Walking-pad treadmills seem to be popular on TikTok. Time for exercise is not easy, especially when it is filled with work the whole day. Even working from home can be quite isolative, with the hours of sitting per day not healthy in itself. I was quite interested in desk treadmills but skeptical until the tryout of my WalkingPad, which was a bit pricey but cheaper and smaller than regular treadmills. Plus, it folds up. Now, I can walk 10,000 steps while checking my emails or writing blog posts, like this one. It will surely help me better my mental health, as long walks with Luna won’t be easy. Want to know more about my walking pad treadmill? My experience with the walking pad and its reviews.
I Explored Walking Pads What Are They Exactly?
The walking pad is a simple adaptation of the treadmill. Though less bulky, portable, and with a flat surface providing for low-impact workouts without speed and inclined, the walking pad is excellent for small spaces and tucked away when not in use as it folds. You may have been multitasking in the office or listening to an audiobook while walking. These walking pads are for your added steps every day. There are streamlined designs on walking pads to remove advanced features and then make them user-friendly, for which they become a feasible option for home usage for persons who want accessibility for workouts at home.
You could choose the right walking pad according to your requirements. If it is jogging, then you could opt for the rapid model with a handbar. This makes it convenient to jog on a walking pad. If you are going to walk and work, a slower pad works well. You just have to take your time to read, type, or attend to other tasks.
My one-month experience using a walking pad daily
Week 1
On the first day, I walked for an hour straight. It was easy during a meeting where I just listened. But that was my peak. The rest of the week, I walked 30-40 minutes in meetings. To my surprise, it added many steps. Walking also made meetings feel shorter. I felt more energetic. It beat midday slumps. Being a bit more active just felt good. Moving your body truly lifts your mood. A migraine derailed Thursday’s plans, confining me to bed. My lofty goal of daily walks and 15,000 steps suddenly seemed far-fetched. Yet this setback illuminated two vital truths: habit-forming is a gradual process, and self-compassion is essential. The week’s stumble, while frustrating, offered valuable lessons in patience and realistic expectations. As I reflect, I recognize the need to balance ambition with gentleness, allowing room for both growth and occasional rest.
Week 2
After seeing so many people on TikTok using walking pads, I decided to change one thing. Now, I wear my Fitbit on my ankle instead of my wrist for better step tracking. My Fitbit never counted steps when I typed or used the mouse. So, I needed to see my progress. My husband said it didn’t matter; my body counted the steps. But I love it when my Fitbit says, “Good job!” after I hit my goal. It feels great. The ankle trick works well, even if it looks silly. Conquering typing on the move proved simple, yet mouse control remained elusive.
Excel spreadsheets and other click-heavy tasks stubbornly resisted my treadmill desk ambitions. Despite solving one hurdle, another emerged: the dream of constant motion while working hit unexpected snags. Some jobs, it seems, are destined for seated positions after all. Walking while reading articles or writing stories and emails made time fly, just like in meetings. It also boosted my focus. Doing both tasks at once seemed to sharpen my attention. So far, it was a great experience.
Week 3
At this point, I had mastered my new setup. I looked forward to my daily walks and timed them with my meetings and tasks that didn’t necessarily require much computer work, like reading stories or checking on emails. My day is organized by type of task, so it was easy to slot in my walks. Mostly, I walk at lunchtime, when I can feel a slump starting. Movement revitalized my stagnant workday. In an instant, it made me feel much more cheerful and energetic to be switching between sitting, standing, and walking.
The dragging hours were gone, leaving me with more time than I needed. As the day closed, all the routine administrative tasks were left for the last hour. My stamina soared. I no longer ended up breathless after thirty minutes of walking. A small shift in routine had transformed me. I moved easily, overflowing with energy sensations long forgotten. This little change restored my body and ushered me into a new era of health and mobility.
Week 4
By week four, walking was as routine as letting my dogs out in the yard each morning. It was what I did as soon as the clock struck 11 a.m. On Wednesday this week, however, I simply wasn’t up for it. Instead of beating myself up over it, I went back in my head to week one and what I learned: It’s okay to give myself a day off. It just might be what my body needs that day. Changes in the body really were more related to how I was feeling rather than what I was looking like. I’m a lot looser, not as tense, and my mind is very clear. My work is also improved for it. And that was the greatest surprise of all.
Are walking pads worth it?
Underdesk strides revolutionized my career. With each step, focus sharpened and creativity surged. Sedentary habits faded as energy levels soared. Productivity peaked while stress ebbed away. This simple change sparked a professional renaissance, merging movement and mindfulness. Now, every workday pulses with newfound vitality and purpose. Tasks flew by, boosting my already high productivity to new heights. This simple addition complements my fitness routine perfectly, making daily movement effortless. Though I may not use it every day, the investment has paid off handsomely. For anyone working from home, this game-changing experience is a must-try. It’s not just about health benefits; it’s a productivity powerhouse that I can’t recommend enough.
Pros & Cons Of The WalkingPad
Unpacking my WalkingPad R2 became a mini-workout. I hauled the folded unit up to my second-floor apartment through careful deadlifts. While it was manageable for me, higher floors might require assistance or an elevator. Its rolling feature proved handy, though limited by the small wheels. The foldability of the treadmill makes it a space-saver’s dream, easily tucking behind furniture. Setup was painless: just plug it in and unfold. Be prepared for the unfolding process to be pretty loud Take your time or leave the unit open if you have room.
For now, there is one power cord and one wireless remote. The KS Fit App is a free download to unlock all the functionality. Despite some of the minor problems mentioned, the R2 is designed to be so compact and portable. For small living spaces, it will serve home fitness solutions very well.
Conclusion
Walking pads are great for adding light exercise to your day, especially for those with limited space or working remotely. They are compact, often foldable, and perfect for multitasking. This makes it easy to stay active, even on busy days. While not meant for intense workouts, walking pads can help maintain fitness and break up long sitting periods. This boosts both physical and mental health. There are many options, from simple, affordable models to advanced ones with apps and speed settings. So, there’s likely a walking pad for every lifestyle and fitness need. If you want to increase your steps without a big treadmill or gym visits, a walking pad is a smart investment for a healthier, more active life.
