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Product: LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 Treadmill Desk
Max User Weight: 350 Pounds
Max Desktop Weight: 220 Pounds
Motor: 2.25 HP
Height Adjustment: 33.5 – 52.5 inches
Desktop Width: Available in 38 or 48 inches
Speed: 0.4 – 4.0mph
My Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Warranty: Frame – Lifetime, Motor – 3 years, Parts – 2 years, Labor – 1 year
Where can I buy it? Amazon.com
Two and a half years ago I read an article about sitting disease (please see the short video below) and because I sit a lot for my job, it really prompted me to make a change. I didn’t know how I could get work done and sit “less”, so I started to do a lot of research.
In my research I found standing desks, bike desks and than I found treadmill desks. The idea of a treadmill desk checked off so many more boxes of getting healthier than just having a standing desk or a bike desk, so I continued my research with only treadmill desks.
At that time I found the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 Treadmill Desk to be the best treadmill desk available.
And as I read further reviews on the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5, those that commented on adjusting the height said it was actually quite easy, so I went with that one thinking maybe one day I’ll upgrade to the LifeSpan TR1200-DT7 model.
Well, I am so glad I made that decision, because the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 Treadmill Desk has been one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.
Why Review the Treadmill Desk 2 years Later?
When I was researching (2+ years ago) which treadmill desk to buy, I read a lot of reviews that helped me feel confident about purchasing my first treadmill desk online.
However, the reviews were all written soon after receiving the product. Considering most of us love our new buys and would quickly give a great review, I like to hear how products hold up over time.
This is important to me because I view my larger purchases as investments in something and am willing to pay more for something that is of great quality and will last.
As a result, I decided to give back and provide an honest review 2 years later, in hopes of helping anyone researching treadmill desks.
Since it has been a while, I did some current research looking at what other comparable models have been released since my purchase, and how the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 Treadmill Desk would hold up to them now.
What I did not like about the other treadmill desks:
- Small desktop surface
- Handles in the way
- Not convinced the motor would hold up over time (this is one of the the most important deciding factors for me – see more below).
- Treadmill/walking surface is too short (this is possibly so it can be used at an incline, but ergonomists do not recommend working in an inclined position due to the strain it puts on the back and joints)
- Too Bulky
- Desk looks really cheap, like cheap fake wood furniture
- Ugly design, one actually looked like a folding table was just added to a treadmill.
What makes the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 Treadmill Desk so great:
- The Desktop surface is amazingly large (38 X 29 inches) and now it’s even available in 48 inches! Some may not like this, but I love it. I have room for my computer, my coffee, my water bottle, my notebook, my phone, pens and I also have a book stand that I use for my iPad, or book when I’m reading. Even with all those things, I still have room and I love it because it makes me feel like my desk space is clean and organized.
- The desk is fully (and easily) adjustable (from 33.5 – 52.5 inches). It is not electronically adjustable but honestly this doesn’t even concern me like I thought it would. When it first arrived, I set it up to a height that I liked. I expected that I would want to move it up and down for the first few times of use until I found the perfect height, but I never once had to adjust it. My husband has used it and even my kids (teenagers-they love it too) and no one felt they needed to adjust it.
- Quiet motor. I have taken phone calls while using the treadmill and no one even knew.
- 2.25 horsepower motor. Initially this was the main reason I was drawn to this model (please see below info on motors). I knew that I was not going to be walking 8 hours a day at a desk (see below) so I didn’t need the LifeSpan TR5000-DT5 Treadmill Desk which has a 3 horsepower motor that is designed for heavy use. That model would be great for a setting where maybe multiple people are sharing the treadmill the same day. The other models I came across, including the LifeSpan TR800-DT5 all seemed like they had motors that were for light use only. I didn’t want to take the risk of burning out a motor, so the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 seemed right in the middle and was the perfect one considering I wanted it to be able to handle at least half a day’s use.
- It has 6 impact-absorbing shocks. I get joint pain in my knees so I feel like I may be a bit more sensitive to this than others may. I have walked, fast walked and jogged on this treadmill and I can definitely tell a difference. This feature also helps dampen walking noise.
- It has Bluetooth technology. I personally don’t use it but I may one day. I know a lot of people do, so I thought I’d add it to this list anyway. All you do is hover your smartphone over the treadmill console and it uploads your data into the Active Trac app.
- Easy/smooth assembly
- The arm rest is really comfortable
- Affordable for what you get. I paid more for it 2 years ago than what it is selling for now. I have seen treadmill desks ranging from $300 to almost $5,000. This one is by far the best value.
- Overall, solid, high quality, and extremely well-built. I’ve had mine over 2 years now and have not had any issues with it at all.
- The console shows:
- time – how long you’ve been using it
- number of steps – my favorite feature, way more accurate than my pedometer
- Number of calories burned
- Distance
- Speed
- Weight
Here is what my console looks like. It’s not bad but I like the console of the current LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 much better.
Cons:
- The power button is a switch on the front side of the treadmill. I see the current LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 Treadmill Desk has a gel power button on the console. That would be so much easier!
- My teenage son has multiple times said that he wished it would go higher than 4mph. I try to remind him that it is a treadmill desk, not an athletic training treadmill. We have a TV close by so sometimes he uses it is just for fun while watching TV and likes to have variety in walking, jogging and running. I have no need go more than 4mph. Truthfully I can’t get any work done when I’m jogging, so the only time I crank it up that high is if I’m watching TV or have been sitting so long that I feel like I need to get some quick energy out.
My Recommendation
After a lot of research, I can honestly say that the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 Treadmill Desk is still overall the best buy when it comes to buying a treadmill desk for most people.
My recommendation is that if you want a treadmill desk that you can use every day (but not all day long) and occasionally may want to adjust the height, I strongly recommend you get the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5.
If you will be sharing the treadmill desk often with someone that is a different height than you and/or you have a need to adjust the height of the desk often and you don’t mind the added cost for convenience, then I would actually recommend the LifeSpan TR1200-DT7 model. It is basically the same as the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5, you can just electronically adjustment the height.
If you will have the treadmill desk in a work environment where it would be used all day long by multiple users then I recommend bumping up the motor to LifeSpan’s 3 horsepower commercial motor found in the TR5000-DT7 Treadmill Desk or the TR5000-DT3 Under Desk Treadmill.
Treadmill Desk Info That May Help You
Why can’t I just put a desk over a treadmill I already have?
This is really important. I know it sounds crazy to buy another treadmill if you already have one. However, walking puts more strain on a treadmill than running does, so treadmill desk need stronger motors in the actual treadmill. If you were to just use your regular treadmill instead, you’d most likely burn out the motor. That is why even among treadmill desks, you may notice that the ones designed to be used all day/by multiple users have the most horsepower.
Why should someone get a treadmill desk? Please watch this short video:
Are there any other options besides the Treadmill Desks to solve the problem of sitting disease?
Yes! Even if you get a treadmill desk, it is not required that you just walk on it all day. I recommend the treadmill desk because you are standing (not sitting) AND moving your body. However, you can rotate every 20-30 minutes between sitting, partially sitting (like on a stool at the treadmill), standing, walking, leaning, stretching and even biking (if you have a biking desk). The idea is that you are moving around and not just sitting.
Treadmill Desk Reminders:
- This is not intended to be your workout time. I pushed myself one time and tried to work while walking fast and ended up with a pretty bad headache. Find your comfortable pace. I’m usually between 1-2mph but I had some days when I just really wasn’t feeling like moving a whole lot so I was at 0.7-8 mph. The low mph movement actually gave me more energy. Plus, if you are doing this in a work environment, do you really want to break a sweat while at work?
- Wear the right shoes. You don’t want to hurt your feet or damage the treadmill belt with high heels or non-walking shoes. If you are doing this at work, feel free to still wear your nice shoes to work and have a pair of walking shoes that you use only when using the treadmill.
- Feel free to take a break. Just because you have a treadmill desk does not mean that you need to walk all day. Listen to your body, give it rests when it needs it and challenge it when is ready for it.
- Most of all enjoy not sitting around all day. Treadmill desks are awesome and you will love it!
Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have regarding the LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 Treadmill Desk in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
To less sitting,
Susie