Treadmill for the desk: 5 models in comparison

According to a study by Robert Koch Institute from 2020, 61 percent of those surveyed stated that they had suffered from back pain in the last twelve months. Probably the most common cause of back problems is too little exercise coupled with long periods of sitting. All too often this is due to our work, where many people sit for hours and stare at a screen.

Again NDR reported that sitting is not only harmful to the back. It shuts down the metabolism and thus promotes obesity, diabetes and calcified heart arteries. Researchers from the USA and Australia found out. This is particularly dangerous for overweight people, because their abdominal fat produces messenger substances that promote inflammatory processes in the body.

Some office workers therefore rely on a height-adjustable desk – only to realize that standing for long periods of time is not particularly comfortable either. In general, human beings are by nature not made to stand or sit for long periods of time. We prefer to lie down and walk when we want to do something good for our body. And this is where the desk treadmill comes in.

Treadmill for the desk: Not to be compared with 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. The treadmills are also not a substitute for a real walk, because walking on them is rather monotonous. And of course the sensory impressions and thoughts that a nice walk evokes better than an Excel spreadsheet are missing.

Nevertheless, relaxed walking while working is not wrong, because it prevents the body from shutting down and having to drown the tiredness in liters of coffee. And, of course, the body burns more calories by walking 10,000 monotonous steps at work before lunch than not at all. So into the comparison.

A walking pad should offer these properties

A reasonable treadmill for a desk has several properties: It should run quietly and cushion your steps so that it doesn’t get in the way of your work. A non-slip tread is important. In addition, the design also counts, after all it is used in the study and should blend in with the look of the other furniture.

Rollers or a folding mechanism are also desirable in order to be able to move the treadmill in a relaxed manner if you also want to walk in front of the TV in the living room or want to stow it away. 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 properties DeskWalk by Letix. 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. Altogether it is twelve centimeters high. The head section has rollers and an LCD display that tells you how far you’ve walked. The DeskWalk can be loaded up to 120 kilograms. Important: It draws its power from the socket. Incidentally, the tread is 96 centimeters long and 44 centimeters wide. It weighs 20 kilograms.

Walden walking pad

However, it is cheaper Walden walking pad. The manufacturer does without a homely wood look and keeps its treadmill in black. It unites with the DeskWalk at the 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 head section that shows you the distance run and the speed.

There are also two rollers on the head to move the treadmill. You can, of course, use the included remote control to control the Walden walking pad. Incidentally, at 13 centimetres, 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 on a similar price level to the Walden walking pad Treadmill WP8 from Citysports. At 20 kilograms, it weighs the same as the Letix DeskWalk and, at six kilometers per hour, offers the same top speed as the first two treadmills in comparison. The LCD display in the head section shows you how many steps you have taken, the distance you have covered and the time it took you to do it. According to the manufacturer, the treadmill’s 440-watt motor works quietly. According to the manufacturer, a shock absorption system should ensure that you train quietly on the treadmill.

In terms of payload, the WP8 ranks between a Walden and Litex treadmill: 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 an outlet. Unfortunately, castors on the headboard are missing. You have to carry the treadmill from room to room.

SportPlus SP-TM-1100-B-iE

The penultimate treadmill in comparison is this SP-TM-1100-B-iE from SportPlus. This in turn has casters on the headboard so you can easily transport it between rooms. Its tread is 101 centimeters long and 36 centimeters wide. It is therefore one of the shorter and narrower in comparison. An electric motor drives it at up to six kilometers per hour. Of course, you set the speed on the supplied remote control. The treadmill can be loaded with up to 120 kilograms. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not reveal how much it weighs. Otherwise, it also applies here that the treadmill must of course be operated near a socket.

The treadmill itself is described by the manufacturer as non-slip. He does not give any specific information about the damping. Instead of an LCD display, SportPlus uses an LED display for its walking pad. This is usually better viewed in sunlight. Nice: The manufacturer is based in Hamburg and promises to have wear and spare parts in stock in case the treadmill fails. However, the treadmill is not exactly cheap with a price of 430 euros.

For rich hikers: Walkolution Wanderlust

It’s anything but cheap Walkolution Wanderlust treadmill. You can also get a used small car for 5200 euros. Very few people should really pay the price for a treadmill. The Wanderlust from Walkolution impresses with a unique design that fits seamlessly into a modern house. Instead of under a desk, the Wanderlust treadmill simply integrates it. There is also a backrest in case you have leaked.

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

Incidentally, what makes it special is its curved tread, which accommodates a rolling of the foot. Incidentally, 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 running surface should also be sound-absorbing.

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