Walking to Work - Part Two - It's a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Project

Since my friend and fellow technical writer, Menno Schoone, of the Netherlands asks, here's the specs on my walking desk:

- Used Healthrider treadmill $400 - most important feature is the arms which jut out at a 90 degree angle from the vertical upright posts. This is vital and was chosen to support the desktop portion.
- white melamine shelf, 16"x 32" wide, selected for its ideal size, originally from bookshelves unit. It has a smooth, finished surface.
- two 3' heavy duty black rubber bungee cords from Home Depot linked together to wrap around the treadmill arms to secure the shelf.
- a wireless keyboard and mouse.

- optional accessory - a thin, black surface pad, probably from Staples or Ikea, so that the keyboard and mouse don't slip off.

Walking Desk or Torture Device, You Decide

read more about the inspiration for this in the post of October 2008

Treadmill is tilt adjusted to the maximum incline and set to walk at 1 mile per hour. Typing and data input is not affected however precise mouse movements for graphic work requires keen hand-eye coordination. Walking and talking over the phone presents no challenges and the party on the other end doesn't even realize you are exercising. Use of a cordless headset or bluetooth is a given.

Unresolved problem: Monitor. My flat screen (19") is too small for this setting given it is positioned 37" away from my face. It's not easy to focus. So I need a 24" mounted with an articulating arm. These expenses will add maybe more than $800.

Close up of Healthrider with jerry rigged accessories

In the mean time, I'm not exactly walking to work everyday. Have laptop and comfortable chair, instead I will write to work.