For many, a gym membership represents a promise to get fit that often goes unfulfilled. One writer has found a simple and effective solution by swapping her costly membership for a compact home gadget.
From Gym Avoidance to Daily Walks at Home
Emily Sleight, writing for the Liverpool Echo, openly admits she is not the most active person. Despite holding a gym membership, she frequently found excuses not to go, even though she enjoyed her sessions once there. In a bid to save money after Christmas, she took the decisive step to cancel her membership altogether.
Intrigued by the growing trend, she decided to invest in a 'walking pad' – a slimline treadmill designed for walking at home. Her goal was to recreate the gentle, effective workouts she used to do at the gym without the hassle of leaving the house.
The £120 Gadget That Lives Up to the Hype
Sleight purchased the FOUSAE 4 in 1 Walking Pad with a 9% incline while it was on sale. The price was reduced from £169.99 to £119.99 at the time of purchase. She reports that the product has completely lived up to her expectations.
"I've used it more in a week than I went to the gym in an entire month," she revealed. The device is easy to use and compact enough for storage, though it does not fold. Sleight simply props it against a wall in her conservatory when not in use.
The key feature for her was the manual incline adjustment. While not as steep as the gym machines, the 9% slope is sufficient for her to burn her target of around 300 calories in a 30-minute session. This matches what she used to achieve on a much steeper '12 incline' setting at the gym.
A Seamless Fit for a Busy Lifestyle
The walking pad's greatest strength is its convenience and versatility. Sleight highlights that it allows for a light jog, though she prefers walking. It has become an effortless way to break a sweat in her living room, often while catching up on her favourite Netflix series.
The device comes with a remote control for pausing and adjusting speed, making the experience straightforward. After a brief learning curve to find balance, Sleight found the gadget to be "absolutely brilliant". She has been using it daily since it arrived, questioning whether the novelty will fade but appreciating the consistent, easy calorie burn it provides just by popping downstairs.
According to the Amazon listing, the walking pad is engineered for work, walking, jogging, and incline training, with speed ranges tailored for each activity to suit a variety of users.
Alternative Budget-Friendly Options
For those seeking a more basic model, the article points out several other options currently available:
- The Walden Sports 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill is listed on Amazon for just £59.98, though it lacks an incline feature.
- Decathlon's CITYSPORTS Walking Treadmill is reduced from £299 to £104.80.
- B&Q sells a Compact Under Desk Walking Pad Treadmill for £99.99.
- Debenhams offers the Phoenix Fitness Walking Pad for £109.99.
Sleight's experience suggests that for individuals who struggle with gym motivation, a one-off investment in a home walking pad could be a game-changer, offering a practical and space-efficient path to regular exercise.
