Dairy Queen Invests in Employee Health with Treadmill Desks

This morning I read a news story that initially surprised me, but then I thought about it for a minute and I came away less surprised. Here’s the story: According to Yahoo! News, Dairy Queen has installed treadmill desks at its corporate office.

Yes, the restaurant that offers sweet, creamy, frozen treats, not to mention greasy burgers and buttery “Texas toast,” has seen fit to promote a healthy and fit work environment at its headquarters in Edina, Minn.

Dairy Queen’s new LifeSpan treadmill desks were featured in a TV news story, which you can stream above, which shows employees walking at a comfortable pace while working on their computers. Much like the treadmill desks we have at our office her in Austin, Dairy Queen’s Lifespan treadmills are set up in front of adjustable height standing desks. Dairy Queen employees say they’re enjoying the chance to combat "sitting disease" and burn a few calories while getting some work done at the same time.

Dairy Queen is a successful business that has thrived through the decades, so it seems natural that the company would do something as progressive as investing in the health and well-being of its employees by installing treadmill workstations at its corporate office. As I mentioned before, the dreaded "sitting disease," which involves a number of serious health risks associated with sitting all day – including but not limited to obesity, fat buildup, poor circulation, high blood pressure, and even high risk of heart attack – can be combated by using a stand up desk as well as a treadmill desk at work.

A cardiologist breaks it down quite well in the news video above: “The American Heart Association has recommended that everyone try to exercise for thirty minutes at least three times a week. They say it’s fine to break that up into ten minute segments .. We’re not intended to be still all day long.”

So next time you’re feeling tired, drained, sick and hazy while working at your desk, and all you’ve been doing is sitting all day, stand up and walk around! Or take a cue from the smart folks at Dairy Queen and make a healthy investment that will help ensure you live a longer and healthier life; invest in a treadmill desk.

Learn more about staying fit at the office at Human Solution.