If you're anything like me, you'll love workout hacks and healthy living tips that are not only effective but time-efficient, too. Staying healthy is important, sure, but so is making sure you have plenty of time to relax and unwind. That's why, when I saw a walking pad review on my TikTok feed earlier this year, I was intrigued.
With a casual 5.1 million views on the #walkingtreadmill hashtag TikTok alone, it's fair to say the pads - most of which fold up and can fit in a cupboard or behind your desk when you're not using them - are having a bit of a moment.
So, why might you consider investing in one? Far too many wellness tips and tricks take up way too much time, in my opinion. While I love staying fit and healthy - it's a part of my life now - it's still just a part, meaning I'm all for fitness equipment, workout, and mindfulness techniques that leave me feeling my best without taking hours out of my day.
Sure, heading to the gym for an hour might be doable for some, but for many others, it simply won't be a viable option. Even heading out for a daily walk might be a struggle if you've got a newborn or other commitments at home.
So, with that in mind, I decided to put a walking pad to the test for you over the course of nine months. The real question I wanted to know the answer to is whether I'd use it or whether it'd become another large piece of gym kit that gathered dust in my study, plus whether I'd actually feel any fitter from having it in the house.
Spoiler alert: I'm something of a convert, but more on that below. And while I first wrote this review in April 2023, I've since updated the piece as I still love using the walking pad most weeks to help hit my step count.
For my review, keep scrolling. Do read our explainer on the benefits of walking and guides to walking workouts and soft hiking, plus one MC UK staffer's review of walking every day for two weeks, while you're here. Indoor walking workouts, at the ready.
Walking pad review: Quick shopping links
THERUN Walking Pad Treadmill | £129.99 at Amazon, was £179.99 (save 24%)
Dripex Walking Pad Treadmill | £179.99 at Amazon
UREVO Treadmill with Incline | £189.99 at Amazon, was £229.99 (save 17%)
Sperax Walking Pad Treadmill | £199.99 at Amazon, was £229.99 (save 33%)
Walking pad review: My verdict after 20 months
What is a walking pad?
As the name implies, walking pads - sometimes also called walking treadmills - are treadmills specifically designed for getting your steps in from home.
Unlike traditional, bulkier treadmills designed for running, they're stereotypically smaller in size and fold up, so you can store and move them around your house easily when not in use.
The majority will allow you to control the speed with a small remote control, with speeds ranging from a gentle, slow walk to a brisk walk. Most also show you the total amount of time you've been moving for and the steps you've completed on a small screen.
@thesabrinatan ♬ People (Sped Up) - Libianca & sped up + slowed
What are the benefits of using a walking pad?
It's likely not news to you that we're a nation of sedentary work-from-homers. I'll be the first to admit that I'm normally very active on the days when I'm in the office, but come particularly busy work-from-home days, sometimes average a shockingly low step count.
And I'm not alone - research from Fellowes found that 81% of UK workers spend between four and nine hours per day sitting at a desk, with the NHS warning that excessive sitting can cause a multitude of health issues spanning cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and more.
That's where a walking treadmill comes in, which a 2021 review and meta-analysis found lowered both blood pressure and body fat percentage. Further, a 2018 study by the University of Leicester published in the British Medical Journal found that sit-stand desks (which having a walking pad under your desk forces you to have) significantly helped to reduce sitting time and improve productivity.
In short, having a walking pad at home promises to make walking easier and more accessible, and the benefits of walking, according to the NHS, include:
- Improved energy
- Reduced stress
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved sleep
- Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, asthma, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some types of cancer.
@hauskris ♬ original sound - Kristen
How I found using a walking pad
While the delivery man definitely raised his eyebrows when I explained the bulky item was, in fact, a walking pad for my office, set up couldn't have been easier. It was as simple as unpacking from the box, unfolding, and plugging in. A quick scan of the instructions and a tap of the "on" button on the remote control later, and I was off.
For the first few months of this year, I used the treadmill most during dark, winter evenings when I wanted to get a few final thousand steps in for the day but didn't want to head out solo in the rain or wind. I'd finish off my final few hours at work, finalising articles and subbing content, all while gently getting my steps in with the treadmill under my desk.
While working out how to get my laptop to the ideal height on my desk took some navigating (read: I actually just ended up with my laptop on top of a few storage boxes), this could easily be rectified with a standing or moving desk. Plus, I didn't mind having to move a few boxes.
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to work and walk - I'd thought that it might have been a pipe dream to think I could multi-task, but it was doable if I made sure my walking speed wasn't too fast. This was one learning - ramp the speed up and you'll likely want to get off quicker. Opt for a slower, steadier pace and you'll be able to walk for longer. I sometimes walked for up to 45 minutes to an hour a day.
I also can't stress enough how easy it is to get out and put away. I'd been sceptical to begin with because I didn't want a large piece of gym equipment taking up space in the house if I wasn't going to use it. I've used it at least twice a week since the New Year, though, and so feel like it's been great value for money.
Come the summer months, I'll admit that I wasn't using it as much, but I did still enjoy it for otherwise sedentary work-from-home days. There are hardly any other workouts you can do while working, making it the perfect steady-state cardio for anyone who's busy or struggles to fit exercise in.
Not to mention, for evenings at home alone, I sometimes hopped on while watching an old re-run of Friends or This Is Us. Light a cosy candle, put on your favourite jumper, and you're relaxing and improving your fitness - a surefire win, win, in my books.
I'm a convert - especially as the days get darker and the window to workout in daylight already feels like it's getting shorter. For me, having a walking pad at home has made hitting my daily step count an easy non-negotiable, rather than an afterthought or something I told myself I'd do.
Need more convincing? Well, the proof is in the pudding, really. Checking my Health app on my iPhone, I've averaged 15,000 steps a day this year compared to 11,000 last year. I'm much fitter, I look forward to working out more, and I have more energy - and I can confidently say this is largely thanks to the walking pad and how easy and enjoyable it's been to use.
Plus, I'm not the only MC UK staffer who's a fan of a walking pad. As Executive Beauty Editor Shannon Lawlor shares: "I'm not someone who finds joy in exercising. I’m yet to experience that "endorphin" release people who exercise tell me exists. For me, moving is a chore. Having said that, I have always considered myself a walker—it’s a form of gentle cardio that I actually enjoy. When I’m out and about, I’ll happily walk for miles without a care in the world, but with working from home becoming more of a "thing", British weather letting me down, and a busy work schedule that often leaves me wanting to spend my weekends rotting on the sofa, getting in my beloved walks isn’t always easy. It’s for this exact reason I've loved my walking pad - it’s a very simple, no-frills, at-home way of getting me moving."
Fashion Writer Sofia Piza agrees, sharing: "My walking pad has been a total game-changer for me, allowing me to complete some extra steps in the evening as I catch up with my favourite TV shows and podcasts. It's been crucial for helping me squeeze in some movement when the rain didn't align with my plans. "
My thoughts 20 months on
I first started using my walking pad in January 2023 and it was a real game changer for getting my steps in during the colder winter months.
But how has it actually fared in the long run and do I still use it as much as when I initially got it, or is it just gathering dust in the corner of my study? Good question. And, well, I have two answers for you.
Truth be told, I do still use the walking pad as much as when I initially got it, which has pleasantly surprised me. It's super easy to set up and put away, which plays a large part, plus it's not strenuous to use, meaning I don't ever feel daunted to use it. It's just a low impact, easy way to up my step count from home while working or watching my favourite TV show.
That said, I'd say this is largely down to how much I knew I'd use it. If you're not much of a walker or don't like getting your steps in, it might be better to invest in machine that's better suited to your likes - say, a spin bike if you're a cyclist or some Pilates equipment if that's your jam.
I'd also flag here that my usage has depended on the season. You see, I never use the walking pad as much in summer as I do in winter, as I prefer to get my steps in outside while getting some fresh air and soaking up some nature. But I do still use it regularly (around two or three times a week) to on work from home days when I'd like to get some steps in while I'm working on my laptop.
Shop walking treadmills now:
With a speed of up to six kilometres an hour, this is one of the most budget-friendly under-desk treadmills on the market. Whether you're looking to up your steps while working or simply want an accessible way to move when the weather's bad, this model averages a 4.5-star rating.
This walking pad comes fully assembled, meaning it requires minimal assembly time. It also has a powerful 2.5 HP motor, holds up to 265 pounds, and is portable and light, too, weighing only 17.5kg.
With nearly 1000 reviews and a 4.5-star average rating, it's fair to say this walking pad is a popular option. With a manual incline design, you can change up the intensity more than other models. It's compact, making it easy to put away and transport, too.
What Senior Health Editor Ally Head thought when testing: "The BodyMax walking pad is the walking pad I have and I can't recommend it enough. It's easy to set up and put away, compact, and doesn't get dirty or dusty. Simply plug in, decide your walking speed, and you're off."
"I love that it folds in half, making it super easy to store, and has wheels, too, making it easy to move around. While it isn't designed for fast running, you could certainly light jog on it, although I prefer ramping it up to a fast walk while working through emails while WFH."
"Only con I can think of, although it's never bothered me: it does make a whirring noise while running, that said, I was actually pleasantly surprised by how quiet it is."
With nearly 2000 Amazon reviews, this walking pad is a standout favourite among reviewers. They rave about its versatility, powerful motor, and two in one design, which means you can both run and walk on it. It's also said to be space-saving and ideal for small spaces.
What Fashion Writer Sofia Piza thought when testing: "This walking pad has a speed of zero to 12 kilometres per hour, meaning you can both walk and light jog."
"Featuring a foldable bar with an added stand to place your phone while you watch TV or listen to an audiobook, there's a handy emergency cord to hook on to your clothes in case you trip or fall. It's not the lightest of designs, that said, it has handy built-in wheels to ensure you can move the device easily around your home. For me, investing in one has undoubtedly made me more active on days when I can't exercise outdoors or for WFH afternoons where I'd otherwise be sitting sedentary."
"While this walking pad doesn't have a pause feature - I use a separate tracking device to record total steps - you don't notice it against the many pros of the design."
"I was conscious of noise, living in a second-floor flat, but have been pleasantly surprised that the pad doesn't generate too much noise or disturb the neighbours. That said, you can hear the noise if you're in the next room, so do be mindful of this if you have any family or flatmates asleep in the same space as you. Only other thing to note - it doesn't fold in half, rather, the handle folds flat. This works for me as it means I can slide it neatly under my sofa, but is worth thinking about."
What Executive Beauty Editor Shannon Lawlor thought when testing: "I'm an avid TV watcher – I have countless episodes of reality television to watch a week. I recently read about a technique of associating exercise with a guilty pleasure in order to encourage yourself to do it, so I figured if I tell myself I can only watch my latest Real Housewives episodes while walking on my walking pad, maybe I’d be able to get my daily movement in without it feeling like a chore. And it’s actually worked. I keep this pad folded up neatly behind the door in our spare bedroom so it’s out of sight, out of mind for most of the day. Then, when it’s time to catch up on my trash TV, I simply roll it out, secure the handrails and get moving. It’s worth noting, it won’t turn on without everything being properly secured – so the handrail does need to go up. This means it wouldn’t work particularly well as a walking desk. The tray to position your phone or tablet on is small and it definitely wouldn’t hold a laptop."
"The speed functions are just what I need. It doesn’t go up to a run, but the fastest option is (for me, as somebody with long legs) a very brisk speed walk or a very light jog. It also has a digital display to show calories burned and distance travelled. Oh, and if you’re a techy sort of person (I’m not), there’s also an option to link your devices to it via Bluetooth. All in all, it’s a very simple, no-frills, at-home treadmill that does a perfect job at getting me moving. And that’s all I wanted."
Other accessories to support you on your walking pad:
Be less like me (see previous about stacking my laptop on top of several precariously balanced cardboard boxes) and set up your WFH walking desk the right way with this ergonomic platform. Clip this handy workstation onto your treadmill handlebars and voila: you've got a simple-to-use desk, at your service.
Keep your investment dust-free with this affordable and easy-to-use cover, which is weatherproof, waterproof, and promises to offer a universal fit, too.
Keen to shop other MC UK-approved fitness products, while you're here? Don't miss our edits of the best gym leggings, running shorts, sports bras, gym trainers, and workout tops for women, while you're at it.
Are walking treadmills any good?
Having tested mine for nine months now, I can confidently say they're an effective and easy way to up your daily step count from the comfort of your home.
Plus, various research has found that using them can lower both your blood pressure and body fat percentage. This 2018 study also proved that making your desk a sit-stand hybrid - aka owning a walking pad - reduces the time you spend sitting during the day and, in turn, improves productivity.
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