The Lifespan TR1200-GlowUp under-desk treadmill might be the best productivity hack money can buy

It’s 2024 — everybody knows how terrible it is to sit hunched over at your desk for hours and hours at a time, yet many of us still do it almost daily. Standing desks are a much-needed improvement, but even then you’re still limited to, well, standing.

Enter: the under-desk treadmill. These treadmills have grown insanely popular over the past few years, especially since the events of 2020 paved the way for more people than ever to work from home. These treadmills are popular because of their size, portability, low price compared to full-size treadmills, and compatibility with standing desks.

I recently had the opportunity to try the LifeSpan TR1200-GlowUp Under Desk Treadmill ($1,799.00). Here’s how it performed and how it helped me perform — both physically and mentally.

The LifeSpan treadmill is sturdy and has a 350-pound weight limit.
Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable

Price and specs

The TR1200-GlowUp Under Desk Treadmill is a $1,799 treadmill — comparable in price to many high-end, full-sized treadmills.

However, this compact treadmill is made to be used with a standing desk so it lacks blazing speeds and resistance options. Still, it’s well-built — featuring a 2.5 HP motor, a 20-inch x 50-inch walking surface, a max speed of 4.0 mph, and a generous weight capacity of 350 pounds.

It’s also fully pre-assembled, making setup a breeze. And it comes with an Omni-Hub Console, a small touchscreen display that sits on your desk and allows you to set and control speeds and view workout metrics.

You can see all your stats at a glance.
Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable

The high price is definitely an outlier in the under-desk treadmill sphere, and while the treadmill does have higher-quality features than other walking pads, we’ve still docked its Bang for the Buck score because of its price. And luckily, we’ve seen the TR1200-GlowUp go on sale.

Safety, controls, and performance

I have considered buying an under-desk treadmill for a while, but looking online I wasn’t impressed with the options. A lot of them were inexpensive, flimsy-looking Amazon models. While the prices were great, they looked underpowered and lightweight, and they had LOTS of mixed reviews.  Many of them seemed like they wouldn’t last very long or that they wouldn’t be very reliable.

That’s why I was SO impressed when I first saw the specs for the TR1200. This treadmill weighs 100 pounds, which is pretty heavy compared to similar under-desk treadmills — but it also makes for a very sturdy walking surface (it’s also easy to maneuver around thanks to the wheels, even for me by myself). It feels extremely secure when I’m walking on it – there’s no wobbling or shaking, and the belt doesn’t catch. It’s also very quiet. These are complaints I saw frequently in reviews for less expensive under-desk treadmills.

It also has a much more generous maximum weight limit than most under-desk treadmills. It can accommodate people weighing up to 350 pounds, while most other models have an upper weight limit of 220 to 250 pounds. This makes the TR1200 a much more accessible option for people who are larger, or people who simply want a treadmill that’s a little more sturdy.

The controls on the Omni-Hub display are also really easy to use, once you get used to them. I appreciate that it includes three presets (0.4 mph, 1.2 mph, and 3.0 mph) so that I don’t have to begin at the bottom speed and use the arrows to scroll up to my desired speed every time I start walking.

Like most treadmills, it comes with a safety key that stops the treadmill if it gets pulled out of place. Mine is mounted to my desk, although I never remember to clip the other end to myself before I start walking. 

In addition, the treadmill automatically powers down if you stop walking on it for 20 seconds.

The app is a bust

Unfortunately, the Lifespan app leaves a lot to be desired. On the Google Play Store, it has only a 1 out of 5 stars with 18 reviews. I had no trouble connecting my treadmill to it via Bluetooth during the initial setup, but was never able to successfully connect to the app again. This was a common thread in customer reviews. And while I thought the app may be useful for setting my default speed or starting and stopping the treadmill, it actually just tracks metrics. For such a great treadmill, I’d love to see improved functionality and more robust features on the app.

Activity and productivity

Now for the good stuff: How did this treadmill affect my productivity? 

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting the massive increase in my productive work time (and my average daily step count) that I experienced using this treadmill.

I had to start slowly, getting used to working while walking at 1.0 mph (which is essentially standing still) before increasing the speed any further. However, within just a few days I was able to work up to 2.0 mph and still be productive and efficient.

As a writer, I did experience some issues with typing accuracy while walking — mostly because I’ve been in my third trimester of pregnancy while testing this treadmill. My belly bumps against the desk with every step I take, causing it to wobble and making it difficult to hit keys quickly and correctly. However, I wouldn’t expect this to be a huge issue for people who aren’t pregnant or who don’t have a large belly. Still, it’s much easier to walk while completing tasks that don’t require a lot of typing. 

Walking while working, even though it was slow, really helped me to stay more focused on the task at hand. It also helped to combat the fatigue I feel in the afternoon or when I’m doing something for work that’s not particularly mentally stimulating.

Also, the fitness benefits are great. Although I wouldn’t consider slow treadmill walking a substitute for my regular workouts, it really helps boost my daily step count and prevent the soreness and stiffness that come along with sitting for hours at a time. Generally, I’m able to clock roughly 800 to 1,000 steps per 10 minutes of walking — which means I can hit my daily step goal by walking at my desk for just one hour in addition to my standard daily steps.

For a great setup that allows for sitting and walking easily at an adjustable desk, I’d also like to recommend my setup – I’m pretty pleased with it. When I need to sit, I lower my adjustable desk and sit at my weight bench with a balance ball seat placed on top of it. The weight bench is extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver, and the legs provide plenty of clearance for me to leave the treadmill in place without needing to move it each time I want to sit. I’ve also seen some people use an exercise ball directly on top of the treadmill as a seat, which also allows them to leave the treadmill in place.

I can keep the treadmill in place if I want to switch to sitting on my weight bench.
Credit: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable

Is the LifeSpan TR1200-GlowUp under-desk treadmill worth it? 

I highly recommend the TR1200-GlowUp. I have been so pleased with this treadmill, and feel confident that it will last a while thanks to its solid construction. While I totally understand purchasing a less expensive option, I think it’s worth paying a bit more for this one — especially if you’re a larger person and you can’t find another under-desk treadmill that will accommodate your weight.

Not to mention, the productivity boost from using an under-desk treadmill has been so fantastic I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to just sitting at a regular desk.

Now, the price tag is pretty steep — especially considering other under-desk treadmills are often available under $500. However, this treadmill offers a more powerful motor, a larger walking deck, a higher max speed, and a more generous weight limit than most others, so it may be worth spending more for. However, for casual desk walkers, consider a cheaper option like the WalkingPad P1 or EgoFit Walker Plus, which have both been tested and approved by Mashable writers.