The 4 Best Treadmill Desks, According to a Physical Therapist

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If you want to sit less and move more, a treadmill desk offers the health benefits of physical activity with the space you need to get work done.
Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

If you resolved to sit less and move more this year, start looking at your work day. If you spend long stretches sitting in front of a computer, investing in a treadmill desk can help you get up and moving even when your to-do list is a mile long.

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A treadmill desk offers the health benefits of physical activity with the space you need to get work done — so you can still answer emails, draft that presentation and participate in meetings as you get your heart pumping. Knowing you don't have to step away from a looming deadline may make it easier to convince yourself to get up and move (if the link between prolonged sitting and negative health outcomes isn't enough).

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To help you on your path to better health, we've rounded up four stellar treadmill desks to incorporate into your home office.

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The Best Treadmill Desks

  • Best Overall: ‌LifeSpan TR1000 Classic Treadmill Desk ($1,499, LifeSpan Fitness)
  • Best Budget:‌ Costway 2.25 HP 3-in-1 Folding Treadmill ($359.99, Walmart)
  • Best for Small Spaces: ‌InMovement UnSit Treadmill Desk ($3,190, InMovement)
  • Best Desk Attachment for Treadmill: ‌Nnewvante Treadmill Desk Attachment ($88.77, Amazon)

How We Chose

To bring you the best of the best treadmill desks, we tapped Brett Warner, PT, DPT, a physical therapist with Bespoke Treatments in New York City. Every treadmill desk listed was vetted using the following criteria. You can learn more about how we cover products here.

  • Features
  • Price
  • User ratings

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1. Best Overall: LifeSpan TR1000 Classic Treadmill Desk

Best Overall

LifeSpan TR1000 Classic Treadmill Desk

You can get the desk in various colors and widths (up 48 inches), and it adjusts from 33.5 to 52.5 inches in height.

  • Dimensions: ‌58 inches (L) x 28.5 inches (W) x 7.25 inches (H)
  • Maximum User Weight: ‌350 pounds
  • Speed Range:‌ 0.4 to 4 miles per hour (mph)
  • Desktop Height Range: ‌33.5 to 52.5 inches

This standing desk treadmill offers tons of handy features. "The desktop is wide and adjustable, the treadmill motor is quiet and it has internal cable routing," Warner tells LIVESTRONG.com. Plus, it's reasonably priced.

You can get the desk in various colors and widths (up 48 inches), and it adjusts from 33.5 to 52.5 inches in height. The portable treadmill console is small enough to fit on your desktop, allowing you to control your pace and keep tabs on your activity metrics (steps, time, distance, calories burned, speed). The treadmill also includes a safety feature that pauses the treadmill when you stop moving.

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2. Best Budget: Costway 2.25 HP 3-in-1 Folding Treadmill

Best Budget

Costway 2.25 HP 3-in-1 Folding Treadmill

The treadmill comes with a removable acrylic table top that’s big enough to hold a laptop, along with smaller items. It's best for walking, though, not running.

  • Dimensions: ‌ 52.5 inches (L) x 26 inches (W) x 42.5 inches (H)
  • Maximum User Weight: ‌220 pounds
  • Speed Range: ‌0.5 to 7.5 mph
  • Desktop Height Range: ‌N/A

If you're not looking to invest in a separate treadmill and desk, try this budget pick. The treadmill comes with a removable acrylic table top that's big enough to hold a laptop, along with smaller items like a notepad and water bottle. You can also store your phone in the phone holder.

An extra-large LCD display installed at the base of the treadmill enables you to monitor your speed, time, distance, steps and calories. Start, stop and adjust the treadmill pace with the included remote control. When the machine isn't in use, you can save space by folding it. Once folded, the treadmill measures 54 inches long, 26 inches wide and 6 inches high.

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One caveat: "While the treadmill can go fast enough to run, I'd stick to walking," Warner says. At only 73 pounds, the machine is a bit too lightweight to handle fast speeds for any sustained period of time.

3. Best for Small Spaces: InMovement UnSit Treadmill Desk

Best for Small Spaces

InMovement UnSit Treadmill Desk

At only 58 inches in length, this desk treadmill is one of the shortest on our list, making it an excellent option for tight spaces.

  • Dimensions: ‌58 inches (L) x 39 inches (W) x 5 inches (H)
  • Maximum User Weight: ‌400 pounds
  • Speed Range:‌ 0.3 to 2.0 mph
  • Desktop Height Range: ‌54-inch max height

At only 58 inches in length, this desk treadmill is one of the shortest on our list, making it an excellent option for tight spaces. It's also quiet and easy to move. Adjust your speed with the portable treadmill console that fits on your desktop and track your activity stats in the app.

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You have two options for the accompanying desk: 48 inches x 24 inches and 60 inches x 30 inches. Select the size that best suits the space you have available.

4. Best Desk Attachment for a Treadmill: Nnewvante Treadmill Desk Attachment

Best Desk Attachment

Nnewvante Treadmill Desk Attachment

This solid bamboo option attaches to the arms of your treadmill with heavy-duty velcro straps. It also includes a built-in adjustable laptop stand.

  • Dimensions: ‌‎N/A
  • Maximum User Weight: ‌N/A
  • Speed Range: ‌N/A
  • Desktop Height Range: ‌N/A

If you already have a treadmill, turn it into a workspace with this treadmill desk attachment. This solid bamboo option attaches to the arms of your treadmill with heavy-duty velcro straps. It also includes a built-in adjustable laptop stand and enough space on either side to hold books, water bottles and other small items (up to 130 pounds total). Non-slip strips under the desk help keep it in place while you move and work.

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This attachment measures 34 inches wide and 14.4 inches long. It should fit most treadmills, but make sure to check the measurements before ordering.

5 Features to Consider When Buying a Treadmill Desk

1. Type

When it comes to treadmill desks, there are a couple of basic options: ones with the desk attached and ones where the treadmill and desk are separate.

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A standing desk and treadmill combo can save space and offer more flexibility, as you can use the desk whether you're walking, standing or sitting. Plus, you can customize the height of your desktop for maximum comfort. The downside is that these setups can be pretty pricey.

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Treadmills with attached desks, on the other hand, tend to be more affordable. They're also a great option if you already have a home office setup and aren't interested in replacing it with a standing desk and treadmill. However, because you're adding a piece of equipment to your existing setup, your home office could end up looking (and feeling) cluttered. (Already have a standing desk? Shop our picks for the best under-desk treadmills.)

2. Space

Figure out how much space you have available in your home office for an office treadmill desk and take measurements. Compare these measurements to the treadmill desk specs before ordering, and be sure to account for any space you'll need to store the treadmill when you're not using it.

Thankfully, many treadmills with attached desks are foldable and easy to move. Folding and storing it when not in use will help you save space.

3. Ease of Setup

You may need to set up and take down your treadmill desk at some point during your work day, so it's essential to find one that takes as little time and effort as possible.

"At the end of the day, exercise equipment is only useful if you use it," Warner says. You can increase your odds of using the treadmill desk by choosing one you know you can handle. When shopping, look over the product info for details on setup and takedown. If it sounds too complicated, you may want to pass.

4. Speed

Desk treadmills come in a wide range of speed capabilities. Some enable you to run, whereas others top out at walking pace. So, check the desk treadmill's speed range when shopping and choose the one that matches your planned activities.

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However, if you need your desk treadmill to be as quiet as possible, you may want to pick one that's built for walking only. "Walking treadmill bases will likely be less noisy than running treadmill bases," Warner says.

5. Safety Features

Walking while you type can take some getting used to. To avoid accidents while multitasking, look for treadmills that offer safety features like safety keys and step detection, which automatically pauses the belt when you stop moving.

While you're at it, consider how you want to control your speed while you're on the treadmill. Some options have a remote control or portable monitor, whereas others operate like a traditional treadmill. Pick whichever method feels most comfortable so you feel confident when walking.

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