How to make a treadmill desk

This treadmill desk is not a fancy schmancy TreadDesk or TrekDesk. Those things were

1. Too expensive

2. Couldn’t be adjusted to what I needed.

What were my priorities:

1. A 27″ screen, and accompanied 19″ screen.

2. Being able to sit and stand at my desk, instead of it just being a standing desk.

3. Keeping my current desk. It’s a heavy wood and green leather antique I bought several years ago from an antique store and I refuse to part with it.

4. Fairly convenient space wise because I have limited room in my bedroom to put all this.

Before I bought anything:

I window shopped. I learned. I figured out what was going to be best for my situation. I went on to eBay all the time and watched how much treadmills went for. I assessed the prices of desks that already went up and down, how much it would cost to try and make my desk go up and down, how the hell I would make my desk go up and down, what I was going to do with my screens, etc.

I read the experiences of other people. Saw their youtube videos, saw how almost everyone went for a permanent solution and had a high desk built.

I researched how to pull apart treadmills. I had a treadmill but it was broke and I sold it on eBay for $50 because repairing it would have cost $500- and I could buy a completely new one for that price. I considered what style of treadmill would be best. You’d think the more expensive the treadmill the better but that’s not the case. I had two specifications I had to follow:

1. I just had to walk on it so it didn’t have to be super heavy duty.

2. It had to have a rectangular console so that when I pulled it apart I could put it somewhere and it wouldn’t take up a whole lot of room. In fact once I move in to my next place I could probably mount it on the wall or something, but at least it’s rectangular and can just sit there.

Didn’t need a heart monitor. Didn’t need programs or any of that stuff, don’t even need an incline. Just speed and time.

I’m a compulsive buyer. I’ve been in a financial learning program and for the first time in a long time have been browsing and learning before I buy. But I wanted one of those hydraulic desks that go up and down with the push of a button. Sooooooooooooooooo easy. But really… necessary? And it would mean sacrificing my current desk. So it was need vs want. And I went with need all the way. I’ll go with want down the track when I save some more money.

What I decided on:

SportsArt Powerfit 1096N Motorized Treadmill

This treadmill is an old baby and has been sitting outside for a while. There were two treadmills exactly the same being sold and it was just before Christmas so they were going cheap. The other went for about $150, I got this one for $80. Because I sold my one for $50 I figured $30 out of pocket was great. Even if it didn’t work at least I’d try it out and learn a few things on the way. I wanted to figure out how to pull a treadmill apart and if $30 was how much it was going to cost me so be it.

When I bought it though and went to pick it up I had second thoughts. Of course you go and the guy describes it as barely used and whatever but it’s got paint splotches on it and stuff. I get on it to give it a go and nearly fall of cos it slips and doesn’t run smoothly. But I don’t care, I convince myself, I’m buying it just to learn.

I bought it on a stinking hot 40 degree day. I managed to con Mike and my dad to go out with me and get their help. My dad’s car has no air conditioning. It was an adventure. We get it back here and I take it off the trailer. I’m so excited by the prospect however that I go out at the hottest part of the day and begin pulling it apart- and almost give myself heatstroke.

What tools did I need to pull it apart:

An Allan key, and a phillips head screwdriver. I needed the allan key for most of it, but the screwdriver to pull off the hand rails.

I’m not very technically minded but I like figuring things out. It was a lot less complex than I thought and as I learned I think the majority of treadmills have its wiring from the motor to the console in one of the hand rails, and they’re attached via a plug type thing so once you’ve detached the handrail by unscrewing it you unplug it– this one sort of looked like the sata plugs you find in a computer but they’re very straight forward.

So all I needed to do was remove the hand rails which was screwed at the bottom and the top and the console came off. It was then just taking it in to the room and plugging the console back to the motor and plugging it in to the wall and making sure it worked, and it did.

My first attempt on the treadmill was with nervous anticipation. I seriously considered investing in a helmet. It kept slipping and I had a lot of ‘OH GOD GONNA DIE’ moments. But I learned how to tighten the belt and keep it even, and after the first hour yesterday I’ve learned that 2.6kms is my speed and I only slipped maybe once today. My body is adjusting to the treadmill and interpreting its movements so that it seems I’m in sync with it now. When I slip I automatically correct myself so it’s minimal.

SO treadmill sorted.

Then monitor:

Mike had this sort of arm which he has allowed me to use:

My arm can be adjusted up and down so when I’m standing I can pull it up and when I’m sitting I can pull it down. Unlike currently where it’s just propped up on to a small table. This may be the most expensive part of the whole process.

Thirdly keyboard and mouse:

Don’t underestimate this part, it is extremely important to have your keyboard and mouse at the right height. It’s not like when you’re sitting and you can relax your arms. If it’s not the right height your wrists, and finger joints could end up aching.

I measured from the top of my desk (when I stood on the treadmill) to a good height and found anything around 40-45 cms was good. Ikea makes this:

For $15. It is the perfect height for me- however is only wide enough to house my keyboard. So I’m going to have to find something for my mouse. At the moment though this is what I have propping up my monitor. And I have my housemate’s laptop desk standing on my desk:

The laptop desk is good and actually tilts so I can have the keyboard facing me, but it is too tall. Rises up to the bottom of my rib cage.

From the image of the result of my endeavour you can see my main screen on the top, my laptop desk with the keyboard and mouse (wireless keyboard and mouse- essential for this sort of set up), the treadmill below. I have the console resting against the left side of the desk and lean over to turn it on when I’m ready. When I want to move the treadmill I lift it up and put it on its side to the left side under the desk, so I can wheel my chair in beside it and sit.

Final thoughts on it:

I’m not totally comfortable with the set up yet. Mainly because of the height of the keyboard; at the moment the monitor is actually at the perfect height. Once I can use the keyboard and mouse comfortably, permanently then I’ll be happy. Today I was able to write a whole email while on the treadmill. I was able to walk without holding on to anything and that’s great.

The treadmill still needs fine tuning but I don’t mind because I’m still learning and I’m happy to wear this treadmill out in the next month or two and save for a good one next time because I know what I’m doing. I’ll still get a second hand one next time but a newer one. I have more understanding with what I want and I know how a treadmill works and how it comes apart and goes back together.

There are actually desk frames I’ve found which do the hydraulic lift- and have no top. and I figured I could get one that’s the right height and stick it under my desk and it’ll lift up like a normal desk, just with two sets of legs- one in the ground and one in the air. They’re about $750-$1100, so that would be a serious investment but if this pans out it would be worth it.

I can walk and work- that’s what I wanted!

Physical report: 

What is my goal?

Walking up to five hours a day. I’m on the computer ALL DAY. I get on after I get up and work and even after I finish work I stay on there. So we’re talking anything up to 15 hours a day of sitting. So even just five hours a day of that which comes to about 10ks a day is what I’m aiming for. If I can do more? Great. If I do less? Totally fine. But that’s what I’m working towards.

So how do I feel on day two?

I wondered if I could just get on it and go on my first day. No. Why no? Because you’re not just walking. Your whole body is locked up in preparation of a decent tumble. So it’s not just walking it’s an entire body tension from your head to your toes. I managed one half hour and then did another half hour before bed. I felt great just for doing that.

Today, doing two and a bit hours broken up, an hour each? The time goes quickly, and I feel great afterwards. My body is buzzing tonight, endorphins are definitely raging. And having a shower at the end of the day feels great!

So that’s my home made treadmill desk! I hope this entry helps others make an informed decision and realise you don’t have to spend thousands to get what you want. It may not appear glamorous but it does what it’s supposed to and that’s the important thing.

I made this decision because I saw this video and it convinced me considering how little we need to do to make such a change, maybe you could do it to?

Enjoy! [23 and 1/2 hours]:

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Tags: ebay, treadmill, treadmill desk