Most of us are trying to stay healthy and fit… but we usually don’t have a lot of extra time to schedule workouts. Driving to a gym can be time-consuming, not to mention inconvenient. These two factors alone can keep us from working out regularly.
So why not workout – while we are at work?
Seems like a no-brainer. We won’t have to schedule workouts, drive to a gym or class or find the energy to exercise after a long day of work.
In fact, lots of people are jumping on the bandwagon. Some use a standing desk converter or purchase a treadmill that they walk on while working. Many computer users and those with desk jobs have discovered the health benefits of walking and are burning calories while they’re getting work done.
No more waking up extra early to get to the gym before work – or struggling through your evening exercise class on the way home from work. Now you can save yourself an hour of time while staying active throughout the entire day instead of just sitting.
But we’re finding that there actually lots of benefits to walking on a treadmill at work. No, you don’t have to run, and you don’t even have to walk fast. Here’s a list of all the great reasons why you may want to invest in a treadmill desk…
8 Health Benefits of Walking at Work
1. Standing and moving while working has shown to increase cognitive function and focus. This is ideal in a work environment, where a more effective and efficient brian can help you do your job better… and faster.
2. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, walking is good for your bones. While you get to avoid the high-impact downside of running, your bones can still benefit from the upright exercise of walking, where your bones are supporting the weight of your body.
3. Walking helps improve blood circulation (vs sitting). Better circulation can have numerous health benefits, including promoting cell growth, organ function and even things like healthier skin.
4. The Arthritis Foundation says that it’s great for mood, among other things. You don’t have to be suffering from depression to notice the difference when you take a 30-minute walk. Now just think about how you can feel if you can do that multiple times a day.
5. Walking may lessen the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that regular walking can improve insulin sensitivity.
6. Even slow walking can help you burn calories and fat. The more you move, the more you can raise your metabolism, and therefore burn more calories). Think about it, it’s better than sitting at a desk all day.
7. Walking gives you an energy boost. While other more strenuous and fast-paced workouts can tire you out, walking provides movement and circulation without tiring out your muscles. After a while, you may find that you don’t need that afternoon pick-me-up or that mid-morning second cup of coffee.
8. Some people find that years of sitting all day at a desk results in back pain. Working while moving (ie. a treadmill) rather than a stationary position, can help alleviate this problem. Furthermore, it can prevent joint stiffness that can often come from being in one position for too long.
The Mayo Clinic says that tracking your progress can help you stay motivated. Starting in small increments and increasing them slowly can be an effective way to build new habits, so that walking at work will not seem like work. After a while it will seem as natural as sitting at your desk, but you get to reap all of the rewards…
