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Busting 7 Healthy Workplace Myths

Learn which gadgets and equipment can really keep you fit and healthy at the office. Getty Images and treadmill desks to wearable pedometers and posture trackers. But does reviewing quarterly reports while walking in place really burn enough calories to move the fitness needle? How about using an exercise ball for a seat? Or a foot pedaler under your desk? Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. We spoke to ergonomic and wellness experts about the hottest health gizmos populating today's workplaces. They told us which can improve your health, which could compromise it and which might have little to no effect. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers >

br Sit-stand desks

We've all been warned that . Desks that give you the option to stand certainly can help you avoid sitting all day long. A 2016 University of Iowa study shows that given long-term access to sit-stand desks, workers will stand an hour more during the workday than those who use traditional desks. And that means more calories burned, however minimal, says Lucas Carr, an assistant professor of health promotion at the University of Iowa who contributed to the study. But a new analysis of 20 studies on sit-stand desks and their sexier offshoots, treadmill and bicycle desks (see below for more on them), casts doubt on their benefits. Researchers with Cochrane, a London-based health care think tank, found little concrete evidence that adding the ability to stand, walk or pedal at one's workstation increases a person's overall health in the long term. Scientists do agree that, much like sitting, standing for long periods taxes the body. Risks include fatigue, back pain and varicose veins, says Alan Hedge, ergonomics professor at Cornell University. So what's the solution? Regardless of whether you use a standing or exercise-friendly desk, is key. Based on his research, Hedge recommends sitting for 20 minutes; standing for eight minutes; walking, stretching or otherwise moving for two minutes; then repeating the cycle throughout the workday.

br Treadmill and bicycle desks

Skepticism of the ability of treadmill and bicycle desks to benefit worker health in the long run might have something to do with the type of work being done at these desks. "It's difficult to type or mouse and walk at the same time," Hedge says. "The brain has trouble coordinating conflicting movements. It's not an effective way of working." Research shows that we compromise accuracy and speed if we try to create a PowerPoint or edit a quarterly report while walking or pedaling, Hedge says. Thus, you're forced to either cut back on the exercise or sacrifice working efficiently. That said, Carr's research has found that workers with bicycle desks do get 50 more minutes of activity throughout the workday. So while you probably won't get in a full cardio workout, the extra activity could improve your health. And if you're only talking on the phone, reading or watching a video, you'll be able to pedal or walk faster.

br Ergonomic mice and keyboards

AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. . A 2016 Indiana University study backs this up. The study paired workers with student coaches who helped them develop and increase their exercise goals over a 10-week period. Ninety percent of participants said that the combination of activity trackers and the coaching helped them keep to their plan even after the coaching ended.

br Posture trackers

Cousins to activity trackers are wearable devices like Lumo Lift and Upright, which "train" you to improve your posture throughout the day and give feedback on how well you did. When affixed to your body or clothing, these small sensors will gently vibrate if you begin to slouch. "For someone who may have poor posture and is looking to make improvements, it can be a good tool, as long as that tool is combined with some effective behavioral counseling," Carr says. But if you fail to make a permanent change to the way you sit and stand, you won't reap the benefits of the device and will have wasted your money.

br The bottom line

Even the most beneficial health tool won't move the needle if you abandon it after several months or use it incorrectly. Sit in a $1,000 ergonomic chair but neglect your posture, and you could wind up in worse shape than when you started. Likewise, a product that works well for one person may not for the next, depending on their height, preferences, previous injuries and job duties. "The best option is one that you will use and that makes you feel good throughout the day," Carr says. Finally, if you're worried you're not moving enough at work, you don't need a pricey piece of equipment to make a change. Remember: Standing, walking and stretching are free. More on work AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS