About GymBunny.ie
Walking Pad Reviews & Guides for Irish Homes
📍 Dublin, Ireland
Our Mission
GymBunny.ie exists to help people in Ireland move more, feel better, and build sustainable habits that actually fit into hectic lives. We focus on walking pads and compact treadmills because they solve a real problem: how do you stay active when Irish weather, dark evenings, long commutes, childcare, and busy jobs make traditional fitness feel impossible?
Our mission is simple. We create honest, practical reviews and guides that help you choose the right walking pad for your home, your budget, and your goals. No hype, no guarantees, no crash diets. Just real advice from real people who care about health, movement, and mindset.
Our Story
GymBunny.ie launched in 2013 as a health and fitness blog covering recipes, get-fit tips, body image, mindset, and balance. Founded by Orla Mc Donagh in Dublin, the site grew through thousands of conversations with Irish readers, TV and radio spots, events, and brand collaborations.
The core philosophy has always been the same: nutrition, movement, and mindset work together. No starvation plans, no skinny teas, no quick fixes. Just sustainable steps that work for real life.
Over the years, one pain point kept coming up in reader messages: “I want to move more, but I don’t have time, space, or confidence for gyms or running outside.”
That feedback shaped everything. Walking pads and compact treadmills became the focus because they fit small Irish homes and apartments, they’re low-impact and approachable, and they bridge the gap from “I sit all day” to “I move every day.” You can use them while watching TV, working from home, or easing back into fitness after injury or inactivity.
In 2024, personal trainer Andy Kenny joined the team to improve workouts, guidance, and reviews. Together, we built GymBunny.ie into a walking pad and compact treadmill review and guide site for people in Ireland, rooted in a genuine health-first philosophy.
Why Walking Pads and Compact Treadmills
Irish context matters. The weather is unpredictable. Dark evenings stretch from October through March. Commutes eat time. Childcare schedules are tight. Jobs are demanding. Gyms can feel intimidating or expensive, and outdoor running isn’t for everyone.
Walking pads solve these problems. They fit small spaces. They’re quiet enough for apartments. They’re low-impact, which makes them ideal for beginners, people recovering from injury, or anyone who just wants to move more without the stress of high-intensity workouts.
They’re also versatile. You can walk while watching TV, listening to podcasts, working from home, or catching up on calls. Walking pads help people build consistency, which is what actually matters for long-term health.
We focus on walking pads because they work for Irish homes, Irish lifestyles, and Irish people who want to feel better without overhauling their entire lives.
Meet the Team
Orla Mc Donagh
Founder & Editor
Orla Mc Donagh launched GymBunny.ie in 2013 as a health enthusiast and nutrition student based in Dublin. She’s not a GP or dietician, but she’s spent over a decade studying nutrition, mindset, and sustainable lifestyle change.
Orla’s journey started in her twenties after stress and health scares led to a lifestyle wake-up call. She moved to Spain, trained in the park a few times a week, cleaned up her diet, and improved her sleep and energy. In 2011, her mum passed away after a year with lung cancer, which deepened her belief that day-to-day lifestyle choices matter.
Orla wasn’t sporty growing up. Ballet, karate, and football didn’t stick. But she found her own path through small, sustainable steps, and that’s what she brings to GymBunny.ie: practical advice for people who want to feel better without extreme plans or unrealistic expectations.
Andy Kenny
Personal Trainer & Coach
Andy Kenny is a well-known personal trainer with over 17 years of experience. He’s certified through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and has built a reputation for a community-focused, non-intimidating approach to fitness.
Andy’s own transformation story is powerful. In his late teens and early twenties, he drank 1.5 litres of fizzy drinks a day plus energy drinks, ate up to 10 packets of crisps daily, and felt tired and low energy all the time. At age 23 in Batemans Bay, Australia, he struggled to walk in the heat and realised something had to change.
He cut fizzy drinks and ultra-processed foods, moved to wholegrains and steadier blood sugar, and lost over 5 stone (32kg) in about a year, dropping from 17½ stone to under 12 stone. In 2009, he cycled 4,400 km across Australia from Perth to Sydney.
Andy previously ran a fitness training centre at Trinity Enterprise Centre on Pearse Street, Grand Canal Dock, offering spinning, weight training, Pilates, circuits, boxing, and kettlebells. He joined GymBunny.ie in 2024 to improve workouts, guidance, and reviews for Irish readers.
How We Create Content
We create content based on real questions from Irish readers, gaps in existing information, and our own experience testing walking pads and compact treadmills.
How We Choose What to Cover
- Reader questions and pain points
- Gaps in existing Irish-focused reviews
- New products available in Ireland
- Common concerns: space, noise, budget, weight capacity
How We Review and Compare
- We test products where possible or analyse detailed specifications and user feedback
- We compare features, build quality, noise levels, warranty, and customer support
- We consider Irish-specific factors: delivery times, voltage compatibility, customer service responsiveness
- We look at price vs. value, not just the cheapest or most expensive options
What “Independent” Means Here
- We are not tied to any single brand or retailer
- We prioritise reader needs over affiliate commissions
- We update reviews when products change or new information emerges
- We disclose all affiliate relationships clearly
Updates and Corrections
- We update articles when products are discontinued, prices change, or new models launch
- If we make a factual error, we correct it and note the update at the top of the article
- We check links, prices, and availability regularly
Affiliate and Sponsorship Disclosure
Transparency is important to us.
GymBunny.ie participates in affiliate programmes with walking pad retailers and brands. This means we may earn a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. This comes at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate commissions help us maintain the site, test products, and create free content for Irish readers. However, we only recommend products we genuinely believe are good fits for Irish homes and lifestyles. We are not tied to any single brand or retailer.
If a post or review is sponsored, we disclose this clearly at the top of the article. Sponsored content does not compromise our editorial integrity. We still provide honest assessments and prioritise reader needs.
Our goal is to help you make informed decisions, not to push products that don’t serve your needs.
Disclaimer
Important: This is not medical advice.
The information on GymBunny.ie is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always consult your GP, physiotherapist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new exercise programme, especially if you have existing health conditions, injuries, or concerns.
Walking pads and compact treadmills are generally low-impact and safe for most people, but individual circumstances vary. If you experience pain, dizziness, or discomfort while exercising, stop immediately and seek medical advice.
We are not doctors, and nothing on this site should be interpreted as medical guidance. Use the information here responsibly and make decisions that prioritise your health and safety.
Topical Map: Walking Pads
GymBunny.ie covers walking pads and compact treadmills through structured content clusters. This topical map outlines the main areas we focus on:
Types and Categories
- Foldable walking pads
- Under-desk treadmills
- 2-in-1 walking pads with handles
- Compact treadmills for small spaces
- Manual vs. motorised options
Buying Guides and Comparisons
- How to choose a walking pad for Irish homes
- Budget options under €200
- Mid-range walking pads €200-€500
- Premium models over €500
- Best value walking pads
- Walking pads for weight loss
- Walking pads for seniors
- Walking pads for small spaces
Brands and Retailers
- Irish walking pad brands
- International brands available in Ireland
- Where to buy walking pads in Ireland with local delivery
- Walking pad stores in Ireland
Reviews and Testing
- Individual walking pad reviews
- Head-to-head comparisons
- User feedback and ratings
- Long-term testing updates
Practical Guidance
- How to set up a walking pad at home
- Walking pad maintenance and care
- Noise levels and apartment-friendly options
- Walking pad workouts and routines
- Walking pad results timeline
- Using a walking pad for weight loss
Deals and Offers
- Current walking pad deals in Ireland
- Discount codes and vouchers
- Seasonal sales and promotions
Start Here
New to GymBunny.ie? These pages will help you find the right walking pad for your home:
Independent References
GymBunny.ie and our team have been featured in Irish media: