5 Best Walking Mats or Under Desk Treadmills in UAE in 2022

Under-desk treadmills are different from the bulky treadmills we run and jog at the gym. Because they’re designed for home use, walking mats stick to basic settings to help you hit your step goals for the day.

“Walking mats are popular in the UAE; some come with or without optional handles and can reach speeds of 10 to 12 kilometers per hour,” said Azeem Ashraf, Retail Manager at Active Fitness Store in Dubai with over 12 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. “These are different from treadmills because they’re not designed for running or jogging, but at best they’re just brisk walks.”

However, one typical feature you might have to give up is the tilt option. Ashraf says the walking mat is a flat machine that runs quietly on a small motor ranging from 1.5 to 1.75 horsepower. This also means that most under-the-counter treadmills cannot handle loads over 100kg due to their light and compact construction.

Still, people prefer to squeeze at least an hour of light activity into their 9-to-5 jobs.

Every time we left our desk for a two-minute stretch break, the results were immediately apparent. The tension in our shoulders begins to subside, and the brain feels more alert, helping us to use our energy better for the rest of the day.

“Our bodies move. If we don’t engage in any daily activities such as walking, running or exercising, the body falls asleep and we end up losing muscle. Our blood flow slows down, so we are more susceptible to all kinds of health problems. The impact of the problem,” said Jelena Jovanovic, certified fitness trainer at DubaiPT Personal Trainers. “With a walking mat, people don’t have to sit for 8 hours straight – physical activity keeps the brain awake because it provides more oxygen to the brain. It’s best to plan to walk during short breaks during work hours.”

Another expert has similar advice. Alberto Pardo, co-founder and CEO of on-demand fitness app Fitlov, shares his personal experience using a walking mat. “I think it’s best to use an under-desk treadmill to break the routine of the workday, with two 30-minute walks in between, maybe once in the morning and then once in the afternoon,” Pardo says.

However, since the movement is limited to our lower bodies — the arms are mostly anchored to the desk — Pardo says a walking mat shouldn’t replace the recommended stepping activity. This is enough to interrupt a sedentary pattern.

Numerous scientific studies demonstrate the link between physical activity at work and health. The study cited by Dragan Stankic, head of education at the Dubai Health, Exercise and Research Centre (HERC), shows that under-desk treadmills are “an excellent countermeasure against sedentary behaviour”, improving blood pressure, blood lipids and other indicators of cardiometabolic risk.

“At the end of the work day, workers will gather about two hours of active movement time, while still having full work time,” Stankic said in a 2018 paper on a controlled trial published in the British Journal of Sport Science.

According to Ashraf, you should spend at least AED 1,000 on a decent walking mat. Pardo cautioned that the cheap manufacturers on the market ended up underperforming and building less robust.

“I’ve used the WalkingPad C2 – it has a very simple interface, not like a treadmill, and it’s very stable, so it’s easy to use,” Pardo said.

Another benefit of walking mats is that you can store them under the sofa or bed until the next work day.But of course, for this fitness trick to work, you need a Standing Desk or Converter Bring your screen to eye level.a decent fitness tracker It also keeps an eye on your heart rate, calorie count, and step goals.

We scanned Amazon for the top-rated under-desk treadmills that allow you to work at your desk.buy some of these devices main Free, next day delivery.

The King Smith WalkingPad C2 has the cleanest look, with no busy handles, hanging wires or large displays. The unit folds in two, so you can slide it under furniture, such as your standing desk, and you should be fine. The LED light bar on the head allows you to track time, speed, distance, calories and steps. You can maintain a walking speed of up to 6 km/h on the belt with shock-absorbing layer cushioning – perfect for jogging. Its one-horsepower motor can emit up to 60 decibels of sound, similar to the hum of an air conditioner. But the best part about it is using only your feet to automatically control the speed – go up to slow down, far down to speed up, and maintain speed in between. Another way to control the device is through the included remote. Reviewers mentioned strapping their Apple Watch to their lap for the most accurate step count, with some reaching 20,000 a day.

bonus: Purchase in 0% instalments and pay Dh109.32 for 12 months at selected banks. Added professional assembly for Dh76.50.

Sparnod units come with optional handles, making them ideal for walking around the rest of the home, even when not at your desk. Its motor runs more horsepower than our best pick, with a peak of 4HP and speeds of up to 12 km/h. When the handle is unfolded, you can take advantage of these specs for a run, albeit without an incline. The unit can support a maximum user load of 110 kg. Other built-in peripheral features are just the cherry on top, like a Bluetooth speaker, mobile stand, and wireless remote for a versatile experience. Users in the review appreciate how quiet the treadmill runs at increased speeds, but note that the belt isn’t wide enough for running. Many also praised the brand for its prompt customer service.

bonus: Buy in 0% instalments and pay AED 119.17 at selected banks for 12 months. Add home installation for free.

Warranty: The manufacturer offers a three-year motor warranty, a lifetime frame warranty, and a one-year brand warranty on parts failure.

Despite the optional handle, the King Smith WalkPad R1 Pro folds in the center. If you are looking for more speed (10 km/h) and support handrails, this is your best choice for saving space. Depending on the three modes, you can walk, fast walk or sprint. Thanks to its flat head, the R1 can be stored upright against a wall. Reviewers mention how it makes retrieval less laborious, especially with the base scroll wheel. The operating area is slightly wider than the Spanod STH-3000 unit at 44 cm, but the motor peaks at 1.25 hp. With a peak speed of 6 km/h in walking mode, it is suitable for those looking to pick up the pace while at work and can be controlled with just your feet.

bonus: Purchase with 0% instalment and pay Dh90.67 for 12 months at selected banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for the Dh86 and a two-year extended warranty for the Dh121.

The Keep Fun undercounter treadmill weighs only 17kg and easily slides in and out of storage space on wheels. This is a walking device without handles or handrails and can reach speeds of up to 6 km/h. While it supports light jogging, the unit is limited by the user’s load capacity, which is only capped at 80kg. Five-star reviews mention its sturdy build, not noticing any wobble during use, and how quiet it sounds. According to reviewers, you order not one but two remotes in case you misplace the gadget.

bonus: Buy in 0% instalments and pay Dh165.88 for 12 months at selected banks.

Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty.

The Sparnod STH-3050 machine costs almost twice as much as most walking mats and is more portable, stronger and wider than its predecessor. Additionally, this model folds in half in the center and looks very similar to the WalkPad R1 Pro in terms of upright storage. The under-table treadmill is equipped with two modes, when the handrails are raised, you can walk at a top speed of 6 kilometers per hour and run at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour. According to reviews, it’s relatively quiet and uses very little storage space. Users particularly stress how easy the unit is to use right out of the box. However, please note that the manufacturer does not encourage the machine to run continuously for more than 30 minutes.

Warranty: The manufacturer offers a three-year motor warranty, a lifetime frame warranty, and a one-year brand warranty on parts failure.

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