Many of us spend a large percentage of our workday sitting, which can contribute to stiffness, tension, and a general sense of tightness. Even from personal experience alone, it’s easy to notice how long stretches of sitting can leave you feeling stiff, sore, and for me, probably way older than I should be feeling at 25.
A few weeks ago, I decided to add a small desk attachment to my treadmill to see if walking while working might help with some of these issues. I’d been seeing “treadmill desks” pop up across social media for a while now, and research suggests that replacing long periods of sitting with light activity, like slow walking, can help joints feel less cramped throughout the day.
In my own experience, walking a few thousand steps while working hasn’t felt disruptive, and my body feels noticeably less tight by late afternoon. Using a treadmill desk doesn’t have to be a dramatic overhaul of how you work, and you don’t even need a treadmill desk to get similar benefits. Stepping outside, taking regular movement breaks, or simply getting away from your chair for a few minutes can make a huge difference. For me, this has been an easy way to build more movement into my day without carving out extra time for it, and something I’m hoping to keep up with in 2026.
CJ Andrews – Research Manager
