If you have a desk-based job, you may worry that your daily training sessions are being undermined by hours seated in front of a computer.
An ideal solution is one that allows you to remain active whilst you work, effectively killing two birds with one stone.
A walking treadmill desk does exactly that, making it possible to reach your daily step goal whilst getting your work done at the same time.
It’s also great for your posture, helping prevent neck and back problems that can develop after hours of sitting in a chair.
In this article, I’m going to look at the options available to you when setting up a walking treadmill desk.
I’ve included some of my favorite models, the reasons I recommend them, and some things to consider before choosing the right setup for your home or office.
So let’s get started!
The 9 Best Walking Treadmill Desks in 2023
1. Best Desk Treadmills with Large Work Surface – Exerpeutic 5000 ExerWork
2. Best Desk Treadmills for Family Use – FUNMILY Treadmill with Desk Workstation
3. Best Desk Treadmills for Users with a Longer Stride – GYMAX 3 in 1
4. Best Budget Option – SurfShelf Treadmill Desk: Laptop and iPad Holder
5. Most Spacious Walking Treadmill Desk – VIVO Universal
6. Best Customizable Walking Treadmill Desk – VIVO Universal Wooden Mount Stand
7. Best for a Full Office Setup – Farexon Electric Standing Desk
8. Best Standing Desk for Smaller Spaces – FEZIBO Height Adjustable Electric Desk
9.Best Desk Converter – VIVO K Series Height Adjustable Sit-to-Stand Riser
Choosing a Walking Treadmill Desk – Which Type is Right for You?
If you want to use a desk walking treadmill to burn more calories throughout the day, there are 3 different setups you could consider.
#1: A 2-In-1 Model
This is an all-in-one unit that combines both a desktop and a treadmill.
Features vary from one model to another, but this is generally a convenient option as you don’t need to buy a desk and then hunt for a treadmill that fits under it, or vice versa.
The disadvantage of this type of setup is that you can’t usually lower the desk to a standard height, so it can only be used as a standing desk.
#2: A Treadmill Attachment
This is a desktop that you attach to your existing standard treadmill.
This is another convenient option, as it is easy to remove when needed and is cheaper than buying an adjustable desk (below).
On the downside, removable desks often have a small surface area, so they won’t be suitable if your office setup includes a large monitor and peripheral devices.
#3: An Adjustable Walking Treadmill Desk
This is essentially a standing desk that can be used with an under-desk treadmill.
The height is adjustable and the mechanism should operate smoothly, making it easy to transition from a standard height to one that will allow you to stand on your treadmill.
An adjustable desk is a versatile option and will usually provide enough space for the standard office setup of one or more monitors, devices, and files.
The only problem with walking treadmill desks is that they can be wobbly when fully raised.
This means it’s important to invest in a robust model and avoid ‘bargain’ brands that are often very unstable.
The 9 best Walking Treadmill Desks
2-In-1 Models
#1. Best Desk Treadmills with Large Work Surface – Exerpeutic 5000 ExerWork
Belt Size: 46″ L x 20″ W, Desktop Size: 46.5″ L x 24″ W, Height Adjustment: 39”- 52.5” Weight Capacity: 325 lbs, Speed Range: 0.6 mph – 4 mph
| Pros | Cons |
| ‘Quiet Drive’ technology to reduce noise | Tricky to assemble |
| Built-in arm and wrist supports | Belt may be too short for taller users |
| Two powerstrip shelves to organize cables |
These desk treadmills feature an air piston-assisted single lever height adjustment, making it easy to achieve the perfect height for your needs.
The belt is spacious and so is the desktop itself, with room for a full-size keyboard, monitor, mouse, a couple of peripherals, and a phone.
I found the backlit LCD display easy to read, providing all the standard metrics such as time, distance, calorie burn, and speed.
There are 5 handy preset workout programs to choose from along with 3 different workout goal settings, plus 4 preset speed buttons for easy adjustment.
Best of all, you can detach the treadmill from the desk once you’re done walking for the day.
It has wheels so you can roll it away for storage, then continue to use the desk independently as a standing unit.
#2. Best Desk Treadmills for Family Use – FUNMILY Treadmill with Desk Workstation
Belt Size: 49.9″ L x 18″ W, Desktop Size: 26.2″ L x 13″ W, Height Adjustment: 33.5”- 49.9” Weight Capacity: 300 lbs, Speed Range: 0.6 mph – 7.5 mph
| Pros | Cons |
| 3 manual incline levels | Laptop covers the LCD display |
| 38 preset workouts | Noisy beeps on speed changes |
| Companion app to view metrics |
Ideal for everything from casual walks to light runs, this walking treadmill desk adjusts to a lower-than-usual height, making it a versatile piece of equipment that your entire family can enjoy.
It has a useful kids’ mode, too, which limits the speed at which the belt runs and makes it safer for family use.
The desktop area is pretty small compared to the Exerpeutic model, so there’s really only room for a laptop and a drink (which you can place in the built-in cup holder).
The incline feature may be basic – you simply adjust the belt to one of three different heights before stepping on – but it still helps make your workouts a little more challenging and calls on a wider range of muscles.
The hydraulic lever soft-drop system makes it easy to fold up the unit and there are wheels underneath to roll it away for storage.
#3. Best Desk Treadmills for Users with a Longer Stride – GYMAX 3 in 1
Belt Size: 52″ L x 16″ W, Desktop Size: 28.5″ L x 13.5″ W, Height Adjustment: 0 Weight Capacity: 265 lbs, Speed Range: 0.5 mph – 7.5 mph
| Pros | Cons |
| Removable acrylic desktop | No height adjustment |
| Easy to fold and store | Programs cannot be paused |
| Built-in Bluetooth speakers |
With a stable desktop that’s easy to remove when you don’t need it, this desk walking treadmill has an easy-to-read LCD display with basic metrics and 12 different programs to add variety to your workouts.
The no-slip running belt has 5 layers, a structure designed to muffle noise and absorb shock to protect your joints.
You can either use the remote or the control buttons to change your speed, although the lack of a proper pause feature is annoying as all program data is reset when you take a break so you have to start again.
This model is available in black or white – making it easier to blend into your home decor – and it folds to such a compact size that you can easily store it under most beds.
Treadmill Attachments
#4. Best Budget Option – SurfShelf Treadmill Desk: Laptop and iPad Holder
Desktop Size: 14″ L x 11″ W, Material: 100% Polycarbonate
| Pros | Cons |
| Fits most treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals | Small work surface |
| 1 minute installation | |
| Folds flat to fit in gym bag |
An affordable solution if you’re looking for a way to convert your regular treadmill into a workstation, this simple laptop/iPad holder uses a Velcro strap to keep your device securely in place.
Because of the huge variety of treadmill styles on the market, there’s no list to refer to in order to see if it’s compatible with yours.
Instead, the product’s creator invites you to contact him directly via text at (310) 844-2912 with photos of your treadmill, then he can advise you if the Surfshell will work for you.
The very limited desktop space means this won’t be suitable for extended use, but is ideal for brief work periods when you want to be sure to get your steps in, too!
#5. Most Spacious Walking Treadmill Desk – VIVO Universal
Desktop Size: 34.1″ L x 11″ W, Material: Sturdy Particle Board/Rubber
| Pros | Cons |
| Supports up to 22 lbs in weight | Not compatible with tilted/slanted handlebars |
| Padded to protect your treadmill | Uncomfortable if your handlebars are low |
| Quick and easy assembly |
Designed for laptops and with space for an iPad or a couple of peripherals too, this strong platform attaches to treadmills with handlebars from 26.8″ to 31.5″ apart.
Affordable and simple to use, it secures to your machine with Velcro straps and features rubber bumpers that not only protect your treadmill but also add some traction for stability.
It comes in 2 pieces, so there’s just a little assembly at first in putting these together, but once built it feels very solid and more than capable of holding the recommended weight limit of 22 pounds.
#6. Best Customizable Walking Treadmill Desk – VIVO Universal Wooden Mount Stand
Desktop Size: 26.9″ L x 11″ W, Material: Engineered Wood/Steel
| Pros | Cons |
| Multiple adjustment points | May block your treadmill controls |
| Easy to fit/remove | Velcro strap too short for larger laptops |
| Good value for money |
Finding a treadmill desk that will fit your particular treadmill AND comfort requirements is quite a task!
That’s why I like this model from VIVO, which has an adjustable support bar to change the width to fit your handlebars (31.2” to 45.2”), a height-adjustable mount, and a 0° to -25° tilt for comfortable typing and viewing angles.
It feels sturdy during use – with plenty of space for most laptops – and comes with a mouse pad plus wrist supports (which also stop your laptop from sliding around).
Adjustable Desks
#7. Best for a Full Office Setup – Farexon Electric Standing Desk
Desktop Size: 55″ L x 24″ W, Height Adjustment: 27”- 45”, Material: Engineered Wood/Steel
| Pros | Cons |
| Memory mode for height settings | Desktop is in 4 pieces, so there are seams |
| Desk hooks to stay organized | Some sharp edges |
| Multiple finishes available |
With a whopping weight capacity of up to 178 pounds, this desk has a double beam structure for durability and offers more than enough space for 2-3 monitors and a laptop.
There is also enough space between the legs to make it compatible with almost any under-desk treadmill.
Adjustable from seated to standing heights, it has an LED smart display to show the current setting and moves both smoothly and quietly from one to the next.
A great feature is that the memory function continues to work even after a power failure, so it’s easy to return to your stored position whenever you need to.
There’s also a handy anti-collision feature that causes the desk to move 2 cm in the opposite direction if it comes into contact with an object as it rises.
#8. Best Standing Desk for Smaller Spaces – FEZIBO Height Adjustable Electric Desk
Desktop Size: 40″ L x 24″ W, Height Adjustment: 27.16”- 46.06”, Material: Wood/Steel
| Pros | Cons |
| High quality construction | 2 piece top creates a central seam |
| Leveling studs for stability | |
| Moves quietly |
Available in larger versions, too, this easy-to-assemble desk offers space for your office essentials and has 3 buttons that allow you to preset your preferred heights.
The steel frame gives the desk the strength and stability to support up to 155 lbs in weight and the tops are available in a range of colors, so you can find one to complement your decor.
The electric adjustments work smoothly – at a rate of 1 inch per second – and the soft start/stop feature prevents any jarring that might cause your devices to wobble.
Best of all, this desk is fantastic value for money, offering a stable workspace to use with your treadmill and with a durable construction that will last you for many miles!
#9. Best Desk Converter – VIVO K Series Height Adjustable Sit-to-Stand Riser
Desktop Size: 31.5″ L x15.7″ W, Height Adjustment: 4.5”- 20”, Material: Wood/Steel
| Pros | Cons |
| Converts any desk to a standing desk | Keyboard shelf is not retractable |
| Separate keyboard tray | Not ideal for larger keyboards |
| Smooth, stable vertical lift |
With a patented X-frame design to prevent forward or lateral movement, this simple converter is easy to use.
Just place it on a standard desk that has room for an under-desk treadmill and you’re good to go!
It holds up to 33 pounds in weight and uses a robust pneumatic lift assist, so it’s easy to raise to any height that suits you even with a heavy monitor on top.
The separate keyboard tray leaves you plenty of room on the main desktop for a monitor and laptop, but there are other sizes available if you need more/less space.
The keyboard tray cannot be adjusted, however, which I found made the top row keys hard to reach on larger keyboards.
The 9 best Walking Treadmill Desks: Key Takeaways
A good walking treadmill desk is a fantastic way to combine daily training with work, preventing the inactivity that can lead to certain lifestyle diseases and helping meet your exercise goals.
I hope this article has helped you choose the right desk walking treadmill setup for your home or office, so you can soon start experiencing the benefits of increased activity levels throughout the day.
