Getting your recommended daily steps can seem impossible at a desk job.

When Dr Vanita Parekh, director of ACT's Clinical Forensic Medical Services, hit 40, she knew she wanted to do everything she could to keep in shape and active.

And while her walking desk may get her a few bemused questions, she's stuck with it for five years and even convinced others to get on-board.

She said the benefits aren't just apparent her waistline but around productivity.

"Five years ago I realised I was walking less," Dr Parekh said.

"All of the sudden life became very busy and that typically happens in your 40s actually.

"Sitting is the new tobacco, so you sort of get into that mode of sitting and you don't feel like you're doing anything."

Dr Parekh saw an article about five years ago and visited a fitness shop and saw they had one.

"They were like, 'oh look nobody's buying them'," Dr Parekh said.

Working in the public service, despite buying it privately, she had to meet some pretty strict OHS requirements.

She noticed the benefits and has converted a number of other people in the office - now boasting four walking desks in the office.

"It's good if you've got a two hour teleconference, I used to dread them but now I just put it onto mute and unmute when I have to speak," she said.

"I sleep so much better and feel better, I think there's much better productivity.

"I noticed my error rates were decreasing."

To keep it safe and practical in the office, it's a specially treadmill that only goes up to 6.9 km per hour and has no incline.

"I think people think it's a bit unusual but we do have to think about incidental exercise," Dr Parekh said.

"When you first start using it you really have to limit it to about couple kms per hour.

"After using it for a few weeks I could then be on it for four hours.

"Once you get rhythm there's something quite magical about it."