Think on your feet! Treadmill desks now available in basement of Young Library
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 22, 2024) — Want to give your brain a boost? Take a walk while you work!
Treadmill desks are now available to all UK Libraries users in Core 4 of the basement of William T. Young Library. Installed earlier this summer, users are welcome to go for a study stroll anytime the library is open.
The walk-only treadmills have flat, adjustable-height desks that can comfortably accommodate a personal electronic device, textbooks and notepad.
The new treadmill desks were furnished by the Student Government Association (SGA) in collaboration with the Office for Student Success (OSS) and Campus Recreation, in a project spearheaded by Jason Marcus, the 2023-24 SGA student body vice president.
“Every time I went to the gym, I’d see people walking on the treadmills with their laptops out,” said Marcus. “Everyone that I asked said they enjoyed studying while on the move: they felt like they retained more information. But of course those treadmills aren’t shaped to hold books or computers. And it clicked — this was a service that we could provide to the UK community.”
Marcus teamed up with fellow SGA members Lizzy Hornung, former SGA president and 2024 graduate; Siena Pilati, UK junior and director of campus services; and Olivia Allran, former director of health and wellness and 2024 graduate, to put together a proposal.
“We found benchmark institutions who were implementing similar initiatives and dug into the research,” said Marcus. “Our most important takeaway was that students love them.”
The gym-goers’ feeling of gaining a mental edge while on the move is borne out by science: studies show that light exercise while studying enhances overall cognitive function, with improvements to focus, concentration and retention of information. The added benefit of stress reduction contributes to overall mental well-being.
“I’m really excited that we were able to see this project through, and very happy that students will get to use the treadmills beginning this fall,” said Marcus. “This project is a wonderful step towards supporting holistic student well-being and academic success. We’re proud of our partnership with the OSS in fostering a culture of wellness and productivity and helping to lay the foundation for a more successful and thriving student body.”
About to begin his first semester at UK’s J. David Rosenberg College of Law, Marcus said he would love to see the program expand following this year’s pilot program.
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