Forget Standing Desks. Hamster Wheel Desks Are What's Up

Ron Dicker
Updated

Here's more evidence that our workday really is a rat race.

Behold the Hamster Wheel Standing Desk by San Francisco-based artist Robb Godshaw and developer Will Doenlen. The creators say they built it as an alternative to the treadmill desk, and they even made their design instructions public, so you can build your own.

funding research
funding research

"The treadmill desk has become a fixture in a lot of Bay Area office scenes," Godshaw told The Huffington Post. "The issues with treadmills are that you don't set your own pace, and they're not interesting as furniture."

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On the DIY-sharing website Instructables, the two posted directions for how to make the contraption. The wheel is 80 inches in diameter and is mounted on skateboard wheels; there is no brake on the wheel, which they insist will "really force the productivity out of the desk user." (You'll have to add your own straw-like water dispenser to go full-hamster.)

Asked if he thought the hamster wheel could catch on in the workplace, Godshaw said its future is now in the hands of anyone who wants to build their own.

For those who would like just a taste of the how-to, here's a time lapse:

h/t Laughing Squid

Look At A Cute Animal

<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewbender/2012/10/03/the-hello-kitty-effect-viewing-cute-pictures-can-improve-job-performance/">Studies have shown</a> that looking at pictures of cute animals enhances concentration.

Listen To Music (Or Don't)

People like doctors and surgeons, who perform tasks that they're experts on over and over again, find that listening to music they like helps them <a href="http://ideas.time.com/2012/09/12/does-listening-to-music-while-working-make-you-less-productive/">calm down and focus</a>. For other jobs, however, listening to music can be distracting and detrimental to job performance.

Get A Better Chair

Some say that sitting in a comfortable chair at the office <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-30940625/pick-a-better-chair-to-boost-productivity/">increases productivity</a>. It certainly can't hurt!
Some say that sitting in a comfortable chair at the office increases productivity. It certainly can't hurt!

Smell Some Peppermint

Studies show that <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14738372">the scent of peppermint </a>improves performance of clerical tasks like typing and alphabetization.
Studies show that the scent of peppermint improves performance of clerical tasks like typing and alphabetization.

Clean Your Desk

Working at a messy desk can <a href="http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/11/02/the-surprising-health--amp-psychological-benefits-of-a-clean-uncluttered-desk.htm">put you in a bad mood</a>. You will also waste time looking for things you need in your pile of stuff, and <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/03/27/the-dangers-of-a-messy-desk/">your coworkers will judge you</a>.

Eat An Avocado

Avocados <a href="http://www.careerealism.com/avocados-help-focus-work/">improve blood flow</a>, resulting in better concentration. Plus, they're delicious!
Avocados improve blood flow, resulting in better concentration. Plus, they're delicious!

Work From Home

A study conducted at Stanford University showed that <a href="http://www.stanford.edu/~nbloom/WFH.pdf">working from home</a> increased overall productivity.
A study conducted at Stanford University showed that working from home increased overall productivity.

Get Up And Walk Around

Standing up and <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3272-improve-productivity-tips.html">walking around the office </a>every so often will help you stay energized throughout the day.
Standing up and walking around the office every so often will help you stay energized throughout the day.

Stand Up When You Talk On The Phone

If you <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3272-improve-productivity-tips.html">stand when taking a phone call</a>, you're more likely to keep the call short, giving you more time to work.
If you stand when taking a phone call, you're more likely to keep the call short, giving you more time to work.

Take A Real Lunch Break

Fewer than half of workers leave their desk for lunch each day. Getting out of the office and taking <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/11/23/the-value-of-a-true-lunch-break">a break for lunch</a> can really increase productivity.

Watch A Funny Video

Laughter helps relieve stress and can <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/laughter-for-stress-relief-and-effective-job-performance">relax the muscles</a>, making you a happier, better worker.
Laughter helps relieve stress and can relax the muscles, making you a happier, better worker.

Think About Something Bigger Than Your To-Do List

Reflecting on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130102025144-6200057-3-powerful-ways-to-do-a-better-job-in-2013">big picture goals</a> can help put your day to day tasks into perspective.
Reflecting on big picture goals can help put your day to day tasks into perspective.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.