Up Your Productivity and Step Count With Our Editor-Tested Treadmill Desks (2024)

Whether your goal is to walk 10,000 steps a day or just to move more, investing in a treadmill desk can help you get there. Compact and quiet, they often take up less space than traditional treadmills do and provide a place to work, take meetings, or read while you walk. When selecting a treadmill desk, first decide how and where you’ll be using it—this will help you determine which features you’ll need. Also, make sure your top pick is sturdy and built from high-quality materials so you can walk confidently and safely.

To find the best treadmill desks, we asked physical therapists for their advice on which key features to consider as you shop. We also tested one expert-approved treadmill desk in the real world for weeks, using it regularly as part of our daily routines. When selecting our top picks, we considered ease of setup, ease of use, foldability, features, comfort, and overall value. Another reason to trust our picks? We had a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and an athletic trainer from our Review Board review this story for accuracy, how to shop for a treadmill desk, and how to use one safely.

What Is a Treadmill Desk?

A treadmill desk has a wide, flat workstation at the front instead of the usual tilted console with exercise statistics. In some cases, the desk is attached directly to the front of the treadmill. Other models consist of a walking pad with a separate standing desk. It’s important to note that treadmill desks are different from under-desk treadmills and walking pads, which are small treadmills designed to slide underneath an existing desk.

Are Treadmill Desks Safe?

Yes, treadmill desks are safe—using one regularly provides both short-term and long-term health benefits (more on these later). Make sure your arms and wrists are supported to prevent any upper body strain, and never jog or run while you work to prevent falls.

Our Top Picks

Where We Stand

After thorough research and testing, LifeSpan’s TR1000-Classic Treadmill Desk is our favorite treadmill desk because of its quiet and smooth operation, impressive features, and durable construction. We’re continuing to test other models at home, and we’ll update our recommendations if we notice anything significant that we haven’t already mentioned here.

What to Look for When Shopping for Treadmill Desks

• Size: Some options are more compact and portable than others, so when choosing a treadmill desk, consider your space constraints. Check the dimensions to make sure the treadmill will fit comfortably in your space or under your standing desk and can be tucked away when you’re not using it.
  
• Speed: On most treadmills, you can adjust the speed in increments of 0.1 miles per hour, which enables good control. Avoid treadmill desks that don’t provide a range of speeds or can’t go fast enough to keep up with your stride, says Palak Shah, PT, OCS, MLC, a physical therapist we interviewed for this piece.
  
• Stability: It's essential that both the walking pad and the working surface can support you properly. You may find that you prefer a wider treadmill belt to prevent missteps that can result in injury; you’ll also want to make sure the desk doesn’t wobble or shake while you work. Choose a treadmill desk with a solid construction, says John Groves, DPT, a physical therapist we interviewed for this piece. If you’re struggling to decide between a base model and a more heavy-duty option, we think your money is well-spent on the heavier, more stable option.
  
• Noise: All treadmills make noise as the belt rotates. But plenty of options are known for their low pitch and volume, like Sharper Image’s Treadmill Desk.
  
• Adjustability: A treadmill desk should be adjustable to accommodate your height and preferences. (It’s also crucial if you plan to share your treadmill desk with roommates or family members.) Make sure you can adjust the desktop height to stop yourself from leaning forward in an unnatural position while you walk—this prevents you from using your gluteus muscles efficiently, Shah says.
  
• Belt Length: The rotating surface that you walk on while using a treadmill is called the belt. You’ll want to know how long your treadmill desk’s belt is to avoid injuring yourself. A belt that’s too short will force you to shorten your steps, which may cause tight muscles and a greater impact on your joints, according to Shah. When shopping, look for a belt that’s long enough to support your natural gait. Pro tip: Taller people with larger feet often need a longer treadmill belt.

How We Tested and Selected the Treadmill Desks

To find the best treadmill desks, we’ve researched dozens of models currently on the market and tested one from Sunny Health and Fitness, a popular and trusted fitness brand. As we test and evaluate more treadmill desks, we keep these key criteria in mind:

• Ease of Setup: After unboxing the treadmill, we consider how easy it is to set up: Does it come fully assembled? If not, how long does it take to put together? We also consider the assembly process and how clear the included instructions are.
• Ease of Use: We use the control panel or remote to start, stop, change the speed, and pause the treadmill desk, checking to see how easy these functions are to use. During this process, we also assess how large and clear the display is.
• Foldability: If the treadmill folds, we fold and unfold it again to see how difficult it is to operate. Then, we test the treadmill’s size and portability by moving it around and storing it in different places when we’re not using it.
• Features: We make sure to test every single feature the treadmill desk has, such as cup holders or Bluetooth speakers. As we use the treadmill regularly, we note if there are any additional features we wish it had.
• Comfort: We pay attention to how comfortable and stable the treadmill belt feels underfoot, including how loud it is while in use. We also note how our joints and back feel after using the treadmill desk (compared to how they usually feel after walking or running outdoors).
• Value: To accurately rate the overall value, we wait to check the price of each treadmill desk until the end of the testing period, after we’ve scored it in all other categories. If we think the price is fair based on how it performed in our test (or if we'd even pay more), then the product earns a high overall value score.

Our Experts

• John Groves, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, a physical therapist and CEO of Fit for Work
• Palak Shah, PT, OCS, MLC, a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and head of clinical services at Luna, an in-home physical therapy platform
  

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert a treadmill to a treadmill desk?

You can convert a treadmill into a treadmill desk by purchasing a desk riser to add some height to your existing workspace. Make sure there’s enough room underneath your desk to fit a treadmill—you may have to make adjustments for the handrails or console.

How do I set up a treadmill desk?

Set up your treadmill desk ergonomically, to prevent fatigue. The American Occupational Therapy Association notes that your eyes should be level with the top of your computer screen and that the angle of your elbows should be greater than 90 degrees, to keep your wrists in a neutral position and encourage blood flow.

How often should I use a treadmill desk?

You can use your treadmill desk regularly—research shows that using a treadmill desk can help you lose weight, focus better, feel more energized, and stress less. Sticking to a walking routine can also help lower your blood pressure. If you aren’t used to walking long distances, you may want to limit yourself to an hour or two at first and take breaks during the day to prevent muscle strain or overuse.

How much does a treadmill desk cost?

A high-quality treadmill desk may cost anywhere between $300 and $2,500—our top recommendation, LifeSpan’s TR1000-Classic Treadmill Desk, was $1,275 when we published this list. Treadmill desks frequently go on sale, so consider shopping around or watching for seasonal deals to get the best price.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing health and fitness content and product recommendations. As a certified running coach, a personal trainer, and an avid runner, she has tested and reviewed her fair share of treadmills and knows what to look for to get the best bang for your buck. She uses her converted treadmill desk on most workdays to boost her step count and productivity.