The Motivation

A few years ago when we were buying furniture for the first 8th Light office I came across a piece called the WalkStation. It was an adjustable height desk with a treadmill underneath. I had just started to get myself into better physical shape, and thought this would be a unique way to change a sedentary job into an active one. The price tag turned out to be way to high ($4500+).

Fast forward to January 30th, 2010. At ORDCamp, Zach Kaplan, founder of Inventables, gave a presentation about Dr. James Levine and the research he's done creating active computer workstations. It turns out that Dr. Levine is the guy behind the WalkStation that I had seen earlier. Zach had thrown together a treadmill and a laptop desk to try out the concept and was raving about the benefits. It was the motivation that I needed to finally get to building my own treadmill desk.

Acquisition

Using Craigslist, I found a treadmill just blocks from my house. It is a ProForm 830QT. Sears sells this brand, and I think this one retailed for around $900. I paid my neighbor $140 for this one.

My next stop was Ikea. Somewhere in the back of my brain I remembered seeing a desk at Ikea that was adjustable on-the-fly. I went searching, but found nothing that could be adjusted without tools and without unloading the desk first. I had done a bit of a web search earlier for adjustable surfaces, but hadn't come across anything in a reasonable price range. I headed downstairs to the "as-is" section of Ikea and snatched a Gallant table, frame, and T-Leg combo for $60. The legs alone cost that much new. The combo had been a display model and we a little bit dinged up, but the price was right.

Construction

My first concept was to build a free standing table that would sit over the top the treadmill. The table I picked up was wide enough, but the Gallant legs maxed out at around 36" and I knew that wouldn't be enough. I began envisioning ways to make the legs longer.

In the meantime I started to take apart the treadmill. I just started unscrewing and unplugging everything I found until I was left with just the touch-panel unit and circuit board in my hand. There was one cable running through a leg of the treadmill that was pretty obviously the main control cable back down to the motor below. There was also an audio cable, a cable running to the hand-grip heart rate monitor, and an extra heart rate cable leading to nothing. After a look at the manual, I discovered that this cable can be connected to an optional sensor for heart rate chest straps. The whole idea of this setup is to walk slowly and keep the heart rate down, so I just yanked out all the heart rate cables and sensors.

With all of the electronics off of the treadmill, it was back to figuring out how to mount the desk. This treadmill has hand grips on either side. I yanked furiously on these for several minutes trying to pull them off to see what was underneath. After consulting the assembly manual, I saw there was nothing holding them on, so I got out a pry bar and went to town. They eventually gave way and revealed the horizontal supports that were to become the foundation of the table mount.

A 2x4 set across the hand grip post put the work surface at just about the right height, so I drilled a hole through the posts and bolted on the 2x4. The Gallant table frame has lots of mounting holes, so after removing the frame from the desktop, I chose two holes and bolted the frame on top of the 2x4.

Things were looking good, but for the two post that would prevent the table top from being installed. At first I thought that I could cut the uprights off. But my dremel cutting wheel and hack saw were no match for the thick posts. Without the right tools or know-how to deal with metal, I resigned myself to notching out the table top to fit around the posts. This operation was a measure twice, start over, measure twice again kind of affair. But with some care, I was able to cut the notches with a drill and a jigsaw. A quick tip here. When you cut through a laminated surface like most Ikea stuff, masking or packing tape on your cut line will prevent the laminate from chipping.

Amazingly, I had measured and cut the notches right and the table top slid in place and the old holes to the frame lined up nicely.

With the table top mounted, it was time to get control of the treadmill back. First the touch-panel and circuit boards needed to be contained. I didn't want to spend more money on a project box, so I started hacking away at the plastic enclosure that I had disassembled earlier. I was able to cut away everything but a box the just enclosed all the pieces and was even left with two screw holes for mounting. The problem was where to mount it. I wanted the controls accessible, but out of the way most of the time. They couldn't interfere with walking or typing.

I settled on a keyboard tray that would mount underneath the desktop. It could slide under most of the time, and then pull out easily to start and stop the treadmill or change the speed. Ikea has a tray for just under $10, so it was back to Ikea for the Summera Pull-out keyboard shelf. With the touch-panel mounted on the keyboard tray, there was just not quite enough slack in the control line to be able to pull the controls out far enough to see the entire display. I took the cover off on the base of the treadmill to investigate the control cable and see if I could create any slack. I was able to free up enough cable so that the tray could come out far enough, but it came at the cost of the treadmill's incline feature. The cable will bind now because of the re-routing when the incline it pushed up.

Results

So it's been about 3 weeks with the treadmill desk. Here are some of the question I've received: Q: Don't you get tired?
A: Sure, then I sit down for a while.

Q: Isn't it distracting to your work?
A: I'll admit it took a little while to get over the novelty of walking and coding. Once the meta-conversation in my head stopped ("Look at me, I'm on a treadmill, and I'm writing code!") then I think that low level physical activity has actually helped to keep me focused. Walking engages a completely different part of my brain. I compare it to how some people will pace when they are making a decision.

Q: What about pair-programming?
A: Colin and I have been experimenting with pairing on the treadmill. We've integrated it into our normal ping-pong rhythm. The one coding is the one walking. One green-red cycle, and then we switch. It's a little bit hard to stand and look over the walkers shoulder, so we've been using a second laptop sharing the screen of the first. With both laptops on the same network, the point-to-point screen sharing is pretty responsive. We've had the best luck with Skype. A second screen also allows the pair to sit for a while. I'm still imagining how two treadmills could come together for a fully-walking pair station.

Q: How fast do you walk?
A: 1 MPH for the most part. We've done okay at 1.3 - 1.5 too. I can stay pretty stable even up to 2.0, but I start to get overheated at that speed.

Q: What effect has it had on you?
A: My knee hurts a bit after being on all day. Colin and I have both noticed that we get hungry sooner when walking. I think that mean that our metabolisms are running faster. So I make sure to eat a good breakfast everyday, and we are really ready for lunch at noon now.

References:

Dr. James Levine talk about treadmill desks
The Mayo Clinic's Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis Lab
Jay Buster's Treadmill Desk
Treadmill Sensei - Good reviews and info and treadmills

Photos

From the Side:
Treadmill 2

The touch panel mounted beneath the work surface:
Treadmill 3

From the Front:
Treadmill 4

Underneath / Mounting detail:
Treadmill 5

Update 2/28/2010: Here is some video footage.

43 Responses to “Walk and Code”

Ken Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 10:13 AM
So totally cool... now to get my workstation into my sauna.
Zaan Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 11:06 AM
This is simply amazing. One question I have though: how about shocks and vibrations? As the entire desk seems connected to the treadmill itself, I'd imagine there's quite a lot of feedback from the steps you take (more at higher speeds). That might be a problem for a hard drive and also might shake the equipments enough to shake them off the table.
Courtney Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 11:08 AM
I want one! I get so bored sitting staring at my monitor all day.

Thanks for sharing!
doug Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 11:34 AM
@Zaan, The treadmill absorbs most of the shock of the steps. At 1 MPH, there isn't much bouncing anyway. I haven't had any trouble with the HD or anything moving around. This treadmill is pretty solid.
Paul Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Nice ... I like the conveniently placed hammocks behind the treadmill.
Darren Kopp Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 12:00 PM
million dollar idea here: USB powered treadmill XD
Mike Swieton Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Great work Doug! We need one of these at AO headquarters.

I really like the juxtaposition of the treadmill desk and the (looks like) hammock behind it! :)
doug Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 12:51 PM
@Paul @Mike That's right. It's a hammock.
jimmy Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 12:57 PM
well played sir.
Ryan Heneise Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 01:10 PM
In the top picture it looks like your back is hooked up to some sort of Matrix-style energy collection cable. I thought maybe you had figured out how to power your workstation using energy collected from your body. Very cool setup, all around!
san Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 02:13 PM
is treadmill programmable? You could increase the speed while your program is being compiled.
Blake Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 03:02 PM
It would be cool if the slower you work the faster the treadmill went and vise-versa.
Levi Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 04:04 PM
Your on Facebook!!! Jk. This is awesome I have often considered doing this at home as I really need to start getting into better shape.
cg Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 07:14 PM
another idea - can your walking generate enough power to move the treadmill and power the laptop ? :) so you'll have to run while trying to compiling code :D
rajesh Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 08:34 PM
cool idea, awesome work environment - looks definitely refreshing
Phoenix Sol Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 08:48 PM
I think a bike would be better. More stable, and with a little engineering it could charge your laptop.

Respect for actually implementing a way to exercise while working, though!

/me starts to look for an exercise bike...
jojomehndi Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 11:48 PM
Care to post a video of it in action? I'm still conflicted aboiut whether I want to do this.
MiniMaxiMe Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 01:09 AM
I have one tip for you : run / walk barefoot ... I mean don't wear snickers ... you can keep the socks.

The foot will touch the ground differently and you will not have the knee pain anymore.
Jake Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 02:23 AM
I think its a great idea really, people look at the price tag and gag but think about the price tag for your health vs walking the joints.

The reality of it is when you think about it, you are working off a lot of fat build up and keeping muscles healthy and strong, when you sit down all day and thats all you do then its very hard to stay fit.

I had to do 350 sit ups and 120 push ups a day to stay fit the reason being that i would have to use takeaways and training for black belt while doing my Degree so 4.5k really is more likely to be just over 2 years of standard dairy food intake for junk food and takeaways.
handleman55 Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 02:40 AM
It's really cool..wow
@joely Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 02:58 AM
Man, You are amazing!
stefan Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 06:29 AM
amazing!

But i would definitively having problems, to write code and walk at the same time. my only physical activity during work is a "stressball" which i use during phone calls.

I wonder how far you walk each day on that thing!
doug Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 07:35 AM
@stefan: I'm averaging 5-6 miles per day.

@MiniMaxiMe I'l try some more sock-footed action. I already did that one day when I wore my snow boots to work and forgot to bring sneakers.

@san It is programmable. Check out this sourceforge project: http://sourceforge.net/projects/ifits/ If I hooked up the audio output of my laptop, I could use this project to control the speed from the laptop. Maybe integrate it into my build scripts!

@jojomehndi A video is a good idea. I'll do that in the next week or so.
Jose Luis Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 09:07 AM
I would like to see pair-programming on one of those!
FitzChivalry Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 09:07 AM
I've had mine for over a year, and program Groovy/Grails web applications @ 2.5-3.0 mph. :-) That seems to be the perfect speed range to keep my body from bobbing up and down. I find 1 MPH too slow, and it's actually distracting. I "allow myself" to stop walking on the treadmill when I hit 800 calories in a given day. As with you, I find that I concentrate better when walking than when sitting... less time checking email, looking at the latest bookmarks on delicious, and so on.

There is a community of treadmill desk people who share ideas and such. Check it out at http://officewalkers.ning.com/
Dan Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Very nice! This makes me wish I hadn't spent $5K on a Walkstation. LOL

I do love my Walkstation though. I just walk 1 MPH and over my 8 hour work day I can burn an extra 800 calories.

I cut the soda and started walking 8 hours a day and the pounds just started melting away.

Love it!
problemslvr Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Sounds like a good way to write some "outstanding" code ;-) I know I am thinking most clearly while I am gasping for air on a treadmill.

Better use good debugging and optimizer products like OPNET Panorama (www.opnet.com) to help work out all the bugs afterwards..
problemslvr Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Sounds like a good way to write some "outstanding" code ;-) I know I am thinking most clearly while I am gasping for air on a treadmill.

Better use good debugging and optimizer products like OPNET Panorama (www.opnet.com) to help work out all the bugs afterwards..
Stephan Wehner Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 02:06 PM
Put keys on the treadmill and get rid of the keyboard?

I heared some Google programmers are doing the same in their office.

Please post if you're still using this in 6 months!

Stephan
Dan Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 02:50 PM
I built something with a bicycle and a portable shelf to hold the keyboard and mouse. My monitor was big enough to remain on a desk in front of the bike tilted upward. The problem I had was I had no support for my arms while I exercised. I was thinking of using some kind of sling for my elbows but though that would just transfer the stress to my neck. Do you have any problems keeping your arms out at all times? Do you get any pain in your wrists? or stiffness?
rory Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 03:15 PM
This guy put his together nearly 2 years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTXqeL3f6zw

Much more hi-tech. And he's awesome at Guitar hero too ...
D-O Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 06:40 PM
Sweet setup! Ditto re: the hammocks being cool. : )

Me, I'm eyeing the "Bike Desk" over on the GeekDesk testimonials page: http://www.geekdesk.com/default.asp?contentID=608

Rock on, and walk on...
SeanR Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 09:18 PM
So cool! I've been trying to come up with something like this. Thanks for sharing.
alex Says:
February 28th, 2010 at 02:45 AM
haha great idea, i wish i have one of those, the 12h work shifts are killing me
doug Says:
February 28th, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Update: Video posted. Some pair programming on the treadmill desk.

@problemslvr We don't use debuggers.

@Dan - the desk itself provides enough support and stability for me arms. I think that's the advantage of a treadmill over a bike.

@D-O I like the geek desk. I wish I would have seen it earlier!

@FitzChivalry I just signed up on the ning group. Awaiting approval ...
LesInk Says:
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:23 PM
What about noise? The one thing I don't like is most treadmills are noisy and there is still only so much music that I care to listen to in a day to cover over the noise.
Mary Says:
March 4th, 2010 at 12:02 PM
How did you extend the IKEA legs? The solution isn't obvious from the photos.

I started walking/working about three weeks ago. My current set up is not only terribly ugly (a table atop concrete blocks), but also too small for my needs. Can't afford the geek desk, and your plan looks like a decent alternative, although unfortunately not adjustable.

Thanks for posting this info!
doug Says:
March 5th, 2010 at 06:41 AM
@LesInk - the noise isn't that bad and hasn't seemed to bother anyone else. This treadmill was advertised as quiet. MY one complaint is that the treadmill starts to squeak with each step at higher speeds. I feel like I could quiet it if I just found the right stop to shoot with some WD-40

@Mary. I didin't extend the legs, I managed to mount the tabletop directly to the treadmill itself.
George Palmer Says:
March 8th, 2010 at 07:28 AM
CheckoutChiWalking/ChiRunning for learning to walk with minimum impact (and sort your knee issues)
Reddit Comments Says:
March 8th, 2010 at 09:43 AM
Rededit comments:

http://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/b6evy/walkandcode/
Pawel Says:
March 10th, 2010 at 04:21 AM
I'm from Poland, greetings :)

I want to say, that the idea is amazing. I myself thought about it but i also thought, that isn't a good idea ;-) You guys showed me, that I wasn't right, so maybe I will try to built something like this.

Bye
JMLeon Says:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:04 AM
You should send this to Lifehacker's show and tell poll group in flickr.
Mr.Steam Cleaner Says:
July 2nd, 2010 at 03:28 PM
Did you see this guy?

http://www.thetreadmilldesk.com/diy-treadmill-desk

I think it's starting to catch on!

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Walk and Code

by: doug | February 25th, 2010 |