Under desk treadmills offer an excellent solution to incorporate movement into your routine without needing to step away from the convenience of your home. If you have an office job or regularly WFH, it's likely that you spend a considerable portion of your day seated. Which can have an adverse impact both your physical and mental well-being. But not all under desk treadmills are made equal; when it comes to investing in the best, there are several factors to take into account – including dimensions, maximum user weight, storage, and speed options.
These portable and ultra-quiet walking pads can fit under a standing desk and ensure an increase to your physical activity and step count while you take meetings, answer emails and generally power through your to-do list. That said, under desk treadmills don't have to solely focus on productivity. You might just desire a walking pad for home workouts, enjoying the convenience of exercising while binge-watching your latest Netflix obsession.
Why is walking so good for your mental health? | What are the benefits of under-desk treadmills? | Can you run on a walking pad? | What should you consider when shopping for one? | How we test | Our full edit of the best
Best under desk treadmills at a glance
- Best overall: LifeSpan Under Desk Treadmill, £1,249, Amazon
- Best runner up: Goyouth Under Desk Treadmill, £329.99, Amazon
- Best compact: JTX Movelight, £449, JTX
- Best with LED display: WalkingPad C2 (S1) Treadmill, £389, Amazon
- Best with remote control: WalkingPad P1 Folding Walking Treadmill, £379, Walking Pad
Of course, in most cases, an under desk treadmill – particularly one with multiple walking speeds, good weight capacity and LED display – can set you back a few hundred pounds. So, we set out to do some proper research around the trend. Y’know: make sure that investing in an under-desk treadmill is really as beneficial to your fitness goals as social media users make out (spoiler: it is).
So, we called in the experts, to find out exactly how an under desk treadmill could greatly improve our sedentary lifestyles – and which ones to invest in if you decide to do so.
Why is walking such a good mental health boosting activity?
“The simple act of walking may not regarded as the most strenuous workout, but it carries significant importance in enhancing human functionality,” says Harun Okine, Personal Trainer from The Body Lab London.
He adds: “Aerobic training provides numerous advantages to our brain, particularly in the hippocampus region, which is crucial for learning and memory. Similar to muscles, the brain responds to regular aerobic exercise like walking by increasing the volume of the hippocampus, thereby boosting cognitive function and improving stress management through the release of endorphins, leading to enhanced mood."
What are the benefits of an under desk treadmill?
“Other than being convenient and a great way to incorporate exercise into your day, an under desk treadmill can offer multiple health and wellness benefits,” Harun says. “Much like any movement, an under desk treadmill is brilliant for supporting a healthy lifestyle. Offering improved physical health, it can also help reduce stress and anxiety, by releasing feel-good hormones in your brain. In addition, walking while working (on an under desk treadmill) can help increase blood flow and release endorphins, which can improve focus, creativity, and productivity.”
On top of this, studies show that walking throughout the day can boost energy levels, meaning you're less likely to experience those slumps that we can often have during the day. This is particularly beneficial if you're trying to cut down on your caffeine intake or trying to avoid sugary snacks that can cause a crash later on in the day.
Plus, after several years of working from our beds, sofas, beanbags – basically anything we could fashion a ‘home office’ out of during the pandemic – many of us are suffering from poor posture, which can lead to further complications later on it, and so avoiding this positions in favour of keeping upright and walking is a brilliant way of helping you ease back into better posture control.
Ready to walk the walk?
Can you run on an under desk treadmill?
It entirely depends on the model as some only operate at walking pace. Even if you opt for one capable of faster speeds, exercising caution is paramount. Many under-desk treadmills do not have a frame for you to hold onto if you need support or easy access to emergency stop buttons.
Furthermore, if you are running on a treadmill you need to focus more, which is harder if you are trying to concentrate on an unrelated work task. Therefore, it's essential to consider these factors before incorporating a treadmill into your workspace routine.
What features should you consider in an under desk treadmill?
“Unlike the traditional treadmills the under desk treadmills are typically designed for walking and jogging rather than running at high speeds. As well as maximum weight, traditional treadmills may take up to 130kg whereas the under desk treadmills may only take up to 100kg, " Harun tells us.
We'd recommend looking at customer reviews to see how other people rate the machine as this will give you more insight into the product. Oh, and make sure it comes with a warranty – the long and more inclusive, the better. You can also save when you shop with our Decathlon discount codes, Nike discount codes and Amazon promo codes.
How we choose under desk treadmills
In our guide to the best under desk treadmills, we consulted with personal trainers and endurance specialists to uncover the key elements that distinguish superior walking pads. Drawing from their insights, we used that intel as our guiding criteria for this round up, aligning with our rigorous testing criteria. We evaluated various factors like size, maximum speeds, motor power and storage capabilities.
Ahead, our full edit of under desk treadmills to add to your checkout.
Specifications:
- Size: 18 x 74 x 72cm
- Weight: 52kg
- Storage: Not foldable though has wheels for easy moving.
Pros: The compact design – with a maximum speed between 0.6 - 6.4 km/h – makes it an easy space-saving fit for most elevated desks, home gyms and smaller rooms. The simple interface is clear and easy to manage and preset memory buttons means that the treadmill will remember your preferred speeds each time you use it (ideal if you're late for a Zoom meeting and just need to hop on and go).
Cons: Because the LifeSpan Treadmill doesn't fold, it can be a bit tricky to hide away after a day's worth of cardio WFH.
Specifications:
- Size: 139 x 68 x 16.5cm
- Weight: 29kg
- Storage: Transport wheels make it easy to move and store anywhere you like.
Pros: A built-in Bluetooth speaker will keep you motivated as you work, walk or both, while the multi-layer running belt provides silent shock absorption, making the experience smooth and stopping you from sliding – even when you're not fully concentrating.
Cons: There is a slight delay when adjusting speeds.
Specifications:
- Size: 143.2 x 54.7 x 12.9cm
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Storage: It's super easy to store under a bed or sofa, movable via wheels.
Pros: We love the quiet 1HP motor (which means it's pretty cost-effective to run) – ideal if you're easily distracted or irritated by excess noise – and the easy-to-use remote control means you can easily switch between different modes throughout the day. It's also low to floor so you can easily step on and off.
Cons: It has a lower max user weight than some other models (100kg).
Specifications:
- Size: 144.5 x 51.8 x 12.5cm.
- Weight: 25kg.
- Storage: Folding design allows you to tuck it away under the bed or sofa.
Pros: No assembly is needed for this treadmill; just unfold it, plug it in, and it's ready to go. Weighing only 25kg and equipped with two wheels, you can effortlessly move it around your office or living room for a workout while you work. Plus, its easy-to-read LED display keeps you informed about steps, training time, speed, calories burned, and distance covered. It's the perfect solution for staying active on days when you're unable to venture outdoors.
Cons: The maximum speed achievable is 6km/h, meaning that this pad is exclusively designed for walking.
Specifications:
- Size: 143.2 x 54.7 x 12.9cm.
- Weight: 28kg.
- Storage: 180-degree folding means you can move it out of the way when it's not in use.
Pros: Walking Pad's P1 model features a display screen integrated into its remote control rather than a separate data panel. This treadmill arrives fully assembled, ready for immediate use out of the box, and its 180-degree folding design ensures effortless storage. What's more, its foot-sensing speed control guarantees you maintain a manageable pace as you workout.
Cons: The one-year warranty offered is marginally shorter compared to other models within this edit.
Specifications:
- Size: 121 x 50 x 13cm.
- Weight: 18.9kg.
- Storage: While it's not foldable, it does have transport wheels which make it easy to move and store.
Pros: Featuring a speed range of 1km/h to 10km/h, this treadmill surpasses most walking pads in speed capability. Its transport wheels facilitate effortless movement and storage, effectively maximising floor space. Using the remote control, you can adjust speed, turn the treadmill on/off, and conveniently view essential data including time, speed, calories burned, and distance, ensuring sustained motivation. With a multi-layer shock-absorptive running belt, it efficiently absorbs impact forces, preventing joints and ligaments from potential damage.
Cons: The carpet will impact the treadmill's ability to dissipate heat, making it unsuitable for placement on carpeted surfaces.
Specifications:
- Size: 146 x 72 x 90cm.
- Weight: 33kg.
- Storage: It has a foldable design so you can free up floor space as and when you need.
Pros: This versatile 2-in-1 treadmill offers two modes to accommodate various exercise preferences. With the handrail folded, it functions as an under-desk treadmill, capable of speeds ranging from 0.5 to 6km/h. When the handrail is raised, the speed range extends from 0.5 to 10km/h, allowing you to run at a faster pace. Equipped with a child lock, speed limit, emergency stop cable, and automatic standby feature, it ensures enhanced safety during use.
Cons: Some buyers have observed that manoeuvring the treadmill on carpet has proved to be challenging due to its small wheel size.
Specifications:
- Size: 74 x 104 x 51cm
- Weight: 150kg
- Storage: It's a tricky one, we'd only recommend opting for this under desk treadmill if you have the space for it.
Pros: Yes, we know it's the priciest option on our list, but you are buying a pretty fancy desk and a treadmill together – and you can choose to use them separately, so you don't need to commit to walking all day long, simply disconnect the desk and slide the treadmill away when you fancy a sit down. The desk height is also controlled electronically, so you literally don't have to lift a finger (though you are obviously making up for it by lifting your feet continuously).
Cons: It doesn't fold away and it is quite a bit larger than most of the other under desk treadmills on our list.
Specifications:
- Size: 141.5 x 67.5 x 12cm
- Weight: 38kg
- Storage: The practical folding design and built-in transport wheels make this running machine one of the easiest to fold, move and store.
Pros: This multifunctional treadmill has two sport modes. It can be used as running treadmill or under desk walking treadmill. Plus, as the machine is equipped with eight shock-absorbing cushions under the running deck, it protects your knees as you go.
Cons: Some users have found that the machine can intermittently interfere with wifi.
Specifications:
- Size: 122 x 49 x 14cm
- Weight: 21.6kg
- Storage: The foldable function makes this a perfect option for a smaller space.
Pros: This folding treadmill provides two exercise modes and an adjustable speed of up to 10km/h, as well as an armrest that can be used as support while walking. The built-in monitor shows you real-time workout information and the motor is powerful yet quiet.
Cons: The safety band must be worn in order to operate the remote which can feel restrictive.
Specifications:
- Size: 124.46 x 58.42 x 127cm
- Weight: 21.18kg
- Storage: You can easily fold and store away.
Pros: Create goal-specific workouts with the LCD monitor, the dual flywheels provide an endless source of resistance by requiring more force to be produced when you're increasing speed and rubber handrails are slip resistant and provide additional support as you continue a steady pace.
Cons: The wheel guards - which help to provide a smooth experience - can feel flimsy and require replacement.
After more content like this? Shop the best exercise bikes, best whey protein, best running buggies, pre-workout supplements, best fitness trackers and running jackets for women. For more from GLAMOUR UK's Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.
