7 Best Under Desk Treadmills To Boost Endorphins

By Anya Meyerowitz

Under desk treadmills have certainly been having a moment - though we could have cottoned on a lot earlier had we have paid proper attention to the film Bride Wars, where Kate Hudson's character, Liv, can be seen using one on the daily at her high-powered legal job. Oops.

Either way, we got there in the end, and not a moment too soon, because if you have an office job, chances are, you spend a lot of your workday sitting, and this can have adverse impact on both your mental and physical health. And given the rising cost of living many of us are now cancelling our gym memberships, too.

Enter: the under desk treadmill, a portable and ultra-quiet walking pad that can fit under a standing desk and ensure an increase to your physical activity and step count while you take meetings, answer emails and generally power through your to-do list. We're not sure how the trend picked up, but - given the mental health benefits that many TikTok users claim to have seen since purchasing one of their own - we're very grateful that it did.

Why is walking so good for your mental health? | What are the benefits of under-desk treadmills? | Can you run on a walking pad? | What should you consider when shopping for one? | Our full edit of the best.

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Of course, in most cases, an under desk treadmill – particularly one with multiple walking speeds, good weight capacity and LED display – can set you back a few hundred pounds. So, we set out to do some proper research around the trend. Y’know: make sure that investing in an under-desk treadmill is really as beneficial to your fitness goals as social media users make out (spoiler: it is).

So, we called in the experts, and picked the brain of Rachael Sacerdoti - a PT and wellness coach, and founder of It's So Simple - to find out exactly how an under desk treadmill could greatly improve our sedentary lifestyles – and which ones to invest in if you decide to do so.

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"The simple act of walking is that it uses just enough of your brain power that you actually switch off, which is why you can often walk somewhere and not think about anything," Rachael explains. "By slowing your pace, you are able to quieten external stimulus and bring your attention to the present moment, almost forcing mental relaxation. This makes it the perfect Low Impact Steady State (LISS) exercise and ideal for everyone – walking for a long period of time causes less damage to the body, soothing the parasympathetic nervous system without over stressing it."

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She adds: "Calming your mind with each step, you can really feel your body and hear the rhythm of your breath. This slow and steady movement allows you to engage more deeply with your thoughts, helping to reduce the stress hormone, cortisol and improve your mood. It can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, increase bone density, and improve longevity."

"Other than being convenient and a great way to incorporate exercise into your day, an under desk treadmill can offer multiple health and wellness benefits," Rachael says. "Much like any movement, an under desk treadmill is brilliant for supporting a healthy lifestyle. Offering improved physical health, it can also help reduce stress and anxiety, by releasing feel-good hormones in your brain. In addition, walking while working (on an under desk treadmill) can help increase blood flow and release endorphins, which can improve focus, creativity, and productivity."

On top of this, studies show that walking throughout the day can boost energy levels, meaning you're less likely to experience those slumps that we can often have during the day. This is particularly beneficial if you're trying to cut down on your caffeine intake or trying to avoid sugary snacks that can cause a crash later on in the day.

Plus, after several years of working from our beds, sofas, beanbags - basically anything we could fashion a ‘home office’ out of during the pandemic - many of us are suffering from poor posture, which can lead to further complications later on it, and so avoiding this positions in favour of keeping upright and walking is a brilliant way of helping you ease back into better posture control.

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By Lucy Morgan

"It entirely depends on the model as some only operate at walking pace," Rachael advises. "Even if you have one that can operate at running speed, I would urge caution as typically under desk treadmills do not have a frame for you to hold onto if you need nor an accessible emergency stop button.

"Furthermore, if you are running on a treadmill you need to focus more, which is harder if you are trying to concentrate on an unrelated work task," she adds.

"As with any treadmill, you should always consider the maximum user weight it will support and is that sufficient for who will use it, along with the motor power and if it will cover the speed you want. Then there is the convenience part so I recommend looking at how much the treadmill weighs and how easy it is for you to move around if you need to, along with the dimensions of the belt - does it give you a big enough area to walk on, and will it fit in your space," Rachael tells us.

"Finally, have a look at customer reviews to see how other people rate the machine as this will give you more insight into the product. Oh, and make sure it comes with a warranty – the long and more inclusive, the better." You can also save when you shop with our Decathlon discount codes, Nike discount codes and Amazon promo codes.

Pros: The compact design - with a maximum speed between 0.6 - 6.4 km/h - makes it an easy space-saving fit for most elevated desks, home gyms and smaller rooms. The simple interface is clear and easy to manage and preset memory buttons means that the treadmill will remember your preferred speeds each time you use it (ideal if you're late for a Zoom meeting and just need to hop on and go).

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Cons: Because the LifeSpan Treadmill doesn't fold, it can be a bit tricky to hide away after a day's worth of cardio WFH.

Size: 18 x 74 x 72cm

Weight: 52kg

Storage: Not foldable though has wheels for easy moving

Pros: Yes, we know it's the priciest option on our list, but you are buying a pretty fancy desk and a treadmill together - and you can choose to use them separately, so you don't need to commit to walking all day long, simply disconnect the desk and slide the treadmill away when you fancy a sit down. The desk height is also controlled electronically, so you literally don't have to lift a finger (though you are obviously making up for it by lifting your feet continuously).

Cons: It doesn't fold away and it is quite a bit larger than most of the other under desk treadmills on our list.

Size: 74 x 104 x 51cm

Weight: 150kg

Storage: It's a tricky one, we'd only recommend opting for this under desk treadmill if you have the space for it.

Pros: We love the quiet 1HP motor (which means it's pretty cost-effective to run) - ideal if you're easily distracted or irritated by excess noise - and the easy-to-use remote control means you can easily switch between different modes throughout the day. It's also low to floor so you can easily step on and off.

Cons: It has a lower max user weight than some other models (100kg).

Size: 143.2 x 54.7 x 12.9cm

Weight: 100kg

Storage: It's super easy to store under a bed or sofa, movable via wheels.

Pros: A built-in Bluetooth speaker will keep you motivated as you work, walk or both, while the multi-layer running belt provides silent shock absorption, making the experience smooth and stopping you from sliding - even when you're not fully concentrating.

Cons: There is a slight delay when adjusting speeds.

Size: 139 x 68 x 16.5cm

Weight: 29kg

Storage: Transport wheels make it easy to move and store anywhere you like.

Pros: This multifunctional treadmill has two two sport modes. It can be used as running treadmill or under desk walking treadmill. Plus, as the machine is equipped with eight shock-absorbing cushions under the running deck, it protects your knees as you go.

Cons: Some users have found that the machine can intermittently interfere with wifi.

Size: 141.5 x 67.5 x 12cm

Weight: 38kg

Storage: The practical folding design and built-in transport wheels make this running machine one of the easiest to fold, move and store.

Pros: This folding treadmill provides two exercise modes and an adjustable speed of up to 10km/h, as well as an armrest that can be used as support while walking. The built-in monitor shows you real-time workout information and the motor is powerful yet quiet.

Cons: The safety band must be worn in order to operate the remote which can feel restrictive.

Size: 122 x 49 x 14cm

Weight: 21.6kg

Storage: The foldable function makes this a perfect option for a smaller space.

Pros: Create goal-specific workouts with the LCD monitor, the dual flywheels provide an endless source of resistance by requiring more force to be produced when you're increasing speed and rubber handrails are slip resistant and provide additional support as you continue a steady pace.

Cons: The wheel guards - which help to provide a smooth experience - can feel flimsy and require replacement.

Size: ‎124.46 x 58.42 x 127cm

Weight: 21.18kg

Storage: You can easily fold and store away.

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