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When it comes to finding the treadmill type best for your home, it’s important to understand when and where you plan to use it. The best under-desk treadmill for your home office is going to be a lot different from the best home treadmill for running top speeds and marathon training.
However, if you’re landing on this WalkingPad review because you’ve narrowed down your search (maybe thanks to TikTok?) and are ready to commit to a dedicated home office treadmill, you’re in the right place. Plus, one of our Garage Gym Reviews expert product testers spills the tea on her experience using the WalkingPad for over a year and a half. We share details you won’t want to miss!
We’ve Used The WalkingPad For A Year And A Half (And Counting)
Your friends at Garage Gym Reviews are not just product testers for whatever is trendy or hot right now; we’re a group of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, Olympic-level athletes, and gym owners.
Strength, conditioning, and overall health is our thing. Plus, our product testers have used and reviewed over 40 treadmills in addition to hand-selecting the best treadmills for home gyms.
For this WalkingPad review, GGR head of content and certified personal trainer Nicole Davis shares her experience after owning (and using) the WalkingPad P1 treadmill for over a year and a half.
WalkingPad Folding Treadmill
WalkingPad Folding Treadmill
Product Highlights
- Folds for easy storage
- Suitable for tall folks and long strides
- Comes assembled
- Compatible with KS Fit App
- Features foot-sensing controls
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Under $450
- Foldable
- Can be controlled by the app or a remote
- Has automatic foot control
- No assembly required
Cons
- Max user weight of 220 lbs
- No obvious warranty
Bottom Line
The WalkingPad is another great option for people who want a way to walk while doing another activity.
A Quick Look at the WalkingPad Foldable Treadmill
The KingSmith WalkingPad is a treadmill brand that started when a group of postgraduates and doctoral students were not exercising due to so many hours spent developing a project or a prestigious robotics competition. Armed with robotics knowledge and the need for more exercise, these students went to work on designing a lightweight, portable, and folding treadmill that could be used nearly anywhere.
The brand offers several foldable, compact treadmills designed for under-desk use and they’ve gone viral on TikTok as a way to do “hot girl walks” indoors. For the purposes of this review, I’ll be covering the ins and outs of the WalkingPad P1. On the KingSmith WalkingPad website, you’ll also find the following models:
- Walking Pad A1
- WalkingPad C2
- WalkingPad R2
- WalkingPad x21
The P1 treadmill from WalkingPad folds completely in half and sits only 5 inches tall for easy storage under your couch or bed, or upright against a wall. Plus, it’s only 62 pounds and features transport wheels for rolling it to and from your home office to the living room.
Before You Buy
- There are no incline settings and the maximum speed is 3.75 mph.
- There is no monitor or display, but you can connect your phone to the WalkingPad app to track basic metrics.
- Our tester found this WalkingPad to be fairly loud while trying to work at the same time.
Is the WalkingPad Foldable Treadmill Worth It?
In our roundup review of the best under-desk treadmills, the prices range from $300 to over $1,000. On the WalkingPad website, the P1 model is priced at $499, but we’ve seen it go on sale for $369.
While the WalkingPad might not be as expensive as a traditional treadmill, it’s not for everyone. This treadmill doesn’t have the stability to support heavier folks or anyone who intends to run. However, we do like the fact this under-desk treadmill has a 47-inch walking belt. For this reason, the WalkingPad earns a slightly above average 3.5-out-of-5 star rating for overall value.
RELATED: Best Walking Shoes
Originally, when rating her experience, GGR senior editor Nicole Davis gave the WalkingPad a 2.5-star rating thinking the treadmill wouldn’t hold up to daily use. She increased the rating to 3.5 stars after consistently using the compact treadmill for a year and a half.
“To my surprise, this thing still works fine,” says Nicole. “I have definitely gotten my money’s worth.”
The WalkingPad P1 Folding Treadmill is ideal for folks under 220 pounds who own an adjustable-height standing desk. While the WalkingPad can be used in an open room without a desk, the machine is designed with work from home capabilities in mind.
Great for:
- Small spaces and apartments
- Work-from-home folks
- Offices equipped with a standing desk
Not recommended for:
- Running speeds
- Tall folks or long strides
- People over 220 lbs
WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill Specs
| Price | $499 |
| Footprint | 56.37” L x 21.5” W x 5” H |
| Folded dimensions | 32.5” L x 21.5” W x 5” H |
| Weight | 62 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 220 lbs |
| Motor | 1 hp brush motor |
| Speed range | 0.5 – 3.75 MPH |
| Belt size | 47.24” L x 16.5” W |
| Display | None |
| Controls | Remote control or KS Fit App (Google Play or Apple App Store) |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Using the WalkingPad Foldable Treadmill
Before I get into the nitty-gritty details of what Nicole thought about her testing experience on the WalkingPad P1 Folding Treadmill, I think it’s important to note that she uses this machine as a supplement to her daily steps. Meaning, it’s not her sole source of activity and she’s not putting tons of miles on the WalkingPad every week.
Nicole purchased the WalkingPad P1 in July 2022. She uses the folding treadmill daily through the winter or when the weather makes it difficult to get in adequate movement. She reports her typical use is about 15 minutes of walking once or twice per day.
Nicole rates her overall experience 4 out of 5 stars, saying, “I like using this.” It works as it should for an under-desk treadmill designed for walking speeds.
The one problem Nicole experienced (after over a year of use): The remote failed. She reports the remote always seemed a bit finicky, but one day it displayed an error code. This made it so that she couldn’t use the WalkingPad at all because the treadmill features a power button but no other controls.
However, she contacted WalkingPad customer service and received help troubleshooting the remote. Customer service suggested that Nicole download the KS Fit App instead of fixing the remote, which solved the broken remote problem.
RELATED: Best Walking App
Nicole does note that customer service informed her the remote control could not be sold separately, so she was relieved when the app successfully connected to her machine.
Nicole also thinks it’s important for potential buyers to know it’s quite noisy even though it has a smaller and much less powerful motor than something you’d see in the best commercial treadmills. “It sounds about the same as a regular treadmill,” says Nicole. “You’d definitely be able to hear it on calls if you were using it during working hours.”
Footprint and Portability
The WalkingPad P1 Folding Treadmill is designed with small spaces in mind. First, it has a patented 180-degree folding design that folds the walking deck in half for easy storage. I bet when you picture the best folding treadmills you imagine the deck folding up to the handrails or vice versa, but the WalkingPad instead folds in half like a briefcase.
The WalkingPad earns a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating in the footprint and portability category due to this innovative folding feature, transport wheels, and lightweight design (at 62 pounds). Nicole notes that she folds the WalkingPad completely in half when not in use.
“I’ve been folding and unfolding it multiple times per week since I’ve owned it (over a year at this point) and the folding function still works fine,” she says.
How to Store a WalkingPad
The P1 foldable treadmill is easily stored, as the hamburger-style fold cuts the length essentially in half. After you unplug it you can fold it up and slip it under a bed or table, or into a corner out of the way. It’s not meant to be stored vertically
Durability and Construction
The WalkingPad scores a middle-of-the-road 3-out-of-5-star rating when it comes to durability. When our testers rate a treadmill for durability, we look for a weight limit of 275 pounds (or more) and a 2.5 continuous horsepower motor. These two specs help us ensure that the machine can withstand plenty of weight and the impact of running or jogging.
That said, the WalkingPad isn’t designed for runners. This lightweight, one-horsepower motor treadmill might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it may work if you’re within the weight limit and plan to use it as a supplement to your daily activity.
“I’m not near the weight capacity but I still feel as though it works the same as when I got it,” says Nicole.
However, Nicole mentions that the times her husband has tested the WalkingPad he reports the top speeds feel bogged down. He’s about 200 pounds and much closer to the 220-pound weight limit, which likely puts more strain on the one-horsepower motor.
RELATED: LifeSpan TR1000-DT3 Under-Desk Treadmill Review
Ergonomics and Walking Stride
Finding the perfect treadmill for your home gym is tricky enough with factoring in things like belt length, max speed, weight limit, and incline ranges. When it comes to under-desk walking pads, the specs have to shrink in order to accommodate the compact space of an office (more specifically, under a desk).
So, if you’re particularly tall, long-legged, on the heavier side, or have a small workspace, you’ll want to double check the treadmills specs and make sure it fits your situation.
That said, the WalkingPad offers a 47-inch long walking belt with a 16.5-inch width. While this is shorter than the average treadmill (and quite a bit slimmer) it’s not that much shorter than some of the best budget treadmills we’ve reviewed, which are typically around 50 to 55 inches long. For tall folks who intend to run, our experts suggest at least 60 inches. But keep in mind this machine is not designed for running.
For reference, our tester Nicole is 5 feet and 3 inches tall and had no problem with her stride length using this under her desk or as a stand-alone treadmill. Her husband also used the treadmill and had no issues with his stride at 6 feet and 2 inches tall.
Technology Benefits and Conveniences
When it comes to technology, the WalkingPad isn’t void of tech features, but the most notable (and really only tech feature) is the KS Fit app, which is available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. The app allows you to wirelessly control the treadmill’s speed and track metrics like steps, time, distance, and calories.
Without the app there is no display on the treadmill itself to track these sort of metrics. Actually, without the app (or the remote) there is no way to get the treadmill moving. The treadmill just has an on-off switch, but no other controls.
RELATED: Best Treadmill Apps
“There’s an automatic mode called Foot Speed Control. It allows you to walk closer to the front of the belt to speed up, in the middle for constant speed, or closer to the end to slow down,” explains Nicole. “But I couldn’t get this feature to work.”
Although she didn’t have success with the Foot Speed Control, she prefers the manual mode and being in control of the speed via her smartphone. Based on her experience, Nicole rates the WalkingPad at 3 out of 5 stars in the technology category.
WalkingPad vs GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
GoPlus 2-in-1
GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
Product Highlights
- Fits seamlessly under most standing desks
- Quick assembly
- Folds extremely flat for storage
- Comes with remote to change speed with ease
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easily portable and stored
- Emits minimal noise
- Very easy assembly
- Bluetooth speaker on console
- Phone mount
- Remote control
- Safety key
- Ideal for use in small spaces and those who are casual joggers/walkers
- Transport wheels
Cons
- Not intended for sustained or fast running
- Smaller than typical running surface
- Does not fold once handrails are installed
- Handrails do not adjust and are at a fixed 3.5 feet (not ideal for taller individuals)
- Only two modes available
- Max speed is 8 miles per hour
- No incline/decline
- Can not mount a tablet
Bottom Line
The GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill is a great value purchase for any walker or casual jogger looking to save space while still getting in a solid cardio session. If you are looking for a treadmill to train for your next marathon on, this is not the one for you.
The GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill offers a comparable under-desk treadmill design to the WalkingPad P1. The GoPlus treadmill does indeed fold, but it’s not like the patented WalkingPad design. The GoPlus offers a handrail that can either be folded up or down. Other than the handrail, the treadmill itself does not fold.
The GoPlus has a more powerful motor, can support heavier folks, and goes all the way up to 8 mph. The downside to GoPlus is the treadmill belt length. It’s only 40 inches long, which is 7 inches shorter than the WalkingPad P1. Shorter folks will be able to still use the GoPlus, but people closer to 6 feet tall will have a hard time and likely have to change their gait to fit within the belt.
You can read more about our hands-on experience in the in-depth GoPlus Treadmill review.
| GoPlus 2-in-1 | WalkingPad P1 | |
| Price | $299 | $499 |
| Footprint | 49” L x 27” W x 42” H | 56.37” L x 21.5” W x 5” H |
| Weight | 69.5 lbs | 62 lbs |
| Weight limit | 265 lbs | 220 lbs |
| Motor | 2.25 hp | 1 hp brush motor |
| Speed range | 1 to 8 mph | 0.5 to 3.75 mph |
| Warranty | 90 days | 1 year |
Customer Experience
If you experience any issues and need to contact customer service, you’ll have a few options including a general inquiry form on the contact page, a phone number, and an email address. The website also provides business hours, but it’s worth noting WalkingPad headquarters is located in Beijing, China.
As for warranty and returns, you’ll have a pretty standard 30-day window to make a request and process a return by contacting the company via email (contact@walkingpad.com). If you decide against the WalkingPad, you’ll need to make the return in the original packaging.
All WalkingPad products have a 1-year warranty policy. On traditional home treadmills, we like to see 15-year warranty policies (or longer) but on a small, compact, under-desk treadmill a short policy is pretty standard.
Ordering and Assembling the WalkingPad Treadmill
After adding the WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill to your cart, you’ll enter your shipping information and either pay with a credit card, PayPal, ApplePay, GooglePay, or set up payments with Klarna.
Once your WalkingPad arrives, the unboxing process is easy: Unpack the treadmill from the box, plug it in, and start walking. Nicole rates the setup and delivery process a 5-out-of-5-star experience.
Customer Reviews
On the WalkingPad website, the P1 Foldable Treadmill has a 4.1 average rating based on 36 customer reviews. On Amazon, the average rating is similar at 4 out of 5 stars and over 700 reviews.
There are quite a few negative reviews on Amazon (and the WalkingPad website) and many mention subpar customer service. There are also multiple customers who experienced loud squeaking or walking belt issues. However, there are quite a few happy customers and folks who report their WalkingPad improved workday activity.
Benefits of a WalkingPad
If you find yourself still wondering if a WalkingPad is worth it, consider these benefits:
Increase Your Daily Movement
Most folks need to move more throughout the day, and that’s just a fact. Getting a WalkingPad, or another under-desk treadmill, for your home can allow you to do that, especially if you’re tied to a computer for long periods of time. Simply set up a standing desk to walk while you work, or hop on the WalkingPad for 5-minute increments between meetings.
Requires Only a Small Space
Especially if space is a commodity in your home, the WalkingPad is a great solution. Not only is it compact to begin with, it folds up hamburger-style and could easily fit under a desk or bed when not in use.
Cheaper Than a Treadmill
You won’t be doing any running on a WalkingPad, but if you’re strictly looking for a machine to walk, it’s a fraction of the cost of a traditional treadmill.
Final Verdict of Our WalkingPad Review
From our testing experience, the WalkingPad P1 Folding Treadmill offers a supplement to your cardiovascular exercise. While it’s held up for about a year and half for our tester Nicole Davis, she doesn’t spend much more than 30 minutes on the machine each day. Using the treadmill frequently and for long periods of time could lead to a different (and less durable) experience.
Here are some thing to consider before buying the WalkingPad treadmill:
- Utilize the Bluetooth connection from the treadmill to your smartphone, as our experience proves the remote control can fail.
- If purchasing to walk while you work, consider the fact this machine is about as loud as a traditional treadmill.
- The 47-inch deck will likely accommodate most folks’ walking gait, but this machine is not designed to support running.
Full Rating
WalkingPad Treadmill
The WalkingPad is another great option for people who want a way to walk while doing another activity.
Product Brand: WalkingPad
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 499.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.66
WalkingPad Treadmill: FAQs
Do walking pads actually work?
If by “work” you mean do they allow you to get your steps in indoors, yes! Many can be positioned underneath your desk so you can walk while working. By increasing your daily activity, you should reap positive results including better health and potentially weight loss.
Does a walking pad help lose weight?
It can, yes. Losing weight comes down to achieving a calorie deficit (calories out>calories in), and nutrition plays a large role in that. However, by increasing your daily step count you’ll also be increasing your NEAT, or non-exercise activity thermogenesis, which can increase your overall caloric expenditure and assist in weight loss.
What is the difference between a walking pad and treadmill?
A walking pad is typically smaller and shorter than a traditional treadmill and designed for under-desk use. Most traditional treadmills feature a longer running belt, more powerful motors, and a design that includes handrails.
How long should you walk on a walking pad while working?
The short answer: As long as you want! But, a good goal to aspire to is 7,000 steps per day—this is the number that has been shown in recent research1 to decrease mortality rates. For most people, walking 7,000 steps straight would take about an hour and a half to complete.
References
- Paluch AE, Gabriel KP, Fulton JE, Lewis CE, Schreiner PJ, Sternfeld B, Sidney S, Siddique J, Whitaker KM, Carnethon MR. Steps per Day and All-Cause Mortality in Middle-aged Adults in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Sep 1;4(9):e2124516. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.24516. PMID: 34477847; PMCID: PMC8417757.
Further reading
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