The 3 Best Treadmill Desks to Rack Up Steps During the Workday

Skip the gym and get your exercise on company time with one of these well-vetted picks.

Ever wish you could get paid to exercise? A treadmill desk basically makes that possible — and they’re having a major moment right now. The treadmill desk hashtag on TikTok has billions of views — with celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Jimmy Kimmel, and Al Roker singing high praises of them.

Beyond the hype, research has shown that adding just 5 minutes of walking for every 30 minutes of sitting may significantly improve mental and physical health to a level that may counteract the negative impacts of prolonged sitting. Even better, walking while working has been found to reduce job stress and boredom. In other words, investing in a treadmill desk is something both workers and their bosses should feel good about.

Treadmill desks are also a great option if you want to work out at home but don’t have the space for a home gym. The slim, low-key walking pads are designed to be easy to store, whether you decide to keep it under your desk permanently, slide it under your bed between uses, or even lean it upright against a wall.

If you’re ready to join the treadmill desk movement, we’ve listed our favorites below, as well as a few key items to consider prior to making a purchase. It’s worth mentioning that few include the treadmill and the standing desk, so you may need to pick and choose depending on your needs and budget!

What to Consider

SIZE & SPACE REQUIREMENTS

Size and shape are the most important factors to think about when shopping for an under-the-desk treadmill. Pay attention to how much the treadmill weighs, its dimensions, and whether or not it’s foldable, as these factors can make a big difference in how easy it is to use and store. You may want one on wheels so that you can easily move it around and put it away when it’s not in use.

You’ll want to make sure the treadmill fits in your space so you have plenty of room to move about without the risk of tripping over it. The folks at Work While Walking recommend you have 40 inches of clearance behind the treadmill and 20 inches of space on the left and right sides of it. Our picks work best on solid floors or low-pile carpets. It may sound like a given, but you should also ensure that you have easy access to an outlet to plug the treadmill in.

SPEED

Don’t expect to sprint when you’re using a treadmill desk — most have a maximum speed of under 5 miles per hour, so think of this as a slow-burn activity. Because most of us walk between 3 to 4 miles per hour, it should feel as leisurely as strolling around town rather than a sweat-inducing workout. In fact, you may even go closer to 2 miles per hour since you’ll likely be operating a computer or taking Zoom meetings while using your treadmill.

MAXIMUM USER WEIGHT

Under-the-desk treadmills typically have lower maximum user weights than standard treadmills. The latter have weight capacities between 300 and 325 pounds, and although there are a few under-the-desk treadmills that can support more than 300 pounds, most have a maximum user weight of 220 pounds. Take a look at the max weight capacity of any treadmill desk you’re considering to make sure it will work for you.

EXTRA FEATURES

Some treadmills have remotes that make them easier to start, stop, and change walking speeds. Most have displays, so you can see metrics such as your total distance walked. Several have safety features, like the ability to automatically stop the machine when you step off. We recommend creating a list of must-have features that are important to you.

Whether you’re planning on using a treadmill desk at home or in the office, make one of our recommended models a part of your new workspace to increase your activity and productivity levels at the same time.

PROS	CONS
Easy to use and move around	No pause button on board
Includes a Bluetooth remote
Reaches higher max speeds than other options
Has a built-in wireless speaker

There are plenty of good reasons the GOYOUTH under-desk treadmill has gone viral on TikTok.It has a durable steel frame, a multi-layer belt that helps lessen noise, and a wireless Bluetooth speaker onboard so you can listen to music while you exercise. No need to bend down every time you want to adjust the speed — this treadmill comes with its own remote control. Use it to set a consistent speed or toggle through preset variable speed programs to keep you on your toes.

The GOYOUTH treadmill reaches a maximum speed of 3.7 miles per hour, which should be fast enough to cover a bit of distance as you use it throughout the day. It also has a large LED display that shows your time, calories burned, steps taken, speed, and distance traveled. With a price often below $400, the GOYOUTH stretches your dollar further than other treadmills.

It’s also worth noting that this treadmill comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty, so if any unwelcome surprises pop up, you should be covered.

Key Specs

Dimensions	50.6 x 22.4 in.
Maximum Speed	3.7 mph
Maximum User Weight	220 lbs.
Treadmill Weight	50.7 lbs.

PROS	CONS
Includes removable desktop surface	Very heavy compared to similar desk treadmills
Goes up to 8 miles per hour
Designed to absorb lots of shock
Offers incline

Hccsport has created a desk treadmill that rivals the machines you’ll find at a fitness center with the added advantage of a built-in workstation.

It goes up to 8 miles per hour, features adjustable incline levels of up to 6%, and offers 12 preset high-impact interval training (HIIT) programs to take your fitness to the next level. When you want to use it while working, you can easily attach the desk workstation to create a surface for an iPad or laptop. It also folds up for easy storage, but it’s worth noting that it weighs a whopping 85 pounds, so you probably won’t want to move it around very often.

Overall, users love how versatile, durable, and quiet this treadmill seems to be. Some customers also say it would make a great gift for a partner. Says one reviewer, “I’m highly satisfied with this purchase and am contemplating buying another one for my wife.”

Key Specs

Dimensions	55 x 27 in.
Maximum Speed	8 mph
Maximum User Weight	280 lbs.
Treadmill Weight	85 lbs.

PROS	CONS
Quiet	Those who are taller than 6 feet may need to shorten their stride, given the shorter length of the belt
Strong and sturdy design
Has a thin profile for easy storage
Built-in Bluetooth speaker

If you want an exercise machine that will pull double duty as an under-the-desk treadmill and a jogging machine, the Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill is right for you.

It goes up to 2.5 miles per hour when its handrail is lowered and up to 7.5 miles per hour when it’s lifted, so you can really pick up some speed on this baby. The Goplus, which is available in seven different color options, features a stainless steel frame that’s sure to hold up well over time. Go ahead and put it to the test daily — this treadmill can handle it.

Besides that, the Goplus offers an easy installation, a built-in Bluetooth speaker, a spot to rest your phone so you can read documents or take meetings, and a remote control for adjusting speed. It features a foldable design and built-in wheels for moving and storing it.

Says one reviewer, “This walking pad is really fun to use and works well for the price! It was easy to put together, and you can slide it under a bed or couch when you aren’t using it.”

Key Specs

Dimensions	52 x 29 x 44.5 in.
Maximum Speed	7.5 mph
Maximum User Weight	265 lbs.
Treadmill Weight	69.5 lbs.