Gadgets & Workspaces · Story 4

This is what peak gaming looks like /s

This is what peak gaming looks like /s
Image via r/SteamDeck

A Reddit user mounted a Steam Deck on a treadmill using a Mechanism claw mount and Jsaux ModCase adapter, playing a game while holding two Joy-Cons separately. The post, titled sarcastically as “peak gaming,” drew over 4,100 upvotes and 240 comments on r/SteamDeck.

The setup highlights a growing trend of combining exercise with handheld gaming, and the community discussion reveals practical concerns about ergonomics, sweat damage, and controller choice for treadmill use.

Key details

  • The Steam Deck is attached via a Mechanism claw mount with a Jsaux ModCase adapter, not held by hand.
  • The user plays with two separate Joy-Cons (from a Nintendo Switch) to keep hands at their sides while walking.
  • The post has a score of 4,134 and 240 comments as of May 21, 2026.
  • The game shown appears to involve “Farming Audino’s for XP,” likely a Pokémon title.

Discussion angles

  • Using separate Joy-Cons allows hands-free movement and better breathing during exercise, unlike a single controller.
  • The Steam Deck’s weight makes holding it impractical for treadmill use, justifying the mount.
  • Sweating during exercise raises concerns about using an expensive controller; some suggest a cheaper alternative.
  • The small touchscreen area for battle commands is hard to see while walking.
  • The game choice (grinding Audino XP) is seen as a low-effort, repetitive activity suitable for multitasking.

Top comments

Commenters largely engaged with the practical details of the setup, praising the Joy-Con idea for ergonomics while warning about sweat damage to the controller. The top commenter explained the mount and game, and others joked about the “honest life” of grinding XP.

If you connect 2 joycons (switch1) you can keep your hands at your side while exercising instead of having to keep them in front of you on one controller and partially restrict your breathing
u/schodown · 527 score
Anticipating y'alls questions: How is the steam deck attached? Mechanism claw mount with the jsaux modcase adapter Why not just hold the steam deck? Because it's heavy and this is funnier. What game is that?...
u/BloomEPU · 284 score
I can barely see the small touch area (the one with battle commands)
u/tulpyvow · 25 score
You do you, but I sweat enough that I’d use a cheaper controller
u/Original_East1271 · 23 score
Farming Audino's for XP, its an honest life!gif
u/Eccentric_Milk_Steak · 20 score