Millennium Mileage: Best Under Desk Treadmills In 2022

Why Trust Us

GearHungry’s team of athletes, gym junkies, cyclists, rock climbers, and runners is always on the lookout for the greatest and latest fitness equipment and accessories, including, of course, the best under desk treadmills. After all, even if you manage to squeeze in your morning or evening run every day, sitting on your butt for the rest of it is going to have negative effects on your health. That’s why we’re such fans of under-desk treadmills: while simple fitness machines, they’re incredibly effective at keeping you active even when you work on your computer.

Who This Is For

This guide is for anyone looking to boost their health and fitness without affecting or decreasing their productivity. Basically, with an under-desk treadmill, you can easily combine work and exercise even if you’re short on space as most of these models are specifically designed to be space-saving and easy to store. Whether you’re looking for a simple, low-tech desk treadmill or one with lots of added features such as Bluetooth connectivity, heart rate monitoring and more, we’ve got you covered.

How We Picked

There are many awesome desk treadmills available on the market, but we focused on budget-friendly, versatile, space-saving, and easy-to-use models for this guide. To give you the very best under-desk treadmills, we spent days researching the topic and reading hundreds of verified customer reviews. We also consulted with experienced sportsmen and sportswomen on our team in order to find the best models for varying needs and preferences.

Features To Look For In Under Desk Treadmills

Space - One benefit of under-desk treadmills is that they are compact enough to fit under desks and inside cramped offices. The smallest under desk treadmill will leave enough space for your coworkers to move around, while still providing the exercise you need. When selecting your under-desk treadmill, consider the size of the area you hope to use it in. If you work from home, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue, as you can easily rearrange your office to accommodate it. However, those working in offices with other people may find it obstructing, and it could become a safety hazard. It should also be small enough to carry or transport if you want to get the most out of it.

Noise - Nobody wants to work in an office with revving motors and noisy running belts. To avoid being "that coworker," select a treadmill that operates with a quiet motor. You can figure this out through the size of the motor. A 2.25 horsepower motor should be sufficient for most office spaces, especially with additional ambient office noise. Still, if you prefer to operate it on the highest settings, it could distract your coworkers, and could even affect your concentration. Keep this in mind when shopping around for the perfect under desk treadmill.

Console - The console is a useful feature that can transform an under-desk treadmill into a standard-style product, allowing you to get the most out of your treadmill. While you’re likely to use it often at work (whether at home or office), you may struggle to get into the zone when you're off the clock. A foldable console feature will allow you to track and adjust settings when you’re not working, while still allowing you to stow it when you need to use it at your desk.

Safety - Everyone who has ever stepped on a treadmill carries a fear of tripping, stumbling, falling, and being propelled off the back like a bad comedy routine. Without a dedicated console, there is little opportunity for a stop-clip that usually attaches to your shorts. However, under desk treadmill manufacturers have found a way around this. Some models will offer a stop clip, while others use active sensors that detect whether you are using it or if the treadmill is running by itself. If it notices an absence of weight, it will automatically stop. Although under desk treadmills cannot reach the speeds of larger treadmills, there is still a risk for injury, so these safety features are essential.

Weight capacity - Understanding the weight capacity before climbing on the treadmill will ensure that you don’t accidentally apply too much weight, especially if you up the speed, which would increase the weight with every step. As under desk treadmills are designed for light exercise — with a brisk walk being the most intensive method of use — there are suitable weight capacities for each treadmill. Most max out at around 200 pounds, but some will withstand as much as 250 pounds.

Warranty - With any substantial purchase, the warranty is crucial. Under desk treadmills provide a range of warranty options that will provide the peace of mind you can get them repaired easily and relatively quickly. It’s important to look for comprehensive warranties of at least one year, as well as reliable customer service that can advise you or attend to repairs whenever you need.

Maintenance - Hopefully you won’t need to call the engineers out; proper maintenance will make sure you won’t need to. Just like other expensive electronics, under desk treadmills will require maintenance from time to time. Keep liquids away from the electronic parts and clean the tread if your shoes get dirty. You should also take advantage of the supplied lubricant to keep the cogs and motor well-oiled to ensure consistent and safe performance.

Types Of Under Desk Treadmills

Tread only - Tread only under desk treadmills are ideal for compact spaces or anyone who will only use them at the office. If you don’t plan on moving it around, then you won't need a console; you'll just need to use its remote control.

Tread + desk - Tread and desk treadmills are closer to traditional treadmills you find at the gym and are often referred to as 2-in-1 or foldable treadmills. These give you the option to raise or lower the incline to suit your needs (or desk size) and the chance to track your distance, speed, and calories burned (among other metrics) without being at your desk. Typically, however, they will take up more space.

Q: What is an under desk treadmill?

A: An under-desk treadmill shares many similarities with traditional treadmills. However, there are a few differences. Under desk treadmills are more compact, making them easy to move and store, while you can also take them to and from home and the office so you never miss a day.

The majority of under-desk treadmills also include folding frame designs, which give you the best of both worlds. With these designs, you can conveniently lower the console so it will fit under your desk, and you can raise the console again if you want to get your jog on away from work.

Under desk treadmills also come with remote controls to adjust the speed or the incline, handy features if you want to test your calves or prepare for hill running.

Q: Can you run on an under desk treadmill?

A: If you consider a light jog a "run," then yes. For most of us, however, it's unlikely to pick up the speed and momentum that could constitute a proper run. This is because under desk treadmills can only hit top speeds of around 6 mph, and even this isn’t too common.

This type of speed range isn’t enough to sufficiently satisfy enthusiastic joggers, but as you’re working, you don’t need to be running too quickly. Instead, you can still feel active enough with a brisk stroll on the treadmill at the highest speed, while also taking a break for lunch by lowering the speed settings.

Besides, do you think it’s wise to try to outdo your 5K personal best while surrounded by your coworkers at the office while on a Zoom call? Probably not, we'd guess.

Q: Do under desk treadmills get you fit?

A: The best under desk treadmill is a suitable, low-impact option for getting fit. Of course, because of the low speeds and low intensity, it’s not the same as you’d find on a standard treadmill at the gym or home, but it doesn’t need to be.

With these options, you are typically only running for about thirty minutes to an hour at most (unless you’re training for a marathon). However, an under-desk treadmill is gentler on the muscles and joints, so you can burn hundreds of extra calories every day by walking from nine to five.

Even if you’re not a fan of walking, you can still use these treadmills to get into shape. The continuous action will strengthen leg muscles without overworking you. Like any exercise, the more you do, the more your body can tolerate, so even if you don’t see immediate results, you will soon find your fitness levels have increased.

Q: Can you lose weight with an under-desk treadmill?

A: Likewise, it’s possible to lose weight with an under-desk treadmill. Fitness experts suggest that you can burn 500 calories a day by doing 10,000 steps. This number of steps will usually only take one to two hours to achieve, so if you can walk at your desk for the entire workday or even half of it, then you can expect to see a significant change in your weight.

You can’t merely rely on an under-desk treadmill to shed the pounds though. It’s also important to combine it with a healthy diet. Just because you have spent all day walking doesn’t mean you can treat yourself to fast food every night on the way home from work, otherwise, all your progress will stagnate.

Q: Do under-desk treadmills require maintenance?

A: Under desk treadmills are similar to regular treadmills or other electronic fitness equipment; they will require occasional maintenance and consistent care. You should make sure not to overwork the motor, and adhere to the weight capacities in order to reduce the strain on the machine.

While treadmills are durable enough to handle daily use, there’s a chance that you’ll still need to take care of the belt if it becomes worn away to ensure safety. You also must lubricate the wheels and motor to keep it operating at top performance. Some models will supply a bottle (or bottles) of gear lubricant to make this possible.

You won’t need to do this too often, but three or four times a year should be enough to keep it in top condition and prevent the gears and parts from grinding away at each other.

Sources:

1. The Truth About ‘Working’ On A Treadmill Desk - Business Insider
2. Can You Lose Weight By Walking An Hour A Day? - Healthline