Science has proven that exercising has numerous benefits that aren’t just physical. Adhering to a regular exercise routine can also improve your mental health and performance. That’s why we at Lifespan Fitness believe you should be able to exercise while you’re at work. Our standing desk treadmills and under desk bikes offer people of all fitness levels the convenience of working out throughout the workday.
At first, this might seem counterintuitive. After all, how can you work and workout? The beauty of our products is that they don’t require you to commit to vigorous exercise programs that drain you like those you might adhere to after work hours. With standing desk treadmills and under bike desks, you can workout at a steady pace that fits your fitness preferences while retaining your focus. In fact, many studies show that you might even improve your focus due to the increased oxygen to the brain.
When five o’clock rolls around, you shouldn’t feel like you need to wear yourself out trying to burn a few extra calories. You should be able to relax and enjoy the rest of your day. Standing desk treadmills and under desk bikes can both help you accomplish this. The only question is, which one better fits your fitness preferences?
A Matter of Preference: Standing Desk Treadmills Vs. Under Desk Bikes
Choosing between a standing desk treadmill and an under desk bike comes down to preference more than practicality. However, there are some factors to consider before choosing your at-home fitness application such as your space or working preferences.
Under desk bikes occupy less space in your office and offer the benefit of being able to sit at your desk. Some folks aren’t keen on the idea of standing throughout the day at a standing desk treadmill. However, if you have the space, you can use the standing desk treadmill as an additional workstation so you don’t have to stand all day.
The Benefits of Exercising At Work
When you consider the value of exercise, you likely focus on the physical benefits, such as lower blood pressure, better cardiovascular health, or a more attractive physique. But that’s only half the equation when it comes to being active at work.
Over the past decade, social scientists have studied the psychological and sociological benefits of remaining active at work. The evidence is near-unequivocal that remaining active at work improves performance.
Some of the psychological benefits scientists have connected with exercise at work are as follows:
- Improved concentration
- Sharper memory
- Increased cognition
- Maintained mental stamina
- Enhanced creativity
- Lower stress
Exercise can also improve mental health, which is integral to work performance. Chances are, your job requires extensive interpersonal connections and collaborative skills. Taking this into account, you have to be mentally and physically healthy to succeed in the workplace.
Substantial evidence suggests that working out at your workplace can boost your performance. A Leeds Metropolitan University study examined this correlation. The study had over 200 participants and compared work output on days they exercised to days they did not.
On days when employees exercised, they were more productive than on days they didn’t. The study reported increases in time management, productivity, and communication skills. Lastly, they went home feeling more satisfied at the end of the day.
For many of us, the reason why we don’t exercise comes down to time constraints. We all have busy schedules and deadlines can get out of control. Lifespan Fitness’s standing desk treadmills and under bike desks respond to this need, killing two birds with one stone.
Benefits of a Standing Desk Treadmill
Posture and Less Belly Fat
One of the major benefits of a standing desk treadmill is that you don’t have to hunch while working. One of the main reasons we accumulate fat around our waist and form a pair shaped body is due to sitting all day. A standing desk treadmill allows us to move during the day, avoiding sitting all day. Focusing on your gait as you walk is an easy way to improve your posture. Here are some tips to ensure your treadmill improves your posture rather than hinders it.
- Ensure your head and neck are aligned.
- Your elbows should remain tight at your side at a 90 degree angle.
- The top of your computer monitor should remain at or just below eye-level.
- Shoulders relaxed in a neutral position.
- Your wrists and hands should remain aligned with your elbows.
Decreased Back Pain
Using a standing desk treadmill strengthens your trunk, core, and lumbar muscles. It also improves stability flexibility in your lower back. These muscles can become deconditioned from a sedentary lifestyle and this deconditioning can cause a misalignment leading to fatigue, injury, and pain. It can also reduce your spinal muscles’ mass over time.
When you sit, the lack of inactivity can also cause your muscles to stiffen and immobilize over time. This stiffness increases pressure on your lumbar spine. Walking increases your flexibility due to the extension that occurs in your hamstrings, spinal erectors, and gluteus muscles.
In a 2018 study, patients who used standing desks experienced a 50% decrease in low back pain compared to the control group that did not. Standing desk treadmills take this one step further by ensuring you keep your back stabilized and work on your posture throughout the day.
More Calories Burnt
Because running is more of a full body workout than cycling, the standing desk treadmill gets the slight edge in this category. Running also involves more work output, making it a more intense cardiovascular workout.
While standing desk treadmills and under bike desks offer flexible workout intensity and volume options, in general, standing desk treadmills offer a slight advantage for those trying to improve their cardiovascular health for events such as 5Ks or marathons.
If you choose the standing desk treadmill for its ability to provide a more intense workout, you should consider investing in the appropriate footwear. Because treadmills offer a more intense workout, they are also harsher on your body.
Benefits of a Under Desk Bike
Impact
The increased stress of running comes with its drawbacks such as its ability to cause shin splints, runner’s knee, and plantar fasciitis. One of the under desk bike benefits comes from being able to avoid the stress running puts on the body.
Cycling is a no-impact exercise that allows you to focus intently on muscle contractions without worrying about whether you’re putting undue stress on joints, tendons, and ligaments. So, if you’re an avid runner, you will obviously want to opt for the treadmill. But if you are just looking for light exercise while at work, you might want to consider an under desk bike.
Footwear
When you use an under desk bike, you don’t have to invest in costly running equipment such as specialized shoes. Since biking is a no-impact form of exercise, you can wear pretty much whatever shoes you like, though dress shoes aren’t the most advisable as they can be fairly uncomfortable while cycling.
Leisurely Pace
Due to their no-impact qualities, under bike desks offer a more leisurely exercise environment than standing desk treadmills. Additionally, even though LIfespan’s Treadmills are exceptionally silent, under desk bikes are quieter. Cycling also provides a steady rhythm that can help cultivate a heightened sense of concentration.
Conclusion- Should I Choose a Standing Desk Treadmill or Under Desk Bike?
Choosing between a standing desk treadmill or an under desk bike is a matter of preference rather than functionality. Both offer the distinct benefit of being able to remain active throughout your workday and potentially increasing your productivity, mood, and communication skills.
These machines also help you save time so you don’t have to sacrifice leisure time after work for fitness time. Using a standing desk treadmill or under desk bike lets you focus on what’s most important after work: spending time with family and friends, having time to relax, and recuperating to meet the day anew.
Browse our selection of standing desk treadmills or desk bikes today to start living the fitness life you deserve. At Lifespan, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
