Sitting all day is worse than smoking!
Remaining in one position too long (even if it is ergonomically correct) can have a negative effect on your overall health.
According to studies, sitting for too long gives rise to cardiovascular diseases and other health problems like high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol levels. Not only that, but it also impacts your mental health.
So, how to stay active and work at the same time? The answer is “treadmill desks” or “under desk treadmills“.
Walking on an under-desk treadmill is a simple way to introduce exercise and activity to your workday.
In other words, it will help you stay active and healthy without sparing a single minute from your busy routine or schedule.
In this article “under desk treadmill reviews”, we will present to you these engines, their benefits, how to choose the right one, our selection of under-desk treadmills, and how to use it correctly. We will also answer some common related questions.
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Image | Product | Price |
  | LifeSpan Fitness TR5000 Most Durable | Check Price |
  | WALKINGPAD C2 Smart | Check Price |
  | Goplus Lightweight | Check Price |
Under Desk Treadmill Reviews – Our Top Picks
We’ve gone through and research some of the bestselling under table treadmills to give you a better understanding and hopefully provide you with better options.
Here is the list of best under desk treadmills as reviewed by Productive Desks Team.
2. Without no doubts, quality of the machine depends on the price you are willing to pay for, especially for this kind of products. Therefore, a $500 machine will not perform as well as a $1500 machine.
List of symbols and units used to describe products features:
- L: length
- W: Width
- H: Height
- “: Inch
- Lbs: pound
- Mph: miles per hour
- HP: Horsepower
>>> Most Durable Treadmill
Here are some of the technical features:
- User weight capacity: 400 lbs
- Dimensions : 63 x 29 x 7.5 inches
- Side Rails: Aluminum
- Speed: 0.4 – 4 mph
- Product Weight: 122 lbs.
TR5000-DT3 is a durable and quiet under desk treadmill, offering an easy initial set up and a simple control board.
PROS
- Maintenance-free belt
- Simple control board
- Compact design and Sturdy construction
- Quiet and powerful motor
- Durable, built to last
- Easy to set up
CONS
- The unit does not fold up.
- No bluetooth
>>> Smart Treadmill
- Dimensions : 56.38 x 21.54 x 5.08 inches (L x W x H)
- Folding Size: 32.50 x 21.54 x 5.08 inches (L x W x H)
- Speed Range: 0.31-3.72 miles per hour
- Product Weight: 61 pounds
WALKINGPAD C2 is a smart durable treadmill.
It has 2 rollers at the bottom allowing it to be moved smoothly in the limited space under the desk, sofa or bed.
The treadmill offers two modes: Manual mode with a remote control and Auto mode operated by the user’s footstep to start ans stop, accelerate and decelerate.
You can connect it with the WalkingPad APP or through the LED light on the dashboard, you can see the data for each walk, it quantifies and urges you to exercise.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Minimalist design
- Child lock protection
- 2 modes: Manual and Automatic
- No assembly required
- Shock absorption
- Remote controller
- Easy to fold (storage)
CONS
- The speed can be increased
>>> Lightweight
Here are some of the need-to knows:
- User weight capacity: 220 lbs
- Dimensions : 51.5 x 23.5 x 6 (L x W x H) inches
- Belt dimensions: 41″L x 17″ W
- Speed: 0.5 – 4 mph
- Product Weight: 55.5 lbs
The GoPlus under desk treadmill is one of the lowest-priced under desk treadmills available. An economical and space-saving solution if you want to get some steps in while you work.
It is equipped with a LED display where you can see the time, speed, distance and calories burned, and a wireless remote with an emergency brake button to ensure your safety. Not to mention that the display of this walking machine is touchable, which allows you to use it even if the remote control is damaged.
To reduce the noise and the vibration, the manufacturer integrated eight rubber columns and foot pads.
And don’t worry, you won’t find a problem moving it or storing it, thanks to its ultra-thin body and flexible scroll wheel.
PROS
- Lightweight Design
- Easy to move and to store
- Shock absorption Design
- Touchable LED display, easy to read
- Remote operation
- Sturdy frame
CONS
- Not for heavy users, limited user weight capacity
- It turns off when it hits 100 minutes.
What Are Under Desk Treadmills?
Under desk treadmill is a piece of indoor sporting equipment used to allow for the motions of running or walking while staying in one place, which is in our case the office or your home.
They are very similar to the treadmills you find at the gym; the difference is that under desk treadmills are more compact, they have smaller control panels and they’re without arm rails.
You can put them under your standing desk or your standing desk converter and they will allow you to work and walk simultaneously at a slow walking speed.
Like most products in the market, these devices come in various shapes, sizes, and quality levels.
We can sort them into 3 categories:
Heavy Duty
This type of under desk treadmills is our favorite.
They last longer, they are easy to maintain, the manufacturer provides longer warranties and they can support heavyweight up to 400lbs.
If the treadmill you’re looking for is meant to be used by more than one person like a group of coworkers or family members, we recommend you to focus your research on this category.
Medium Duty
This category is halfway between the first and the third ones. Therefore, most products falling under this category in the market are either high priced quality products or low quality and cheap.
Light Duty
If you’re an individual, planning on using your under desk treadmill for only a couple of hours a day, this kind might be the one for you.
They are usually low priced but in return, they are made of the lowest cost components, hence they have the shortest warranties.
How to Choose An Under Desk Treadmill?
The treadmills market is expanding day by day hence it’s becoming hard to choose the convenient under desk treadmill.
Lost within numerous options, most people end up making the wrong decision.
It’s a one-time investment that will improve your life quality, so let us guide you to make the right decision.
We’ve done some research to define the exact factors to consider when buying an under-desk treadmill, and we’ve come up with the following checkpoints, ordered according to priority:
Noise
You want to exercise while working, but you don’t want to do it in a noisy environment. Luckily, many of the latest under desk treadmills are great at noise cancellation.
User Weight Capacity
When it comes to weight rating, some manufacturers are “optimist”. So, to play it safe, add 150 pounds to your body weight and check if the under desk treadmill can handle it.
Dimensions And Belt Walking Area
For this point, you want to consider two main factors: the first one is how much room your under desk treadmill can take up and the second one would be the amount of space you need to work and walk comfortably; a small belt can be unsafe for larger users.
Console And Controller
This component will be your way to communicate with the treadmill. Therefore, it should be user-friendly.
Warranty
Lifetime warranty varies from manufacturer to another. But as a rule of thumb, the more the treadmill costs, the longer the warranty.
Weight
The total weight of the treadmill is in pounds. Based on our research, the more the treadmill is heavy, the more it tends to be solid and better built.
Speed & Motor Rating
The treadmill’s speed is given in miles per hour (mph), and the motor rating which is the power level of the treadmill’s motor, is given in Horse Power (HP).
Assembly
Most of the under desk treadmills in the market are shipped pre-assembled, including the ones we’ve selected for you.
5 Benefits Of Using An Under Desk Treadmill
Here are 5 Benefits of having an under-desk treadmill in your office:
1. Health First!
Walk regularly and you will:
- Burn more calories
- Build lean muscles
- Improve blood circulation
- Lower your risk of heart diseases, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes by more than 50%
- Ameliorate your cognitive abilities
- Lower your back pain
- Synchronize your muscular movements with your body
2. Two In One
The office won’t be a place of continuous sitting anymore. You’ll get to be active while working.
For example, you can walk while having an online meeting, checking your mail or answering a phone call.
3. Anytime, Anywhere.
You can do it anytime, anywhere. No need to pack a gym bag or worry about showering later. 10 minutes’ walk breaks every hour is a good idea to stay active for the rest of the day and get more things done.
4. Feel Good
Feeling stressed and overwhelmed at work is something that we all encounter. Walking is scientifically known for being a great way to improve the state of mind. Not only it releases tension and depression but it also brings confidence and higher morale.
5. Productivity and creativity
When walking, you enhance your brain cells connections, improve your memory, stimulate the growth of new neurons, and more.
As a result, your brain productively processes information, and new creative ideas start to flow in.
Instructions for How to Use an Under Desk Treadmill
Under desk treadmills can be paired with standing desks or standing desk converters.
Most of these engines are programmed with a maximum speed of 4 miles per hour, which is the walking speed.
Make sure to walk at a speed that won’t cause you to sweat, you want to stay active and work, not active and need to take a shower.
Be cautious when choosing your walking shoes. They should make you feel comfortable and not damage the treadmill belt.
You can buy a yoga ball to sit on (link to Amazon) for those times you want to sit rather than walk.
Finally, be sure to alternate between sitting and standing. Just as it’s not healthy to sit constantly for 8 hours a day, you shouldn’t walk for 8 hours, either!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you run on these under the table treadmills?
These under desk treadmills were designed for walking not running or jogging. Their maximum motor speed is 2 miles per hour, sometimes 4 miles per hour.
Besides, it’s not fun to be sweating in the middle of a task at hand, or in front of all of your co-workers in the center of your office.
Are treadmill desks good?
Under desk treadmills are a great solution if you aim to stay active at work and release daily stress.
If your goal is different; like losing weight, it might help but it’s better to consider other ways to do it because treadmill desks aren’t a replacement for regular exercise.
Who Is An Under The Desk Treadmill For?
If you have a standing desk and you are looking to increase their activity in the workplace, an under the desk treadmill is an ideal solution for you.
If you’re keen to improve your physical health, psychological well-being and output at work, this could well be the perfect solution for you.
Are treadmill desks safe to use?
Yes, they are safe to use.
Most of the under-desk treadmills we’ve picked are equipped with safety features.
Walking on the under desk treadmill while at a conference is absolutely like walking in the street while talking on the phone.
The human brain can perfectly handle both activities simultaneously.
Unless the task you’re working on requires your full focus and attention, we recommend you to process it in a sitting/standing positing.
Can you run on a treadmill desk?
Let me help you to visually differentiate between walking treadmills and running treadmills.
Walking Treadmills
- Without safety handles
- Small Desktop control console
- Maximum speed: 4mph
- Usually quiet
- Compact base
Running Treadmills
- With safety handles
- Large plastic pedestal console
- Speed can exceed 4mph
- Make sounds
- Longer base
Therefore, if you buy one of the under desk treadmills above, don’t try to run on it because it can cause some damage.
What is NEAT?
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise. It ranges from the energy expended walking to work, typing, performing yard work, undertaking agricultural tasks and fidgeting.
Generally speaking, it’s any activity that increases your resting heart rate by between 10 and 50%.
>>> Related : Is Kneeling Better Than Sitting At A Desk?
To Wrap Up – Under Desk Treadmill Reviews
Walking has a tremendous positive impact on our bodies and brains. We become more active, more productive and more joyful.
So, if we can practice this activity on a daily basis while saving time, why not have a treadmill in the office?!
Tasks like talking on the phone, responding to emails, typing, and conference calls can be performed effortlessly on an under desk treadmill.
We hope you gained some interesting insights about under desk treadmills and manage to choose the right one for you.
We also want to know if you use other desk treadmills than the ones listed in this article and whether you like them.
Let us know, leave us a comment below.