Biking desks are the new standing desks! More and more organizations worldwide are replacing regular desks with biking desks to help employees stay fit while at work. It’s no secret that office workers have a sedentary lifestyle. Some spend over 12 hours at the computer and have little or no time for exercise. According to researchers, prolonged sitting increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer.
Pedaling While at Work Can Help You Live Longer
Sitting all day is a common problem among office workers. Statistics show that over 40 percent of men and 50 percent of women spend less than a half hour per day walking around during their workday. This often leads to weight gain, anxiety, mental health problems, and chronic diseases. Other side effects include high cholesterol, insulin resistance, depression, and poor immunity. As little as 30 minutes of daily exercise can do wonders for your health.
A team of scientists from the University of Iowa have found a solution to this problem. They suggest placing a pedaling device under office desks so that employees can exercise while using the computer, talking on the phone, or typing documents. Those who used the above mentioned pedaling devices requested fewer sick days and focused better on their work. Their health improved significantly in a short time.
Work, Pedal, and Be Happy
Over the years, many companies have provided employees with fully equipped fitness centers or gym memberships. However, this approach failed because people don’t have time to leave their desk and spend up to an hour of their workday at the gym.
Pedaling devices, on the other hand, allow employees to exercise without leaving work. Additionally, they are much cheaper compared to regular gym memberships and fitness machines. It’s a simple, inexpensive solution that could yield big benefits, such as better overall health, increased productivity, better mood, and improved efficiency at work.
Photo by Steve Buissinne
