Treadmill-walking writer in residence to offer advice at Carleton University

An Ottawa man is hoping to promote the use of treadmill desks to combat sedentary lifestyles by becoming the world's first treadmill writer in residence at Carleton University.

The university installed two treadmill desks in its library's collaborative learning centre a couple of years ago. But according to Dan Rubinstein, who works in the university's communications department, the machines aren't used much.

Rubinstein likes walking a lot. He wrote a book about the power of peripateticism and has written articles on the subject.

To promote the use of the university's treadmill desks, he'll become the university's treadmill writer in residence in February. He'll offer writing tips and advice to anyone who comes to work on the treadmill desk next to him.

"We're realizing the benefits of healthy living and activity, but beyond that, walking has some pretty significant creative and cognitive properties. It helps people think in certain ways and it helps people be more productive in certain ways," Rubinstein said.

As long as you walk slowly, that is.

"I think if you move too quickly on one of these things, the brain doesn't keep up with you. So, slow and steady is the key to success on one of these things," he told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning on Thursday.

• Listen to the entire interview with Rubinstein here.