In school, the only time outside of phys ed that you really move your body is for a maximum of three minutes. The other seven hours you are chained to your desk. How productive do you feel?
Endocrinologist, Dr. James Levine, felt the same way about his long hour workdays sitting at his desk. So he thought of a way to be active and work at the same time.
He decided to construct a treadmill attached to a desk. It is called “The Walkstation,” because it is a height adjustable desk with a standard treadmill attached.
This invention has upped the ante with how society views “multi-tasking”.
Its creator is a professor of physiology and a professor of bioengineering at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Levine is an expert in obesity, malnutrition, and human energy requirements but has become famous by lecturing internationally about obesity. He has taken on another challenge by being the creator of the Walkstation according to his interview on getbetterheath.org.
“Although people only walk about or two miles an hour on the Walkstation, it makes a big difference, Dr. Levine says. “As soon as you carry your body weight on your legs and you start moving, you double your metabolic rate. So for most people, at one mile an hour, they are burning an extra 100 to 150 calories an hour. It’s huge.”
“Not all of us get to play baseball for a living. Most of us sit for a living at a desk,” said Terry Weller, while being interviewed on National Public Radio (NPR). Weller has been a Walkstation user since 2008. Being an office manager for the Sports Car Center in Syracuse, she says she was “too sedentary” which is why she purchased the Walkstation. Every day she accumulates over six to seven miles while working and walking.
“Getting your blood flowing and walking while in school would help me do better in school,” says VHS Senior Rachel Curcio. Rachel is open to the idea of having a Walkstation.
“I am finding when I walk I am not as hungry,” says online blogger, Walkstation Granny. Keeping active has your mind focus on work, instead of unnecessary snacking. So far this Walkstation Granny has lost four pounds so far from tracking her weight loss and energy levels by using her new Walkstation. Many blogs, like “Walkstation Granny” have aroused from this life-changing contraption, collecting pictures and healthy feedbacks on their pages.
“I think Verona High School should get Walkstations,” says Rachel. “We certainly pay enough in taxes.” These life-saving contraptions cost the same amount as a regular treadmill, ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Adjustable for your needs, the Walkstation is for everyone. Especially with those who suffer from A.D.D.
“The Walkstation devotees say the treadmill desks increase not only their activity but also their concentration,” writes The New York Times. Workers are paying more attention to their work whether it may be with conference calls, listening more intently or simply reading.
“The Walkstation changes the way you work, along with the way you feel,” says Dr. Levine.
“You don’t really feel the physical strain on your body because your mind’s occupied with your work,” says Dr. Levine. From the results of the avid users, the only changes they experience are the pounds they shred.
