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Under-desk treadmills may be popping up all over your social media feeds—and they've gone viral for a reason. Whether you're doing it to clear your mind, lose weight, or to just get more movement in during the day, there's no arguing that walking is a great way to stay active. Treadmill Weight Loss
Based on reviews, we've come to the conclusion that under-desk treadmills are the perfect way to get walking whether you've got a million meetings, you woke up too late for the gym, or you just don't feel like getting dressed to go outside—aka whenever you want. Some even allow you to walk at an incline, and some of the ~extra~ special ones have a desk already built into them.
Peep some of the best tried-and-tested under-desk treadmills here:
Amy Potter, a certified personal trainer and holistic health coach at Ladies Who Lift, says she bought her walking pad—another name for under-desk treadmills—about a year ago as a conscious effort to get more steps in. "I was noticing that colder and darker days meant that I wasn’t getting outside for as many walks as I normally do in the summer," she says. "I could feel how tight my hips and shoulders were getting from being more sedentary and I just knew my body was craving more movement."
Meet the experts: Amy Potter is a certified personal trainer and holistic health coach at Ladies Who Lift Tiana Perez is a NCSF certified personal trainer Sydney Sherman is a NASM-certified personal trainer
Though they are structurally the same machine—a moving conveyor belt to walk on—the similarities between an under-desk treadmill and one you might come across in a gym end there. Under-desk treadmills are, first and foremost, a lot smaller. They typically don't have steep inclines (if any at all) or go as fast as regular treadmills, as they're designed for walking.
Tiana Perez, a certified personal trainer, says that size is important to consider when purchasing an under-desk treadmill. "You don't want an under-desk treadmill to be a piece of equipment that's going to take up a lot of space in your house," she says. "And you especially don't want to be turned off from it and think, 'Oh god, I have to take the treadmill out and then I have to put it away.'"
From more mobility to better heart health, and even helping you tune into your creativity, the benefits of walking are endless, and you can def do that on either machine.
While these machines are similar in purpose, the main difference is that a folding treadmill...well, folds, and a stationary one does not. Foldable treadmills are also great for folks who don't want to worry about storage. They're easier to hide away, which prevents small spaces from getting cluttered. In an interview about foldable treadmills, NASM-certified personal trainer Sydney Sherman told WH that these treadmills are a compact option to help increase activity throughout the day. This is especially the case if you work from home and want to get steps in without leaving the house, or if you prefer to stay out of harsh weather conditions.
Meanwhile, stationary treadmills tend to be bulkier and similar to what you'd see at your local gym. If you have a home gym, this kind of machine can be a great addition to your space.
Over the past year, Women’s Health editors, including associate commerce editor Lily Wohlner and editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert, have stayed up-to-date on thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best under-desk treadmills for a wide range of needs and preferences. They considered multiple factors such as speed, weight capacity, and warranty. Our team also consulted certified personal trainers Tiana Perez, Amy Potter, and Sydney Sherman.
This treadmill's quiet while you run on it, which is a major bonus if you plan on using it around working roommates, a sleeping baby, or during Zoom meetings.
Available in 0.5 to five mph speed levels, this walking-only treadmill will allow you to select different speeds based on your fitness goals. Just a few minutes of use at a brisk speed also helps improve your cardiovascular fitness and burn fat.
Want to speed up without bending over to adjust the level? This tread comes with a remote control, so you can safely and easily move from a fast walk to a light jog with the click of a button.
The major selling point here is the LED screen, which measures distance and the amount of calories burned from beginning to end. Plus, it features a large display, so it looks super high-tech.
Rave Review: "I have walked nearly 1,500 miles on this treadmill so far and I am beyond impressed it’s held up so well. I walk a lot everyday since I’m constantly in front of a computer for work. I regularly put 12 to 16 miles on this daily. I do oil the belt regularly, but other than that I haven’t even had to change the remote battery!"
It's a miracle that Sunny Health was able to pack so many features into this treadmill: It's foldable, offers an incline up to 13 percent, tracks distance and calories, and—just when you thought it couldn't get any better—it does it all without a plug.
It slides discreetly under your standing desk thanks to its foldability, and it also doubles as a heavy-duty treadmill with help from detachable handlebars that provide additional support while you exercise. You can attach the LCC monitor that comes with the tread, which allows you to track time, speed, distance, and calories burned. It also has an available 'scan' option, so you can easily flip through your previous performance data.
Equipped with heavy-duty floor stabilizers, reviewers say they never feel wobbly or unbalanced, even on uneven floors. Even when walking at an incline, they don't get the speed wobbles.
Rave Review: "I’m a mom of two, so I wanted something affordable and small that I could use at home to workout since I can’t always walk in the gym or park. Let me say I love this treadmill. It was easy to assemble."
One of the more budget-friendly options on the list, this walking pad from To Go Gym features an LCD display and includes a remote, so you can conveniently adjust your speed mid-workout. At just over 19 inches-wide, it will also easily fit under most desks and roll out of the way when you're done working out.
Reviewers also love that this treadmill requires zero setup—all you have to do is unpack it, plug it in, and sync it with the remote. In total, users say it takes about five minutes.
Lovers of this tread also say that if you're looking for something without all the bells and whistles, look no further than this model. Made exclusively for people who want to walk or jog without any complicated additions or screens, this machine gets the job done.
While this treadmill doesn't fold, it's still small enough that reviewers easily lean it against the wall. Or, store it under your bed if you're tight on space, like us New Yorkers.
Rave Review: "I love how light and compact this treadmill is. I like the easy feature buttons on the stand-up handle (though it would be great if they were lit up or contrasted a little brighter), but the remote function works well when you don’t want to use the handle."
This tread is another one with a high maximum speed. It gets up to 7.5 mph, so it allows you to get a more intense running or jogging workout in. When it’s time to get to work, just attach the arms and acrylic desk (yup, a desk comes with this one). The WH team loves that you don't need a separate desk in order to use it.
This machine also comes with a handy phone holder, so you can simply prop your cell up to watch your fave show, or FaceTime your bestie throughout your entire workout.
When your sweat sesh is all done, just fold this up and use its flexible wheels to store it somewhere discreet—think: under your bed, behind your desk, or beneath your couch. When you want to use it again, setting it up takes less than a minute. Could upping your daily steps get any easier? Didn't think so.
Rave Review: "This has been a really great way to keep moving throughout the day. It's not too loud, pretty easy to set up, and my neighbor also loves to come over and use it."
If you live in a small apartment (hi, New Yorkers), you need a treadmill that won't take up any of your *precious* space. This one from Egofit is perfect. Specially designed to sit pretty under a standing desk, you'll barely even notice it's there with its small yet mighty build. As an added bonus, it comes with wheels so you can move it around your space without scraping up the floors (or, more importantly, hurting your back).
Few under-desk treadmills offer an incline, but Egofit's does. The slight five percent hill on this cardio machine will add a little extra burn to your workout without you even noticing. Plus, you can get it going at a speed of up to 3.1 mph. While you can't run on this tread, reviewers say that the incline boost can get you sweating, anyway.
Reviewers also love that this walking treadmill is super sturdy—it's constructed with durable and solid materials to provide stability—and can hold up to 220 pounds. Despite its ability to hold weight, it doesn't feel too heavy when people move it around.
Rave Review: "If you are on the fence, don't be! You'll get the return on this investment. As a business owner working in an office all day, my sedentary lifestyle has started taking a toll. Back, neck, hip issues—you name it. Closing up shop and heading to the gym seemed to be filled with excuses, but now I am getting my energy and mobility back."
The WalkingPad is kinda the it-pick of the under-desk treadmill world. People love how compact and easy it is to store—it literally folds to be just 32 inches wide.
The major selling point of this treadmill is that it has intelligent speed control, changing speed by tracking the human motion trajectory (pretty high-tech stuff, right?). But, if you feel like taking speed into your own hands, that's totally an option, too.
What's more, this tread also comes with multiple safety functions like overload protection, child lock (this one's for you, parents), automatic standby, and a safety bar you can attach for better balance.
Finally, our team loves that this treadmill can connect to its very own app, so you can track your daily steps and progress from the palm of your hand (aka, your phone). If you're anything like us, you'll want to keep beating your step goal from the day prior.
Rave Review: "I have a small apartment and I love that it folds and can go under my bed. It's pretty alright! The remote keeps track of the time, calories burned, etc. It's great for brisk walking."
This walking pad has all the fancy features you want, without the intimidating price tag. Plus, it's one of the sleekest styles on this list. The bright white base blends in perfectly with modern-style homes or apartments and the high-tech LCD monitor is not an eye sore, either—it tracks time, mileage, and calories burned all on one sleek display.
While the speed of this tread only gets up to four mph, you can still get in a solid calorie burn. What's more, it operates super quietly, so you don't have to worry about a loud motor in the background of your meetings or when your roomie requests peace and quiet.
You also don't have to worry about sturdiness with this one—it's made with a steel frame and high-quality ABS for stability. It also features a non-slip surface so you feel like you're on one of those fancy treadmills at the gym.
Rave Review: "Perfect for my office! It keeps me active, up, and burning easy calories while I am working! It is super quiet and does not disturb my coworkers in the offices next to me!"
Looking for a low-impact workout during the day? Take a seat—literally. If you’re not a standing desk person, the Treadwell Compact is a great option since it’s meant to be used when you’re sitting down. Just slide it under your chair, turn it on, and get those feet movin’.
Get this: The unit also features a 10-degree incline—you literally feel like you're hiking up a hill while your sitting down. The speed only gets up to 1.8 mph, but it feels like a lot more when the incline is hiked all the way up.
As a bonus, this treadmill is super quiet, so if you're using it while sitting at a table with others, no one will even know you're getting your steps in.
Rave Review: "I must say this small, compact, and extremely functional treadmill does EVERYTHING a standard treadmill can do, and it's only one fraction of the size!"
Most under-desk treadmills don't feature handlebars or armrests because they may interfere with your work-from-home setup. This one, on the other hand, has a super minimalist bar that's low enough to not get in the way. It's especially handy if you like the security of something to hold on to while you walk or run.
The LED screen on this machine is also a major plus, as it displays time, speed, distance, and calories while you exercise. And, speaking of calories, this treadmill can get all the way up to a speed of 7.6 mph, so it's one of the highest burners of the bunch (most only get up to 6.5 mph).
Reviewers love that this treadmill comes equipped with a high-quality Bluetooth player so you can jam out while you get a sweat in.
If you feel like this tread has too much going on, worry not! All of its features can easily be controlled by a small remote. Just know it requires a CR2450 lithium battery, which you'll have to purchase separately—but don't worry, it's just $5.
Rave Review: "This was the lightest and widest option which looks slick, well-made, doesn’t require professional assembly, is good quality, quiet, and easy to use. The bar folds down easily and it slides right under my bed. The bluetooth speaker is a nice extra!"
You can get a solid run in with many of the treadmills on this list, but GoYouth's features a non-slip belt and built-in shock absorption system, so it's specifically great for long jogs. With a minimum speed of .5 mph (perfect for a post-run cool down) and a maximum speed of six mph, just 30 minutes of use at any speed is sure to get your heart rate up and the sweat flowin'.
This machine also comes equipped with wheels that make it easy to slide under your furniture when you're not using it or to roll it out to your living room if you want a bit more space to breathe (IYKYK: sometimes running in your room can get a bit claustrophobic).
It also comes equipped with an LED display, which shows all the stats you need in real time: calories, time, steps, speed, and distance. Don't feel like popping in headphones? Simply connect the treadmill to your phone via Bluetooth, so you can play music straight from the machine while you get your steps in (if you don't have a speaker in your house, this machine doubles as one!).
Editor Review: "I have the GoYouth treadmill at home! My husband was horrified and confused at what was happening when he walked in on me walking while working late one night...with noise cancelling headphones on, too. Was a serious lewk. But I like it! It's sturdy and I love that it stands up on its own when I'm not using so I can easily stash. (I admittedly used it more in the winter and cold weather.) " —Abigail Cuffey, executive editor
“Sleek” may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of a treadmill, but it will be after you see this model from Maksone. The multi-layered running belt is surrounded by a wooden frame with an embedded display that won’t detract from the rest of your office style.
But, don't let its stylishness fool you—this machine packs a punch. It's able to hold up to 265 pounds with help of shock-absorbing, durable steel frame and a multi-layer shield design. These features also make the treadmill whisper quiet, so you can workout without disturbing your roomies or fam.
It arrives fully assembled (trust, this is a game-changer), so you can hop on minutes after it shows up at your door. All you have to do is connect the remote so you can control speed and flip through the from a speed of .5 mph to six mph.
Rave Review: "I opted for this one because it was also 'stylish.' It goes up to four miles per hour and I get all of my steps in by midday! I’m so happy I purchased this. Definitely recommend!"
Potter says that walking at your desk is great for getting in your general daily movement and for your non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). This is the energy you use up while you're not eating, sleeping, or actively exercising or playing sports.
Teachers, nurses, and other jobs where you're on your feet all day likely have sufficient levels of NEAT. But, if you're spending most of your day at a desk, an under-desk treadmill is a great tool for helping to make up for the lack of NEAT in your life.
"I wholeheartedly believe in them if you have a typical 9-to-5 desk job," says Perez. "I always tell my clients when you're sitting down all day, you're dead from the waist down."
So how often should you use it? "If you have a way to track your steps, 7,500 steps is a great goal to aim for each day," Potter says. "If you are mostly sedentary and you’re looking for a good place to start, I would start with 30 minutes per day on your walking pad and build up from there," she adds.
Start by thinking about where and how you want to use your under-desk treadmill. Some questions Potter suggests are things like, 'Do I need something that is thin and can be rolled under a bed when not in use?', 'Does this fit in my space?', 'How quiet do I need it to be?', and 'Is this a realistic way for me to work?'
Always, always check the reviews, of course. "Read reviews and ask for recommendations," Potter says. "I chose mine because a friend had purchased it during the pandemic and loved it." It's worth noting, however, that a walking pad may not do it for everyone. If you're looking to walk on an incline or hit a full run, a traditional treadmill might be a better option for you.
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Lily Wohlner is the Associate E-Commerce Editor of Women’s Health. An expert in recommending the best products to add-to-cart, she knows what it takes for a product to receive a solid five stars (especially when it comes to beauty!). Starting her career as a freelance makeup artist, Lily has since moved to the editorial world, where she has generated content for brands including Oribe, NewBeauty, Dermstore, SkinStore, and LOOKFANTASTIC. When she’s not zenning out with a pore-clearing mask, the Lower East Side dweller is cheffing up a new recipe with her roommate or thrifting for the perfect pair of blue jeans. Follow her on Instagram.
Sabrina is an editorial assistant for Women’s Health. When she’s not writing, you can find her running, training in mixed martial arts, or reading.
Jacqueline Andriakos is the Executive Health & Fitness Director at Women's Health, where she oversees all health and fitness content across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She has more than five years of experience writing and editing in the wellness space and has contributed to national publications including TIME, Self.com, Health, Real Simple, and People. Jacqueline is also certified in personal training by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
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