Are you stuck working a desk job? Do you get very little activity during the day and feel it’s affecting your health? You’ll want to consider an under desk treadmill. You may have seen these popping up in offices and home offices, and they are a way to increase your cardiovascular health while still getting some work done.
If you’re looking to stay active during the day–and spend less time sitting–you’ll want to consider an under desk treadmill. But where do you start? And how do you decide which is best for your needs? This is our countdown of the 5 best under desk treadmills.
Best Under Desk Treadmill
RHYTHM FUN Treadmill
Best For Runners
This treadmill from RHYTHM FUN folds down into an under desk treadmill, but can also be used as a regular upright one, too. This gives you the best of both worlds as you can use it for regular walking (either alone or at a desk while you work) but it can still be used for a more intense run. The treadmill front handrail can be folded up and down to easily transform this into whatever form of treadmill you need.
Despite its compact size, this is still a treadmill that can give you an intense run with speeds up to 12 km/h. It also has some great technological features including a bluetooth speaker and the smart workout app which gives you access to a wide amount of different workouts to create variation in your training. You will also be able to track your stats such as time, speed, distance, and calories burned throughout your workout
Pros
- Shock absorbing honeycomb belt system to reduce impact on the joints
- Remote control to adjust speeds
- Comes fully assembled
Cons
- No tablet or device holder
- Larger if you’re limited for space with a desk
ANCHEER Folding Treadmill
Most Functional
Ancheer makes a great folding treadmill that is not only compact and easy to move, but it looks good too. It will easily slide under your desk to make your workstation a cardiovascular activity, but it can easily be turned into an upright treadmill. It features a 2.25 hp motor which can help accommodate faster running speeds. This folding treadmill comes with a watch style remote control and the FITSHOW app giving you access to an endless amount of workouts to keep your body challenged.
The solid construction of this treadmill will allow for great support during your walk or run, and it has a shock absorbing system to protect your joints if you use it in running mode. The handlebars easily fold out and give you a center console that can hold your tablet or device. It also has side handrails to give you added support no matter what pace you’re exercising at. Despite being a machine that can be used for walking under a desk, this option allows you to have an intense workout.
Pros
- Can be used right out of the box
- 12 different exercise programs and 3 modes
- Durable steel frame and 5-layer treadmill belt
Cons
- Heavier than some other units
- Max weight capacity of 265 pounds
REDLIRO Under Desk Bed Treadmill 2 in 1 Treadmill
Best Budget Option
REDLIRO offers a great 2 in 1 treadmill to use under your desk, or for a regular upright treadmill. Despite it’s simple design, you get a foldable treadmill that can be set up in seconds for desk use, or a regular run. You can reach speeds of 4mp/h while it is in under desk mode, but it can get up to an impressive 7.5 mp/h when used for running. It has a remote control and also a dashboard display that will allow you to adjust the speed, but also has an emergency stop button for added safety.
This is a great choice if you work from home, or need to keep things quiet where you work. It has a very quiet motor and a non-slip, 5-layer treadmill belt which keeps your workout as silent as possible while also protecting your knees and joints. You still get an LCD display at the price point to track your exercise stats such as time distance, and speed. The whole unit can be easily stored away with it’s transportable wheels or you can keep it under your desk or bed to save even more room,
Pros
- Tablet and phone bracket to watch your own content
- Fully assembled and ready to use
- Rugged steel frame for better durability
Cons
- Max weight durability of 220 pounds
- No pre-programmed workouts
- No app connectivity
GYMAX 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill
Most Interactive
The GYMAX 2 in 1 under desk treadmill is the best choice if you love features and technology. What makes this offer standout is that it is one of the few that comes with a touchscreen. This allows you to monitor your progress in real time and there are activity bars displayed that show your pace while you’re running. This is a great treadmill if you like to track data and stats and see how you are progressing with your workouts and results. There is also a built-in bluetooth speaker so you can connect to your own devices.
But this still functions as a great under desk treadmill. The front console easily folds down so it can be slid under any type of desk. It has a quiet, but powerful, 2.25 hp motor that won’t disturb others while you use it. It also has a remote control so you can change your speed on the fly without having to break your running or walking stride. You are also kept safe with the wide running surface with a safety key for more security while running.
Pros
- 5-layer shock absorbing belt system
- Running speed up to 7.5 mp/h
- Built in front wheels for easy moving
Cons
- Weight capacity of 265 pounds
Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Under Desk Treadmill
Best Overall
The Goplus 2 in 1 folding under desk treadmill is the top choice on our list. It has all the features and performance you need if you’re looking for an under desk treadmill. This unit is good enough as just a regular treadmill, but you have the option to easily turn it into an under desk version. It has a very supportive handrail for use while running and can reach a top speed of 12 km/h. The sturdy rail and handrails will give you added support and safety if you are exercising at a higher intensity.
The 2.25 hp motor is powerful enough for your running needs, but quiet enough so you won’t disturb anyone in your home or office. It’s supportive and has a non-slip walking/running surface that supports you and keeps you balanced. The shock absorbing system will protect your knees and joints and helps absorb each stride–while still being quiet.
The Goplus also has some great technology. It has a built-in bluetooth speaker to play your own music, a phone holder, and a remote control so you can adjust your speed instantly. There is a safety key and emergency stop function to keep you as safe as possible if you are exercising at a higher intensity.
Pros
- Sleek and stylish design
- Large running area
- Easily foldable to store against a wall, or under a bed
- Modern LED screen to monitor your stats
Cons
- Max weight of 265 pounds
Important Things To Consider When Buying A Space Saver Treadmill
Once you determine your budget, you’ll want to consider the features you find the most valuable. If you are happy to use the treadmill at your own pace, you can go for a simple option that doesn’t have too many features. If you will primarily be using it for a treadmill desk, you don’t need to worry about a choice that is geared for faster running speeds. A simple option allows you to just get on and start walking immediately.
If you are a runner–or looking to get in better shape–you’ll want to look for an option that works well as a regular treadmill, too. You will want to choose an under desk treadmill that can handle a higher running speed, and has the support, and safety features, to keep you safe while you run at faster speeds.
From there, you can consider choices that have many different features. If you like more technology, you’ll want an under desk treadmill that can connect to your smartphone, and has app connectivity to give you different workout variations. Lastly, if you like more instruction–and different workout options–you’ll want to choose a treadmill that at least has the app connectivity, or pre-programmed workouts.
Benefits Of Under Desk Treadmills
Extended periods of sitting have been linked with obesity and other metabolic disorders. There is also the lack of muscle activity which can lead to muscle atrophy. Other issues arise when you sit for too long including posture issues and spine problems. The problem is, we live in a very sedentary society, and many jobs require us to sit for extended periods. An under desk treadmill provides the perfect solution to keeping your body active while still being able to work. Even a slow walking pace helps relieve the body from the terrible conditions that come from periods of extended sitting. You can also get blood pooling in the legs from extended sitting which can result in blood clots.
Research has shown that a walking treadmill desk can help combat fatigue, obesity, and muscle wastage, and can also boost productivity and creativity. Information from the Harvard Medical School shows that just standing, and light walking, can help you expend 20-25% more energy than when you sit.
Personal Trainer Recommendation & Conclusion
If you’re using an under desk treadmill, it’s going to be a less intense form of exercise. This isn’t to say that it isn’t effective, however. You may want to include some days of more high-intensity training to give your body a variety of different training stimuli. This can be any form of high-intensity interval training, or strength training to boost gains in lean muscle and improve strength.
But the advantage with the lower-intensity cardio that comes from using an under-desk treadmill is that you can go for a longer duration. This has benefits for not only cardiovascular health–but body fat loss. This type of cardio is also more gentle on your joints and knees–since you aren’t running at an intense pace–and this can also allow you to go for longer periods. All of this can add up to improved fitness.
Some of the options include the ability to be used as a regular treadmill for running which will give you the best of both worlds.
