I walk 5 miles every day without leaving the house — here’s how I do it

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Putting one foot in front of the other

A woman walking on the WalkingPad Z1 wearing Hoka running shoes photographed in front of a blue background.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

There is nothing I love more than getting outside with an iced coffee in hand and going for a hike. Whether it’s a short walk on the beachfront or a long trail through a national park, I am there and getting my steps in.

Walking every day is a great way to boost your metabolism and improve your cardiovascular health; I consciously try to hit 10,000 steps each day. But as someone who works a desk job, I know how hard that can be. When all your brain power has been used at your computer, finding the energy to get out into the world can feel like a chore.

The WalkingPad Z1 photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I've been using the WalkingPad Z1 for a month now, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it has changed my life. I have more energy, feel more motivated when I’m working, and am actually more productive when I use it.

Most days, two hours have passed without me even noticing, and I've ticked off half of my to-do list and walked three miles without leaving my desk.

And while it is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other, there are some things you can do to make the under-desk treadmill experience even better.

WalkingPad Z1
WalkingPad Z1: was $349 now $278 at Amazon

The WalkingPad Z1 under-desk treadmill is the ideal way to increase your daily steps without having to make time for exercise. It has been the best addition to my home office setup, and I have been able to consistently hit 10,000 steps daily without any fuss. It folds up so it can be stored easily off to the side of your desk or even under the sofa. It is compatible with the KS Fit app, where you can have more control over the walking pad and track your fitness goals.

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Commit to the shoe

My number one tip for clocking up the miles is wearing a pair of comfortable shoes to walk in. This sounds obvious, but when I’m at home, it is more than tempting to hop on the treadmill in slippers or socks.

The WalkingPad Z1 photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

And I will hold my hands up and say, I have been known to take on the treadmill in just my socks, but I always regret it! The lack of arch support is simply not the vibe.

So, for the times when I want to spontaneously jump on the under-desk treadmill, I have a pair of the cheap, but insanely comfortable, Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 trainers next to my desk.

Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 running shoes photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Having comfort and support means I am able to walk for longer, and I am protecting the soles of my feet and reducing the risk of things like shin splints and muscle fatigue from incorrect posture.

Skechers MAx Cushioning Elite 2.0
Skechers MAx Cushioning Elite 2.0: was $111 now $84 at Amazon

I have been relying on the Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 sneakers for running and walking for three months, and they have incredible bounce to help me move faster with fewer aches and pains. The arch support is ideal for maintaining posture, and the lift in the heel works to propel you forward.

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Ignoring the numbers

When I’m at the gym, I always work towards a number: three miles, four miles, five miles, and so on. It is so easy to obsess over the number on the screen and try and hit a goal every day. For some people, this is going to be a great motivator. But I like to focus on doing what feels good instead.

This way, I don’t get tired or overexert myself, and I can just focus on the work I am getting done instead. To do this, I push the walking pad a little further under my desk so I can’t see the screen.

The WalkingPad Z1 photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

But don’t worry if you decide you’d like to take a quick peek at how many miles you have on the clock, because you can download the KS Fit app that syncs with the WalkingPad Z1 to give you all of your metrics. You can even customize these metrics and decide what you view.

Staying locked in

All the extra energy that is normally spent by tapping my foot when I’m at my desk is released by walking, leaving me uber-focused on the task at hand.

What motivates me the most to get on the under-desk treadmill every day is the level of focus it brings me. All the extra energy that is normally spent by tapping my foot when I’m at my desk is released by walking, leaving me uber-focused on the task at hand. I’m writing this while walking on the WalkingPad Z1 and am fully locked in.

This is also how I get so many steps in. Because I am walking and working at the same time, my mind is distracted, so I’m never thinking about the number of steps or miles.

The WalkingPad Z1 photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

To make sure you’re as productive as possible, I’d recommend getting your computer at eye level. Whether that means doing a little balancing act with some boxes or investing in one of the best standing desks, this is a great way to keep eyes up and avoid any hunched backs.

You can find out more about my favorite under-desk treadmill in my full WalkingPad Z1 review.

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Ashley Thieme
Ashley Thieme
Staff writer, Reviews

Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health. She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best. When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good fantasy novel or out hiking.

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