A walking pad is like a compact treadmill. In fact, both kinds of exercise equipment offer a range of speeds, and both support cardio exercise. While treadmills can be pretty heavy, many walking pads are lighter and designed specifically for the lower-impact activity of walking rather than running or jogging. In fact, a walking pad can be low-profile enough to slide under furniture.

A walking pad treadmill may include an assistant bar for activities like jogging. On many machines, the bar can be lowered while using walking speeds and for storage. Thanks to this design, some users choose to position a walking pad under their standing desk to create their own treadmill working desk. With a walking pad under desk setup, you can skyrocket your daily steps.

You can also increase your workout by choosing a walking pad with incline settings to make your walk more challenging. Best of all, you can walk day or night, rain or shine, and you can work or enjoy entertainment while you exercise.

When you’re choosing the best walking pad for your workout routine, it’s best to get familiar with the categories that are available. First, there are the basic walking pads that provide a few speeds and support only walking. Some of these come with a support bar or an optional support bar, but others include no bar. There are also walking pads that increase in speed and shock absorbency to support jogging or light running.

You may want to prioritize certain features when buying a walking pad. For instance, a shock-absorbent walking pad is kinder on the knees and other joints, and a foldable walking pad or foldable treadmill is easier to store. If you’re interested in using smart exercise equipment to create personalized workout routines and track your fitness goals, consider an app-compatible walking pad.

Choosing the best fitness equipment is about knowing your goals and accommodating your lifestyle. A walking pad is one of the easiest ways to increase your daily cardio workout without leaving home.