If you have a desk job and you can’t seem to find the time to work out, the TrekDesk Treadmill Desk offers a solution.
Consisting of a large height adjustable desktop that sits at the front and wraps around the sides of a treadmill, with a TrekDesk you will be able to exercise while you talk on the phone, use your computer for work or leisure, or do just about any other task that requires you to be at a desk.
In this Treadmill Desk review, we will look at its specs, key features, pros, and cons, to help you decide if it deserves a place in your home or office.
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TrekDesk Treadmill Desk Health & Fitness Benefits
It’s well-documented that people with a sedentary lifestyle tend to gain weight more easily than people who regularly exercise. Carrying excess weight puts us at an increased risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack. It also increases the risk of developing numerous diseases, including Diabetes and even certain types of cancer.
While walking on a TrekDesk is by no means the only way of lowering your risk, keeping physically active can go a long way towards helping to prevent these diseases and more.
Other possible benefits of using the TrekDesk regularly include weight management, stress reduction, and a lowering of blood pressure. Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and thrombosis prevention can also result. TrekDesk sessions can also help ease back, shoulder, and neck strain that can come from sitting at a desk for extended periods of time.
Furthermore, regular TrekDesk use increases mental clarity and productivity, due to increased blood flow to the brain. Your posture will also improve, through standing upright rather than sitting hunched over a computer keyboard for hours on end.
You won’t need to break a sweat to experience these advantages. Far from it, in fact. Walking at a pace of just 1 to 2 mph will enable you to improve your fitness safely. Do this for even two or three hours a day, a few days a week, and the miles, calories burned and benefits attained, will add up.
The average person will burn approximately 100 calories an hour, or per mile, walking on a TrekDesk. We need to burn 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound of body fat. Spending around nine hours a week walking at the slow speed of 1 MPH while you work, will result in a 1 pound per month weight loss, without you having to do anything else. If you cut calories as well, you will lose more weight, faster.
NB: Please note that this item is not currently available on Amazon.
TrekDesk Treadmill Desk Specs
Dimensions – The surface of the TrekDesk Treadmill Desk measures 72 inches across the front and 34 inches on either side. It has a depth of 18 inches.
Height – The desktop height can be adjusted from between 46 1/2″ to 56 1/2″.
User height – Recommended for people between the heights of 5′ 4″ and 6′ 4″, shorter and taller users have left positive feedback for the TrekDesk Treadmill Desk.
Desk weight – The desk weighs 57lbs.
Desktop weight capacity – The desktop can support up to 55 pounds of weight.
User weight – The upper user-weight limit for this model is 250 pounds.
Professional Opinions of the TrekDesk Treadmill Desk from Various Sources
TrekDesk Treadmill Overview
The desktop of the TrekDesk Treadmill is large enough to easily accommodate a computer keyboard, two or three monitors, a mouse, cell phone, files, and just about anything else you may want access to for the task at hand.
With so much room, you will be able to customize your desktop in a way that gives you the easiest and most comfortable access to the items you need, and you won’t have to worry about these getting in the way of your treadmill’s control buttons.
Coming with two built-in cup/utility holders, there’s also a manuscript holder, a tri-level file folder, and a telephone/headset stand.
The desk folds for compact storage.
Pros
- Wide user height range
The TrekDesk Treadmill is safe and effective for people of almost any height.
- Stability & Durability
With its scratch-resistant powder-coated steel frame and strong, steel-reinforced HDPE desktop, you will have a very stable surface to work on and you can expect to get years of use from your TrekDesk.
- Easy assembly
Setting up your TrekDesk Treadmill Desk is a quick process, and it couldn’t be easier. It will take one person about an hour, or less.
There are no diagrams to use as a visual reference, but the written instructions are very easy to follow. A video on the manufacturer’s website covers the assembly steps in even greater detail.
The thing that takes the most time is putting the many screws in place. Their size varies, and all are packaged in one bag, so separating them before you begin the assembly will make the job easier.
If you have access to a power drill, using it to tighten the screws will ensure the desk is secure. It will also save you time compared with tightening them manually.
- Warranty
This model comes with a 2-year warranty.
Cons
- Stability
Your TrekDesk will need to be positioned securely before you can use it. If it is even slightly misaligned, you will notice some side-to-side movement as you walk. While not a major problem, at the very least it will be distracting and make doing your work uncomfortable. And, if not rectified, it could, over time, cause the desktop to shift and possibly even fall.
If your desktop doesn’t feel as stable as you’d like, place it against a wall. Alternatively, position a bar between the desk’s legs to strengthen its center of gravity.
- Treadmill suitability
Before purchasing, measure the treadmill the TrekDesk is to be paired with, to make sure it will fit. You will also need to check that the treadmill’s controls will be accessible with the desktop attached.
- Learning curve
At first, even walking at the slow speed of 1 MPH will be a bit of a challenge when you are typing or manipulating a computer mouse at the same time. This means your productivity may suffer until you become used to it. This could take a while, depending on how often you use the desk. This is not exclusive to the TrekDesk Treadmill. There will be an adjustment period, regardless of the model or brand of treadmill desk you use.
Customer Opinions of the TrekDesk Treadmill
Looking at online reviews posted by purchasers of the TrekDesk, feedback is exceptionally positive.
The vast majority of those who left feedback consider the desk to be sturdy and functional. Quite a lot of people said they have no problem using the treadmill at a faster pace. They said that this, combined with a sensible eating plan, has enabled them to lose weight steadily.
A number of purchasers have said they’ve been experiencing fewer aches and pains since using the TrekDesk regularly. Many stated that they feel better in general and that they now have more energy and can concentrate for longer periods of time.
Shorter and taller users have left very positive feedback for this model. However, due to its short deck, people over the recommended maximum height might not find it comfortable or safe.
In the main, complaints about the TrekDesk have been relatively minor, though a few people have reported that their desk wobbles.
A small percentage of people left negative reviews after buying a TrekDesk, then finding it didn’t fit their treadmill. To avoid this scenario, check the measurements before you purchase. Some purchasers were expecting to receive a treadmill, as well as a desk.
TrekDesk Treadmill Desk Summary
Using a treadmill desk won’t deliver all of the benefits of a fast-paced workout, but it still has a lot of value. It’s a great starting point if you are new to fitness. It can also be used to supplement your regular workout. Or, if you don’t have time to exercise or you don’t want to, a treadmill desk will provide you with an easy way to get in some exercise.
Being a desk that attaches to a treadmill as opposed to a complete unit, the TrekDesk Treadmill Desk is more affordable than some similar offerings.
With the desktop being large, it will not suit every treadmill. For this reason, it is important to take accurate measurements before purchasing. Also, check that your treadmill’s controls will be within reach when the desk is attached.
If the size and control placement are a good match, be assured the TrekDesk is one of the best treadmill desks you will find for the price.
If you’re looking for an exercise bike with a desktop-sized to hold a laptop or tablet, check out the FitDesk 2.0. (Click the previous link to read a review.)