Are under-desk treadmills worth it?

Are under-desk treadmills worth it? According to TikTokers who stream themselves using them, yes, absolutely. But it also depends on what you are working on and how long or fast you want to walk. 

Using a treadmill while working can help me be more productive and feel better. Because I’m not just sitting there, and walking slowly can be quite invigorating, depending on the task. Let me share with you what small under–desk treadmill works for me. And to be clear, it’s a treadmill, but not a gym, run-at-full-speed device. Think of it as an office walking pad, really. 

Of course, the definition of what’s small would depend on how much room you have. For my spatial situation, the setup works great. But it might not work as easily in a small studio apartment without additional considerations, for example.

How to use a treadmill while working

First, figuring out what tasks lend themselves to walking on the treadmill is important. For example, some internal meetings would work just fine. If you have a client meeting, it might seem weird if you’re walking at the same time.

I have written content while walking slowly – think 1.3 miles an hour – but that depends on the topic and how I feel that day.

If you’re just a listener in a meeting, walking on a treadmill is a no-brainer. Especially if you’re not on video. The same applies to webinars, podcast audio reviews, or anything else that mostly requires attention but not movement. Responding to email works well too.

Read next: Are standing desks worth it?

My top walking pad tips

• Determine the best times to use it
• Wear good shoes
• Pick the right speed – not too fast, not too slow.
• Be aware of balance – ensure you are staying roughly in the middle. Tripping on the side and falling wouldn’t be good – even at low speeds
• Have something to balance – the desk will do that for you, but ensure it’s in the right spot and easy to hold onto.
• Realize time. It’s easy to go super long. Find that sweet spot for you.
• Maintain good posture: Don’t lean, round your back, etc.
• Keep the walking pad clean; some need oiling from time to time.
• Create a routine: I know when I use mine, and that routine helps.
• Hydration: Have water nearby and within easy reach.

Try this water bottle

Determine set up

Even a small under-desk treadmill takes up space. So it’s important to figure out where to put everything. I actually have my office treadmill in a dedicated space in one part of the office, and I only use that area to walk while working.

From there, I put an actual standup desk on top of it, so I have space for my MacBook Pro, monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

You can also roll the treadmill back and forth underneath your standup desk if you use one desk for all your tasks. The treadmill I use has wheels and is pretty easy to push back and forth.

You might also consider a foldable treadmill that you can move around if your space is limited. Here’s one example for that.

I’ve enjoyed my office treadmill over the years, and there’s a definite place for it in my daily work. Just be careful not to walk too fast and always stay steady and safe.

Incline or no incline?

Consider whether or not you want to walk on a bit of an incline. Many of these walking pads do not offer that functionality, but this one does have an incline function.

So overall, are under-desk treadmills worth it? I think so and I enjoy using one at the right times throughout the day.