I Tested Under-Desk Treadmills for the First Time. These Are My Honest Thoughts.

As a mom, I keep multitasking, so I welcome anything that saves time. Sometimes this also works for my workouts. I usually like running and walking as my preferred form of cardio, but when the temperature drops to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, I’m not the biggest fan of spending too long outdoors. I decided this year I would use a bottom treadmill to keep up with my own step count. I received it from EGOFIT and Costway try.

I put one in the living room and the other in the bedroom. Each treadmill is packed in a tight box that is easy to disassemble and set up. What makes the outdoor treadmill convenient is that you can place it almost anywhere and not take up too much space. Some can even be stored under your sofa or bed.

I underestimated the speed of these treadmills. I thought the Desk treadmill cap was capped at 3 mph, but the treadmill I tested could reach 5 (Egofit) and 6 mph (Costway) respectively. For some, this is the pace of jogging or running, so if you plan to have one, this is something to consider.

Although I don’t have the proper ergonomic desk to get an outdoor treadmill at work, I am able to use it on my own when I answer emails on my phone and listen to podcasts. I’m glad to get some steps while doing some work. It made me feel productive and I was able to do all of these things without leaving my home.

My goal is to hop on the outdoor treadmill for at least half an hour on the day when I didn’t go to the gym or had spare time. I tend to walk fast – I guess that’s my New Yorker – which makes walking on an outdoor treadmill more like a power walk than a leisurely walk. If I were using a treadmill on my laptop, I was sure I would slow down to match a more casual stroll.

Although there are many different outdoor treadmills to choose from, I can only share my thoughts on the chance to try both. Here is a quick summary of each next treadmill, which is best suited and expected.

like

• Buffer landing

• A brief overview

• Smooth belt

dislike

• Short tread belt

• The design may be more stylish

• No support for fast speeds

The Egofit ComfortDesk-M2 Under-Desk treadmill is considered a mini bottom treadmill, which can be important if you are in space. I found that once you get it out of the box it’s easy to set up and there are wheels in the front so it’s easy to move it. The tread belt is smooth, less loud when opened, and has honeycomb comfortable cushioning, providing a soft landing for easy knees. It has a remote control that allows you to increase or decrease the speed or stop the machine.

The LED digital screen is located on the front dock of the treadmill, which captures speed, steps, time, distance and calories burned during the meeting. One thing I noticed can be a problem for some people, that the tread is on the shorter side, so if you are tall and stride longer, you may feel like you are sliding down. I’m short and have several instances that I have to remember how long I’ve been walking.

I don’t recommend trying jogging on a treadmill like this, as it can be risky and there’s nothing to grab if you lose your footing. If you are someone with balance problems, I would avoid using the Under-Desk treadmill as it may put you at risk of falling. However, if you are looking for a treadmill, you can use that treadmill while answering a call or doing some work, this is a suitable option. It also has a fixed 5% inclination, so it’s more challenging because it feels like you’re walking slightly while uphill.

Other outdoor treadmills we’ve tested

like

• Aesthetically looking good in the office or living room

• The ideal of a tall man

dislike

• The belt is not smooth

• Stop suddenly when stopping is not ideal

• The belt squeaks loudly when used

Aesthetically, the Costway treadmill looks better, like it can blend in a home office, but quality isn’t my favorite. Unlike the Egofit treadmill, the Costway has flat footsteps and wood paneling around the border. It also has wheels on the front and on the LED screen, which has speed, calories burned, time and distance. It has a remote control so you can control the speed of the treadmill.

The first thing I observed was that the tread belt was longer, making it more ideal for tall people. The downside is that this treadmill is much larger than the one I wanted to use. It squeaks and sounds like it needs lubrication (a form of maintenance when you have a treadmill). I also found myself thinking I would fly away because the lowest speed felt faster than you expected. The belt itself isn’t the smoothest, which makes me uncomfortable. It lacks buffering compared to Egofit, so I won’t rely on it for a longer walk.

To my surprise, this treadmill is as high as 6 mph, which I personally think is fast for an outdoor treadmill. I’m not willing to speed up Costway unless I lubricate the belt and improve the feel of it. However, I still think this is risky because when I stop this treadmill, it stops abruptly even if it slows down. This treadmill may work if you plan to keep it at its lowest speed (1 mph and below) and use a standing table for extra support.

Is it worth buying an outdoor treadmill?

If you want to sneak around at home, an outdoor treadmill is not a bad choice. This helps if you don’t have time to go out or go to the gym. These spaces also take up less space compared to standard treadmills and can usually be stored under a sofa or bed. However, if you are someone with balance issues, I would rethink buying one because it has no support and could be a risk of falling. If you want to get more from a treadmill, I recommend investing in full-size models. I’ll also look for reviews – since there are a lot of outdoor treadmills right now, you want to make sure you invest in areas that are smooth, quiet and suitable for your needs.

What to consider when shopping

There are some things to consider when buying a desktop treadmill.

• size: You need to make sure the outdoor treadmill is right for your home. Some treadmills have smaller frames, while others have longer decks. You can also easily store some beds or sofas when not in use.
• Belt length: If you are tall, you need to make sure you choose a treadmill with a longer belt length. Some are shorter and may not be suitable for you. Also, consider whether you want the treadmill to be a little tilted or completely flat.
• speed: Some outdoor treadmills can reach 6 mph, so you need to be sure you are satisfied with your speed level.
• noise: You need to consider the level of noise emitted by the treadmill, as some are quieter than others.
• feature: Some treadmills have different features and settings, while others are more basic. Most come with a remote control, so you can easily control the speed and stop if needed.
• Safety: Unlike traditional treadmills, most outdoor treadmills do not have handles or safety tracks. So if you have balance issues, it may not be the right choice.

The best outdoor treadmill FAQs