I used to get 10,000 steps in a day without sparing half a thought. Between walking my dogs in the morning, taking a walk break during the work day, going to a workout class after work, and just generally being out and about during the week, my legs were busy. Then, as is the cause of most life changes in the last few years, COVID hit. I was suddenly confined to a 900-square-foot apartment, and the longest walk I took was from my bed to the kitchen and back. That easy 10,000 steps became a sad 2,000 or, on a good day, 3,000.
Soon, that eight-week work-from-home period turned into a forever kind of situation. Donât get me fwrong: I absolutely love working from home. I am more productive, comfortable, and all-around happier than I ever was in an office. The only thing wrong was the drastic dive in my daily activity level. Before long, my up-and-at-âem lifestyle turned into a tired, sluggish one. My body really felt the difference. I lost flexibility, strength, and mobility. I started feeling a lot older than I actually was. When I finally decided to do something about it, TikTok had an answer (because, of course, it did). Enter: the standing desk and under desk treadmill combo that quite literally revolutionized my WFH life.
The moment I searched âunder desk treadmillâ on Amazon, I started seeing tons of TikToks like the one above. (The algorithm truly freaks me out). Here were all these women strutting through their workdays. I wanted to be just like them. After convincing my husband that the equipment investment would 100% be worth itâand not just sit unused in the corner of our officeâI hit âadd to cart.â But full disclosure: While I thought I would be just like those women on TikTok, once I got the treadmill in my possession, I was wrong. I didnât start racking up steps. Instead, I slowly added walking at my desk into my routine as much as possible. And I saw my body and productivity reap the benefits of just a smidge more activity each day. We all gotta start somewhere, right?
So if you, like me, love working from home but also need to be a bit more active, the walking pad wonât make you that girl overnight. But, it will absolutely help. Need proof? Hereâs how one month of using an under-desk treadmill improved my healthâmentally and physicallyâand my performance and productivity at work.
My setup
Donât get me wrong. I love an aesthetic, beautiful home office as much as the next person. But if youâre going to dive fully into an ergonomic lifestyle (and trust me, your body will thank you if you do), you have to sacrifice a bit of style. However, I love pretty things way too much to completely ruin my home office vibe. So, I searched high and low for the perfect desk and walking pad for my office. Hereâs what I landed on:
Amazon | WALKINGPAD
Thereâs no getting around it, having a huge treadmill in your office isnât exactly aesthetic. But the point isnât to look pretty here. Itâs to help you sneak more movement into your days. That said, this foldable white treadmill is sleek enough to tuck into a corner or leave underneath your desk when youâre not using it, so itâs not a total eyesore. Plus, itâs one of the most affordable options on the market. I havenât looked back once since I ordered it.
Flexispot
I love how sleek and unassuming this desk is. Plus, it packs so much utility in a small frame that I donât know if Iâll ever be able to live without it. The programmable height settings, USB charging ports, and storage drawer are a big step up in functionality from my old desk.
4 colors and 2 sizes available
Fitbit
I put a Fitbit on for the first time in 2018 and havenât been caught without one since. I love seeing and tracking the data from my different workoutsâlike steps, calories, and heart rate zones. It helps me tangibly work towards my workout goals and keep me on track. Bonus: Because Iâve been using a Fitbit for so long, I can really see just how far Iâve come in terms of my overall fitness, which is a huge boost whenever I feel stuck in a rut.
4 colors available
My experience using a walking pad every day for one month
Week 1
I went all in on day one and walked nonstop for a full hour. It was so easy to fit it in during a meeting that I was mostly listening to rather than leading. However, that was the only day I went as hard as I did. For the rest of the week, I walked for about 30-40 minutes during meetings each day. But to my surprise, that still brought in a ton of extra steps I wasnât getting before. Even better, walking made those meetings absolutely fly by. I was more energized throughout the day. (Take that, midday slumps.) I just felt good by being slightly more active. Hate to break it to you all, but it turns out moving your body does make you feel better.
This week had a minor setback on Thursday, though. I had a migraine and couldnât bring myself to stand up for too long, let alone go on a walk. I set out at the beginning of the week to dive in and walk every single day. (Heck, I thought Iâd get at least 15,000 steps each day). In retrospect, that was a tad ambitious. But this first week served as a reminder of two crucial things: It takes time to build a habit, and I need to give myself grace.
Week 2
After watching more and more people share how they used their walking pad at home on TikTok, I decided to make one key change to my routine: Iâd wear my Fitbit on my ankle rather than my wrist to track my steps more accurately. This was especially important because I found that my Fitbit tracked absolutely nothing while typing and using my mouse. And whatâs the point of it all if I canât see how great Iâm doing? My husband wisely pointed out that even if my Fitbit didnât count the steps, my body did. But I canât help but love it when my Fitbit lights up and tells me, âGood job!â after reaching my daily goal. It makes me feel accomplished. Luckily, the Fitbit on the ankle hack works wondersâeven if it looks a bit ridiculous.
While thatâs one problem solved, another presented itself this week. Turns out, walking and working at the same time is a lot easier said than done. I got the hang of typing and walking easily enough, but using a mouse was damn near impossible. Any tasks that involved a lot of clicking around (Iâm looking at you, Excel) became sitting tasks, once and for all.
That said, walking while reading articles or writing stories or emails made those tasks, like meetings, fly right on by. I also found myself more focused on the task at hand. Something about having to walk and work at the same time made my brain extra attentive to what was happening in front of me. So far, this was a winning experience all around.
Week 3
By this point, I had fully conquered the learning curve that came with my new setup. I actually looked forward to walking each day. I reserved my walking periods for meetings or tasks that didnât require a ton of computer work, like reading story submissions or going through emails. Because I structure my day around the different types of tasks I do (task-blocking, if you will), adding walks into my day was super easy. I reserved my walking for around midday when I felt the slump creeping in.
Rather than wallow at my desk and watch time slowly tick by, changing from sitting to standing and walking brought me out of my funk immediately. It gave me a boost of energy. Before I knew it, that period of work was over (with time to spare, I might add), and all that was left of the day were the administrative tasks I always save for the last hour or so of work.
As for my body, by this point, I was no longer getting winded after 30 or more minutes of walking. I felt more mobile and healthier than I had in a really long timeâand all it took was a minor routine change.
Week 4
By week four, walking was as much a part of my routine as letting my dogs out in the yard each morning. It was what I did as soon as the clock struck 11 a.m. On Wednesday this week, however, I simply wasnât up for it. Rather than beat myself up over it, I remembered what I learned way back in week one: Itâs OK to give myself a day off. It might just be what my body needs that day.
Speaking of my body, the changes in it had more to do with how I felt rather than how I looked. Iâm more flexible and less tense, and my mind feels clear. Plus, my work is better for it. And that was the biggest surprise of all.
Are walking pads worth it?
I knew walking like this would do wonders for my health, but I was not expecting my productivity to skyrocket the way it did. I consider myself very productive even on a bad day, but walking during certain tasks on my under desk treadmill made them go by so much faster. While I may not walk every single day moving forward, Iâm so glad I invested in this equipment. Getting movement in my day has never been easier. Itâs the perfect addition to my regular workout routine. Consider this a 10/10 experience and something I think everyone who works from home should try.
Amazon | WALKINGPAD
Thereâs no getting around it, having a huge treadmill in your office isnât exactly aesthetic. But the point isnât to look pretty here. Itâs to help you sneak more movement into your days. That said, this foldable white treadmill is sleek enough to tuck into a corner or leave underneath your desk when youâre not using it, so itâs not a total eyesore. Plus, itâs one of the most affordable options on the market. I havenât looked back once since I ordered it.
How to store your under-desk treadmill
Iâm not going to lie, storing your under-desk treadmill is no fun. Unfortunately, most under-desk treadmills take up quite a bit of space. But if you ask me, the benefits of using one far outweigh this one con. My under-desk treadmill folds in half, which makes storing it a lot easier. Iâm able to fit it neatly underneath the reading chair I have in the corner of my office, keeping it out of sight when not in use. It can also easily fit underneath a sofa or desk when not in use.
If space is truly an issue, some walking pads can be stored verticallyâlike this option. However, that capability comes with a heavier price tag. Aside from the benefits I listed above (you know, increased productivity, mobility, and getting those much-sought-after steps in), the ability to tuck this one behind a door or in a closet makes the investment so worth it.
Is it hard to type while using an under-desk treadmill?
No, it really isnât! Like with anything else, there is a slight learning curve when using a walking pad or under desk treadmill while working, especially when it comes to typing. However, once you adjust the height of your desk and find a comfortable walking speed, it becomes much easier to multitask. Over time, youâll find that you can gradually increase your walking speed while still typing comfortably.
Update: Two years later with my under desk treadmill
Even two years after fully dedicating myself to this month-long experiment, I am all-in on my walking pad. Though I donât use it daily, itâs perfect for making sure Iâm not sitting at my desk for eight hours straight on days I have a lot of meetings. I also still love to use it during the afternoons on busy days and on days when the weather keeps me from walking outside. In Portland, as you can imagine, there are many of those.
Truly, my walking pad has entered an exclusive group among my belongings: items I would immediately repurchase should the worst happen. Itâs joined my Kindle and Fitbit as things I really cannot live without. This is still a 10/10 recommendation from anyone who works from home, either full-time or part-time, or even just occasionally.
The best under desk treadmills under $200
We get itâin this economy it may not be realistic to splurge on a walking pad, no matter how good it might be for your health. If youâre looking for the best affordable walking pads, there are some great options that fit under most standing desks and provide a quiet, compact way to stay active while working. These under desk treadmills offer a budget-friendly way to start walking while being productive without sacrificing performance or durability. Our team has tried some of the most popular Amazon walking pads and is sharing their best recs below.
Amazon
I purchased this walking pad last fall, and it truly helped me get through a long and particularly cold winter season. I loved having the option to get some steps in without leaving the houseâand without having to invest in a full-size treadmill. This one in particular was one of the most affordable options I found that still offered the sleek look I wanted and the positive reviews I needed to feel confident in my purchase. A full year later, I have no regrets!
â Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Amazon
In all my years of trying various products, rituals, and tricks, getting a walking pad has been one of the best wellness hacks I have ever tried, and is something that I have consistently used for the past couple of years. For me, I love using my walking pad when I have a packed schedule or am in meetings all day, or when I donât feel like working out but want to get some movement in while watching TV. However, itâs also been a game-changer to improve my energy and creativity. Even just 20 minutes on my treadmill can improve my work output and energy. I got my treadmill a few years ago so itâs very basic and simpleâwhich is exactly what I wanted.
â Josie Santi, Senior Wellness Editor & Podcast Host
The best standing desk to pair with your walking pad
When picking the best standing desk for your walking pad, the key feature to look for is adjustable height so you can easily switch between sitting and walking. The next priority is stability and sizeâyou donât want everything toppling over while youâre trying to get to 10,000 steps. Make sure the desk is spacious enough for your work essentials while still accommodating your walking pad.
Flexispot
Designed with ergonomics in mind, Flexispotâs electric standing desk can be raised up to 47.6 inches, allowing you to sit and stand comfortably throughout your work day.
Flexispot
When youâre not walking, itâs important to have a quality chair. We recommend this ergonomic option from Flexispot for reducing discomfort and fatigue while enhancing your seating experience.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor
As Senior Managing Editor of The Everygirl, Garri oversees the pitching, planning, and creation of all content. You might also find her name pop up as a contributor throughout the site, though she mostly works behind the scenes. Though comfortable writing a story on any topic at the drop of a hat, Garri shines in the pop culture sphere. If youâre looking for in-depth coverage of entertainment properties or book recommendations, sheâs your girl.
