Can You Run on a Walking Pad? Benefits and Limits

Walking pads, also known as under-desk treadmills, have become a popular fitness solution for people working from home or living in small apartments. They’re compact, easy to store, and make it simple to stay active at home.

But here’s a question: can you run on a walking pad, or are they only designed for walking? Let’s find out—and explore the perfect incline treadmill that supports both walking and running: the Tousains Treadmill FIT-7s.

What Is a Walking Pad?

A walking pad is a lightweight, under-desk treadmill designed for walking and brisk walking. Compared with traditional treadmills, walking pads are:

• Smaller and slimmer. Easy to slide under a desk, sofa, or bed.
• Lower horsepower. The motor is built for steady walking speeds, not high-intensity runs.
• Speed-limited. The speed ranges between models. The Tousains Treadmill FIT-7s allows for a speed ranging from 0.6 to 7.5 mph.

All the features demonstrate that the walking pad is convenient for people living in a small space to stay active, but it might not be ideal for people who want to run at a higher speed.

Can You Run on a Walking Pad?

Technically, some walking pads allow light jogging if their top speed is high enough. But in most cases, running typically requires at least 8 km/h (5 mph), which exceeds the limit of most walking pads. The deck of most walking pads is narrower and shorter than that of traditional running treadmills. This could make it harder to run with a natural stride. In addition, constant high-impact running can wear down the motor and belt more quickly, shortening the machine’s lifespan.

In short, walking pads are best for walking or light jogging, rather than running. If you’re looking to burn calories, boost circulation, and stay active while working, a walking pad is a perfect fit. But if your goal is running workouts, you’ll want to look at other treadmill options.

What Are the Walking Pad Benefits

Walking pads aren’t just about convenience; they also offer many health and lifestyle benefits:

Convenience supports consistency: Move this machine under your desk, and you are ready for a 30-minute walk. Watching your favorite movies can make you walk longer.

Better posture: Tired of a forward head posture from long hours of sitting? Step on the walking pad and stretch your arms and back to relax.

Low-impact cardio: Walking is gentle on the joints compared to running, making walking pads a safer choice for beginners or those with knee concerns.

Weight Management: Regular walking supports calorie burn and helps maintain a healthy metabolism. Is a walking pad a good way to lose weight? Absolutely—just check the maximum weight capacity and pair it with a healthy diet.

Compact & portable: Unlike bulky treadmills, walking pads can be folded and stored easily in tight spaces.

So, do walking pads work? Absolutely — they may not replace a treadmill for runners, but they are effective for overall health and weight control.

If you want to walk and run on a walking pad, there’s a model that fills the void: Tousains Treadmill FIT-7s. 

Best Walking Pad Treadmill: Tousains Treadmill FIT-7s

This incline treadmill allows a speed from 0.6 to 3.8 mph in walking mode and 0.6 to 7.5 mph in running mode. With this incline treadmill at home, you can walk or run anytime and anywhere you want.

What about the incline? It offers a manual incline of up to 7°. This is not a simple number but an opportunity to challenge yourself, build strength, and burn more calories.

The running belt of this machine is 16.7” x 43”, which supports comfortable strides and accommodates users from 5'1" to 6'9".

The best part? An AI trainer (coming soon) on the Tousains app! You will get a personalized workout plan for your specific goals! Not sure where to start? The AI trainer is all you need!

Impressed by those features? Shop at Tousains and see how Tousains Treadmill FIT-7s can transform your life.

Conclusion: Can You Run on a Walking Pad? 

Depending on the machine’s maximum speed, you may be able to run on a walking pad. But the walking belt is not wide or long enough for comfortable running. Besides, since they aren’t built for long-term running workouts, it could cause wear and tear on this machine.

At the end of the day, a walking pad still provides plenty of benefits—from improving consistency to burning calories and supporting weight. If you want to run indoors, the Tousains Treadmill FIT-7s can be the perfect choice. It offers a speed ranging from 0.6 to 7.5 mph. With the foldable design and 2.5 HP motor, you can enjoy a quiet and effective workout at home. Exercise with Tousains Treadmill FIT-7s for better health tomorrow!