We all spend too much time sitting these days, which research has shown to be harmful to our bodies in more ways than one. And while it’s recommended to sit less and move more, it’s not always easy to get out of your home or office to stretch your legs. Enter desk treadmills, which make it easier to get some steps in while still catching up on all your emails, letting you be more efficient and healthier during your workday.
The benefits of a treadmill desk
It's no secret that most of us sit or are sedentary for a large part of the day. "Sitting and the number of hours spent sedentary is a well known health risk factor associated with all causes of mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality risk. It is interesting to consider that simply breaking up the time you are sedentary has been found to have health benefits, which makes the treadmill desk even more appealing," says Dr. Maureen O’Keefe, a physical therapist with Purple Mountain Physical Therapy. "By giving you easy access to movement while you are working, the treadmill desk can be a great addition to your wellbeing," she says. "For my patients who experience chronic pain, especially back pain, pelvic pain or hip pain, the addition of a treadmill desk can be very useful because it gets your body out of the seated posture that can lead to back and pelvic pain. The treadmill desk will help you create movement in your joints and muscles, which can reduce stiffness, as well."
What to look for in a treadmill desk
- Height: It's important to have a treadmill desk that fits your height (or is adjustable) so you don't have to slouch to type or alter your gait pattern, says Dr. O'Keefe. "A common problem with treadmill desks is slouching to type and an unstable keyboard tray, which may lead to neck, shoulder, elbow or wrist problems. Slouching can be remedied by ensuring that the desk used with your treadmill raises high enough. Because you will not be standing on the floor; when standing on your treadmill you need a desk that can raise higher than a floor desk," she says.
- Length: "Ensuring the length of the treadmill deck is long enough to allow you to have a natural, full stride is important. Additionally, be certain that the width of the deck fits your natural gait and is not too narrow, which can alter your foot placement and may lead to lower extremity injuries," says Dr. O'Keefe.
- Features: Depending on how and how often you're using your treadmill desk, you may want options in speed, incline, and WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, consider noise and vibration—if you plan on taking a call while on a treadmill, you want to make sure people on the line aren't listening to loud steps or a motor.
- Under-the-desk or desk treadmill: Under-the-desk treadmills take up less space and can be more easily moved, but you need to have a desk that has an adjustable height in order to fit it underneath properly. You can use the treadmill separately. Desk treadmills are convenient because they have everything built in, but the desk space is going to be more limited.
With desk treadmills, you can either opt for a flat or foldable treadmill that fits under your current office desk, a treadmill with a desktop built in, or a bundle that includes a treadmill and a standing desk that fit together. Whatever option you prefer, here are 17 of the best treadmill desks to make it easier to turn working from home into working out (while working) from home.
Best under-the-desk treadmills
Best Under-the-Desk Treadmills
Ultra slim with a sturdy aluminum frame, this treadmill also conveniently folds in half for easy storage—no more tripping over an awkwardly placed treadmill in your home office. It has sensors built in, so you can adjust your speed by stepping on different parts of the belt (accelerate in front, steady speed in the middle, and decelerate in the back). The remote controls the speed, which ranges from 0.3-3.6mph, and it has a maximum weight limit of 220 pounds.
Pros:
- Foldable
- Remote control
- Feet control
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the belt slides
LifeSpan’s treadmill is compact and has wheels on the front to help make it easier to move under your desk or out of the way. It has an adjustable belt speed from 0.4 up to 4mph and can hold up to 350 pounds of weight. It has a console that keeps track of your activity, including distance traveled, time, calories burned, and step count. It also has safety features built in; if you step off the belt for 20 seconds, it will automatically pause.
Pros:
- Shock absorption
- Quiet motor
- Wheels for portability
Cons:
- Expensive
- Some reviewers say it’s heavy
If you like to take talk and walk meetings, this treadmill is designed for you. It has a top speed of 2mph and is designed to be ultra quiet so you don’t have to deal with too much background noise. It’s wider than most other walking treadmills so you have more room to walk, and you can control it via the desktop console or a smartphone app.
Pros:
- Wide walking surface
- Quiet
- Bluetooth connectivity
Cons:
- Expensive
This foldable treadmill can be used with or without a desk, so you have options on when you want to get some steps in. When folded, it can fit under a desk and go 0.6-2.4mph, and with the riser up, you can increase your speed up to 7.2mph. There’s a multi-layer belt that’s water-resistant, shock-absorbing, cushioned, and sound-insulating. You can connect the treadmill directly to your phone via Bluetooth so you can listen to music or podcasts or chat with coworkers and friends, and the remote is handy when you want to adjust the speed or stop the belt.
Pros:
- Folding handrail
- Can be used for walking or running
- Bluetooth connectivity
Cons:
- Can only control speed with remote
For WFHers who want to move more but not spend a ton of money on fitness equipment, this treadmill is an affordable option with a flat design that you can slide under your desk during the day. It has an LCD monitor to display metrics like time, distance, speed, calories, and steps and has a wireless remote. The belt can go up to 3.75mph and support up to 220 pounds, and it has a power saver mode that will shut the machine off if it’s been idle for more than 10 minutes.
Pros:
- Shock absorption
- Power saving mode
- Remote control
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it’s narrow
Whether you want to walk while working, or have a brisk run after a long day at the computer, this treadmill can support both. With the handrail folded down, it has a max speed of 3.7mph, and with the handrail up, you can run up to 7.5mph. It has a wide running belt and a LED display on the handrail, and a remote as well as a foot control next to the belt. You can connect your phone to the Bluetooth speaker, and track your metrics via the app.
Pros:
- Folding handrail
- Can be used for walking or running
- Remote control
Cons:
- Some reviewers say you have to adjust the belt
This under-the-desk treadmill is small but mighty, with speeds ranging from 0.5-6mph. The LED display shows your time, distance, speed, calories, and steps, and the belt is non-slip and cushioned for both safety and comfort. It comes with a remote control and it has Bluetooth connectivity, and it has 12 programs built in if you need a little workout inspiration.
Pros:
- Shock absorption
- LED display
- Remote control
Cons:
- Can only control speed with the remote
If you are space constrained, the Egofit walker is designed for you. It’s compact and can has a foldable handrail, and has speeds up to 3.7mph. You can increase the incline and control the treadmill via remote or app, and it can support up to 242.5 pounds. There’s also a remote holder so you don’t have to worry about losing it somewhere on your desk.
Pros:
- Incline
- Remote or app controlled
- Foldable handrail
Cons:
- Walking surface may be small for some
With shock absorption, an LED display on the front for essential metrics, and foldable wheels to make it easier to move and store, this under-the-desk treadmill has just what you need for a more active workday. It has Bluetooth connectivity and a remote, can go to speeds up to 4mph and support up to 198 pounds.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Shock absorption
- 6 speed options
Cons:
- Can’t use without remote
Walk up to 4mph or run up to 7.5 depending on how you want to use this 2-in-1 treadmill with a foldable handrail. The belt is shock-absorbing, it can support up to 220 pounds, and there’s a safety key to instantly shut off the machine if needed. You can control the treadmill with a remote and check your speed and distance with the front LED display.
Pros:
- Shock absorption
- 12 preset programs
- Foldable handrail
Cons:
- Doesn’t save data
Quiet and shock absorbing, this treadmill can support up to 265 pounds and has a speed range of 0.6-4pmh. There’s a dual LED display to track your exercise, and Bluetooth connectivity so you can sync your favorite playlists. You can lock the treadmill from the wireless remote to prevent accidentally turning it on, and it has an auto standby option to save energy.
Pros:
- LED display
- Quiet
- Shock absorption
Cons:
- Has a short power cord
Best Treadmill Desks
This workstation comes with a flat treadmill and an electric adjustable standing desk. The desktop is spacious enough to hold your laptop and other accessories, and there’s a display on the front of the desk so in between answering emails, you can glance down and see how many miles you’ve walked and calories you’ve burned during the workday. The treadmill is Bluetooth enabled, has speeds of 0.4-4pmh, and can support up to 350 pounds.
Pros:
- Large desk surface
- Bluetooth capability
- Adjustable height
Cons:
- Expensive
This treadmill has a desktop mounted on top, so you can put a laptop or tablet on top while still holding onto the handrail if you decide to crank up the speed (the treadmill has a range of 0.5-7.5mph). The desktop has a cup holder as well as a display and controls built into the surface so you can check your steps on your next long Zoom call. There are also three manual incline levels if you’re looking to add an additional challenge to your day.
Pros:
- Foldable handrail
- 12 preset programs
- Wide running belt
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the handrail moves in place
Customize your workspace with this bundle, which lets you choose between two different desk sizes, two frame colors, and three desktop colors. Unlike most long treadmills, the Unit treadmill is wider and shorter to give you more walkable space (and not stick out from under your desk as much). It has a sturdy commercial-grade frame, speeds of 0.3-2mph, and can support up to 400 pounds. The desk is adjustable and has a cut out in the front to help you reach more of the desk.
Pros:
- Wide walking surface
- Adjustable height
- Two desk size options
Cons:
- Expensive
This foldable treadmill has a non-slip running belt and a large, attached desktop and you can use it to work, walk, or run. There’s a display on the handlebar and remote, a quiet motor, and a wide running surface (42.5″ x 16.5″). The treadmill supports up to 286 pounds and has a speed range of 0.6-8.6mph.
Pros:
- Removable desk
- Foldable handrail
- Can be used for walking or running
Cons:
- Short power cord
For anyone planning on doing a lot of working and walking, the Lifespan TR5000-Omni Desk has a high-mileage belt that’s wear-resistant and impact-absorbing to decrease noise. The treadmill can go 0.4-4mph and support 400 pounds, and the console is directly integrated into the armrest so you can read your exercise metrics but leave your desktop for work. The standing desk is manually adjustable for heights of 27.5”-50.5,” and there’s an internal cable routing system so you don’t trip over excessive cords.
Pros:
- Quiet
- Adjustable height
- Two desk size options
Cons:
- Expensive
This folding treadmill has a non-slip running belt and a large, attached desktop. The desk has two cup holders, a control panel, and an LCD display with speakers to show your calories, time, speed, heart rate, and distance. There are heart rate buttons on the handles, and a shock absorbing running surface. The treadmill supports up to 265 pounds and has a speed range of 0.5-7.5mph.
Pros:
- Shock absorption
- Wide running surface
- Quiet
Cons:
- Height isn’t adjustable
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