It’s an empty feeling, this staring at big blank wall in your studio apartment where treadmill used to reside. You feel both regret and ambition as you look back on the machine. Once it was supposed to help you get fit; now all it did was eat up valuable floor space.
And yet there you are again, wanting to move but unable to change the square feet allotted to you. Welcome to a moddern problem of workout equipment for the home. Your goal: Cardio that fits the room, not the other way around.
The solution, as it typically boils down, fall into one of two camps: the classic treadmill, solid and recognizable; or the walking pad, which is sleek and almost invisible. Beyond the marketing, though, how do you know? It all depends on your purpose.
Do you plan to use this piece of exercise equipment for running? Easy: get yourself a treadmill. Want something that lets you gently move around?
Choosing Between Walking Pad and Treadmill
Walking Pads vs Treadmills
Walking pads has surged in popularity. Why? Because it removes every feature but bare essentials.
A walk pad is made for walking (not running). More than you might think. That makes a difference, from the footprint to the sound it makes, to the likelihood that you’ll ever use the thing.
Treadmill Space and Impact
What does either option realy bring to your little space? Treadmills that people build traditionally is made for impact. Shock absorption systems.
They has heavy decks that absorb the impact of feet pounding the ground at speed. But they are certainly bulky. A good treadmill for use at home weighs more than two-hundred pounds.
It’s not something you want to pick up and move around willy nilly. Most come with a foldable frame, which certainly helps but they also take up a lot of space on the floor when you’re using them. For safety reasons, you don’t want much else on the floor around them.
In an apartment, this can mean carving out permanent corner for exercising. It becomes a fixture in your life. It is something permanent.
For many that’s a motivator, but for many others it’s a constant reminder of unfulfilled potential.
Walking Pad Portability
Another approach is using walking pads. They look like thin conveyor belts with handrails that often detach.
Popular brands include Yesoul, Goplus and LifeSpan. They’re also unbelievably slim. Most can fold down below four inches in height.
Slide them into a closet. Hide them under the bed. There are even versions with wheels so they can be rolled out of sight with ease.
The attraction isn’t hard to see. Exercise away (then hide it completely). For small living spaces, this is a big deal.
It gets rid of visual messiness of fitness equipment. When you’re finished working out, you get your space back. And the mental victory here is huge.
Speed Limits and Usage
But you lose some capability. Typically, walking pads max out around 3-4 mph. That means you can walk quickly on them.
If you’re light on your feet with a high ceiling, you can even jog on these things. But don’t go trying to run on a standard walking pad. You’ll risk something going wrong.
The narrow belts isn’t designed for that kind of impact force. It’s perfect for casual strolling in front of the tv, or for zone 2 cardio. Run long distance?
Sprint? You’ll quickly outgrow this one. The thing will feel flimsy when you try to run on it.
Noise Levels in Apartments
First step: know how hard you can go. Noise is another key element of apartment life. Inexpensive treadmills tend to be noisy.
The deck slaps against the frame, the motor hums. A mat under the treadmill will help dull some of this sound but won’t solve all problems. Your downstairs neighbor might not enjoy your early-morning workout.
By design, walking pads is quieter. There’s no heavy duty shock absorption part generating thudding noises. There’s just a smooth belt moving over a thin layer of air and friction.
It is more like a whisper then a roar. And if you’re trying to walk while family members are sleeping in the same room, or if you live in an apartment with thin walls, this makes a difference. You can walk and let no one know you’re there.
Cost and Value
Finally, there’s price: Surprisingly, entry-level treadmill models can go for very little. However, these treadmills tend to break down with frequent usage. Running requires a treadmill that’s built to last, which means a higher price tag.
On the flip side, walking pads are typically cheaper all around. Because the design is simpler, you’re getting more bang for your buck. Fewer components mean fewer things that can break.
For casual walkers, this is a lower risk investment. It’s a treadmill. You aren’t paying for big commercial motors or shock absorption.
You’re paying for space efficiency and convenience. That’s tough to compete with in a rental scenario.
Making the Final Choice
But which one do you get?
Answer this question first: what’s your workout? Want to run? Get a treadmill.
Embrace the price of space for its benefits. Want to walk? Get a walking pad.
You will love having something hidden from view. Walking isn’t shameful. In fact, it’s great.
It’s effective, sustainable and gentle on your joints. The best machine is the one you’ll use. Visibility can kill habit in a small apartment.
Maybe the trick is hiding the gear to keep it. Pick the machine that works for your life, not just your floor plan. You should of picked one earlier.
