Preview: My SuperRun walking pad review. Why I ditched my bulky treadmill for a walking pad.
As 2023 came to a close, I thought about how far I’d come in my mental health since last year, and the best decisions I made.
It was a frugal year, and I made very few purchases outside my monthly bills. But one of the best things I bought?
I love it. Here’s why.
SupeRun Walking Pad Review: 9 Reasons I Love It, and a Caveat
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Table of contents
During the height of the pandemic, once lockdowns ended, I became a regular gym rat. I joined a gym one mile from my home, paying just $20 a month, no contract, for my membership. That was an amazing deal.
And convenient, as I passed by the gym every time I left my house.
I credit my exercise routine with helping me cope with the stress of that time, keeping me healthy during a pandemic, and preventing those fun peri-menopausal mood swings.
But once we moved to a new home, the gym was no longer close to any of the destinations I frequented.
1: Convenience is Everything
To a truly remarkable extent, we’re more likely to do something if it’s convenient, and less likely if it’s not. The amount of effort, time, or decision-making required by an action has a huge influence on our habits. Make it easy to do right and hard to go wrong.
Gretchen Rubin, Better than Before
When it comes to habits, convenience is crucial.
I knew that moving to the other side of town meant I’d visit the gym less often. Especially since my life got busier and more stressful after a divorce.
So when my oldest daughter suggested I buy a treadmill, I did. I got a great deal on a used one, via Facebook Marketplace.
But getting the beast inside my home was a nightmare.
Even with two other adults assisting, I pulled a muscle in my back that cost me several days of productivity (and the expense of a prescription painkiller).
Every time I looked at that monstrous thing, I got the ick.
Even still, I used it daily.
Sadly, it began making a loud, shrill, squealing noise. This wasn’t sustainable. I was so eager to get the thing out of my house, I took a loss and gave it away for free.
But I still wanted a way to exercise indoors, and having a treadmill has a lot of advantages.
Enter my walking pad.
2: Stepping Up My Game
I simply get more exercise when I have a treadmill. Seeing it in my sunroom, bedroom (or wherever I roll it) is a visual reminder to use it.
My weekly step count has gone up as a result.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
3: Beats Bad Weather
I love being outside. When the weather is lovely, I much prefer walking and hiking in nature, but I wimp out in cold or wet weather. I’m not ashamed to say it.
Know thyself is important in creating good habits.
My walking pad is wonderful in bad weather. I can use it while staring out my windows and looking at the trees, but without the hassle of several layers of clothing, or even shoes!
3: Piggybacking
Another way to make a habit stick? Piggyback it with something else you enjoy.
Habit experts refer to this as “temptation bundling”. I used it to create my exercise habit several years ago by making a rule for myself: I was only “allowed” to watch Netflix while using my stationary bike.
It worked.
You’re more likely to find a behavior attractive if you get to do one of your favorite things at the same time… Maybe you want to get a pedicure, but you need to clean out your email inbox. Solution: only get a pedicure while processing overdue work emails.
James Clear on temptation bundling
With my walking pad, I can easily double-task. I listen to informative podcasts, audio books, YouTube videos on topics I’m interested in, while exercising.
4: Treadmill Desk
Instead of buying an expensive treadmill desk, I made one by putting my walking pad under a repurposed console table.
If I walk slowly, I can type while getting some movement.
I think moving my body helps me think more clearly as well. Aristotle, Dickens, Beethoven and many other big thinkers who walked to stimulate their creativity might agree.
Standing desks are all the rage right now, and they encourage us to be more active while working. But a walking desk is even better.
(P.S. I’ve clocked 40 minutes on the SupeRun just while proofreading this post.)
5: It’s Lightweight
I can easily move my walking pad because it’s lighter than a traditional treadmill. (It helps that it has casters on one end.)
After the aforementioned treadmill/back strain debacle, I decided that as a single gal, I’d never have anything in my home that I can’t safely lift.
Its light weight means I can move it from room to room easily. When my 18 year old daughter asks me to watch The Vampire Diaries with her, I can move it to the living room and walk while indulging in angsty teen drama. (Anyone else think Stefan looks like a young Morrissey?).
6: Tucked Away
The walking pad is small and has no handrails or large console. It fits under things.
I can slide it under my bed or couch to tuck it out of the way, making it ideal for smaller living areas.
7: Inexpensive
A walking pad costs less than a traditional treadmill. It’s easy to find a highly-rated one for less than $200 new. The SuperRun is around $180.
To round out my fitness routine, I use a set of kettlebells (snagged for $20) for weight-bearing exercise. This is far more affordable than a gym membership.
8: Quiet
My walking pad is quieter than a treadmill. This is an important consideration if you live in an apartment or upstairs, or exercise when people in your home are sleeping.
9: Gets Kids Movin’
In our sedentary culture, I’m always looking for ways to get my kids moving. They like using the walking pad, and it’s safer than a treadmill because it doesn’t go as fast or incline.
Caveats
To be fair, the walking pad has a few disadvantages versus a conventional treadmill.
The only thing I don’t like about my SupeRun? It has no incline. I still walk outside in my hilly neighborhood or do squats and lunges to get those booty gains.
Also, you can’t run on the SupeRun (perhaps they should have named it a SupeWalk?), because it doesn’t go fast enough. The best you can do is a power walk or jog.
That’s ok with me, because I don’t jog. But if you’re a runner, it might be a deal-breaker.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a walking pad might not work for you if you’re very tall or have a long or wide gait. If you decide to buy one, check its dimensions. Make sure it’s long (and wide) enough for you.
FAQs
Walking pads are generally slower than treadmills. Most max out at 7.5 miles per hour. My SupeRun maxes out at 3.8 MPH, which is a jog for me. I’m ok with that because I don’t enjoy running.
Weight limits vary. Some models have a 400 lb capacity, and they tend to cost a bit more. Before buying a walking pad, check the weight limit (and the length of the treadmill if you’re tall).
I’ve only had my walking pad for several weeks, and haven’t lost weight, but I lost an inch from my waist during that period. Weight loss comes from a sustained calorie deficit. So in order to lose weight from any type of exercise, you need to ensure you aren’t eating more calories than you’re burning on the walking pad.
It’s also important to remember that more movement is beneficial for many reasons that go beyond weight maintenance.
That depends on a variety of factors (your weight, sex, the incline and speed, duration, etc). You can use THIS calculator to figure out how many calories you’ll burn on a walking pad. For my age, weight and daily walking goal, I burn around 460 calories a day.
The internet seems to think so. Here are some instructions. I personally plan on putting a 2X4 under mine. Some walking pads have an incline (see examples HERE), but they’ll be heavier as a consequence.
Check out the SupeRun walking pad on Amazon. And tell me in the comments, who’s cuter? Damon or Stefan? I’m Team Stefan, all the way.
P.S. Shortly after writing this review, I decided to step up my step count and walk every day for two hours, sharing the before and after. Look for that post in a few weeks!
Love it! Keep it up!
Thanks Heather! I challenged myself to walk two hours a day for a month a couple of weeks ago, and at the end of the challenge I’ll update what I found.