Portland Area Real Estate Appraisal Discussion

You might recognize the above screenshot from our parody video Portland Appraiser Shop.  It is the end of the year and many people are looking at the New Year as an opportunity to make healthy changes in their life.  In October of 2013, I wrote a blog post about my treadmill desk.  While a treadmill desk might seem more suited for a silly parody video, one year after changing to a treadmill desk, I can say that it is one of the best things I have ever done for my health, productivity, and happiness.

Sitting at a conventional desk has similar consequences on the human body as smoking, and these effects cannot be overcome just by exercising more.  Most real estate appraisers sit for ten hours or more per day.  The following short video is very informative about how harmful sitting only six hours per day can be.

A treadmill desk is such an easy solution to all of the problems associated with sitting too much.  Here is a 2014 peer reviewed study on the effects of treadmill desks and work performance.  For me, once a treadmill replaced my office chair, I quickly noticed the following benefits.  Consequently, I will never return to sitting while working.

1. More Productivity:  Working while walking increases blood flow and makes it easier for the brain to concentrate longer and to solve difficult problems.  It is not a coincidence that walking meetings are productive and popular.  Some people think that walking on a treadmill makes it difficult to type on a keyboard.  However, difficulty typing might only be true for the first day or two at a treadmill desk.  Remember that we are not running, just walking at a slow speed of about one to two miles per hour.  Also, a person working at a treadmill desk may choose to slow or stop the treadmill for certain tasks.  I occasionally step to the sides of the treadmill belt if I’m looking carefully at something small on the computer screen.

    

2. Less Back Pain:  When I sit or stand without walking, my body tends to slouch.  When I walk at a treadmill desk, the slouch goes away naturally.  In addition, walking keeps the muscles in your back and core strong, thereby preventing injury when you are away from your desk.

    

3. Less Need for Caffeine:  When I am walking at my treadmill desk, I rarely feel the need for something to wake me up.  Walking naturally increases heart rate and body temperature, keeping you more awake and alert.

    

4. Lower Blood Pressure:  My blood pressure was the lowest it has ever been on my last doctor visit.  I like to think that is due to the treadmill desk.  Prior to using a treadmill desk, I was better about doing regular cardiovascular workouts and even ran a couple half marathons.  Now, I can stay healthy with fewer conventional workouts.  In the New Year, I hope to exercise more away from my desk as well.

    

5. Increased Happiness:  When people feel healthy, they feel happy.  When finished after many hours of work at the treadmill desk, I don’t feel bad if my family asks me to sit down and watch a movie with them.  Putting my feet up after a long day of work is a nice reward without the guilt that I would have if I had sat at a desk all day.

If you’re thinking of switching to a treadmill desk but you do not want to spend a lot of money, check out the Confidence treadmill from Amazon for under $200.  After about 3,000 miles, my Confidence treadmill still works great.  The handlebars can easily be removed to slide under a desk and it is compact, and quiet.  Once you have a treadmill, just jack up your old desk, or buy a low-cost standing desk from Ikea.  I used a piece of Ikea butcher block that I had in my garage to fashion a new desk above my old desk. 

Did I leave anything out or do you want to join in the conversation?  Let me know in the comments below. 

This blog post is not offering medical advice, only my personal experiences as a Portland, Oregon real estate appraiser.  You should consult with your doctor or medical professional before you begin any exercise program or start using a treadmill desk.

If you find this information interesting or useful, please subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.  Also, please support us by making Portland real estate appraisal related comments on our blogs and YouTube videos.  If you need Portland, Oregon area residential real estate appraisal services for any reason, please request appraisal fee quote or book Gary F. Kristensen to speak at your next event.  We will do everything possible to assist you.

Thanks for reading,

Gary

Gary, I've seen a lot of people using the treadmill desk and may think about getting one myself. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Thank you for your comment Tom. All I can say is don't wait to give it a try. I waited two years.

Great post Gary. Not only are you a great Portland appraiser, you also care about your health! Couldn't agree more about standing at our desks...I've been doing it for over a year now. I can lower my desk to sitting position with a touch of a button, but in the past year, I've only done this 3 or 4 times. I stand on a rebounder, because it is easy on my joints and allows me to shift me weight. I am considering a treadmill though.

Thank you for your comment Jason Fischman. I never thought of a trampoline desk. That sounds very fun, quiet, and a great way to transition to a treadmill.

I agree with the video. I get a couple hours a day hiking with my dogs at a brisk pace but I still get a stiff and sore back from too much desk time.

Thank you for the comment Mike Turner. It must be great to get out and go for a hike a couple hours each day. It helps that you live in LA and usually have pretty good weather.

That was a very interesting read Gary. Sitting at a desk for all these years has been a strain on my back for sure. It feels like it is aging faster than the rest of me. Using a specialty desk chair from "Relax The Back" (A store specializing in designing desk chairs to better support the back) has helped some, but I know that standing would be completely different. I need to give it a try. Thank you for the great blog post.

Thank you Lucas for your comment. I would be interested to hear if you try a treadmill desk and if it works.

This is great. I definitely need to make some better health choices this year. I may have to consider something like this. I do sit way too often.

Thank you Ryan. I can see the Supper Appraiser Blogger working at a treadmill desk in the future.

Great post Gary! This is a great idea, anyone who sits in an office all day I am sure can relate. Thanks for sharing and continuing to provide excellent information and service. Mike

Thank you Michael. I hope that there will be a treadmill desk in your future.

Multi tasking on a different level from the Portland Appraiser. You have a lot of hobbies I now see where you get the energy.

Thank you for the comment John. Treadmill desks are a great way to have more energy.

Treadmill desk can enhance my work performance and work make me refresh when walking on treadmill. Sometime I feel bore when use treadmill actually. Then use laptop for entertainment. Treadmill desk is more important for using. Thanks for sharing.