Walking pad
The treadmill for the desk is so practical
© Denis Rozhnovsky / Adobe Stock
The walking pad is very popular with many who want to keep moving despite working from home. We show 5 models.
Daily work from the home office has numerous advantages: we are more flexible and, thanks to the saved commute, we have a significant increase in free time that we can invest in hobbies, family and friends.
But especially on rainy days and in the dark season, one thing is quickly neglected: exercise. For anyone who finds it difficult to leave the house when the weather is bad, a walking pad could be a good way to get enough exercise – especially since the compact treadmill is also suitable for use at a desk.
What is a walking pad?
At first glance, a walking pad looks like the shrunken version of a professional treadmill – and this impression is not all that wrong. Characteristic of a walking pad are often:
- Compact dimensions: As a rule, a walking pad is no longer than 1.30 meters. Due to its dimensions, it is therefore usually only suitable for walking or walking and only to a limited extent for running or jogging.
- Flat design: Since walking pads for home use should be particularly compact, they usually do not have handles and complex screens. However, there are also models with swiveling or retractable handrails; a small display is also usually integrated in the device.
- Folding function for even more space savings: higher priced Walking pads can be folded in the middle and disappear under the couch or bed in no time at all, thanks to the still low height and practical wheels on the underside.
Walking Pad: 5 models at a glance
Citysports treadmill
The compact Citysports treadmill is a perfect model for beginners. With a total length of around 1.41 meters and a maximum speed of up to 8 km/h, it is ideal for walking at your desk or in front of the TV.
An LCD display provides information about the most important training data, and the band can be regulated using a practical remote control. The Walking Pad from Citysports is not foldable, but thanks to the wheels it can be stowed away quickly and easily.
- Dimensions: 141x64x15 cm
- Speed: up to 8 km/h
- Load capacity: up to 110 kg
- Foldable: no
Letix Sports treadmill
That too Walking Pad by Letix Sports can be set to speeds of up to 6 km/h. This model also has a remote control for setting the 12 training programs and a clear LCD display.
- Dimensions: 120x54x12 cm
- Speed: up to 6 km/h
- Load capacity: up to 120 kg
- Foldable: no
Techno fit treadmill
The compact one is for everyone who likes things a little more sporty Technofit treadmill interesting: It can be set to a maximum speed of up to 8 km/h – although this is not a sprint speed, it is already equivalent to jogging.
Accordingly, the model also comes with a practical, foldable frame that serves both as a holder and as a shelf for a smartphone or tablet. Remote control, LCD display and integrated loudspeakers are also on board.
- Dimensions: 120 cm x 49 cm x 11 cm (unfolded 105 cm)
- Speed: up to 8 km/h
- Load capacity: up to 120 kg
- Foldable: no (band) / yes (poles)
Walking Pad R2
The Walking Pad R2 can confidently be called the premium model in this comparison. With a speed of up to 10 km/h and a stable handle, it is suitable for both faster runs and extensive walking.
The special highlight: The walking surface can be folded in the middle and the rods are foldable – so the walking pad can not only be stowed lying down, but also disappear in upright format behind cupboards or similar.
- Dimensions: 120cm x 44cm x 10cm
- Speed: up to 10 km/h
- Load capacity: up to 110 kg
- Foldable: yes
Sportstech F10
This Sportstech model is not a walking pad in the strict sense, but one of the bestsellers among compact treadmills – and surprisingly space-saving. The band unit hardly differs in format from the walking pads presented and can be set up vertically between the handles in no time at all using hydraulics. Thanks to rollers, the device can be stowed away in the storage room so quickly.
The speed of the treadmill is up to 10 km/h, and the incline of the belt can be manually adjusted in three stages. The multimedia console with a display and all relevant training information, which – in contrast to the walking pads – is in the direct field of vision, is particularly clear.
- Dimensions: 124cm x 62cm x 134cm
- Speed: up to 10 km/h
- Load capacity: up to 110 kg
- Foldable: yes
How much does a walking pad cost?
The entry-level models among the walking pads are available from as little as 250 euros. In return, you get a solid model with all the necessary features such as an LCD display or remote control. Higher-quality models that score points with increased running speed or a sophisticated folding mechanism are significantly more expensive: 700 to 800 euros quickly become due here.
Which walking pad is the best?
If you want to use your walking pad as a piece of sports equipment and value quality and design, the Walking Pad R2 well advised. The model is manufactured by a subsidiary of the tech giant Xiaomi and scores points in terms of quality and features compared to the cheaper models. If you are not planning regular and intensive training sessions, but just want the opportunity to exercise a little on busy or rainy days, you can use the entry-level model from city sports nothing wrong.