Treadmill desk: 5 top models in comparison

According to a 2020 study, 61 percent of those surveyed said they had suffered from back pain in the last twelve months. Probably the most common cause of back problems is too little exercise combined with sitting for long periods of time. This is all too often due to our work, in which many people sit and stare at a screen for hours.

As he reports, sitting isn’t just bad for your back. It slows down the metabolism and thereby promotes obesity, diabetes and calcified heart arteries. Researchers from the USA and Australia found this out. This is particularly dangerous for overweight people because their abdominal fat produces messenger substances that promote inflammatory processes in the body.

That’s why some office workers opt for a height-adjustable desk – only to realize that standing for long periods of time isn’t particularly comfortable either. In general, humans are not naturally designed to stand or sit permanently. We prefer to lie down and walk if we want to do something good for our body. And this is where the desk treadmill comes into play.

Desk treadmill: Not comparable to walking

Compared to a normal treadmill, this is a smaller version that usually does not have handles on the side. The treadmills are therefore not suitable for jogging. Treadmills are also not a substitute for a real walk, as walking on them is rather monotonous. And of course the sensory impressions and thoughts that a nice walk creates better than an Excel spreadsheet do are missing.

Nevertheless, walking in a relaxed manner while working is not a bad thing, as it prevents your body from shutting down and having to drown your tiredness in liters of coffee. And of course the body burns more calories if it takes 10,000 monotonous steps during work before the lunch break than if it doesn’t take any steps at all. So let’s compare.

A walking pad should offer these properties

A sensible treadmill for a desk is characterized by several characteristics: It should run quietly and cushion your steps so that it does not disturb you while you work. A non-slip tread is important. The design also counts, after all it is used in the study and should fit in with the look of the other furniture.

It is also desirable to have wheels or a folding mechanism so that you can move the treadmill in a relaxed manner if you want to walk in front of the TV or store it in the living room. Most treadmills can be operated with a remote control. Different tempo settings are of course mandatory.

Treadmill desk: Letix DeskWalk

This is a treadmill that, according to the manufacturer, combines these features . With its wooden look, the treadmill stands out from the competition. According to the manufacturer, a low-noise electric motor accelerates the walking pad to up to six kilometers per hour. You control the speed with a remote control.

There are twelve preset training modes. According to the manufacturer, the treadmill also cushions your steps so that you are not disturbed while you work. Overall it is twelve centimeters high. There are wheels on the headboard and an LCD display that tells you how far you have walked. The DeskWalk can hold up to 120 kilograms. Important: It draws its power from the socket. The running surface is 96 centimeters long and 44 centimeters wide. It weighs 20 kilograms.

Walden walking pad

However, it is cheaper . The manufacturer foregoes a homely wooden look and keeps its treadmill in black. It combines with the DeskWalk at a maximum speed of six kilometers per hour. However, the Walden treadmill can only withstand a load of 100 kilograms. There is also an LCD display on the headboard that shows you the distance and speed.

There are also two rollers on the head to move the treadmill. You can of course control the Walden walking pad using the included remote control. At 13 centimeters, this is only slightly higher than the DeskWalk. The tread is 104 centimeters long and 38 centimeters wide. This makes it slightly longer and narrower than its competitor. And at 19 kilograms, it is even one kilogram lighter.

Citysports treadmill WP8

This is at a similar price level to the Walden Walking Pad . At 20 kilograms, it weighs the same as the Letix DeskWalk and offers the same top speed of six kilometers per hour as the first two treadmills in comparison. The LCD display in the headboard tells you how many steps you took, the distance you covered and the time in which you did it. According to the manufacturer, the treadmill’s 440-watt motor works quietly. According to the manufacturer, a shock absorption system ensures that you train quietly on the treadmill.

When it comes to payload, the WP8 sits between the Walden and Litex treadmills: it can withstand a maximum of 110 kilograms. Its tread is 105 centimeters long and 36 centimeters wide. This makes it eight centimeters narrower than the DeskWalk and 2 centimeters narrower than the Walden Walking Pad. Of course, it also offers a remote control to control the speed and it needs to be placed near a power outlet. Unfortunately there are no wheels on the headboard. You must carry the treadmill from room to room.

SportPlus SP-TM-1100-B-iE

This is the penultimate treadmill in the comparison . This in turn has wheels on the headboard so that you can easily transport it between rooms. Its tread is 101 centimeters long and 36 centimeters wide. This makes it one of the shorter and narrower ones in the comparison. An electric motor drives it at speeds of up to six kilometers per hour. Of course, you can adjust the speed using the included remote control. The treadmill can hold up to 120 kilograms. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not reveal how much it weighs. Otherwise, the treadmill must of course be operated close to a socket.

The manufacturer describes the treadmill itself as non-slip. He does not provide any specific information about damping. Instead of an LCD display, SportPlus uses an LED display for its walking pad. This is usually easier to see when exposed to sunlight. Nice: The manufacturer is based in Hamburg and promises to have wear and replacement parts in stock if the treadmill fails. However, with a price of just under 400 euros, the treadmill is not exactly cheap either.

For rich walkers: Walkolution Wanderlust

This is anything but cheap . You can also get a used small car for 5200 euros. Very few people are likely to spend that price on a treadmill. The Wanderlust from Walkolution impresses with its unique design that fits seamlessly into a modern home. Instead of being placed under a desk, the Wanderlust treadmill simply integrates it. There is also a backrest in case you have run out.

Unfortunately, the integrated desk is so small that it can only fit a laptop. If you like to work on larger or multiple screens, you can simply remove the desk and place the treadmill under your normal standing desk. Otherwise, the height of the desk is of course adjustable. The treadmill can withstand a load of 160 kilograms. Best value in comparison.

What makes it special is its curved tread, which prevents the foot from rolling. By the way, the manufacturer does not use an electric motor. It relies on a gravity-powered drive that is triggered by your walking. According to the manufacturer, the tread should be sound-absorbing.

More information about this can be found here.