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Walking while working is one way to increase your number of steps per day, thanks to these under-desk treadmills.
Over the last few years, a new health slogan emerged: “Sitting is the new smoking.” And with good reason—one study on sedentary behaviors of Americans published in JAMA discovered that one in four adults sit for more than eight hours each day. Plus, the long-term effects of too much couch and chair time can be startling, including an increased risk of certain chronic diseases, along with a shorter life expectancy.
However, putting one foot in front of the other is an easy way to be more physically active and boost your overall health and well-being, says Karen Litzy, P.T., D.P.T., owner of the Manhattan-based practice Karen Litzy Physical Therapy. “In fact, walking has been shown to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, reduce risk of diabetes and help with the management of osteoarthritis,” she states.
Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week, hopping on a treadmill desk while you work on your laptop can be an effective way to increase energy expenditure and metabolic rate, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal BMC Public Health. A treadmill desk may also help alleviate neck and back pain, which was a major complaint of nearly 45,000 office workers who participated in another study published in the same journal.
Dr. Litzy lists a few factors to consider when purchasing a treadmill desk, starting with size. “You want to make sure you have space around the treadmill to get on and off and ensure nothing will interfere with the functioning of the treadmill,” she says. Other features include weight of the desk, weight capacity, adjustability, noise levels, speed (if you’re looking to walk and run) and safety features (such as a slow starting speed, emergency stop button and handles, if that’s your preference). We also took into account comments (and complaints) from reviewers.
This high-tech desk offers a display that keeps track of your step count, operates only when you are moving and comes to a stop when you hop off for 20 seconds. The speed ranges from 0.4 to 4.0 MPH. It’s also Bluetooth enabled, so your daily stats can be sent to your iPhone or Android. “Solid, dependable, ease to use, life-changing treadmill desk, best purchase I’ve ever made!” states one reviewer.
If you already own a standing desk, this lightweight under-desk treadmill will likely fit right under it. This treadmill allows the user to change speed levels, which range from 0.5 to 6 MPH, via remote control. The shock-absorbing rubber belt makes running a quiet experience. “This little bad boy has some power!” wrote one reviewer.
The multilayered, anti-skid running belt allows for a quiet walk or run with speed range options between 0.5 to 6.5 MPH. It’s also portable and has a maximum weight capacity of 260 pounds. “It is surprisingly well made and sturdy!” wrote one reviewer.
With adjustable speeds ranging between 1 to 8 MPH, this treadmill desk is made with seven layers of a non-slip running belt in order to extra cushioning for joints, muscles and back without breaking the bank. It’s quiet and supports up to 265 pounds. “I can use it in my apartment's spare room while watching a movie and no one can even hear me or it move. That's AWESOME!” says one reviewer.
This compact (38-inch long, 22-inch wide) under-desk treadmill desk offers adjustable speeds ranging from 0.6 to 3.0 MPH, as well as design that provides a 5% incline. “I wanted something that fit into our VW Atlas…fantastic travel treadmill!” says a reviewer.
Seven layers of shockproof, running belt made from silicon provides a quiet walk or run with extra stability to feet and joints. Speed ranges from 0.6 to 7.5 MPH and Bluetooth speakers offer hi-fi sound for listening to music or videos. As one reviewer stated, “This treadmill goes the distance!”
This compact under-desk treadmill provides a virtually noise-free experience with a maximum speed of 4 MPH. The LED display tracks distance, time, speed and calories burned while the running platform is designed with seven layers for durability and joint support. Also, for the first three months, the app offers free fitness classes and coaching sessions.
Certified by both NEAT (Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/BIFMA (the gold standard, not‐for-profit trade association for business and institutional furniture manufacturers), this advanced working station comes with an ergonomically adjustable keyboard, a touchscreen LCD desktop console and an app which offers multiple perks (such as adjusting the desk remotely, saving height position preferences, setting reminders). As for the treadmill, it has six independent compression shocks to help prevent joint pain and has a three-year warranty on the motor.
✔️ Consider the restrictions of your space before making a purchase—is a smaller, more compact pick better, or is the sky the limit in terms of space? Do you need to carry the product up a flight of stairs, or is it going into a ground-floor office? The product’s weight might be a factor here too.