Working out during the cold winter months can be tough because it feels harder to leave your home. This makes it the perfect opportunity to consider investing in a walking pad or under-desk treadmill. If you work from home and are short on space, you can easily place one under your desk and get a workout in while you work.
As a fitness writer and a mom, I find myself constantly multitasking. Getting movement in during this time of year can sometimes be a struggle. I decided to test out two walking pads to see if they could help me maintain my step count even on days I can't get outside. I'm also CNET's resident fitness expert and treadmill tester, so I have a lot of other fitness equipment to compare them to. Here's what I learned during this experiment.
My experience testing under-desk treadmills
I underestimated how fast these treadmills can go. I assumed that under-desk treadmills capped at 3 mph, but the treadmills I tested can go up to 5 (Egofit) and 6 mph (Costway). That’s a jogging or running pace for some people, so it’s something to consider if you plan on owning one.
Although I don’t have a proper ergonomic desk set up to use an under-desk treadmill while I work, I was able to use it on its own while I answered emails on my phone and listened to a podcast. I enjoyed being able to get some steps in while also doing some work. It made me feel extra productive and I was able to do all of this without leaving my home.
I aimed to hop on the under-desk treadmills for at least a half-hour on the days I didn’t go to the gym or when I had spare time. I tend to walk at a fast pace -- I guess that’s the New Yorker in me -- which made walking on an under-desk treadmill feel more like a power walk than a leisurely stroll. If I were using a treadmill as I worked on my laptop, I’m sure I would’ve reduced the speed to match that of a more casual stroll.
Although there are many different under-desk treadmills to choose from, I can only share my thoughts on the two I had the chance to try out. Below is a quick rundown of each under-desk treadmill, who it’s best for and what to expect.
Egofit ComfortDeck-M2 Best under-desk treadmill for smaller spaces Like Cushioned landing
Small profile
Smooth belt Don't like Short tread belt
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