This Under-$300 Folding Treadmill Is Helping Me Get My Steps This Winter

I'm a long-term devotee of getting my daily steps; seven days a week I lace up my sneakers or boots and hit the pavement. But I also really, really dislike the cold. When temperatures dip below freezing, all I want to do is curl up on the couch with a blanket and a good book. My solution the past few years has been to pace my kitchen until I hit my step goal. It never felt like much of a workout, however, so I recently made a purchase that changed my winter walking game: the GoPlus Folding Treadmill (Buy It, $280, amazon.com).

The compact, under-$300 treadmill from GoPlus, recommended to me by a friend who lives in a small Manhattan one-bedroom, has a relatively unobtrusive design. Measuring in at 56 by 24 by 45.5 inches, the machine fits comfortably in the corner of my home office without taking up so much space that I can't easily move around it. Best of all, it folds up for storage, though I haven't tried this feature yet, as I plan to leave the treadmill out until the weather warms up where I live. (Check out more folding treadmill options for small spaces here.)

Due to the small size and affordable price tag, the treadmill lacks certain bells and whistles you might find with models costing $1,000 or more. However, I've been really impressed with what it does include: a cell phone or tablet holder, an LED display that shows heart rate, distance, calories burned, time, and speed, and padded handrails with easy-access controls. The treadmill has a slight fixed incline that is enough to get my heart rate up without making me totally winded, and a weight capacity of up to 220 pounds.

While the treadmill comes in plain black, I purchased the pink and white version, which is absolutely adorable in person. I've taken to calling it my "Barbie treadmill" because of the cute color scheme and diminutive size. (Psst, see how my must-have treadmill compares to other under-$500 models on the market.)

Other customers tend to agree that this is a great, no-fuss treadmill for staying active daily, without breaking the bank. "This was exactly what I wanted. It's small, quiet, easy to assemble, easy to use. I've been using it every day. You can't beat the price, either! Really, this checks all the boxes on what I was looking for," said one satisified shopper.

"It's a great treadmill on a budget, arrived quickly, and had no cosmetic issues," wrote another. "It's the perfect size for my room and super cute. When I'm done I just shove it in my closet…Great for those who want to exercise more with the convenience of staying indoors, watching anime, and checking the phone while you burn!"

While many users (myself included) are on the shorter side, the treadmill offers more than 3 feet of running belt for longer strides. One customer noted, "When I bought [the treadmill] I was worried it wouldn't be big enough for me to run (I'm 5'9 and a lot of the reviews are from smaller [people]), but it is perfect." And even though it's ideal for my walking needs, it can reach a speed of nearly 7 mph to accommodate runners, too.

The GoPlus Folding Treadmill is the perfect no-frills option for basic exercise in the comfort of your home. Buy it now for $280 — or add an extra $89 for expert assembly so you don't have to put it together yourself.