The 2025 Buyer's Guide to Indoor Walking Machines

In an age of remote work, cramped city living, and famously unpredictable British weather, carving out time for regular exercise can feel like an uphill battle. Yet the solution might be far simpler than trekking to the gym or squeezing a jog between rain showers. Indoor walking machines are reshaping how we stay active, offering a way to bring the ease of a brisk walk straight into your home, whether that’s a snug flat in London or a spacious townhouse in Manchester.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know in 2025, from the various types of indoor walking machines to the best compact options for modern UK homes, helping you avoid costly mistakes and choose the machine that genuinely fits your lifestyle.

What Is an Indoor Walking Machine?

An indoor walking machine is any piece of equipment that lets you walk or run without moving from your spot, bringing the feel of an outdoor stroll into the comfort of your home. Although many people immediately think of a traditional treadmill, the world of indoor walking has expanded far beyond that. Modern machines provide a continuously moving surface that keeps your stride natural and steady, no matter what the weather is doing, whether it’s a blustery afternoon in Edinburgh or a sudden Cardiff downpour. They’re an excellent way to maintain cardiovascular health, manage weight, and lift your energy levels, all without having to step outside your front door.

Types of Indoor Walking Machines

Gone are the days when a single, bulky treadmill dominated the home fitness market. Today, there’s a wide range of indoor walking machines designed to suit different spaces, budgets, and fitness goals. Understanding these options is the first step towards choosing the right fit for your home.

Motorized Treadmills

These are the classic heavy duty machines you’ll find in most commercial gyms. They offer higher top speeds, incline and decline settings, and a sturdy build that can withstand intensive training. If you’re preparing for the London Marathon or need a versatile machine for everything from steady jogs to interval runs, a full-sized motorised treadmill is the most capable option.

Walking Pads

Also known as under-desk or flat treadmills, walking pads have quickly become a favourite among the work from home crowd. Their minimalist design focuses purely on walking and gentle jogging, making them ideal for steady, low impact movement throughout the day. They don’t come with bulky handlebars or oversized consoles, which means they can be stored upright against a wall or slid neatly under a bed or sofa. For anyone living in a compact flat, or trying to add movement into a workday without redesigning the entire home office, walking pads are a brilliantly practical solution.

Folding Treadmills

Folding treadmills give you the benefits of a standard treadmill with the added convenience of space saving storage. They often fold vertically to free up valuable floor space when not in use. They’re a great compromise for people who want the ability to run but also need flexibility, perfect for multi purpose living rooms or shared household spaces.

Manual Treadmills

Unlike motorised models, manual treadmills are driven entirely by your own movement, the belt only turns when you push it with your feet. This creates a more demanding workout and removes the need for a power socket, giving you complete freedom over where you place it. Whether it’s the conservatory, the garage, or a spare corner of the house, manual treadmills offer a simple, electricity free way to stay active.

Curved Manual Treadmills

A more advanced version of the manual treadmill, curved treadmills feature a concave running surface that encourages a natural running gait. They engage more muscle groups and often burn more calories than flat motorised surfaces. While originally used primarily by athletes, they’re becoming increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts who want an intense but low impact workout.

Key Factors to Consider Before Buying an Indoor Walking Machine

Before you hit “add to basket,” it’s worth taking a moment to think about how the machine will fit into your home and daily routine. Picking the wrong size or style can quickly turn your new purchase into nothing more than an expensive clothes hanger, so a little planning goes a long way.

Space and Portability

Space is often the biggest concern in UK homes, especially in flats or terraced houses where every inch counts. Measure the area where you plan to use the machine as well as the spot you’ll store it. If you need something that disappears when you’re done, a model like the WalkingPad Z1 Lightest Foldable Walking Treadmill, which folds completely flat, is ideal. It allows you to reclaim your living room, spare room, or office within seconds.

Noise Level

If you live in a semi detached home in Birmingham or an upstairs flat in Bristol, noise matters. Motorised treadmills can be loud, particularly at higher speeds. Look for walking machines with brushless motors and good quality belts, which tend to run far quieter. This ensures your early morning session won’t disturb housemates, neighbours, or anyone sleeping in the next room.

Speed

Think about how you plan to use the machine day to day. If your goal is simply to walk during conference calls or while checking emails, a top speed of around 6 km/h (3.7 mph) will be more than enough. But if you’d like the option to add short running intervals or pick up the pace after work, you’ll need a machine that can reach 12 km/h or more. The WalkingPad R2 Walk Run 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill is a strong example, it allows you to glide effortlessly from a gentle stroll into a brisk run, giving you genuine flexibility without taking up much space.

Display and Connectivity Features

Ask yourself whether you like tracking your stats or prefer a simpler setup. Many modern machines offer app connectivity, LED displays, or even heart rate monitoring. Some support platforms like Zwift, while others stick to the basics: time, speed, and distance. Choose a model that matches how you like to train so you stay motivated rather than overwhelmed.

Weight Capacity and Build Quality

Always check the treadmill’s maximum user weight, it should comfortably exceed your actual weight to ensure safe, long-term use. Build quality is equally important. Heavier, more stable frames are essential if you plan to run, as they reduce wobble and improve durability. For regular runners, this is one area worth investing in.

Tips for Choosing the Right Walking Machine for Your Space

With so many features and models on the market, narrowing down the right walking machine can feel overwhelming. These practical tips will help you focus on what genuinely matters for your home and lifestyle.

Match to Your Living Space

Be honest about how much room you really have. If your spare room in a converted London warehouse is the only place you can exercise, a slim, foldable machine is essential. In contrast, if you’re fortunate enough to have a dedicated home gym in a country house, you can go for a more substantial, non folding model. Whatever you choose should complement your living space rather than take it over.

Think About Your Daily Routine

Consider when and how you’ll use the machine. If you plan to walk while working, an under desk walking pad is by far the most practical option. If your routine involves a focused 30-minute run once the kids are asleep, a sturdy folding treadmill with higher speed capability will suit you better. The right machine should fit naturally into your day rather than feel like a chore.

Set a Realistic Budget

Indoor walking machines vary widely in price, from a few hundred pounds to several thousand. Decide on a sensible budget and look for the best balance of build quality, features, and reliability within that range. Spending a little more on a trusted brand often pays off in terms of durability, smoother performance, and longer motor life.

Decide on Must-Have vs Nice-to-Have Features

Make a simple list. Do you absolutely need a compact footprint? Is app connectivity essential or just a bonus? Identify your non-negotiables first, as optional extras, like integrated tablet holders or advanced tracking features, can quickly push up the price without necessarily improving your workout.

Best Indoor Walking Machines to Consider

With UK homes increasingly favouring equipment that’s compact, versatile, and genuinely high quality, two machines stand out for delivering exceptional performance without overwhelming your living space. Each caters to different needs, whether you're focused purely on walking or want the flexibility to run as well.

The WalkingPad Z1 is a genuine innovation for urban living, designed to fold away completely and disappear the moment you’re finished using it. Meanwhile, the WalkingPad R2 gives you the freedom to enjoy both walking and running speeds without compromising on storage. It delivers a sturdy, reliable run when you need it and folds neatly out of the way when you don’t.

Final Thoughts

The right indoor walking machine is far more than a piece of fitness equipment, it’s an investment in your health that fits neatly around your home, routine, and lifestyle. Whether you’re trying to reach your daily 10,000 steps on a rainy Tuesday in Glasgow or preparing for a half marathon later in the year, there’s a machine suited to your goals and your space. By focusing on the essentials, size, noise, and the type of movement you want to incorporate, you can choose a model with confidence, knowing it will keep you active, motivated, and feeling your best well into 2025 and beyond.

And the best part? You don’t need a dedicated gym room or hours of spare time, just the willingness to move a little more each day. With the right machine in your home, staying fit becomes a natural part of your routine rather than something you need to force or schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you lose weight using an indoor walking machine?

Absolutely. Regular walking, paired with a balanced diet, is one of the most effective and sustainable ways to create the calorie deficit needed for weight loss. The key is consistency. Whether you’re doing a brisk 30 minute session each day or adding gentle movement into your work routine, an indoor walking machine provides steady, low impact cardio that supports long term fat loss.

What’s the difference between a treadmill and an indoor walking machine?

“Indoor walking machine” is a broad term that covers all equipment designed for indoor walking. A “treadmill” usually refers to larger, full featured machines capable of higher speeds, inclines, and more intense workouts. A walking pad is one type of indoor walking machine, but far more compact and focused on walking rather than running. In short: every walking pad is an indoor walking machine, but not every indoor walking machine is a traditional treadmill.

How loud are these machines?

Noise levels depend mainly on the motor type and the speed you're using. High quality walking pads, especially those with brushless motors, are very quiet and often produce little more than a soft hum during use. Full sized treadmills running at higher speeds will naturally be louder, though modern models are noticeably quieter than older versions.

Are under-desk walking machines worth it?

For anyone who spends hours at a desk each day, they’re absolutely worth considering. Under desk walking pads, such as the WalkingPad range, turn sedentary working time into active time. Even at a slow, steady pace of 1.5-2 km/h, you can boost your daily step count, improve circulation, and counter many of the negative effects linked to prolonged sitting, all without interrupting your workflow.