I'm going to tell you a little story right now about how I almost died. I've been writing this blog for 5 years. That means 5 years of sitting at a desk with my shoulders all hunched up and my head tilted forward and my legs dangling from a chair because contrary to what it looks like on the Internet, I'm actually about the size of a kidney bean. From sitting at a desk for 5 years my body has been all squinched and bent and mashed into a peculiar shape. I have blogger bod.
That's an actual photograph of me. I thought I was standing straight. A life of blogging means a lot of time spent at a desk writing, photoshopping, emailing advertisers and watching cat videos on YouTube. It's the same for anyone who spends a lot of time working at a desk.
My other home office improvement that's saved my sanity is painting an entire wall with whiteboard paint. I have a whiteboard wall.
I noticed 3 things after blogging for a few months. I'd gained 5 pounds, my muscles from the base of my neck to my shoulders were REALLY tight and I was getting constant headaches.
When things got really bad I'd lug all 3 pounds of my laptop downstairs (which was a great deal of effort for someone who now spent all day sitting), and I'd set it up on my kitchen counter so I could stand while I worked. My muscles instantly relaxed.
I looked into standing desks and then walking desks when they started to get popular but the cost of your average walking desk is $2,000. And they're HUGE. And with those desks your head is STILL tilted downwards if you're using a laptop which defeats the purpose of getting a walking desk if the point is to improve your posture.
So last January I changed my life by building my own walking desk for a mere $250 which included the price of the treadmill. That's right. Treadmill and all for $250! And here's how I did it. (don't worry a rundown of the instructions and materials will be at the end of the post)
For a walking desk you need a place for your keyboard and a place for your laptop or monitor. The monitor should be at eye level with your head in a neutral position. So, not tilted up or tilted down. The keyboard should be lower than you think. Most people think your elbows should be at a 90 degree angle but they should actually be lower than that in order for your shoulders to relax. So to set up your DIY walking desk all you have to do is install 2 shelves. One for your monitor and one for your keyboard.
The top shelf is a floating shelf that measures 24" wide by 2" thick by 10" deep. This is the size you need if you're going to put a monitor or laptop on it. It has the size and strength to hold your very expensive piece of computer equipment.
The bottom shelf holds your wireless keyboard, mouse pad (Apple track pad in this case) and drink. This shelf is a folding shelf made by attaching a shelf board to folding shelf brackets. That means if I want to fold the treadmill up and get it out of the way I just have to flip down the shelf and the treadmill can be folded up right where it is. More on that later.
So far all we have are 2 shelves on a wall, but add in the smallest, most portable treadmill available anywhere and you have a DIY walking desk for the total cost of $250. I spent a LOT of time figuring this out. I looked at small treadmills that just fit under your desk and I looked at getting a big used treadmill off of Kijiji.
Trust me when I tell you if you want to make a walking desk, especially for a small area this is the treadmill to buy. The Confidence Power Plus Treadmill clocks in at $199 with free shipping, is only 49" inches long and 24" wide at its widest part. They say it's useable for someone up to 250 pounds.
If you're in Canada the link might not work. If it doesn't, just click here and search "Confidence Power Plus Treadmill". The item is only sold in America but does ship to Canada.
It's a regular treadmill with everything you need in a walking desk treadmill. It monitors your speed, time, distance and calories burned. You can set whatever speed you want from a slow walk to a fast run. The speed range of the treadmill is from 0.6 m.p.h to 6.2 m.p.h. (that's around 1km per hour to 10 km per hour) That's the thing about this. It's an American product so it reads in Imperial, not metric. You have miles per hour for speed and miles for distance.
To full out run on the treadmill, you just have to fold down your folding desk to give you more room. If you don't want to do that and you have the space, you can just pull your treadmill away from the shelf a little bit to give yourself some room. Your floating shelf that holds your monitor stays put so you can continue to read (as if) or watch a TV show while you're running.
The other reason why installing a folding shelf is important if you have a small space is because you can fold the shelf down and then fold up the treadmill.
If you use the shelving sizes I recommend, everything will fold up into a 10" x 24" space.
Which leaves you all this space for filming your own YouTube cat videos.
DIY Walking Desk
Materials
24" x 14" x ⅝" Melamine Shelf (note you will have to cut 4" off of this shelf to make it 20" wide otherwise it won't fit in between the bars of the treadmill) You can also buy iron on edge tape to cover up your cut. I couldn't find a ⅝ths one on Amazon, this one is ¾" and would need to be cut down slightly to fit your ⅝ths shelf.
Confidence Power Plus Treadmill (If you're in Canada the link might not work. Just click here and type "Confidence Power Plus Treadmill in the search bar)
Instructions
- Hang floating shelf on wall (according to package directions) so your computer screen will be eye level for you.
- Attach the floating shelf brackets to your melamine shelf and hang (according to package directions) at a level so your arms will be hanging slightly down when they reach the keyboard on it like you can see in the ergonomic diagram earlier in the post)
- Roll your treadmill into place.
Done. For Canadians it's cheaper to buy your shelf stuff online from Home Depot. You can get the floating shelf here and the folding brackets here. For your melamine shelf check out the Home Depot, Canadian Tire or Home Hardware. You may need to cut it to fit. If you DO cut your shelf to fit you can also buy iron on melamine edge tape to cover up your cuts.
The only thing you absolutely have to buy on Amazon is the actual Confidence Treadmill. Unlike when I bought it, they now ship the treadmill Canada! Everything else can be bought at Home Depot or Lowes. This treadmill is only available on American Amazon, so I ordered it from there with the free shipping and had it delivered to a CBI shipping address in the States for $6. Then I drove over to Buffalo to pick it up.
As soon as I got the treadmill home I set it up and was using it within a day. My headaches went away almost immediately, I lost those 5 pounds and my shoulders have sunk down from my ears to a more appropriate place. All 3 ailments resolved within a few weeks of using a Walking Desk.
I was so excited I almost died.
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Kiara
Links are dead! I need that treadmill
Karen
Kiara! They must have sold out! So I found another link with the same price and free shipping as well (to the US). They will ship to Canada also if you happen to be in Canada. http://amzn.to/1O2vkbB ~ karen!
Alice
This link isn't working either - 404 Not found error message.
Grammy
Alice, I just this minute clicked this latest link and it came up with the Amazon site and the treadmill is available at the price Karen stated. Try again?
Heather
You are just brilliant!
Mary W
Blogger bod? I have Type II Blogreader Bod and the need for exercise is doctor recommended for life. I have little room, just enough for a recliner with a laptop shelf. Every wall is covered with shelves except for one tiny wall. This will soon be covered with your FANTASTIC idea. Outside walking the dog is free and fresh air, but I sweat like a pig (actually pigs don't sweat which is why they prefer wet dirt to keep cool) and my dog gets distracted easily and can't walk far with her collapsed trachea. So now I don't even walk much. Its a hard life, watching laptop all day! I'm so excited, I can't wait to get this done. You have saved my life - love you girl!
Debbie
The Amazon links are not working for me............ waaaaaaaaaaa
Karen
Hi Debbie! They must have sold out on the treadmill! Not to worry, I've updated the links to another seller (same price and free shipping to US, not sure of cost of shipping to Canada but they do deliver to Canada) http://amzn.to/1O2vkbB ~ karen!
gabrielle
I've been computing full time+ since 1989. Often under great pressure. Plus, I have anxiety disorder. I'm sure this would have helped in the early days, but now I couldn't identify a 'neutral' position anywhere in my body, even if I had any feeling left. My G.P. says my entire back is made of cement. Even whirlpool doesn't help, because I get jumpy when I'm not doing anything. When Neil Young said it's better to burn out than fade away, he didn't have a clue. Medically induced coma, anyone?
Karol
Hmmm, I'm not convinced. I can't do anything on a treadmill except hold on or maybe swing my arms. I can't imagine what my text would look like if I tried to type on a keyboard and walk at the same time. Given, I'm hold as dirt, but really? I see people in my neighborhood walking and reading a book at the same time, and that just about triggers a vertigo episode thinking about it.
Karen
There's definitely a bit of a learning curve, lol. But you just walk slowly. It's just enough to make you move so you're not sitting. Sitting is so bad for you. You a even just stand, but walking is a bit better. And anyone can walk while reading emails. Or watching cat videos. ~ karen!
Eileen
I love all this, but it's based on the theory of being able to "chew gum and walk" at the same time. I'm afraid I'd become engrossed something on the screen and forget to walk!!!! Coordination is an acquired talent for me. Great idea, though!!!
Maggie
You can still use a standing desk though--Google varidesk for a reasonable desk topper that converts your existing desk to standing. Good standing mat there also.
To try it out free temporarily, test out putting your computer on boxes. I swear even standing gives you more energy than sitting all day!
Kathryn
Apparently the treadmill is sold out :( They're suggesting a big one for $759 so I'll have to look around for another small one.
Good idea having the small folding one -- it's not much more than a really good chair which will try to kill you -- if you love it you can get a bigger, better treadmill later.
Karen
They are sold out. But use this link Kathryn (make sure you're on the AMERICAN Amazon, not Canadian_ http://amzn.to/1O2vkbB. Same price and free shipping and they deliver to Canada. ~ karen!
Kathryn
It's telling me $200 for shipping (for a total of $399 US which is about a million dollars Canadian) so I think I'll just look around locally.
Thanks for the update.
Karen
Yikes! Well I can tell you that you won't find it locally. It doesn't exist. I looked for over a month. If you live near a border do what I did which was have it shipped to the states and drive and pick it up. Barring that, I'd contact the seller and ask if they can lower the shipping. 8 times out of 10 they can. ~ karen!
Dahn
You're on Amazon.ca
Go to this link: http://www.amazon.com/Confidence-Power-Motorized-Electric-Treadmill/dp/B00B280LOO
Dahn
I tried to add a link and it says it cant find it.
Just Google Confidence Power Plus Motorized Electric Treadmill and then look for the Amazon.com site. Be careful you are not in the amazon.ca site.
I can get it free delivery to the Arctic, so I know its the right link.
Dahn
Kathryn
Hey Dahn,
No, I'm quite definitely on .com (it did take me to .ca, but I switched it back) and it's quite definitely saying that shipping to my address (not in the Arctic) is 200.00 US. I'm not saying it's not a great idea, just not for me at that price. I will keep an eye out for something reasonable.
(Another webmaster note -- I'm not sure if it's because a comment thread is of limited length, but I can't reply to DAHN, only to my own message or the first reply).
Karen
Hi Kathryn! Uch. I'm playing around with how many comments can "nest". Apparently once you get to comment number 4 on an iPhone you can barely read the nested comments. So ... clearly I need more than 3 nested comments which is what I'm currently testing out. :) ~karen!
CathyB
Well I live in Alaska and I just looked it up and it gave me $1000 for shipping! Ouch!
Linda J Howes
Sheer genius!
Linda J Howes
In fact, I'm with Betty on this one. One of your best yet!
Denise Leavens
Karen,
Eureka! Just what I need. Well done, good and faithful DIY person!
Do you know if lath & plaster walls are hollow? Will the hollow wall anchor you demonstrated yesterday work with lath and plaster walls? (Abominable lath and plaster...grumble, growl.)
Karen
It depends on how crumbly your wall is Denise, but yes these are the bolts to try with plaster and lath. ~ karen!
Dagmar
That is an amazing idea. I love how little space it takes, and how you can fold it under. I noticed that there are some soft linen curtains behind the treadmill, please do be careful not to get those caught into the machine...never mind losing those imaginary 5 pounds you think you've gained, that will have you losing your teeth !
MissChris SA
Wow - that is mega impressive.
I wish SA had the online shops etc. that you have overseas.
Actually, maybe its better if we don't, I would be more broke than I already am!!
Mindy
My husband, who works on fitness equipment for a living, snorted at the treadmill. I'm out of this conversation, because I know nothing about them. At all. His one and only sentence was, "That's probably not the treadmill to buy." Don't shoot the messenger.
Karen
Well you tell your husband to suck it. It absolutely IS the treadmill to buy. This isn't a "Hey i'm gonna work out every day" treadmill, it's a treadmill for a walking desk that maybe once in a blue moon you're going to run on. Anything bigger, like a big fancy treadmill won't work for this setup (which isn't to exercise per say but to move) So to reiterate tell him to suck it. Special from me. ;) ~ karen!
Stephanie Hobson
Ha! You told him!!!
Grammy
I was thinking just what you said, Karen! This isn't a workout treadmill, it's for a walking desk. And it's perfect for that.
Dahn
Love it! lol
And I think this is one of the most brilliant ideas I have seen here. Along with the mushroom wreath, the log side table and the boneless turkey.
kate-v
well, i just scrolled down until I came to these bright white spaces that I recognized from when I made comments in the past so I could make one last comment: I cannot read a blessed thing you have written in black(?) on dark gray(?) if this is the new look, it is not for these old eyes. Hope you have a good life - I enjoyed the blog when I could see it
Stephanie Hobson
Kate, on my computer it's black on light gray with a dark gray either side of it. I'm sure Karen would like to know about these problems and it would help if you could give her some information about your computer setup, in particular what browser you're using and it's version. In the meantime there is a solution for you. If you would drag and highlight the copy (or where the copy should be, between the pictures) it should highlight as white on black, or maybe dark blue. That way you won't have to miss any of Karen's brilliant ideas. ~Stephanie Hobson
Karen
I'm afraid this is definitely how the blog is going to look kate-v. Funny because the majority of people are saying they find it easier to read because there's no glare from the white. You can try increasing the size of your font by pressing CTL-+. So CTL with the minus sign makes the font smaller or CTL with the plus sign makes it bigger. If you're on a Mac you would use command instead of CTL. ~ karen!
Debbie
Karen, I'm with Kate. There isn't enough contrast between the light black of the words with the gray of the page. Either a darker or bolder font, or a lighter shade of gray background really would help those of us with older eyes. Maybe most of the comments are coming from younger eyes. Please reconsider. I'm not leaving, but I can't read as many of the comments or read your great blogging as thoroughly as it hurts my eyes (even with reading glasses on).
Karen
Hi Debbie. I'm afraid after a year of designing there's no going back now. :( The font is in black, as dark as it can be and I can't change the font. I can try a slightly lighter background but I don't want it to be white because other people found the white to be very glaring. :( As we all know it's impossible to please everyone but I'll try to find a happy medium. ~ karen!
Pam
I personally don't find the color of the background or the the font to be the problem, but the weight of the font. It's composed of a much thinner line and that's why I am having trouble with it. It helps some if I use the zoom function of my browser (on my laptop) , but it does still require me to strain to make out the text. Of course, I don't expect you to change the font of your newly re-designed site, but I thought I'd throw my feedback into the mix. FWIW :-)
Teri
I concur, the font is skinny. hard for older eyes. On a Mac Laptop, don't like having to adjust the zoom to read a blog. just saying... and agreeing.
Jan in Waterdown
Just my 2 cents worth (which of course is worth waaay more than that imho), my iPad version is somewhat different than my PC desktop with the PC being nicer. Either way, it's very easy on these 64 yr old eyes!
Grammy
My eyes are older than a whole lot of people who hang out here, and I find that reading the comments on my laptop (which I'm doing now) is far better now than it used to be because the glare is now non-existent. I love the black on light gray. I do recall, however, that I thought there wasn't enough contrast when I was reading it on my iPad, so maybe that's the problem -- not the design of the website but the adjustment of each individual reader's screen?
If any of you are having trouble with reading the comments section on an iPad, here's a tip: Open "Settings", scroll down to tap "Display and Brightness" (it will be right under "General" on the list) and look over on the right side of your screen.
You will see a little ball you can drag left or right on a bar to adjust the brightness of your screen, which will make the background whiter. Under that little bar it says Auto-Brightness, and if that is turned on (it will show green if it is) your screen adjusts to ambient light and in my case, that almost always makes my screen darker than I need for my older eyes. Tap that little circle next to it and you will see if your screen automatically gets lighter or darker. If it's on and your screen lightens when you tap it off, then turn it off and do your own adjustment on the little bar to make your screen right for you, and leave the auto-adjust off.
Right under the Brightness section you'll see "Text Size". Tap on that and you will see a little slider to drag left or right to make your text larger or smaller. Adjust your text size to your liking. Going back to "Display and Brightness" you'll see that right underneath the place where you tapped to adjust text size it says "Bold text". You tap the little circle to turn that on. A window pops up saying if you turn that on your iPad will re-start. If you want to do that, turn it on and let the restart happen.
Sorry this comment is so long, but if you can make adjustments on your devices, you might find that you're perfectly happy with the looks of things and can read with ease. I hope this helps someone.
Lin N
It is a brilliant idea! Well executed Karen! Once upon a time I was an 'Ergonomic Assessor' for office workers. Forearms should be a bit below 90 degrees, your's appear a fair bit below that...then again I worked with each persons personal range of comfortability. One is trying for neutral tension in shoulders, arms and wrists. The perfect keyboard shelf I would suggest is one that is adjustable up and down, as well as foldable. Very good post.
TucsonPatty
Now I have to find the perfect place to install this brilliant set-up!!
I *need* this!! Thanks for all the research done for us!
Jan in Waterdown
Effin' brillyunt!! You da woman!
Karen
Betty thinks it's the greatest thing I've ever accomplished, lol. ~ karen!
Dominic
I see you've snipped the E-stop cord on your treadmill... You're a dangerous woman. Total Anarchy could ensue!
Karen
I know, right? Hardcore. Next I'll be drawing a tear on my cheek with a Sharpie. ~ karen!
j
You are amazing! [You were using this all summer and you didn't share? I feel sort of left out,,,,] Betty should be so-o-o proud of you! but here's the problem-what do the folks do who type with two fingers, and have to look at the keyboard ? What's an e stop cord? cutting it doesn't make the god of electricity angry? And LOVE your wood floors!!!
peg
nice build,great idea!
Pati Gulat
That's AWESOME, Karen ! I have blogger butt and I'm not even a blogger but I can sure use this cos I DO love me some Facebook !! BRAVO !
Karen
Thanks Pati. No joke ... it's one of the greatest things I've ever done. I don't use it as much in the summer because I'm naturally exercising and moving around more but even just yesterday while I was working I was on it and walking for all of my emails, writing and a bit of Photoshopping. Plus instead of tiring me out it gives me energy. WAY more energy than if I were just sitting all day. I love it. Did I mention I love it? I'm so happy I found that tiny treadmill (it took many weeks of searching online for a solution until I found my tiny treadmill) ~ karen!
Pati Gulat
I think its fabulous !!
Emma
Awesome!!!