I’m a Marathon Runner, and Here’s What I Love (and Hate) About Walking Pads

When the walking pads started to become fashionable, I admit that I felt ambivalent. For those who are not familiar, a walking cushion is essentially a slim and ideally foldable treadmill designed specifically for walking. Unlike traditional treadmills, they are compact enough to slide under a bed or rely against a wall, and most exceed about 4-6 MPH – perfect for walking, not running. They have exploded in popularity in recent years, because more and more people have been working at home and are looking for practical ways to remain active.

As a person who finished twelve marathons and recorded thousands of kilometers on everything, from mountain trails to the streets of the city, I felt that the idea of walking on a compact treadmill simply did not apply to me. But after a few months of regular use, in particular with the Merach W50, which I review here – I developed stronger opinions on the walking pads.

Best reasons to get a walking cushion

Here is what I grew up to really have a walking cushion in my apartment.

• The recovery game changer: The biggest revelation for me was to use The Walking Pad for active recovery. After long races or intense training sessions, I sat down completely (which left me steep) or forces myself for another walk when my legs shouted. The Walking Pad offers the perfect common ground. I can maintain a soft rhythm of 2.5 Mp watching Netflix, helping my legs to recover without the commitment to dress and go outwards.

• Relief of rainy days: Living in Brooklyn, I knew my share of brutal winter and summer training seasons. Although I always flow outside in most conditions (it’s part of the mental training of tenacity), having the walking pavement means that I never have to skip the movement entirely. The days when heat makes activity really dangerous, or when I face minor injuries that prevent the race but allow walking, it was invaluable.

• Multitasking magic: This one also applies to non-courses: I love being able to walk while doing other things. I incorporated the light entering my daily Duolingo practice, and my sequence has never been higher. Muy Bueno. When I stick to only 1-1.5 MPH, I even made light stretch routines while walking at an easy pace. He transformed activities previously sedentary into light movement possibilities.

• Form analysis: An unexpected advantage was the ability to work on my walking form in a controlled environment. The coherent rhythm and the flat surface facilitate concentration on posture, swing of arms and feet strike without worrying about the field or traffic. I hope that these improvements can really result in a better form of operation during my easy recovery jogs.

Disadvantages for walking pads

Here is what I would consider more closely before spending hundreds of dollars on a walking cushion.

• The noise factor: Despite the marketing claims concerning the operation “Whisper-Quiet”, the walking pads make noise. The engine hums, the belt creates a subtle whooshing sound, and if you are not perfectly centered, there is an occasional blow. If you live in an apartment or if you have family members at home, this may be a real problem. I would not use mine when my neighbors below try to sleep.

• Belt size compromise: Most walking pads have narrower and shorter belts than traditional treadmills. At 5’6 “, I don’t feel too constrained, but I couldn’t imagine having 6’2” and recording a lot of time on a walking cushion. The shorter length means that you cannot completely extend your natural stride, and the narrow width requires more attention to the placement of the feet that I do not prefer. It is manageable, simply not ideal for prolonged use.

• The boredom factor: Here is where I could lose some of you: walking in place, even watching television or listening to podcasts, maybe in mind in a way that walking outdoors is never. There is something in the lack of changing landscapes and the mechanical nature of the movement against which the brain of my runner rebellious. Some days, I prefer to walk outside under light rains than to spend 45 minutes on the walking cushion. Likewise, although the top speed of 4 MPH is good for walking, it is a brutal reminder that it is not a treadmill. If I suddenly find the motivation to enter a race, it does not matter – I am stuck on foot.

• Storage concerns: As I explain in my review here, a more sustainable walking pad means a storage compromise. My Merach W50 does not fold and more than 6 inches high, it does not easily slip under any of my furniture. Unless you want to give your floor space dedicated to your walking platform at any time, be sure to buy one with solid criticisms for storage.

The bottom line

The walking pads are solid for the rock for specific use cases. They are perfect for people with reduced mobility, those of hard climates, distant workers who seek to add movement to their day or to anyone rehabilitating injuries. For runners, these are excellent additional tools for recovery and backup of bad weather.

My walking pad was useful for me. Would I buy again? Probably. Would I recommend one to each runner? Certainly not. If you are looking for a primary cardio solution or hope to reproduce the outdoor walking experience, you could be disappointed. These are tools, not replacements for a real movement in the real world.