Many of us will have set fitness goals for the New Year with great plans to stay active and healthy in 2025.
The cold winter months, dark evenings and rainy Irish weather can make outdoor exercise a challenge, but one indoor gadget is making it easier for people to stay on track from the comfort of home.
Walking pad treadmills have boomed in popularity, becoming a fitness trend across social media and inspiring plenty of us to look into the handy device to get our steps up.
Phoebe Barton, a reporter from our sister site Birmingham Live, recently bought a walking pad treadmill and quickly discovered its unexpected benefits and says it has
She said it helps her burn some calories, but also relieves back pain and helps her take regular screen breaks. The one she bought – the Sperax Walking Pad Treadmill – is currently €145 off in a limited-time Amazon sale.
Phoebe writes: “I would have laughed if someone had told me six months ago I’m going to buy a treadmill to walk in my own home. Now, I can’t envision life without this handy gadget that quickly became one of my top purchases of 2024.
“A few months ago I spotted Amazon’s Sperax Walking Pad Treadmill on sale and began to contemplate having a walking pad in my own home. The online giant is now offering the treadmill with an even bigger discount of €145 off, bringing the price down from €362 to €217.
“I’m a gym member and attend classes several times a week, and I enjoy outdoor walks, but in the winter months, I find it tough to drag myself out into the dark and cold nights. I realised how useful it would be to have a basic treadmill at home.
“As a fully remote worker, I rarely leave my desk. When I worked in an office, I’d often walk over to colleagues for a chat, make a cuppa in the kitchen, and almost always take a lunchtime stroll around the block. Since working from home, the only time I leave my desk is for a quick toilet break or to grab lunch, which only involves walking downstairs.
The Sperax Walking Pad
(Image: Amazon)
“The Sperax Walking Pad Treadmill offers a range of speed settings, allowing for anything from a gentle stroll to a full-on run. It features an LED display that accurately tracks your workout details such as time, speed, distance, and calories burned.
“For added safety, it comes with a removable handlebar and a remote control to easily change the settings. There’s also a holder for your phone or tablet, allowing you to enjoy your favourite shows or videos while exercising.
“My primary reason for purchasing the treadmill was to shed a bit of weight by ensuring I take a brisk daily walk and get in those essential steps. However, the benefits have exceeded my expectations – it provides a much-needed screen break at lunchtime and has reduced back, neck and shoulder pain caused by being slumped at my desk all day.
“During colder weather, using the walking pad is also an excellent way to warm up instead of putting the heating on. The treadmill also proves useful for weekend workouts when I haven’t got time to go to the gym ahead of going out for the day.
“The gadget is conveniently positioned next to my desk, allowing me to use it whenever I please. It’s surprisingly quiet, causing no disruption to the rest of my household.
“My routine typically includes a brisk 20-minute walk during my lunch break on weekdays, with an additional 20 minutes either before or after work, or sometimes both. A 20-minute fast walk allows me to burn approximately 85 calories and take 2,100 steps.
“The purchase of the treadmill has been amazing for both my physical and mental health, a sentiment echoed by over 2,400 customers who have given it a five-star rating on Amazon. I thoroughly enjoy putting on some music and walking or jogging in the privacy of my own home.
“My only gripe is a slight crease on the treadmill belt, presumably caused during transit, which hasn’t smoothed out even after a couple of months of use. However, this is purely a cosmetic issue and doesn’t affect the functionality of the walking pad or pose any safety risks.
“While the treadmill does come with wheels for easy movement, it is quite heavy. If you need to move it between rooms or up flights of stairs, you’ll definitely require at least two people to carry it.”
The Sperax Walking Pad Treadmill from Amazon is €214.87 from Amazon while the sale lasts.
Elsewhere, the NEW IMAGE FITT Mill Smart Bluetooth Treadmill & Walking Pad is on sale and is now €250 from Currys. Alternatively, the Homcom Electric Folding Walking Pad is €409.99 from Very.ie.