ActiveLifeTrainer - Science and Comparison with Treadmill Desks
Since 2012 numerous studies, including at German research institutes, have tested the effectiveness of our elliptical under-desk exercise machines and have shown that these devices sustainably reduce sedentary time. For details, please see the references to scientific publications below.
Additionally, for the last number of years, we have worked with various stakeholders in developing this, the third generation of elliptical under-desk exercise machines. Among others, we had over 100 international ergonomists from Germany, the US and about 25 other countries try out our machines to give us feedback and suggestions. These have been incorporated into the engineering of this new generation active Life Trainer.
Finally, in this article, we’re addressing some of the differences between activeLife TrainerTM, our elliptical under-desk machine, and treadmill desks which have become popular in the US in the past few years.
Fully integrated active motion office work station using a treadmill
Fully integrated active motion office work station using an elliptical under-desk machine
Space Needed
Like an additional office work station
No additional space needed. Fits under just about all existing desks (including those that are not height adjustable). Integrates with existing office chairs.
Weight, Size, and Logistics
About 75kg, about 170cm x 120cm x 180cm; Ships by truck on a pallet.
About 14kg; about. 80cm x 40cm x 45cm; Has integrated transport rollers and handles - can easily be moved by one person. Ships via DHL, UPS, etc. as a parcel.
Price in Germany / EU
About 1.200 - 4.000 Euro
295 Euro
User Feed-back
On display permanently installed on user's desk, requires cables.
Via Bluetooth Low Energy smart sensor to user's smart phone, tablet computer, or fitness wrist band.
Power requirements
230 VAC
2 x AA batteries which last about 6 months assuming 5 hours of daily use
Method of repair / maintenance
Have to be repaired at user's office using an exercise machince servicing company. This is expensive and inconvenient.
Thanks to its size and weight, machine can be exchanged via parcel shipment.
To sum up, activeLife Trainer is much more affordable, smaller, weighs less, and is smarter. And it can be integrated into existing office work stations to convert them into fully integrated active motion work stations.
Peer-refereed scientific publications about elliptical under-desk exercise machines developed by Professor Leonhard:
Carr, L.J., Leonhard, C., Tucker, S., Fethke,N., Benzo,R., & Gerr, F. (2015). Total Worker HealthTM Intervention Targeted to Sedentary Office Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.06.022
Carr, L.J, Bemzo,R, Leonhard,C., Ferrer,A, & Ramesh,S. (2015). Efficacy of Active Sitting Desks for Reducing Occupational Sedentary Time and Improving Health. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 49(51):S170.
Carr, LJ, Maeda, H, Luther, B, Rider, P, Tucker, S and Leonhard, C. (2014) Acceptability and Effects of a Seated Active Workstation During Sedentary Work: A Proof of Concept Study. International Journal of Workplace Health Management., 7, 2-15 DOI: 10.1108/IJWHM-03-2013-0008
Carr, LJ Luther, B, Rider, P and Leonhard, CL. (2013) Comparing the Physical, Cognitive and Work Performance Effects of Using an Active Elliptical Machine Desk versus a Standard Desk. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 45(S2):B159.
Eva-Maria Burford, Juliane Botter, Dianne Commissaris, Reinier Könemann, Suzanne Hiemstra-van Mastrigt, Rolf Peter Ellegast. "The Effect of Dynamic Workstations on the Performance of Various Computer and Office-Based Tasks" In: Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics, and Risk Management. Human Body Modeling and Ergonomics - Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Volume 8026, 2013, pp 205-212; New York: Springer.
Juliane Botter, Eva-Maria Burford, Dianne Commissaris, Reinier Könemann, Suzanne Hiemstra-van Mastrigt, Rolf Peter Ellegast. "The Biomechanical and Physiological Effect of Two Dynamic Workstations," in: Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics, and Risk Management. Human Body Modeling and Ergonomics Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Volume 8026, 2013, pp 196-204; New York: Springer.
Scientific Presentations about elliptical under-desk exercise machines developed by Professor Leonhard:
2017 June
Leonhard, C. (2017). Interprofessional Disease prevention: Active Motion Sitting to combat Occupational Sedentariness. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Louisiana Psychological Association, Harrahan, LA.
2015 June
Leonhard, C.& Carr,L.J. (2015). The Effect of Active Motion Sitting on Worker Productivity and Occupational Sedentariness. Paper presented at the Symposium of the Institute for Occupational Safety in Sankt Augustin, Germany.
2015 April
Carr,L.J., McKenzie O’Neill,M., Ramesh,S., Ferrerr,A., Benzo,R., & Leonhard,C. (2015). Efficacy of Active Sitting Desks for Reducing Occupational Sedentary Time and Improving Health. Paper presented at the Society for Behavioral Medicine Convention in San Antonio, TX.
2015 March
Leonhard, C. & Carr, L.J. (2015). Optimal Default Settings in Prevention/Physical Activity Promotion. Paper presented at the 8th Annual Xavier Health Disparities Conference, New Orleans, LA.
2014 August
Carr, L. J., & Leonhard, C. (2014). Acceptability and Feasibility of Active Sitting Desk for Reducing Sedentary Time in the Workplace. Paper presented at the XX World Congress for Safety and Health at Work, Frankfurt, Germany.
2014 August
Carr, L.J., & Leonhard, C. (2014). Comparing the Physical, Cognitive and Work Performance Effects of Using an Active Sitting Desk versus a Standard Desk. Paper presented at the XX World Congress for Safety and Health at Work, Frankfurt, Germany.
2014 August
Carr, L .J., & Leonhard, C. (2014). Long-term Efficacy of Active Sitting Desks for Reducing Occupational Sedentary Time and Improving Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Paper presented at the XX World Congress for Safety and Health at Work, Frankfurt, Germany.
2013 March
Carr, LJ Luther, B, Rider, P and Leonhard, CL. (2013) Comparing the Physical, Cognitive and Work Performance Effects of Using an Active Elliptical Machine Desk versus a Standard Desk. Paper presented at the Society for Behavioral Medicine Convention in San Francisco, CA.
2012 April
Carr., L. J., Muscher, P. J., & Leonhard, C. (2012). Acceptability and Feasibility of LifeBalance Station® for Reducing Sedentary Time in the Workplace. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Society for Behavioral Medicine in New Orleans, LA.
Elliptischer Untertischergometer (Untertischtrainer) mit Bluetooth Schnittstelle zu Fitneß Apps, den Sie spielend leicht fest mit Ihrem Bürostuhl verbinden und lösen.
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