I Was Fully Prepared To Call the Trending TikTok Walking Pad a Fad – but It’s Seriously Improved My Fitness
Trust me on this one.
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, I was intrigued.
With a casual 5.1 million views on the #walkingtreadmill hashtag TikTok at the time of writing, 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. Not everyone can commit to walking every day for two weeks or soft hiking - 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 for my initial review. 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. Having owned this walking pad since 2023 and using it pretty much every week for indoor walking workouts and indoor walking challenges, I can honestly say I love it as much now as I did then - and still recommend it to everyone looking for an under-desk walking pad and interested in the benefits of walking, and specifically the many benefits of a walking desk. For more walking-related content, don't miss one Health Writer's review of walking with a weighted vest, here.
I was sceptical, but after nearly three years of testing, I can confirm: my walking pad has changed my life
Walking pad quick links:
- Sperax Walking Pad - £89.99 at Amazon (save 10%)
- UREVO Treadmill with Incline - £169.98 at Amazon (save 35%)
- THREUN Walking Pad - £139.98 at Amazon (save 22%)
- BodyMax WP60 Treadmill Walking Pad - £549 at Amazon
Walking pad review: My verdict after two and a bit years
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.
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.
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. "
Health Editor Ally Head's walking pad work from home set up
My thoughts two and a bit years 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.
Ally on her walking pad while working from home
Shop the walking pad I reviewed now:
The BodyMax walking pad is the one that I tested for my review article, and I honestly can't rave about it enough. It's seriously intuitive - you literally plug in, click a button, and you're off - and switching between speed settings couldn't be easier, either.
The folding design means it takes up hardly any space in your home and can be stored neatly and compactly under a sofa, bed, or in a cupboard. It is a touch on the noisy side, but not so much that it's ever bothered me while I'm working.
Shop alternative walking pads here:
A firm favourite among Amazon reviewers, this design is clearly a frontrunner. Those who have purchased were impressed with the price point - it's more affordable than many others on the market, plus, is easy to set up and put away. It has a powerful motor, too, meaning you can go at a range of speeds and both run and walk on it.
Another clear favourite is this design from UREVO, which averages a pretty impressive rating amongst those who have tested it. Key features include a manual incline setting, making it that bit easier to change the intensity of your step sessions or runs. They also rave about how compact it is, making it seriously easy to get out and put away.
Last but by no means least, this nifty walking pad design is for you if you're concerned about assembling your design from home. That's right - it arrives at your door fully assembled, meaning no puzzling over instructions or wondering if you've put things together in the wrong order. Reviewers also say it's easy to move, lightweight, and powerful for its size.
If you're keen to get a walking pad specifically to live under your WFH desk, this THERUN design is another great option. It's on the more affordable end of the scale, goes up to speeds of six km per hour, and also promises to be discreet in any home office setting.
This article was originally published in 2023 and has since been updated to include refreshed imagery, review copy, and more accurate prices.
Are walking treadmills any good?
Having tested mine for nearly two years 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.
