If you can't walk to work, maybe you can walk at work instead.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Friday, April 4 is National Walk to Work Day. Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the fifth-annual event encourages Americans to turn their commute into an exercise opportunity.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080324/CLMFNS1) The reason is clear: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20-74 more than doubled between 1980 and 2004, soaring from 15 percent to nearly 33 percent. Meanwhile, study after study indicates that moderate exercise for 30 minutes per day reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.
Participation guidelines for National Walk to Work Day couldn't be more flexible. If walking to work is impractical, at least shun the elevator and walk up the stairs. If you take public transportation, get off a stop early and walk the rest of the way. And if your commute is too long to consider walking, simply pretend it's National Walk to Lunch Day instead.
Here's another idea, one that expands on the spirit of the national observance: Why not try walking at work, too? It's now possible with the Walkstation, a specially designed treadmill made by Details, a Steelcase company.
The Walkstation integrates a slow-moving treadmill with a height- adjustable worksurface, enabling office workers to stay active while chatting on the phone, sending e-mails, reading, and working on a computer.
The Walkstation is the result of an alliance between Details and Dr. James Levine of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Levine estimates that users of the Walkstation can burn up to 100 calories per hour.
"The Walkstation isn't intended to work up a sweat the way a gym workout can," Dr. Levine says. "The purpose is simply to increase movement while on the job and enjoy the health benefits that can result." For more information about the Walkstation or other Details products, visit http://www.details-worktools.com/.
Details, a Steelcase subsidiary based in Grand Rapids, Mich., provides innovative worktool solutions compatible with most furniture systems. Details worktools are sold through a network of 450 dealers and are featured in 20 Steelcase showrooms throughout North America. For more information about Details, visit http://www.details-worktools.com/. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080324/CLMFNS1 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Details, a Steelcase Company CONTACT: Dave Kagan of Details, a Steelcase Company, +1-616-554-4407, ; or Christine Hoek, +1-616-662-9241, , for Details, a Steelcase Company Web site: http://www.details-worktools.com/
|