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anyone ever try a Treadmill desk?

by shawnlebrun
22 replies
I was reading Ben Settle's email this morning and realized that a lot of copywriters may have this same issue: feeling like your back is a big ball of tense nerves from sitting long periods of time?

That's one reason I tend to schedule my writing in "chunks" and take a break every hour to an hour and a half. Plus I usually get massages a few times a week... just to work out the kinks.

Oh, and running a few times a week seems to help.

But has anyone here ever try a Treadmill desk?

How to get your 10,000 steps a day if you’re a desk jockey

I don't know... I'm not the most coordinated person... so I don't see myself getting much work done, but it's a pretty unique idea....
#desk #treadmill
  • Profile picture of the author Mario Castelli
    I have 2 herniated discs from football. Sciatic nerve damage in both legs.

    Sitting any more than a few hours used to be torture...

    Then I bought a theracane.

    Now back pain isn't an issue for me. I can get fully loosened up in 5 minutes and use it at the desk.

    Best $35 I've ever spent.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    My back is knackered after 28 years of hammering away on the keyboards.

    Apparently, the bones are actually turning to dust.

    I recently had a scan - and looking at the X-rays I said to the consultant "What is that black space?

    She said "It's where the middle part of your spine used to be"

    Typing is agonizing.

    If anyone else has more tips to alleviate the pain I would be thrilled to hear them.

    As technology has always (thankfully) escaped me - I could never use a treadmill if I hit the wrong "speed" button I would be hurled out the window.


    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author vinness
      LOL I share the same agony! I don't do much about it, I just get a good Thai massage on weekends and see to it that I don't spend too much time sitting. Yes, I go around the house every 30 minutes.
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    • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
      Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post


      As technology has always (thankfully) escaped me - I could never use a treadmill if I hit the wrong "speed" button I would be hurled out the window.

      Steve
      Exactly! I can see it now... happening to me as well! I guess I could see it working when you're talking on the phone, or skype, with a client... but actually typing? I think I'd have more problems AFTER using it than before.

      Steve, do massages help you at all? I know that's more for muscle tension and not so much structural issues... but between massage, working out, and breaks every hour... it tends to be all good.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    Yes to be fair the following do help...

    Deep tissue massages, physio, stretching, hot showers, walking and sex.

    You just can't do them (or get them done) whilst you're typing.


    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
      Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post

      Yes to be fair the following do help...

      Deep tissue massages, physio, stretching, hot showers, walking and sex.

      You just can't do them (or get them done) whilst you're typing.


      Steve
      Steve!

      I respectfully disagree. You CAN have sex while typing the next big deal. Try it.
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    • Profile picture of the author OutOfThisWord
      I bought one of those hard foam rollers. J-Fit is the brand.

      Only $20 bucks and after a session of pounding the keyboard, I flop on my back and roll and it pops my back fast and easy.

      I used to see a chiropractor monthly, but no more in the year I've had this.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
    Copywriting, while it may seem harmless, is high impact inside of the body.

    Prolonged, repetitive sitting is one of the worst things you can do to yourself.

    I do yoga for about an hour a day, receive Myofascial Release, Shiatsu, Sports Massage and other types of space-creating bodywork multiple times a week.

    I juice every morning (carrot, celery, beet, kale, ginger, etc.)

    Drinks tons of water.

    Rebound (running in place on a mini-trampoline for about a half hour a day)

    And do core workouts 3 or 4 times a week to keep all my muscles engaging - so my psoas muscles don't contract, exagerate the curvature in my lower back and tweak my spine.

    Yup.

    It takes a lot of upkeep to be a copywriter.

    Here's an interesting piece done on treadmill desks from Rock Center: NBCNews.com Video Player

    Mark
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    • Profile picture of the author Mr. Subtle
      Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

      I do yoga for about an hour a day, receive Myofascial Release, Shiatsu, Sports Massage and other types of space-creating bodywork multiple times a week.

      Rebound (running in place on a mini-trampoline for about a half hour a day)

      And do core workouts 3 or 4 times a week to keep all my muscles engaging - so my psoas muscles don't contract, exagerate the curvature in my lower back and tweak my spine.

      Yup.

      It takes a lot of upkeep to be a copywriter.
      Not really. A few months back PBS had a great show about exercise called "Guts" by Michael Mosley. It's amazing what science is uncovering about exercise.

      Mosley went to some scientific sports clinic in UK and got his blood/DNA tested. It turns out exercise doesn't effect everyone the same. Mosley's blood/DNA test results showed he is at the very bottom of the bottom 20%. It wouldn't matter how much he exercised ... improvement would be slight.

      The same clinic has also been running tests on exercise and concluded you only need to do a stationary bike (which i assume is set to a very high position) for 3 "reps" of 30 seconds each twice a week. That's all the exercise you need to be/stay physically healthy. A whole whopping 3 minutes a week.

      It's a shame the link to the show is dead and Netflix streaming doesn't have it either.

      The future to medicine and exercise will begin with a blood/DNA test. One size does not fit all. It will all be custom-fitted to the individual because we are all different.
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      • Profile picture of the author shawnlebrun
        Originally Posted by Mr. Subtle View Post

        Not really. A few months back PBS had a great show about exercise called "Guts" by Michael Mosley. It's amazing what science is uncovering about exercise.

        Mosley went to some scientific sports clinic in UK and got his blood/DNA tested. It turns out exercise doesn't effect everyone the same. Mosley's blood/DNA test results showed he is at the very bottom of the bottom 20%. It wouldn't matter how much he exercised ... improvement would be slight.

        The same clinic has also been running tests on exercise and concluded you only need to do a stationary bike (which i assume is set to a very high position) for 3 "reps" of 30 seconds each twice a week. That's all the exercise you need to be/stay physically healthy. A whole whopping 3 minutes a week.

        It's a shame the link to the show is dead and Netflix streaming doesn't have it either.

        The future to medicine and exercise will begin with a blood/DNA test. One size does not fit all. It will all be custom-fitted to the individual because we are all different.
        I've been involved in fitness for most of my adult life... including doing bodybuilding shows, getting training and certifications in fitness, and running a fitness business for almost 10 years.

        Mr. Subtle is 100% correct. I feel that 99% of those people who do work out religiously... do way too much, too often.

        But those companies whose profits depend on the "magic pill" will prevent that from being largely believed.

        I used to work out all the time... after all, as a personal trainer, I had to "look the part".

        But I soon started noticing some intriguing info written by Arthur Jones (Nautilus) and Mike Mentzer... who actually won Mr. Universe.

        All showed that very little time was needed to get results.

        Back in 2003 or so, I came across some info by Tony Robbins that talked about static contraction and how little exercise was needed to get results.

        And yet I continued to come across more research that showed more exercise was not better.
        There's Tabata, the 4-minute workout.

        so, I soon actually started using the principles myself, got just as good results as when I spent hours a week in the gym, and have done that for the last 10 years or so.
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  • Profile picture of the author ronrule
    I don't think I could type and walk at the same time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    I think the best therapy may be what Mark suggested.

    Might not cure the pain but it'll take your mind off it.

    Let's all give it a go.

    And you've got to try and last until you get to the P.S.

    Ok, the first paragraph...

    Alright the headline...

    (ever get that fateful feeling this could be the finite end to long copy sales letters)

    If anyone says they managed a website, auto - responders, a sales shot (now renamed the "money shot") postcards and a webinar...

    Remind them that they were looking at porn because their beloved one left after the usual duration.


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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      While we're on typing cures, can I ask what kind of keyboard those of you prone to carpal tunnel use?

      For several years I've felt lots more comfortable using the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, but for the third time (ie., the third such keyboard I've bought), it's broken down with the very same unfixable flaw and I refuse to buy a fourth one. I'm now waiting for a different keyboard I ordered to arrive and just in three days using the ordinary keyboard that came with my computer my hands and arms are killing me.

      What do you guys use??

      Marcia Yudkin
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      • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
        Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

        While we're on typing cures, can I ask what kind of keyboard those of you prone to carpal tunnel use?

        For several years I've felt lots more comfortable using the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, but for the third time (ie., the third such keyboard I've bought), it's broken down with the very same unfixable flaw and I refuse to buy a fourth one. I'm now waiting for a different keyboard I ordered to arrive and just in three days using the ordinary keyboard that came with my computer my hands and arms are killing me.

        What do you guys use??

        Marcia Yudkin
        Just like tennis/golf elbow, a lot of carpal tunnel problems originate in the chest (muscles contracting and inhibiting optimally blood flow.)

        But around the carpals themselves is the thickest band of connective tissue (fascia) in the body.

        You have to manually broaden that thick band of tissue every day to prevent and/or heal carpal constriction.

        If you take the pad of your middle of index finger and apply it firmly right over the carpals, then move your hand and forearm (as the pad of your finger is anchored,) you'll begin to release the fascia that's strangling the bones.

        Do this daily.

        Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
    Originally Posted by shawnlebrun View Post


    But has anyone here ever try a Treadmill desk?

    How to get your 10,000 steps a day if you're a desk jockey
    A treadmill desk would be great. But I like to sit down for a while, then stand, then sit, etc. I would love a reasonably-priced desk top that easily moves up and down in height. The ones I have seen were fairly expensive.
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  • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
    I've reached the age at which restaurants offer me the smaller-portion senior menu. I ignore it, and found myself with a case of weight creep - little by little. So I went back to using the treadmill and climber here at home.

    I can't imagine trying to type while using a treadmill. For the past year or so I've been 30min on a treadmill each day, and another 10min on a stair-stepping machine. I've tried reading while doing so, but I kept losing my place in the book due to my body movement. I am walking at a fast pace - not running.

    Then a Kindle Fire came to the rescue. It lets me set the font size to Large, and now I can read while treading. If the book I am reading is really captivating, I can find myself on the treadmill much longer than 30 minutes.

    I place the Kindle on a medium weight music stand, and park my cell phone next to it so I can take calls. Then I simply rotate the music stand to face the stepping machine, when I switch to it.

    :-Don
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  • Profile picture of the author ReferralCandy
    The folks in the office next to ours experimented with standing desks for a couple of weeks, but they eventually went back to regular desks... I think they said they were too ambitious and tried to make too much of a drastic change at once.

    A treadmill desk sounds like a nice idea... but it'll be pretty hard to kind of commit to it, maybe?

    Depends on how badly you want to do it. I don't think I have that sort of willpower, haha. I'd start by taking regular breaks and walks. I have a timer app on my phone that goes off every 30 minutes, so I'll get up and walk around. It helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author DavidG
    Good research for Harlan in this thread. I think.
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  • Profile picture of the author LastingLifeSuccess
    That is a far out desk. I believe I would probably break my leg the first time I tried to use such a contraption.

    I think I will continue to suffer with my regular office chair type desk and do my walking on a road where it is wide enough for me not to fall off.

    Next they will suggest treadmill jogging while trying to write copy.

    LLS
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  • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
    Yesterday I put my laptop on the music stand and watched a webinar while I tread on the mill. I'm still worn out.

    :-Don
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  • Profile picture of the author arkina
    It sounds like a great idea! I don't know either if I could fully concentrate while doing the treadmill. There were times I did try to work on the stationary bike and it was a disaster, but I would be willing to try it anyway. It's so dangerously unhealthy to be tired to a desk all day.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jennafer Scott
    I have a treadmill desk that I made myself, using the instructions found here and a $40 treadmill from Craigslist.

    I didn't want to fork over a bunch of money and then find out I hated using it!

    So far I like it a lot, and I type just fine while on it- but then, I'm walking at less than 2 mph. It's not a heavy workout, but it sure beats sitting all day.
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