Review: LifeSpan 2013 Model TR800-DT3 Standing Desk Treadmill

As we discussed last week, if you spend 8 hours a day sitting at your desk, staying fit and in shape can be difficult. The human body was not meant to sit stationary that long, and indeed our sedentary lifestyle shows in our declining health as a nation. Some have even dubbed our modern health crisis as "Sitting Disease." But as discussed in Dr. James Levine's book, Move A Little, Lose A Lot, it doesn't have to be this way. Even if you work a desk job, there are things you can do to get more exercise throughout your day. One great way is to get a treadmill desk.

This is a treadmill designed especially for those who are desk-bound for most of their waking day and so find it hard to get adequate daily exercise. It’s also meant for those simply too busy to work out at the end of the day. By allowing you to get exercise at the same time as you work, it becomes possible to save time and stay healthy without leaving the desk.

The TR800-DT3 is one of several LifeSpan treadmill machines designed for this kind of purpose. This one is a little different in that it’s free of any frame, offering the treadmill itself only. But is it any good in practice or does it fail to make an impression? Read on to find out.

Key Features Of The TR800-DT3 Standing Desk Treadmill


MSRP: $1,999 ($799 on Amazon.com)
Year of Release: 2013
Dimensions: 66 x 29 inches
Maximum User Weight: 350 lbs
Number of Workout Programs: 4
Warranty: Parts: 1 year ; Labor:  1 year

TR800-DT3 Standing Desk Treadmill: The Pros

Be Fit And Stay Productive: The reason that machines like this are designed is to allow people to get a work out while they work. So if you’re someone who struggles to break free of the desk on a daily basis and is in need of some baseline exercise to keep healthy, or if you just don’t have time to exercise, you’ll find that this product is beneficial to you.

The treadmill is able to fit under most types of standing desk. This means that you can do your regular office duties as you walk on the treadmill. Using the treadmill gives your cardiovascular system a work out, improving your general health and also working on the strength and endurance of your legs. Allowing you to work out as you work saves time and makes this an efficient solution to the difficulties experienced by those with desk-oriented jobs.

Large Treadmill Surface: The treadmill itself has a large surface area. This makes it comfortable to walk on, giving you a greater range of stride motion and plenty of wobble room if you put your foot out slightly too wide. In turn you’re able to get a better and more enjoyable workout, and also pay more attention to your work rather than worrying about whether you’re walking right.

Combines With Standing Desks: This treadmill has been designed especially to combine with standing desks. That’s rather obvious from the outset as this treadmill lacks any kind of hand rails or elevated control panel. Instead it’s meant to slide under a standing desk – a desk that’s meant to be used in a standing position. This treadmill can be used in conjunction with a great number of standing desks. Any desk with feet wider than the width of the treadmill will be compatible.

Statistics: This machine records statistics to help you monitor your progress. It includes distance, time and step count readings. It also has a calorie count, though these are notoriously inaccurate. Having a statistics readout helps with motivation.

Bluetooth: Taking the statistics one step further, it’s possible to upload this data to a computer using Bluetooth. This means you can analyze your statistics, looking for trends and making it easier to monitor your improvement. Again, this helps greatly with motivation.

Weight Limit: The 300 pound weight limit of this machine is respectable. Many machines only go up to 250 pounds, and the extra 50 pounds means a great many more people will be able to hop on and get some exercise. This is particularly valuable for a machine that’s primarily aimed at users who are likely leading very sedentary lifestyles and so are likely to weigh more than most.

No Concerns Over Stability: Because this machine isn’t connected to your work surface in any way, using it won’t cause your desk to wobble in the slightest. Other machines do suffer from this problem which can reduce typing accuracy and impair hand writing amongst other things.

TR800-DT3 Standing Desk Treadmill: The Cons

Price: One of the biggest issues with this machine is the price. It’s such a stripped down device that the price tag of around $800 seems pretty steep. It does carry out its function well, but it’s a little hard to see where all that money is going. Then again, if you already have a standing desk, and just need the treadmill part, you won't have to buy a whole treadmill desk set, which can cost upwards of $1,200.

Maximum Speed: For a machine of this price, it seems pretty lacking to have a maximum speed of 4mph. It’d be much better to offer the full range of speeds that conventional treadmills offer so that when the machine isn’t being used for work you can get a more intense workout from it.

Is The TR800-DT3 Standing Desk Treadmill Worth Buying?

If you’ve already got a standing desk then this is a great compliment if you’re looking for a way to get more exercise. However, if you don't have a standing desk, you would need to buy one separately, and you can probably find something better for the price. Still, this machine works great for those who already have a standing desk, and want to add some exercise to their work day.


Other Treadmill Desk Options: