The TikTok girlies are right: You need a standing desk and treadmill

I was in denial about how long the epidemic would last and how long I would work from home. I live in New York City and my home office is a small corner of my apartment.

I can count on my fingers the number of times I went into the office for my job as an assistant reviews editor. When office supplies were limited, I bought a crummy desk from Amazon and have been rocking it ever since.

My TikTok FYP is filled with other women showing off ways to be more productive. One trend that caught my attention was the standing desk and under- desk treadmill combo.

There were a few videos that promised more energy and daily steps for you to take while you are working. Even though I have been working from home for three years, I still struggle with motivation and energy. My bed and TV are in the same place. I tried out a standing desk and under- desk treadmill for a couple weeks to see if there was merit to the trend.

Being active while you work

It's horrible for our health when we spend most of the day sitting. Spending hours in a chair can cause a number of health problems and shorten your lifespan. Our day jobs are trying to take our lives. The treadmill desk is recommended by the mayo clinic to get your body moving.

I live on the fifth floor of a walk up building, so I don't leave my apartment often. The stairs are not easy to climb. I feel sluggish on gloomy days. I was able to get some steps in without having to walk up and down stairs. I was able to walk more than 2,000 steps while I was at work, but I couldn't read a computer screen while I walked.

I woke up when I pulled out the walking pad because I felt like staying in bed until 10 a.m. I was worried that the folding treadmill would collect dust, but it was so easy to set up and use, I found myself frequently unfolding that bad boy. It has made a huge difference in my energy throughout the day.

Don't judge my (lack of) cord management. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Can you actually work while walking on a treadmill?

The standing desk and treadmill combo isn't perfect. I had to keep the treadmill speed under 2 mph if I wanted to type or if I had to read a long block of text. My body and eyes were moving too much. I didn't get a workout in, but that's not the point of this desk setup anyways

It's a good time to walk on the treadmill if you just have to attend a meeting and don't need to use your camera or microphone. During those long all-hands meetings that don't really pertain to you but you still have to show up, sitting there and listening to other people talk is definitely not a good idea.

The best time to use the treadmill was during lunch. I got my food, put a show on my monitor, and walked while I watched TV. I was able to work and walk faster than I could. It was a great way to get some exercise. I didn't feel as bad after the lunch slump.

Picking the right standing desk and treadmill

I have been using the Uplift V2 standing desk and the WalkingPad P1 folding treadmill, but there are many other great options out there. The Uplift desk was a lot of fun. I have to pick the desktop style, size, frame color, and style. The option to add on extras for a fee is also available. Depending on the configuration you choose, the Uplift standing desk can get pretty expensive. The desks are high quality and are worth the high price.

When I pulled out the treadmill, I was able to use one of the four preset heights on my desk, which was great because I was able to have one for my standing and one for my height. I needed a friend to help me carry the boxes up to my apartment, but I was able to assemble it myself.

The cheapest standing desks start at $100 to $200, and the more features you add, the more expensive they are. Basic desks with no drawers or shelves are available for that low price. Uplift desk is one of our favorites, as is Flexispot and Vari.

If you want to keep your current desk but don't want to buy a whole new one, you can get a standing desk conversion, which is cheaper than buying a whole new desk, but still give you the range of motion to stand up when you want.

There are several different styles of walking pads. The WalkingPad P1 is a simple style that folds in half to make it a low profile. It has wheels on it so it's easier to move around. The WalkingPad P1 impressed me with its technological features even though it has a simple design. You can control speed, make workout plans, and see how far you have traveled with your phone. The walking pad has a remote control that you can use to control things.

The extendable frames on the walking pads give them a more traditional treadmill look, which is a better option for people who want to use their under- desk treadmill for actual workouts and runs. If you want to get both a standing desk and under-desk treadmill at the same time, you should look into brands that offer them as a combo. There are some space-saving options that have desktop built in to the treadmills.

You can run under-desk treadmills for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. The lowest price range for the WalkingPad P1 is $449 and I have had no issues with it.

You can create your perfect TikTok girlie aesthetic home office.

This desk setup really made me feel like That Girl. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Are a standing desk and under-desk treadmill worth it?

It isn't a necessity to get a standing desk and under- desk treadmill. Go for it if you have the money. I like having different options for how I move my body at work. It has been great to be living in a small apartment. I'm taking comfort in the fact that I'm less likely to die from cancer or heart disease if I don't sit all day.

Using a standing desk and walking pad made me feel better and helped me get through the day.

I used a standing desk and walking pad for a couple weeks and I think they are worth it. If you only have the budget for one of the two, the standing desk made a big difference in my day. I wouldn't want to go back to sitting at a desk all day.