In the midst of the pandemic, walking pads — those flat, treadmill-esque contraptions that fit under a standing desk — became hugely popular. And that's no wonder: As millions of us started working from home, we also started realizing that we were moving uhhhh…significantly less than we used to. We were no longer getting steps during work commutes or while walking kids to school. Instead, for many of us, the daily 10K steps became a lot more like 1K (if that), as we hunkered down.
Walking pads are extremely appealing pieces of exercise equipment. First off, they're compact, and some even fold up and slide under a bed or a sofa. Plus, they're cheap — as little as $90 for one model currently at Walmart — and give you a chance to get some exercise even while you're tapping away on a laptop. I bought one in 2024 and marveled at the convenience: I could edit articles and answer emails while moving my body! In fact, the walking energized me, giving work a little extra pizzazz. I was thrilled, until my walking pad started to become — much like a lady being hypnotized on stage — very, very sleepy.
Less than a year after it was born into my house, my walking pad started seemingly overheating and spontaneously turning itself off. I got used to giving it short breaks until the machine started emitting a burning-plastic smell if I stepped for longer than 20 minutes. That was a little unsettling, and it strained my relationship with the walking pad. So I got another model entirely — a nicer, newish hand-me-down. Within months, it, too, started overheating and randomly turning off.
It's not shocking that these cheap walking pads have a short shelf life: They're built to be lightweight and often foldable, so their component materials are typically more inexpensive than what you'd find in a stationary machine. From a comfort perspective, walking pads also don't provide the same level of shock-absorption as a treadmill; if I walk too long or too aggressively on mine, my shins and knees ache. Their motors are also typically much less powerful (around 2 horsepower) than a treadmill's, with many maxing out around 3.8 or 4.0 mph — a moderate walk, speed-wise, but not great for cardio.
Walking pad vs. treadmill: Which is best?
I'd always figured that a "proper" treadmill was overkill, and a little old-school. There was no way it would fit into my house, and it was more machine than I needed. What, was I operating an off-brand Planet Fitness? So when I was given a chance to test a real-deal treadmill from Echelon, I wasn't ultra-optimistic about how it'd fit into my routine.
When it arrived at my house — carried in by two men with lots of upper-body strength — I was admittedly impressed. Aside from the bells and whistles (an HD screen for streaming TV shows, a pad for wirelessly charging your devices, colored lights that illuminate the walking surface), it felt immediately substantial. I was not concerned about it cranking ut a burning-plastic smell. I especially appreciated the cushioned running surface, which absorbs impact and makes the whole experience much more comfortable.
With a 6-horsepower motor, it also allows you to run up to 12.5 mph, which is faster than my short legs will ever be able to go, but it's nice to have the option in case Usain Bolt comes over for lunch. And when I'm listening to the right music, I do enjoy breaking into my version of a full-on run. If I want to get cardio without speed, I bump up the incline: This thing goes up to 12 percent, which is enough to have me panting even when I'm walking at 3 mph.
My treadmill is getting extra use in the midst of this snowy, gloomy winter — most mornings, I can't bring myself to power-walk around ice patches in 18-degree weather outside. So instead, I watch my favorite Netflix series while stepping my way to 10k. But I'll definitely be using it during the sweaty depths of summer, too, when the idea of exercising outdoors makes me want to seek out a fainting couch.
Is a treadmill worth it?
Yes, a treadmill is significantly more expensive than a walking pad, but it's a long-term investment that will actually endure, unlike some cheaply made pads. And if you intend to do a lot of indoor walking for years to come, a treadmill is an option that's gentle on your joints.
I'll still use my walking pad for short, slow stints when I'm editing or writing pieces like this one (so meta). But it's no substitute for a legit treadmill with tremendous power/incline, and the ability to endure hour-long interval training. And getting to watch my Japanese reality shows while also getting my steps? That's just a bonus.
