I’ve Used An Under-The-Desk Treadmill Every Day For 2 Years—Here Are My Thoughts

After two years of using a walking pad every day, it’s undoubtedly still my favorite purchase I’ve ever made. Bezos may be attempting to take charge of the world, but I’ll never turn my back on him for the sheer fact that Amazon brought this remarkable modern invention to my doorstep (within 48 hours of ordering, no less). 

I’ve never been a gym girlie. I was one of those girls who always chuckled at the meme, “If you see me running, something is chasing me.” Pre-walking pad, I preferred to get my exercise in by leisurely strolling through our neighborhood twice a day. However, after a few questionable encounters walking solo, getting fed up with the ever-changing weather that would leave me feeling unmotivated, rushed, or sweaty, and getting pregnant for the second time, I finally decided to splurge on the under-the-desk treadmill. I had been eyeing one ever since I got that coveted, fancy paper and launched my career into the big old, monotonous corporate world (which I’ve since left, thanks, diploma.) 

For better or worse, I’ve always lived and died by my to-do list, and the efficiency monster inside me squealed with excitement at the thought of getting my work done while working out so I could spend more time with my little one undistracted and guilt-free. After all, I still wanted to be a hot mom, and I had always heard other women complain about not having enough time in the day to squeeze in a workout once they became mothers (especially while working a full-time job on top of that). That was not going to be me. Call me shallow, but I value my figure and my appearance too much to let anything get in the way of losing the extra baby weight I put on each time I’ve been pregnant.

The best part is that walking has never actually felt like a “workout” to me, and that has never been truer since I got my under-the-desk treadmill and desk converter. Walking at a reasonable pace inside the stable air conditioning with my Stanley within reaching distance and a solid distraction (a.k.a. work), walking became like breathing to me – as natural as it gets. Before, I used to struggle to walk 10k steps a day through my community, but now I can easily clock 30k steps or more in a working day without so much as a second thought. By contrast, sitting now feels almost unbearable. I’ve only had to pull up my chair a handful of times since getting my treadmill (due to an unrelated injury), and each time, I found myself struggling to get through the workday without eating mindlessly or nearly falling asleep at my computer. 

Out of the hundreds of products I’ve reviewed over the years and the thousands that I’ve handpicked as part of shopping articles, the under-the-desk treadmill is hands-down my most recommended product of all. Through those recommendations, I have found that it doesn’t work for everyone in the same way it does for me – whether due to a lack of motivation, space, or balance. One thing that has never bothered me about walking while working is balance and efficiency, but I recognize that’s not true for everyone. I can easily type an entire article (as I’m doing now), work on social media via my phone, drink a hot coffee, and manage team meetings. However, some people in my life have reported that it’s more difficult for them to do so and that they can only use their treadmills during phone calls or virtual meetings where they don’t have to use their keyboard. 

Despite the potential challenge of that, let’s get into what you can expect – and what my experience has been – getting a walking pad. First, just like any new physical activity, it’s normal to go through a period of soreness when you begin walking consistently at length on your treadmill. It’s even normal for your feet to react to the extensive walking by forming blisters between each of your toes before you’re fully adjusted. Sure, it’s painful. It’s not cute by any means. But a box of blister bandaids and a week or so later, they’ll be just fine. Start at a pace of 1.5 to 1.8 and do it in 1 hour increments, twice a day. Once you feel comfortable with that, you can increase the speed, length, and frequency to fit your desired outcome.

Currently, I walk on my under-the-desk treadmill at a pace of 1.8 to 2.1, Monday through Friday, for about 4-6 hours each day while getting my most important work done. When I’m not walking, I’m either standing and stretching on top of my treadmill, eating lunch, or have my son next to me while working. What I’ve noticed since introducing this “workout regime” into my work routine is that I consistently have more energy throughout the day with much less caffeine. I used to drink up to three cups of black coffee each day and still feel lethargic and sleepy. Now, I can barely finish one cup, and I get through the day easily. I’m also significantly more focused and productive in my work. My mind wanders less, I have less brain fog and fewer creative blocks, and I’m not hopping on and off my computer to do various tasks or take needless snack breaks.

My skin is clearer, my digestive system works much, much better (IYKYK), and I’m a noticeably happier person to be around. As Elle Woods so eloquently put it, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't.” Lucky for my husband, huh?   

Aesthetically speaking, it’d be difficult not to notice the physical changes in my body since introducing this much walking into my daily routine. My legs have never been more toned, my butt has never been perkier, and even my stomach has tightened up. Despite being petite all my life, I never felt like I had super slim legs. Especially when I was pregnant the first time, I remember looking down and feeling like I couldn’t even recognize my own body. My thighs looked swollen, and even months after losing a significant amount of weight, my favorite pair of jeans were still hugging my legs a little too tightly for comfort. However, my legs now, in comparison, are night and day. The water retention in my body seemed to drop off entirely when I began walking consistently and there’s not a mini dress out there now that I’ll turn my nose up at. 

I walked during much of my second pregnancy, and after I gave birth that time, I was able to begin walking (slowly) again within days after a pain-free and uncomplicated birth. I lost the baby weight (40 pounds, to be exact) more quickly and easily than the first time around, when I had to do extensive elliptical exercises, ab workout videos, and strength training to get basically the same results. If I can lose the same amount of weight and look just as good by walking as opposed to forcing myself to do these crazy workouts that take up more of my time and energy and don’t particularly interest me, why wouldn’t I? 

It truly feels like I’m cheating the system, which is why I tell everyone I love about it. I want weight loss and maintenance to feel as easy for them as it does for me. Plus, it makes the work day go by a lot faster and kills two birds with one stone. Rather than hitting the gym after a long day of work, I get to enjoy dinner and bedtime with my family and sink deep into the cushions of my couch to watch a mindless show with my husband – guilt-free. Is there anything better than that? 

At first glance, nearly $300 for a piece of workout equipment can feel pricey. I get it. The thing is, I spent years wanting one – awkwardly balancing on a $20 exercise ball in my cubicle, taking laps around my office building on lunch breaks, and spending hours in a smelly gym (not to mention hundreds of dollars each month for a membership). Throughout those years, I spent the money on other things – countless times. Things I can’t even remember now and certainly wouldn’t rave about. Sure, these treadmills don’t last forever, especially if you’re using them for hours every day like I do. It’s not a Peloton; you get what you pay for. You may have to grease the walking belt every few months or so (although, I’ve only had to do it once), or use your foot to push the belt back to center stage every once in a while. But if I have to spend $300 every few years to keep up with this lifestyle, I’ll be more than happy to hand over my wallet. Some things make you so happy and change your life so dramatically that they are worth the investment countless times over. 

Buy Now: Amazon Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill with Remote Control, $280

Buy Now: Amazon VIVO 32 Inch Desk Converter, $150

Buy Now: Amazon SMUG Standing Desk Adjustable Height Electric, $90

Evie's product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.

Support our cause and help women reclaim their femininity by subscribing today.