The days of traditional desk jobs are over for many people, and that means employees are getting creative with their time on the clock. With the popularization of the phrase, “sitting is the new smoking,” many workers have switched to a standing desk. And for those who prefer to keep it moving, there are the best treadmill desks, which allow you to casually stroll through your emails, computer work, and even meetings.
Like the dinosaurs, many consider working full-time in an office to be a thing of the past. The COVID-19 pandemic upended the business world — including the idea that people need to work nine to five in an office cubicle to be productive. Fast-forward to 2022 and a new survey finds more than half of adults in the United States are doing some form of remote work. In this poll of 25,000 Americans, nearly six in 10 (58%) say they’re able to work from home at least one day a week. Another 35 percent work from home for the entire week.
Working from home has many benefits, but without putting in a conscious effort, it can be just as sedentary as a traditional office job. And that can prove problematic, as science has clearly explained the benefits of getting your steps in. Research says taking more steps per day can help you live longer. Moreover, researchers say it doesn’t matter if you take them all at once or in short spurts, just getting those steps in can lower the risk of premature death. The study, involving more than 16,000 women over the age of 60, also suggests that 4,500 steps per day is enough to help extend the human lifespan. In comparison to taking no steps at all, researchers find each additional 1,000 steps contributes to a 28 percent decrease in death among study participants.
Getting steps in is an undeniable way to boost your health and improve your chances for longevity. But working full-time can certainly get in the way of fitting in those extra miles. That’s where a treadmill desk can come in handy, making it possible for you to log your working hours and your walking hours simultaneously. Of course, with so many treadmill desks on the market, it’s important to find one that can support your pace, your walking habits, and your space. That’s why StudyFinds searched the internet for expert reviews on the best treadmill desks. This list includes the most frequently recommended items, but be sure to let us know your favorite in the comments below!
The List: Best Treadmill Desks, According to Experts
1. Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
If you have limited space and a need for speed, look no further. This treadmill provides the rare combination of running paced speed capabilities and foldable storage (and at a decent price!). “Shoppers have been impressed with this multifunctional and compact under-desk treadmill, especially given how affordable it is,” notes USA Today. “The shock-absorbing belt on this treadmill is wide enough for you to safely jog and run, yet space-saving enough for you to walk while you work. The belt has five layers to prevent slip, protect knee joints, and reduce noise.”
“Some treadmill desks max out at speeds of 3 or 4 miles per hour, so they’re not suitable for running,” adds Verywell Fit. “If you’re a runner looking for a more versatile option, consider this Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill that offers both walk and run modes. It goes up to 2.5 miles per hour when its handrail is lowered, and up to 8 miles per hour when it’s lifted.”
If you don’t have enough space, or just don’t like the look of exercise equipment in your office, this treadmill is easily tucked out of sight. “The built-in wheels and foldable design are ideal for stowing away under your desk or under a piece of furniture,” says Men’s Health. “This folding treadmill has five layers of non-slip texture for plenty of cushion and support, as well as removable handles.”
2. InMovement Unsit Under Desk Treadmill
For a luxury treadmill that’s sure to hold up for years to come, you can’t go wrong with this InMovement pick. It’s a well-designed treadmill that won’t disturb your neighbors or require constant maintenance or replacement. “Whether you want a treadmill desk for employees to share at the office, or you just need something for the house that you can trust, the InMovement Unsit will do the job,” says Best Products. “Sure, it’s pricey, but it’s an incredibly sturdy investment that will last for years.”
“Most of the ultra-budget-friendly models we tested are barebones treadmill desks with modest features. The Unsit Under Desk Treadmill is in a class all its own,” boasts Men’s Health. “The wide frame and belt provide 55% more usable walking space. That equates to easier, more comfortable walking with more naturally paced strides to help prevent soreness and injuries. It’s also safer, because you’re not trying to ‘fit’ your natural gait into an unnaturally small footprint. This model is arguably the quietest on this list—’library quiet,’ according to Unsit and many reviewers. It’s also built with heavy-duty, commercial-grade materials (supports up to 400 pounds) so it’s designed to last for years.”
This treadmill stands out from the pack as the only one designed specifically with walking in mind. “As you scroll down the rest of this list, you’ll notice a pattern to all the other treadmill desks: they all look like something that was taken straight from your local Gold’s Gym,” explains Standing Desk Nation. “They are long to accommodate running – which requires a long stride. They’re skinny, so you can pack a bunch of them side-by-side.”
3. LifeSpan TR1200-DT3 Under Desk Treadmill
If you’re worried about bothering your downstairs neighbors with your treadmill desk, you’ll love this option from LifeSpan. With one of the quietest motors you can buy, you can walk and work without fear of a noise complaint. “The Lifespan TR1200-DT3 Under Desk Treadmill is one of the most popular products from the Lifespan home working range,” notes TechRadar. “The TR1200-DT3 has six impact-absorbing shocks to help dampen noise while walking and has an automatic stop when you step off the device, providing both safety and a swiftly quiet environment for taking calls.”
“As an under-desk treadmill, the Lifespan is fantastic. It has a higher weight limit of 350 pounds, a top speed of four miles per hour, and has wheels that allow you to move the treadmill when you’re not using it,” says Tom’s Guide. “It also has a large console with big buttons that make changing the speed as you work easier. The console also acts as the treadmill’s screen, displaying all the stats you need, such as distance, steps taken, and calories burned.”
“This compact treadmill is one of the quietest options you’ll find on the market. Its continuous-duty motor and impact-absorbing shocks power the belt nearly silently and dampen the sound of each step you take,” adds Verywell Fit. “It features a portable console that occupies a small space on your desktop and displays readouts for your steps, time, distance, calories, and speed.”
4. WalkingPad C2
Another great choice for those looking to conserve space, the WalkingPad C2 is easily stowed away on a moment’s notice. When it is in place, it’s a great treadmill for walking with speeds up to 3.7 MPH. “The main selling point when it comes to WalkingPad’s range of under-desk treadmills is the ability to, quite literally, fold the treadmill away when you’re not using it,” explains Tom’s Guide. “All you need to do is unfold it and plug it into the wall, and you’re ready to walk.”
“Especially if you are in an apartment or small office space, the size and look of this design offer a lot of functional benefit. When you’re not using it, simply fold it up and tuck it away. It’s not only foldable, but super lightweight, so you can move it from room to room or under the sofa with ease,” says Men’s Health. “It has a maximum speed of 3.7-mph, so it’s great for even fast walkers. A remote control allows you to easily adjust the speed of the treadmill, switch between modes, and turn it on and off. This makes it easy to customize your workout without having to stop or bend down.”
Whether you use your treadmill once a month or every day, it’s just as easy to get walking as it is to sign into your email. The same goes for putting it back in its rightful place, which will take about as long as closing your laptop. “Trapped in a small apartment? This folding treadmill is an ideal way to get your steps in and easily tucked away when not in use,” adds TechRadar. “The folding functions shorten the length of the machine, allowing you to stow it where other machines might be too long. Even flatter ones such as the Bluefin don’t have this kind of space-saving capability.”
5. GoYouth 2-in-1 Under-Desk Treadmill
With a speed range wide enough to allow for anything from a snail-paced walk to a jog, this treadmill is the perfect companion to a standing desk. Quiet, light, and easy-to-use, this GoYouth treadmill is sure to please. “If you already own a standing desk, this lightweight under-desk treadmill will likely fit right under it,” notes Prevention. “This treadmill allows the user to change speed levels, which range from 0.5 to 6 MPH, via remote control. The shock-absorbing rubber belt makes running a quiet experience. ‘This little bad boy has some power!’ wrote one reviewer.”
“The GOYOUTH treadmill reaches a maximum speed of 6 miles per hour, which is perfect for those who like to occasionally throw a light jog in their exercise regimen,” adds Best Products. “It also has a large LED display that shows your time, calories burned, steps taken, speed, and distance traveled. With a price often below $400, the GOYOUTH stretches your dollar further than other treadmills.”
If you like to jam out to some tunes while you walk through your workday, this treadmill comes equipped for the task. As USA Today puts it, “what’s also great is that you can connect your mobile device via Bluetooth to listen to music as you walk as slowly as 0.5 miles per hour—or run up to 5.6 miles per hour.”
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Sources:
- USA Today
- ZDNet
- Verywell Fit
- Men’s Health
- Prevention
- Best Products
- Tom’s Guide
- Standing Desk Nation
- TechRadar
- Well + Good
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links.