myself, and this really tones it down.

[Elliott @ Oct 19th 2007 1:58PM]

That's just gross. What's wrong with this country?

[BeforeISleep.net @ Oct 19th 2007 5:15PM]

We eat too much fast food, and we are chastised as fat.
We develop desks to let us exercise while working, and we are chastised as oddballs.
America just can't get a break!

[tif @ Oct 19th 2007 2:00PM]

My cubicle has the desk built-in and adjustable. Two co-workers and I have all raised are desks to standing height. Cost: $0. I've been doing it for over a year. I'm standing right now. At the very least I feel better about myself. I'm certain that a slow walk would be better for your back, even if it didn't burn more calories.

[SubGenius @ Oct 19th 2007 2:57PM]

I think a stationary bike would have been a better choice.
It would also be cool if the bike attached to the computer via a USB connection.
There should be an app that monitors your peddling and dims the screen if you aren't keeping up a minimum pace.
This would force you to exercise in order to use the computer.
Would be great for overweight kids.

[Fred @ Oct 19th 2007 3:54PM]

Agreed. Too much bouncing around running/walking. add a little motivation and hook the bike to a generator so you have to keep pedaling or lose all your work!

[Z @ Oct 19th 2007 2:59PM]

If this thing doesn't serve as a sign that we're too busy in our lives (too much going on - too much multitasking), then I don't know what does.

This world is in a desperate need to slow down.

[Dan @ Oct 19th 2007 3:26PM]

Gotta love that they acknowledged the fact that some people will end up sliding too far down the treadmill, by either sleep or fatigue. "I just wanted to e-mail my boss!" Is this thing wheelchair accessible?

[cameragnome @ Oct 19th 2007 3:31PM]

I like it. I can't afford it. But I like it. I think it would be a great option to have at the office. Sometimes you just need to get up to clear your mind. Maybe it would keep my boss from getting up and walking to my office when he feels he needs to walk to clear his mind...

[Matt @ Oct 21st 2007 6:26PM]

I think this is a cool concept. I walk all the time (3-4 miles/day). If I could walk while working at my computer, I could add more miles per day. For me, this is perfect. When can I get one??

[vivacious @ Sep 20th 2008 8:43PM]

this thing does need an extra chair r something with it. because quite frankly (fatty here) walking even slowly for a bigger person does affect your joints.. I walk about 4-5 miles a day if not more, and sometimes I can barely walk without soaking my joints.. and I'm not that overweight I'm not morbid at least. I mean it's great if your slim enough to do that but all you folks saying fatty's yeah it's not gonna work for us we need low impact ..

[chris fredette @ Oct 19th 2007 3:33PM]

Just got some pricing from a rep. I know that sells steelcase.
Pricing
U.S. List: $6,400 - $6,650.
I will now have to wait for 1000% off and that will probably be a long time :)

[Flalex @ Oct 19th 2007 3:46PM]

i'd buy it if it it had a chair