I often describe my relationship with exercise as complicated. For much of my life, I only moved my body when I wanted to shrink it or punish it, and I’m still figuring out what a healthy relationship with fitness looks like for many years. When I first saw someone talking about walking pads on TikTok, my first question was, “are walking pads worth it?” I didn’t want to spend money that I’d regret, but I was intrigued by a low-pressure way to get steps in. I ordered one, and I’ve been obsessed with it. I’m writing this post from mine right now!
Are Walking Pads Worth It?
This is a subjective question, so I figured I’d share how I decided. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a product I’d rarely use (looking at you, Peloton). But my psychiatrist told me how much she knew physical activity would help my mental health, and I wanted to take her advice. I figured that a walking pad wouldn’t leave me intimidated or out of shape. I thought it would also help keep me productive at work.
The funny thing about buying a walking pad online is that even the highest-rated ones have horror story reviews about how they’re defective. I went back and forth but finally settled on the GOYOUTH 2 in 1 Under Desk Electric Treadmill. It had positive reviews on Amazon, Reddit, and TikTok, so I felt confident it was a good product. The biggest challenge was how heavy the box was — I would’ve struggled to get it upstairs without Vagner. Other than that, it was a smooth setup. I’ve had no trouble with it since.
Walking Pad Benefits
One of the things I love about this under-desk treadmill is the variety regardless of your fitness level. You can set a speed from 0.5 to 6 miles per hour. I stick to a mile per hour when I’m working, which feels comfortable. I know some people stay on the treadmill all day, but I still enjoy my regular desk, so I spend 30 minutes to an hour on it daily. At first, I tried to use the treadmill to work on my phone without a standing desk, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I fell off more than once. Once I added a standing desk, I loved my work setup way more.
I wanted a standing desk that would last without breaking the bank, so I set a budget of $200. This SHW Electric Height Adjustable Desk is electric and adjustable, so it works for different heights. (For reference, I’m 5’2″.) It’s also compact enough that it fits in the corner of my office and leaves room for my desk and the rest of my office decor. It’s also the perfect size for a treadmill desk, which was one of my most essential qualifiers. After my first few days of using the standing desk, I started feeling neck strain. I knew I needed a laptop stand to help keep a good posture.
I chose the Arae Laptop Stand for Desk from Amazon. It’s inexpensive and has great ratings, and it works super well. It elevates my computer enough that I can stand and work without a problem. Some people buy separate keyboards, but I haven’t felt the need to. I’ll be sure to update this post down the road if anything changes, but I’m glad I found this setup.
