I remember rolling my eyes when I first received a press release detailing the many walking desk benefits. What next, I thought. Dining chairs with pedals so we can cycle our way through mealtimes? A leg press toilet attachment so we can strength train while we… use the loo?
It’s not that I disagreed with the sentiment that we should be moving our bodies more – particularly when so many of us live such sedentary, desk-heavy lifestyles. NHS guidelines recommend at least two strength training sessions and 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week to reduce the risk of developing some life-threatening conditions but, according to research by PureGym, 55% of the UK population doesn’t exercise at all. It’s clear that some kind of intervention, to help us increase our daily activity, is urgently needed – I just couldn’t see walking desks being that thing.
