A treadmill desk is a computer workstation where the user walks on a treadmill while working at the desk. People who use a treadmill desk are generally concerned about having a more active lifestyle.
Mothers have been passing down warnings to maintain good posture from generation to generation since time beyond remembrance, but with the advent of modern medicine, things have progressed even further. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners have taken up the call, warning one and all that a life of long-term stagnation is ruinous to one’s physical health and well-being, and not just in terms of simple posture. Continual immobility, whether it’s a consequence of one’s workplace duties or not, can lead to weakened upper body muscles, nerve damage, blood clots, and even heart disease and related complications, which can, of course, be fatal. Even so, the average office worker spends eight hours of each working day sitting behind a desk – that’s roughly four months of little to no movement!
This type of sedentary work style doesn’t just promote physical and mental strain, it also hampers productivity. Happily, the treadmill desk (which, as one might expect from the name, is a work surface attached to a treadmill) takes care of all these problems in one fell swoop. To help the reader learn more about these machines and to pick the best treadmill desk for their unique situation, a list of treadmill desk reviews can be found below.
| Image | What you need to know | Price |
|---|---|---|
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 5 Stars as this has everything you want in a walking treadmill. Pair this with the Omega line of desks for an excellent ergonomic experience. | |
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5 Stars as this has everything you want in a Treadmill Desk, and a great warranty. | |
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Same as the DT7, but this one is a manually adjusted desk. If you want a treadmill desk but don't want to spend as much this is the unit for you. | |
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This is the same treadmill that is used in the DT7 and the DT5. If you already have a standing desk, something like the Vertdesk. Than this will be your best option. | |
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How to choose a treadmill desk
Treadmill desks come in a variety of makes, models, features, and price points. These tend to be expensive and the price tends to be directly aligned with quality, noise level, and long-term daily-use-friendly ergonomics.
How to choose a treadmill desk:
- Do some research to understand the features and price points available
- Consider the room where the desk will be and determine the acceptable noise level and footprint
- Decide if you want really good ergonomics or just a standard flat desk
- Determine if you need an adjustable height desk so others can use it
- Choose a desk that fits your criteria
LIFESPAN TR1200-DT7
The final entrant on our list, the LifeSpan TR1200-DT7 seems more at home in an apartment building’s fitness center than in an office cubicle. This is no doubt a consequence of its group-use design and technological features; the DT7 straddles and bridges the gap between the utter functionality of a treadmill-only unit and the lush, corporate feel of a unit purpose-built for cubicle use. Still, this offering from Lifespan is a fine machine, the users of which can expect it to perform admirably. The LifeSpan TR1200-DT7 is made by LifeSpan. A closer examination follows.
The Pros
- The DT7 is solidly built using high-quality materials and provides a sturdy, expansive work surface via the integrated desk.
- Bluetooth capability makes syncing fitness data easy (works with Apple and PC).
- Accepted user profile: 4′ 10″ to 6′ 8″; max user weight = 350 lbs.
- Like all Lifespan products on this list, the DT7 treadmill desk provides a wide array of fitness-related data to the user, including steps taken, distance walked, calories burnt, speed, and more.
- Like the other Lifespan products reviewed so far, assembling the DT7 is a relatively pain-free affair.
- This unit shares the same great warranty that covers all the other Lifespan products reviewed here, ensuring peace of mind for the end user for years (and in some cases, for a lifetime) to come.
- The DT7’s electric desk height adjustment feature makes working even the longest hours an enjoyable and comfortable experience regardless of user height or ergonomic preferences.
The Cons
- All user settings revert to factory defaults if you step out for lunch or another break of anything more than a few moments. This is apparently a Lifespan safety feature, but in reality is nothing more than an annoyance.
- This unit lacks the ability to assign user-defined speeds or presets.
- The “gym” app (Lifespan’s bundled health tracking software) is a mess, and there’s no integration with any of the popular fitness apps available today, so users are forced to make a choice when it comes to fitness tracking: Lifespan or no one.
LIFESPAN TR1200-DT5
The LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 is a semi-integrated treadmill desk with a lot of features, some of which the user might not expect to find in a machine like this. Then again, perhaps they should, given that this treadmill desk’s parent company is known for its quality product construction and feature sets. This desk is made by LifeSpan. Let’s take a closer look!
The Pros
- The TR1200-DT5 is formed from quality construction and provides a sturdy work / use platform.
- The unit arrives semi-assembled; the remaining parts can be attached with the provided screws, nuts, and bolts.
- The unit provides detailed fitness information, including steps taken, calories burnt, and a handful of similar metrics. Safety features include auto-quit / automatic shut-off.
- The display is easy to read, and comes with integrated cable management.
- Users of nearly any height or weight can use the TR1200-DT5, provided that they fall somewhere within the following parameters: Height – 4′ 10″ to 6′ 8″; Max weight = 350 lbs.
- The warranty is great!
The Cons
- Using a mouse with any measure of precision while aboard this machine can prove a challenge, even with the unit’s relatively modest speeds.
- Recommended maintenance for this unit can be messy at times, especially when it comes to lubrication.
- Metrics aren’t “memorized” by the machine beyond the current session, so users must manually track their distances walked, calories burnt, and so forth if they want to keep a running log. Spreadsheet applications are probably the best way to do this, but that it must be done at all is unfortunate.
LIFESPAN TR1200-DT3
The LifeSpan TR1200-DT3 is the DIY treadmill desk for technophiles, hands-down. Not only that, but the only things you need to make it work are a standing desk and adequate space for the treadmill unit itself. Sleek, slick, and designed to be there when you need it and gone when you don’t, the TR1200-DT3 is a great little treadmill. The LifeSpan TR1200-DT3 is made by LifeSpan
The Pros
- No-brainer assembly – simply place and go!
- Seamless Bluetooth integration that works with both Macs and PCs
- A comprehensive “gym membership” that lets you track a wide variety of fitness metrics and related data and design workouts around it all at the touch of a button.
- Lots of safety features (auto-stop, gradual speed-up / slow-down, etc.)
- Runs slient
- Great warranty
The Cons
- Users will need to provide their own standing desk – the Lifespan TR1200-DT3 is comprised of the treadmill and console only (plus the necessary parts for assembly).
- Lackluster mouse precision makes this unit unsuitable for game developers, designers, or other professionals who rely on pinpoint accuracy with their mice.
- No incline or other traditional treadmill settings
- Users must restart at “zero speed” each and every time they step onto the treadmill. Additionally, incremental speed changes require individual button presses. These are designed as safety features, but can quickly become infuriating from a practical standpoint.
REBEL TREADMILL 1000
In a list dominated by LifeSpan treadmill desk reviews, the Rebel Treadmill 1000 is a bit of an odd man out, so to speak. It isn’t the best looking or most feature-packed machine in this review roundup, yet it does its job well, which in the end, is all one can ask. The Rebel Treadmill 1000 is made by Rebel Desk. Let’s take a look under the hood, shall we?
The Pros
- The Rebel 1000 ships as a treadmill only (with the obvious exception of the console and various peripherals).
- The Rebel 1000 is designed to fit most any standing desk or sit / stand convertible
- Designed to be very “space-conscious”, the Rebel 1000 can be used in places other treadmill desks, well, fear to tread!
- This unit is priced quite low in comparison to other units reviewed on this list, yet it doesn’t sacrifice much to get to that lower price point.
- The Rebel 1000 runs quiet, which is a boon to all in a cramped office environment.
- Great customer support!
The Cons
- The warranty, while still nice, is less extensive than the ones offered by the other selections on this list.
- Like the DT3, users of this model will need to find a standing desk or sit / stand convertible – the Rebel is shipped treadmill-only.
- Speed maxes out at 2 MPH by design, meaning users can do little else but walk with this machine.
TREKDESK
Next up is the TrekDesk, and it might just be the best treadmill desk for traditionalists. Why? Because it was designed from the start as an office tool to boost both employee fitness and employee productivity. These roots show in how the machine is made and what its features are. This desk is made by TrekDesk.
The Pros
- This unit is an integrated treadmill desk designed to quickly and easily mate to almost any treadmill. Assembly / attachment is minimal.
- A great office-focused feature set includes things like a multi-tier desk, multiple cup holder, and lots of space devoted to the primary desk surface to make work easy.
- A max supported weight of 55 lbs. means there isn’t much a user can’t use the TrekDesk for – laptops, coffee, stacks of briefs or presentations, it all fits! Just be careful with multi-monitor setups.
- Supports users with heights between 5′ 4″ and 6′ 4″.
- The TrekDesk comes with a two-year warranty.
The Cons
- While assembly is limited, what’s required can be daunting for the mechanically disinclined. Assembly mostly amounts to the fitting of a lot of small parts with a lot of easily lost screws; finding a suitable treadmill is often the most laborious stage of the process.
- Manuals and instructions are sometimes less than helpful. Text dominates, videos are sparse, and pictures are a great rarity.
- If you choose the wrong type of treadmill – that is, one with a front panel rather than a side-mounted one – controls, displays, and other related features can be very difficult to reach, view, and manipulate once the unit is fully assembled. This often forces users to blindly grope for buttons or a glimpse at their display of choice.
Treadmill Desk Reviews – The Conclusion
And there you have it, five of the best treadmill desks available today. There is a wide range of choices when it comes to the selection of a machine like this, and your decision should be based on the work surface you want to create. Do you need to hold more than 55lbs? Don’t choose the TrekDesk, go with one of the LifeSpan models. Are the LifeSpan work surfaces too small? Grab a Rebel Desk and an adjustable height standing desk. At least you have these handy treadmill desk reviews to assist you, making an ultimate purchase decision should be, dare we suggest it, a walk in the park. Enjoy!