Does anybody use a walking desk?

2951 Views 33 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Lydniz, May 15, 2015

Nancy Chase

Discussion Starter · May 14, 2015

Do you use a walking desk? Do you use it for all types of computer work, including when you write?

My husband is starting to get one set up for me, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to actually write at it, even at very low speeds. Am I just uncoordinated (can't type and walk at the same time), or is it something you get used to with practice?

If you use one successfully, do you have any tips for proper setup and making sure the ergonomics are right?

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

KatrinaAbbott

· #2 · May 14, 2015

I use one and started off very slowly (1.5 MPH) but am up to about 2.2 now and yes, I do write on it. I had worried that I wouldn't be able to do it (I'm extremely uncoordinated) but it's no problem now. If I'm trying to work out a particularly complex scene or math problem, I will stop it for a few minutes so I can really concentrate, but I have found for the most part that it goes very well. My butt gets so sore after sitting for even medium stretches now that I have to get on it a few times a day just to stretch things out.
I have no tips for setup - my husband did mine for me. Though I do use a proper mouse and wrist rest as I do with my regular computer - much more comfortable for me than using just the laptop pad.

Nancy Chase

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 14, 2015

KatrinaAbbott said:
I use one and started off very slowly (1.5 MPH) but am up to about 2.2 now and yes, I do write on it. I had worried that I wouldn't be able to do it (I'm extremely uncoordinated) but it's no problem now. If I'm trying to work out a particularly complex scene or math problem, I will stop it for a few minutes so I can really concentrate, but I have found for the most part that it goes very well. My butt gets so sore after sitting for even medium stretches now that I have to get on it a few times a day just to stretch things out.

That's encouraging, that it does get easier to type and walk at the same time. How long do you tend to use it per day?

Mark E. Cooper

· #4 · May 14, 2015

Nancy Chase said:
Do you use a walking desk? Do you use it for all types of computer work, including when you write?

My husband is starting to get one set up for me, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to actually write at it, even at very low speeds. Am I just uncoordinated (can't type and walk at the same time), or is it something you get used to with practice?

If you use one successfully, do you have any tips for proper setup and making sure the ergonomics are right?

I do. I can't write first drafts while walking, but I can and do walk while doing edits and anything involving marketing and using the net.

I have it set at belt buckle height and use a Microsoft split ergonomic 7000 keyboard with an Evoluent ergonomic mouse. I have twin 46inch LCD monitors on the wall at head height (standing straight looking straight ahead) Here's a pic:

It's a Lifespan TR1200DT

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Lydniz

· #5 · May 14, 2015

Mark E. Cooper said:
I do. I can't write first drafts while walking, but I can and do walk while doing edits and anything involving marketing and using the net.

I have it set at belt buckle height and use a Microsoft split ergonomic 7000 keyboard with an Evoluent ergonomic mouse. I have twin 46inch LCD monitors on the wall at head height (standing straight looking straight ahead) Here's a pic:

It's a Lifespan TR1200DT

Woah! That's the Starship Enterprise, right there.

KatrinaAbbott

· #6 · May 14, 2015

Nancy Chase said:
That's encouraging, that it does get easier to type and walk at the same time. How long do you tend to use it per day?

If I'm drafting (I have written all of my books below pretty much exclusively at the treadmill desk) I can do 2 - 3 hours per day, but that's broken up. I never do longer than an hour at a time. I actually find it easier to draft on it than do other fiddly things (maybe because when I'm drafting I don't actually concentrate on reading what I'm typing) so I'm opposite to how Mark is.
p.s. Mark - that's a sweet setup. Mine's the very low-rent version of that.

Peter Spenser

· #7 · May 14, 2015

Mark E. Cooper said:
I have [my Lifespan TR1200DT walking desk] set at belt buckle height and use a Microsoft split ergonomic 7000 keyboard with an Evoluent ergonomic mouse. I have twin 46inch LCD monitors on the wall at head height (standing straight looking straight ahead) Here's a pic:

O.K., children, THIS is what is meant by the statement, "Yes, I'm serious about my writing."

dgrant

· #8 · May 14, 2015

Peter and I use one, up to 3 hours a day each. At first, you start very, very slowly, and then work your way up a little at a time, like any other physical activity. Fortunately, we've only staggered on the dismount a couple times, and no scrapes or falls like when learning to walk or ride a bike.

Ours is a Lifespan TR5000DT, which is just a base and a control panel on a cord that we stuck on the shelf. It's been amazing; not only has it really helped my husband's mobility, but it's kept me from stiffening up like I do when sitting for long stretches.

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Lydniz

· #9 · May 14, 2015

Peter Spenser said:
O.K., children, THIS is what is meant by the statement, "Yes, I'm serious about my writing."

I think he burgled Bloomberg.

Lydniz

· #10 · May 14, 2015

I wonder if he can transmit his thoughts directly onto the screen.

Mark E. Cooper

· #11 · May 14, 2015

Lydniz said:
I wonder if he can transmit his thoughts directly onto the screen.

Actually...

Not quite, but the screens have wifi built in and are screen cast capable, so if you imagine my couch behind where I stood to take the photo, I can sit there doing first drafts (I use an old Psion handheld for first drafting), but if I want to I could use my Nexus or iPad to screen cast onto the wall screens. It's not a really useful trick, but it can be done.

BTW, the treadmill was expensive when new 2 years ago and counting, but it has paid for itself. I fast walk on it everyday for 1 hour, and spend the rest of the time standing at the station working on edits or marketing etc. I only sit down for food or first drafting, and never for very long (I get bad posture and back ache)

I've halved my body weight, I'm no longer Type 2 diabetic, and never been fitter in my life. Investing in proper kit is worth it. Seriously. The screens might look flash, but they're only Smasung LED TVs when all is said. About £350 each from Amazon. Hold your nose, cross your fingers, and spend the money. A few months later you'll be glad you did and will wish you'd done it sooner.

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UnicornEmily

· #12 · May 14, 2015

That is a beautiful setup.

Lydniz

· #13 · May 14, 2015

I am well jel.

Peter Spenser

· #14 · May 14, 2015

carinasanfey said:
Holy crap. My workspace consists of a laptop, a sofa and a cat.

*feels deep sense of shame*

Oh, no shame, please! It's what you do with what you have that counts. Lord Dunsany (The King of Elfland's Daughter) wrote his entire catalog with a quill pen. And I won a photography scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology with a portfolio shot entirely with a box camera.

Just keep writing well. You can do it.

m.a. petterson

· #15 · May 14, 2015

Mark E. Cooper said:
I do. I can't write first drafts while walking, but I can and do walk while doing edits and anything involving marketing and using the net.

I have it set at belt buckle height and use a Microsoft split ergonomic 7000 keyboard with an Evoluent ergonomic mouse. I have twin 46inch LCD monitors on the wall at head height (standing straight looking straight ahead) Here's a pic:

It's a Lifespan TR1200DT

Very inspiring, Mark -- both the set-up and the weight loss!

Mark E. Cooper

· #16 · May 15, 2015

Sue Donym said:
Very inspiring, Mark -- both the set-up and the weight loss!

You can imagine how I feel about the weight loss. I was huge and dying by inches. My weight just before my company closed its doors was almost 25stone (350lbs) I'm half that now.

Doglover

· #17 · May 15, 2015

Question from someone who only ever walks anywhere if there is a dog attached - where do you attach the dog lead?

jcthatsme

· #18 · May 15, 2015

Doglover said:
Question from someone who only ever walks anywhere if there is a dog attached - where do you attach the dog lead?

You can get pet treadmills. Set it up alongside?

Doglover

· #19 · May 15, 2015

jcthatsme said:
You can get pet treadmills. Set it up alongside?

I can't imagine what my dogs would say to that! I would expect them to lie down and refuse to move and since they weight 180 lbs each, I wouldn't get very far! I'll give it a miss.

Nancy Chase

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 15, 2015

Mark E. Cooper said:
BTW, the treadmill was expensive when new 2 years ago and counting, but it has paid for itself. I fast walk on it everyday for 1 hour, and spend the rest of the time standing at the station working on edits or marketing etc. I only sit down for food or first drafting, and never for very long (I get bad posture and back ache)

I've halved my body weight, I'm no longer Type 2 diabetic, and never been fitter in my life. Investing in proper kit is worth it. Seriously. The screens might look flash, but they're only Smasung LED TVs when all is said. About £350 each from Amazon. Hold your nose, cross your fingers, and spend the money. A few months later you'll be glad you did and will wish you'd done it sooner.

That's a gorgeous setup, Mark. And your weight loss and health improvements are so inspiring. Do you have any tips for someone just starting out, as far as how best to ease into a serious routine? What was your routine when you first started? And how long did it take you to work up to the full sessions you do now?

I'm coming back from a chronic knee injury that prevented me from exercising much for several years (which of course made me gain a lot of weight). The knee is better now, but I don't want to do anything that involves high impact or any sudden movements that could re-injure the tendons and joint. So long, frequent hours of slow walking on a flat surface sound perfect for me. I want to gently strengthen that knee, lose about 80 lbs, and improve my overall health.

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