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A Healthier Workforce is on the Horizon
EXCLUSIVELY available at Atlantic Business Interiors (ABI) in Atlantic Canada, Steelcase Inc. has recently released the first of its FitWork™ product line; the Walkstation.  This product line is designed to bring healthy habits to sedentary employees allowing them to move while they work.

Dartmouth, NS – December 2008 – Steelcase, a global office environments manufacturer, first unveiled the Walkstation at its New York City Showroom in October 2007.  Now available in Atlantic Canada through Atlantic Business Interiors (ABI), the Walkstation is the first product resulting from the outcome of Steelcase’s partnership with James Levine, MD, PhD, of the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  Using Steelcase’s knowledge of ergonomics and workplace design combined with Dr. Levine’s research on N.E.A.T™ (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) – the energy expended during everyday activity, the Walkstation was primarily designed for corporate work environments.

Obesity has become a widespread issue in North American society, resulting in increased healthcare costs and decreased worker productivity.  The research conducted by Dr. Levine surrounding N.E.A.T. explains how increasing physical activity among sedentary workers may actually increase the health, focus and productivity of the generally desk-based workforce. The Walkstation’s design is focused around encouraging more movement by walking slow speeds at work. Dr. Levine estimates the potential energy expenditure of the Walkstation is 100 calories per hour at a walking speed of 1mph.

With only a maximum speed of 2 mph and no incline option, the Walkstation is not designed to give workers a highly intense workout, rather it is targeted at those individuals who sit for the better part of their day allowing them to increase movement while working and enjoy the accommodating health benefits including burning calories and relieving stress.

The Walkstation integrates a specially-designed treadmill combined with an electric height-adjustable worksurface.  The treadmill is designed for moderate movement and operates within a speed limit of one half to two miles per hour.  The worksurface is from the fastest-growing category of office products from Details, a Steelcase Company.  It provides workers with maximum comfort by enabling them to quickly and easily change the height of their worksurface throughout the day.

According to ABI’s Vice President and General Manager: Terry Hickey, “Today, we are seeing a shift from traditional ergonomics to a more proactive solution that encourages healthy living. A lot of businesses have chosen to incorporate on-site fitness centres and offer incentives for healthy living.

The Walkstation can help businesses complement their movement toward wellness in the workplace. It can be installed in a variety of ways – as part of a conference room where employees can walk while meeting, in individual workstations, or for groups of workers to share in other common areas around the office.

At first I was sceptical of the Walkstation.  The concept seemed too unconventional in terms of what we expect in the workplace.  It wasn’t until I started using it myself that I realized how refreshed and energized I was by adding more movement to my work day.

The first time I used the Walkstation was during a regional conference call with my managers in the other Atlantic Provinces.  By the end of the call I had walked 1.5 miles. On my next conference call I walked 3 miles.  I was really surprised since my normal cardio workout is 3 miles and I usually find it difficult to get to the gym.

Once you get used to the pace it is easy to open and answer emails while walking too.  On average, I am now walking 2 hours per week while on the Walkstation.  Regardless of my work schedule, I am now always able to fit in some exercise every week.”

About Atlantic Business Interiors (ABI):
Established in 1986, ABI has grown to be one of Canada’s leading suppliers of office furniture and related services. The company partners with leading furniture research and development firms to provide modern, custom solutions that will integrate with workplaces today, and can adapt to fit with changes in technology, business processes and the workforce of the future.  ABI services the Atlantic Provinces from locations in Charlottetown, PEI, Halifax, NS, St. John’s, NL, Moncton and Saint John, NB.  ABI is the authorized dealer for Steelcase, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of office furnishings.

About Steelcase Inc and Details:
Steelcase, the global leader in the office furniture industry, helps people have a better work experience by providing products, services and insights into the ways people work. The company designs and manufactures architecture, furniture and technology products. Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase (NYSE:SCS) serves customers through a network of over 600 independent dealers and approximately 13,000 employees worldwide.  Details is a Steelcase subsidiary also based in Grand Rapids, Mich., and provides innovative worktool solutions compatible with most furniture systems. For more information about Details visit http://www.details-worktools.com/, or for Steelcase visit http://www.steelcase.com/.

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For more information on the Walkstation or to feature our product, please contact:

Ryan Beaton, Marketing Supervisor
Phone: 902.496.2313
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.atlanticbusinessinteriors.ca/
 

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