Finding time to slot exercise into our busy lives is a regular logistical challenge; and often, we come up short. What if there was a way to workout smarter, rather than harder? Enter the walking pad, an ingenious solution to turn an otherwise sedentary moment into daily movement.
“Walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise,” says Holly Haywood, lead instructor at Third Space Soho. “It offers a wide range of benefits from improved cardiovascular health and circulation to better mood, reduced stress, enhanced fat loss, and joint-friendly movement that supports longevity. It’s accessible to almost everyone and can be easily adapted to different fitness levels, which is why it’s often recommended as a daily habit.”
Best for Price and Performance
Citysports CS-WP6 walking pad
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Best for Under Desks
FlexiSpot MotionX walking pad treadmill
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Best With Handrail and Double-Shock Absorption
TheRun walking pad treadmill
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Best Incline
Urevo CyberPad smart walking pad
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According to recent research published in Annals of Internal Medicine, adults who do their daily steps for at least 15 minutes without stopping had lower mortality and cardiovascular disease risk than those who walk in short bursts. And walking pads make this easy, no matter the weather.
On whether she thinks a walking pad is worth it, Haywood has this to say: “I’m a big believer that whatever gets you moving is worth having. Whether that be a walking pad, treadmill or if you choose to do it outside. Movement is movement. Treadmills can add incline and offer more play with speeds, but walking pads can be amazing for those with very busy schedules, as you can multitask while getting on with your steps and tasks at hand–there is also no need to leave your home.”
And when it comes to the optimal speed, that’s very individual, she says. “I would always try to base everything on effort when it comes to adding more walking into your life. Play with harder efforts (brisk walk where conversation becomes a bit more challenging–usually around 4-6km/h) and an easy effort (something you can maintain and comfortably hold conversation–usually around 2-4km/h).”
Space-saving and flexible: a major advantage of walking pads as fitness equipment is their space-saving design. Many models are foldable and can be easily stowed away after training, while integrated transport wheels make the process easier. Below, discover the best walking pads for your needs, fitness preferences, and level.
Citysports
FlexiSpot
TheRun
Urevo
By using a walking pad, you can transform sedentary moments into activity. Sometimes called folding treadmills, walking pads are part of a practical generation of space-saving fitness equipment for the home and office. With a typical speed of 1-12 km/h, they enable easy walking, which can have a real impact on both physical and mental health. Step on while you’re taking a call or take the opportunity to digitally detox while on a mindfulness work. Just note, proper shoes are always required to prevent injury.
How many steps should you do?
Rather than steps, “A common guideline is aiming for around 30-60 minutes per day, though this can be broken into smaller chunks,” reveals Haywood. Although she does reference the “10,000 steps” target, explaining, “I must add here that this is not a science-based figure but is a fantastic benchmark to keep people accountable to move more.” This figure corresponds to about 7-8 kilometres or about 1 to 1.5 hours of walking.
To achieve this, you can step onto the walking pad for 30 minutes a day at 6km/h, which could burn around 120-200kcal a day (a figure highly-dependent on the person), but corresponds to around around half a kilo of body fat in 30 days (provided calorie intake doesn’t increase and walking is consistent)–all without any extreme training.
What is the ideal speed on the walking pad?
The ideal speed is highly-dependent on your goals. Generally speaking, around 4-5 km/h is a leisurely stroll, while 6-7 km/h is a brisk walking pace that can lead to light sweating, deeper breathing, and a boost in circulation. Walking at between 5 to 7km/h improves cardiovascular fitness and builds aerobic endurance, but it is low impact and easier to self-motivate than a HIIT workout. It could also burn around 200-350kcal an hour depending on bodyweight so can support fat loss overtime when in a calorie deficit.
What should you look out for in terms of technology and features?
When investing in a walking pad, pay attention to the following features:
What benefits does a walking pad have on the body and mind?
Regular walking can have a positive impact on metabolism, mood, and overall well-being.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity trainers—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
To find the best walking pads, the Vogue team paid close attention to speed, performance, weight, noise and practical additions like the inclusion of an LED screen or remote control. Is the fitness equipment safe to use while typing or on video calls? Are there handrails? Could they be used in apartments or shared spaces–and be stashed away easily when not in use? These are all questions we considered in our mission to find walking pads that combine practicality, performance and ease.
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