Are walking pads worth it? We tried the trendy under-desk device and finally got the hype

It’s 2025.Are we really surprised that one of the hottest workout devices of the year can slide right under your desk and double as a small laptop desk for Zoom meetings or TV bingeing?I can’t say I am.

I mean, it feels like everyone and their mother has one.The viral takeover of under-desk treadmills has even managed to make me reconsider the way I work out.

Like millions of Americans working nine-to-five jobs, I like to save my workouts for after work; spending the day hovering over my laptop, tensely typing away, bottling up my energy for a quick HITT class or late-night gym session.The influx of these portable machines taking over my #ForYouPage has me rethinking if I could become more of a multitasker.Burning some calories while punching away at articles doesn’t sound like a bad thing.

Besides, most under-desk treadmills cost less than a month-long Equinox membership these days.Of course, there’s still the common assumption that walking pads are far less effective than other workout equipment, like treadmills, rowing machines, or bikes.I, too, fell victim to this too-good-for-walking mentality.

Why waste an hour slumping around at a slow pace when you could have packed in six miles?But, in my tenure as a health and wellness writer, I’ve come to realize the power and purpose of walking as a workout.Not just the mental benefits of slower, intentional movement, but the physical ones, too.The United States ranks 10th among countries with the highest obesity rates, according to the CDC.

The data is a reflection of many factors, but a lack of physical activity remains a common point of concern.A study by Harvard Health revealed that the average American sits for 10.4 hours a day.

The researchers also reported that substituting just five minutes of sitting with brisk walking could even have a tangible effect on heart health.Naturally, I set out to scout out some of the top walking pads on the market.We sifted through well-respected brands like LifePro...