Everything you need to know about the TikTok 'walking pad' craze
Move over Peloton, there's a new home fitness trend in town.
If your 2024 goal is to get more steps in, a walking pad might just be the trend worth jumping on (see what we did there?).
It's fair to say that the under-desk miniature treadmills are having a moment. The hashtag walkingpad has over 578 million views on with hundreds of thousands of videos showing how you can stay active even while working from home.
"I walked sixteen miles while I worked today," wrote one Instagram walking pad fan.
"I love mine, wrote another. "I work from home and have a standing desk, so I'm able to get 10k-20k steps in during my workday."
Home gym equipment is nothing new. Our parents have been doing it since the mid-70s with the explosion of stationary exercise bikes and huge bulky treadmills. And that was the issue. Often too large to store in the main living space, these awkward machines were usually relegated to a garage or spare room where they'd gather dust or become expensive clothes-holders. That's why the fold-away treadmills are perhaps proving so popular.
Many models are compact and some even fold in half. Because there are no handles, they are lightweight and portable, making them easier to move about and store than other gym paraphernalia. While walking pads can also be used while watching TV or taking calls, the current trend is using them in office settings alongside a stand-up desk.
Some strap on a fitness wearable and count daily steps, while others choose to spring out their walking pad on their break for a few hours of movement during their working day. It's worth noting that these foldaway machines are designed to walk, not run, and many brands have a top speed of around five to seven miles an hour which might be limiting for those who prefer a good old sprint or are training for a race.
The price point is lower than typical treadmills, but they are still relatively expensive, starting at about €150 for some of the more budget models. If you want an incline or more powerful motor, you'll pay more.
For those that have gone ahead and leaned into the trend, there is varying advice; Ensure your standing desk is fully adjustable, use your FitBit on your ankle (if your wrists are stable on the table your steps might not be counted), consider a bottle with a straw and ensure you are not distracting during meetings by bobbing up and down as you take a video call.
If you are a sufferer of productivity guilt, this might just be the ideal January gift to yourself, not only to tick off your steps, but to keep your body moving. Plus, if you are a fellow pacer like me, you might even find that ideas flow more easily when you are trotting along, pen in mouth.
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