The History of Walking Pads: From 1965 Pedometers to 2026 Smart Pads

The walking pad is a 60-year story — from a 1965 Japanese pedometer marketing campaign to a $3.4 billion global market in 2026. Here's the complete history.

1965: The "Manpo-kei" pedometer

The walking movement began with a marketing campaign. In 1965, a Japanese company called Yamasa Clock released a pedometer called the "Manpo-kei" — literally translated as "10,000 steps meter." The 10,000-step target was chosen for marketing reasons, not scientific ones, but it would go on to define the walking movement for the next 60 years.

The device was a simple mechanical pedometer that counted steps via a pendulum mechanism. It was a modest commercial success in Japan but didn't immediately catch on globally. What it did do was plant the idea that 10,000 daily steps was a meaningful health target — an idea that would take decades to validate scientifically.

1970s-1980s: The treadmill era begins

The modern treadmill emerged in the late 1960s, primarily for medical rehabilitation and athletic training. These early treadmills were massive, expensive ($3,000+ in 1970s dollars), and found only in hospitals and elite athletic facilities.

By the 1980s, home treadmills became commercially viable. Brands like NordicTrack, ProForm, and Life Fitness brought motorized treadmills into wealthy households. But these machines were huge — 7+ feet long, 250+ pounds, and required dedicated rooms. They were exercise equipment, not workstations.

1990s: The first walking workstations

The concept of walking while working emerged in the 1990s, driven by Dr. James Levine at the Mayo Clinic. Levine's research on NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) showed that small movements throughout the day burned more calories than dedicated exercise sessions.

Levine's original "treadmill desk" was a full-size treadmill with a plywood desk strapped on top. It was ugly, loud, and cost $4,000+. But it proved the concept: knowledge workers could walk while working, and the health benefits were significant.

2000s: The standing desk revolution

The 2000s saw the rise of standing desks, driven by research on the health risks of prolonged sitting. Brands like VariDesk (now Vari), UpDesk, and Stir brought affordable standing desk converters to market.

Standing desks were the gateway to walking desks. Once people accepted standing while working, the leap to walking while working was smaller. But full treadmill desks remained expensive and niche — $2,000+ and requiring dedicated space.

2010s: The first true walking pads

The modern walking pad category was born in 2018, when a Chinese company called KingSmith launched the WalkingPad A1 on Indiegogo. The A1 was revolutionary:

• Handrail-free design. Looked like a slim board, not a treadmill
• Compact size. 55 inches long vs. 70+ inches for full treadmills
• Affordable price. $399 vs. $2,000+ for treadmill desks
• Plug-and-play. No assembly required
• Adaptive speed control. Foot-pressure-based speed adjustment

The A1 was a hit, raising $1.2 million on Indiegogo. KingSmith followed with the A1 Pro, C2, X21, and eventually the X25 — each iteration refining the formula.

2020-2022: The pandemic walking pad boom

COVID-19 changed everything for walking pads. With millions of knowledge workers suddenly remote, three forces converged:

1. WFH permanence. People set up home offices and needed ways to move
2. Gym closures. Alternative exercise options were essential
3. TikTok fitness trends. "Hot Girl Walk," "12-3-30," and "Silent Walking" went viral

Walking pad sales exploded. Amazon saw 500%+ year-over-year growth in the category. New Chinese manufacturers flooded in: UREVO, Sperax, DeerRun, Goplus, Egofit. Prices dropped from $399 to $179. The category went from niche to mainstream in 18 months.

2023-2024: Market maturation

By 2023, the walking pad market had matured. Quality improved dramatically:

• Quieter motors. From 70+ dB to 55–60 dB at 2.5 mph
• Better apps. Step tracking, Apple Health sync, firmware updates
• Fold mechanisms. Half-fold (WalkingPad C2, Z1) and vertical-fold (WalkingPad X25)
• Incline options. Manual and auto incline up to 12%
• Higher weight capacities. From 220 lb to 300 lb standard

Wirecutter, CNET, and other major review publications started covering the category seriously. Walking pads became a standard home-office accessory, not a curiosity.

2025-2026: Premium features and integration

The current era of walking pads is defined by premium features and ecosystem integration:

• AI auto-speed. UREVO Strol 2E Pro adjusts speed based on foot position
• Smart home integration. Voice control via Alexa, Google Home, Siri
• Health app integration. Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit, Garmin sync
• Premium materials. Woodgrain finishes, color options, metal frames
• Corporate wellness programs. Employer reimbursement for walking pads
• Insurance incentives. Some health plans now cover walking pad purchases

The global walking pad market is projected to reach $3.4 billion by 2028, with a 6.8% CAGR. Over 30 million Americans are expected to be using a walking pad by 2027.

The science catches up

As the walking pad market grew, so did the scientific literature validating its health benefits:

• 2011 PNAS study: Walking increases hippocampal volume in older adults
• 2014 Stanford study: Walking boosts creative output by 60%
• 2018 Diabetes Care study: Post-meal walking reduces blood sugar by 20–30%
• 2022 JAMA meta-analysis: Regular walking reduces depression by 28%
• 2023 Lancet study: Each 1,000 daily steps reduces mortality by 12%
• 2024 Cochrane Review: Exercise as effective as medication for mild depression

The science now overwhelmingly supports what the 1965 Manpo-kei marketers intuited: walking is one of the most powerful health interventions available.

The future of walking pads (2027+)

Where is the walking pad market going next? Based on current trends:

• Lower prices. Sub-$150 walking pads with decent quality by 2027
• Better cushioning. Adaptive cushioning that adjusts to user weight
• VR/AR integration. Virtual walking routes through scenic locations
• AI coaching. Real-time form feedback and adaptive training plans
• Corporate standard. Walking pads as standard WFH equipment, like monitors
• Medical reimbursement. Prescribed by doctors for chronic disease management

The TreadHabit perspective

We believe walking pads are one of the most important wellness products of the 21st century. They solve the fundamental problem of modern knowledge work: the human body wasn't designed to sit for 8+ hours a day, but modern work demands it.

The walking pad is the first product that genuinely solves this problem without requiring behavior change. You don't have to "go to the gym" or "find time to exercise" — you just walk while you work, the way humans have always walked while doing other things.

The 1965 Manpo-kei marketers were 60 years ahead of their time. The technology finally caught up.

Key milestones timeline

The bottom line

The walking pad is the culmination of 60 years of fitness evolution — from a marketing-created 10,000-step target to a $3.4B global market that's transforming how knowledge workers move. The science is clear, the technology is mature, and the prices are accessible. The walking pad is no longer a curiosity; it's becoming standard home-office equipment.

For our take on the best walking pads in 2026, see our complete buying guide. For the science of walking benefits, see our 15 science-backed benefits guide.