I’ve been using this one at-home fitness gadget for a whole year and it’s actually worth the hype

This at-home fitness gadget went viral, but it is worth the hype

The appeal of the gym has always been lost on me, especially now in the age of gym-goers constantly filming themselves for TikTok. I don't want my tomato coloured face captured in an influencer's 'Come To The Gym With Me' video, so at-home workouts are my saving grace.

I also don't want to spend my winter evenings in the company of Irish lads posing for new Hinge profile photos.

And one thing that has completely changed exercise for me is a walking pad I purchased when they took over TikTok this time last year.

• I bought this walking pad last year and it is worth the hype

I was sold once I spotted a video of someone walking and watching Gossip Girl from the comfort of their home.

However, like most TikTok fads, I wasn't sure if the walking pad would ever live up to the hype, but it has been the best investment I've made for my physical health, as well as my mental health.

Are walking pads actually worth the investment?

The best thing about having this walking pad is the fact that I can squeeze in some form of movement into my day, all from the comfort of my bedroom. Whether it's a 40-minute session or a quick 15 minutes to boost my step count, the walking pad has helped me exercise more than ever before.

Now that I've been using it for a full year, I'm really starting to see a difference, and this isn't solely about losing weight. As someone who is prone to bouts of low mood and anxiety, this walking pad has been superior for keeping my mental health intact.

It is cliché advice, and certainly isn't a cure for mental health issues, but working out does make a huge impact on your mind. I've now realised that something as simple as 20 minutes on the walking pad can help ease my anxieties and boost my mood, and that impact alone makes it worth every penny.

"This walking pad completely changed the way I exercise."

I spent €169.99 on my walking pad, but it has been the most worthwhile investment. Simply feeling a little bit more fit has been a major lift for me, and one I noticed most during this summer's VHI Women's Mini Marathon. I've been taking part in the Women's Mini Marathon for nearly ten years, but I never felt as capable during it as I did this year.

As someone who wouldn't even run for a bus, I found myself happily jogging along the route, and didn't feel half as exhausted as I would've in previous years.

I don't force myself to stick to a set routine with the walking pad because sometimes you just want to come home from work and watch countless episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine in your pyjamas, but I'm using it at least four times a week, if not more.

I don't look at exercise as a negative thing anymore, but something that makes me feel good, something that's helping my body, as well as my mind.

It's also a lifesaver during the winter months when you don't feel safe enough to head out for a walk in the dark, the joys of being a woman, or when the weather isn't on your side.

There are dozens of different walking pads and treadmills you can buy for your home, but this is the one I purchased last year, and it's compact, affordable, and so easy to use.

I would recommend buying a bar to go with it, as there's nothing quite as embarrassing as tumbling off your walking pad when you're glued to an episode of The Vampire Diaries.

Buy here, and thank me later.