What to Expect When You’re Expecting Your First Treadmill Desk
We’ve helped thousands of users get their first treadmill desk, so we tapped our staff experts for their favorite tips to new users.
Treadmill Desk Ergonomics
Just for fun go ahead and type “treadmill desk DIY” into Google Images and take a look at the hundreds of awesome homebuilt treadmill desks people have created. To a one, these were fashioned together by “early adopters” who wanted to take better care of their bodies and minds, and either already had an unused treadmill at their disposal or acquired a cheap one on Craigslist. (See Selecting the right equipment for your home-built treadmill desk in our DIY section to learn more about the shortfalls of walking on treadmills that were designed for running.)
The good news is they’ve taken the first step. They’ve grasped the initiative, and are probably raving about their treadmill desk to all their friends and co-workers, as they should. The bad news is that for many of them the next step they’ll be taking will be to their chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, orthopedist, internist or witch doctor when the aches and pains of a bad workstation setup start to set in.
The first generation of treadmill desks generally combined a converted running treadmill with an adjustable height standing desk. While these fledgling workstations did the important work to start the active office revolution, they were not ergonomically-sensible. They left a lot to be desired in height reach and stability, with some models displaying a tendency to get very shaky as soon as the user started walking or touching the keyboard.
We’re now solidly in the second generation of the treadmill desk industry with desks that were designed specifically for the ergonomic requirements of a walking computer user. Select iMovR desks are the only models on the market that feature a built-in keyboard tray (SteadyType™) that allows users to assume the proper ergonomic position while walking and working to avoid strain of the back, neck, shoulder, and wrist muscles.
If you want to make sure a treadmill will work for you, you should read our article on guidance to see how you can test one out for yourself.
Check out these articles by our staff experts on treadmill desk ergonomics to make sure your move to working while standing is an optimally healthy one!
Top Rated Under-Desk Office Treadmill Bases
We review the best available standalone under-desk treadmill bases for construction your own treadmill desk.
Selecting the Best Office Treadmill Base For Your DIY Treadmill Desk
Choosing the right treadmill base is one of the most critical decisions you'll make in building your own DIY walking workstation. Learn what matters most.
Experts Rate The Best Treadmill Desks
A treadmill desk is really just a height-adjustable standing desk paired with an under-desk office treadmill.
How To Install A Keyboard Tray On A Treadmill Desk
In this primer we cover everything you need to know about how to install a SteadyType keyboard tray on a treadmill desk.
What Employers Urgently Need to Know About Kitchen Table Ergonomics
With many people working from home, employers need to consider liability for ergonomic injuries has pierced the veil of the corporate campus.
Selecting the right desk for your DIY walking workstation
The first question: Will you need an adjustable-height desk or will a fixed-height desk do the job? Learn how to make your own treadmill workstation.
Unsit Treadmill Desk Review
The "untreadmill" with a much wider and shorter deck specifically for treadmill desking
Where To Try Out a Treadmill Desk Before Buying One?
Where can you try out a treadmill desk for yourself before plunking down the cash for one?
Avoiding Neck and Shoulder Pain and Carpal Tunnel When Using a Treadmill Desk
The ergodynamics of typing while on a treadmill desk are a wholly different experience than typing while sitting at a desk.
Build Your Own DIY Treadmill Desk
What you need to know to build a solid DIY treadmill desk. It might be a good idea to look at some examples of others’ first, just to see what not to do.
How We Conduct Integrated Treadmill Desk Reviews
We’ve developed a unique evaluation process that provides the most exhaustive analysis of any given product as every aspect is put under the microscope.
Lander Treadmill Desk Review
The absolute ultimate in treadmill desk systems, the Lander standing desk combined with iMovR's office treadmill is the bomb.
DIY Cable Management for Standing Desks
Cable spaghetti can be a nightmare for standing and walking workers. Follow these tips to straighten up the cables at your workstation.
Setting the Proper Heights for the Treadmill Desk Surface and Keyboard Tray
The easiest way to picture your most “neutral” position is to think about how astronauts’ arms hang when they’re floating in their sleeping bags.
iMovR ThermoTread GT Office Treadmill Review
A cloud capable, touch-screen enabled walking treadmill, the iMovR ThermoTread GT aims to bring office wellness into the future.
iMovR Cascade Treadmill Desk Review
iMovR's Cascade Standing Desk—with a built-in, patented, SteadyType keyboard tray—is a solid choice for any treadmill desk.
Ergonomists Rate The Best Keyboard Trays
Ergonomic keyboard trays overcome the innate inadequacy of desks, allowing you to type in a way that’s more neutral for your upper body.
5 Common Pitfalls of DIY Treadmill Desk Construction
Is a homemade treadmill desk thrifty or just flat out dangerous? That choice lies with the constructor; check through our list of common DIY errors.
UMAY Portable Under Desk Treadmill Base Review
The UMAY Portable Under Desk Treadmill Base costs $339.99, has a weight capacity of 198 lbs and a running platform of 43.3" x 16.1".
Keeping Your Head on Straight when Standing or Walking at Your Desk
It’s likely that most of your work hours are spent staring at a computer screen. But, if improperly positioned, monitors can spell trouble.
iMovR Energize Treadmill Desk Review
The iMovR Energize is a top-rated, American-made standing desk. Pair it with iMovR's office treadmill and you have a state-of-the-art active workstation.
How Noisy is a Treadmill Desk?
One of the key differences between walking treadmill bases and running treadmills is their lower noise signature, especially at lower speeds.
LifeSpan Treadmill Desk Review
Review of the LifeSpan integrated treadmill desk options, based on the TR800, TR1000, TR1200 and TR5000 treadmills.
LifeSpan Fitness TR5000-DT3 Under Desk Treadmill Review
The TR5000-DT3 under desk treadmill is Lifespan's top-of-the-line unit with a 3.0HP motor and a ticket price to go with it. But is it competitive with the ThermoTread GT?
LifeSpan TR1000-DT3 Treadmill Desk Review
A new model that's further cost reduced than Lifespan's TR1200-DT3 and replaces the discontinued TR800-DT3
Steelcase Walkstation Treadmill Desk Review
Steelcase helped to spark a revolution in office fitness in 2007. Now the Walkstation is overpriced, with antiquated technology and ergonomics.
LifeSpan TR1200-DT3 Treadmill Desk Review
The most popular treadmill desk ever made, recent changes at the company have us wondering if we can ever recommend the TR1200 again.
NordicTrack Treadmill Desk Review
The NordicTrack treadmill desk is more a running treadmill fitted with a worksurface, and it misses the minimum criteria for an ergonomic treadmill desk.
Other considerations when setting up your DIY treadmill desk
DIY treadmill desk builders need to keep in mind vibration and noise isolation, ergonomics of keyboards, mice and trackballs, static electricity and more.