Any handy way to warm up my idle feet?

January 28, 2009 1:11 PM

My feet often get cold at work, and I like the idea of under-the-desk pedals, but I think my desk is too low most of them. Any other ideas?

I have a desk job, and my feet and lower legs can get cold from lack of activity, especially in winter. I'm in sunny California, so it's not really that cold in the office, but cold enough to be annoying while I'm idle. While I can walk around the office when I want, I think my time would be better spent at the desk (plus, I might look like I'm killing time by pacing the halls or running stairs).

Lifehacker has a really brief article on one, but a lot of the comments make them sound fairly cheap in terms of construction, or that desks are too short to use the pedal systems.

I'm 6'2", so my legs are pretty long. There is a good bit of depth to my desk, but not a lot of height. It's a modular desk system, so I can't raise the desk. Are there smaller pedal options, or something else to push my feet against? While I could probably work on twitching nervously to keep my legs moving, that seems like an odd solution.

posted by filthy light thief to health & fitness (12 comments total)

You could always treat the symptom instead of the cause, and bring an electric blanket or a heating pad to keep at your desk.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:35 PM on January 28

Slippies - Microwave Heated Slippers
posted by leigh1 at 2:03 PM on January 28

Small space heater?
posted by orme at 2:07 PM on January 28

I have a simple set of bike pedals for under the desk. I'm not very tall, but they still don't work. At all. My knees hit the bottom of the desk, the pedals slide away and the angle is too awkward.

I suggest a space heater or wool socks.
posted by bristolcat at 2:15 PM on January 28

I have a spaceheater under my desk. It's against company rules but so is calling in all the time. I hate having cold feet. I bought mine for about $15 at Walgreen's. It's very small and quiet enough that people only notice when they're standing at my desk saying, "Why is it so warm over here."
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 2:37 PM on January 28

I had the same problem. Recently invested in a small, cheap space heater - it's been worth every penny. Smartwool socks, while amazingly comfy and highly recommended, don't do the trick for me in terms of maintaining warmth while I'm idle. I also did have one of those foot rest things (someone else left it at the desk I inherited), and while I never thought of using it to stay warm, I don't think it made a difference. My space heater is on right now. Ahh. Treat yourself.
posted by xiaolongbao at 3:22 PM on January 28

The only time my feet are warm enough is outside, in full sun, in August. This is not a joke, believe me!

I recommend silk sock liners underneath wool socks. As close to August as you can get!
posted by jgirl at 3:32 PM on January 28

I second rabbitrabbit; I have a cheapo heating pad stashed under my desk and it works wonders.
posted by vincele at 5:17 PM on January 28

How about footwarmer insoles?
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:29 PM on January 28

I have a bit of a more expensive space heater than some people do, but am quite happy with it. It is the (annoyingly named) Indus-Tool TT Toasty Toes Ergonomic Heated Footrest.
posted by gudrun at 7:29 PM on January 28

I was thinking more along the lines of some foot activity, but I might start bringing warm socks or slippers. A space heater is a nice idea, but that might make me too warm (I'm generally a warm fellow, preferring a t-shirt and shorts in most weather, but that's not allowed at work).
posted by filthy light thief at 7:32 AM on January 29

The low setting (footrest setting) on the space heater I linked to, when you have it set up on the floor as a foot rest, is not too warm. You really only feel the heat when you have your feet resting directly on it (especially if you have your shoes on), and so you can put your feet on it for a bit to warm them up, and if you then take your feet off you will not be exposed to any heat.
posted by gudrun at 9:30 AM on January 29