How to set up a Walking Pad treadmill

Long ago, when I lived in a house as opposed to an apartment, I bought a treadmill. What I remember most about the experience was wrestling/lugging the heavy, bulky, cumbersome thing (by myself, somehow) up to the second floor and into the guest bedroom. A cumbersome, stationary thing that took up a lot of space, it pretty much dominated the room. When I eventually sold it, it took three people to get it back down the stairs.

The Walking Pad treadmill is neither bulky nor cumbersome. It’s an innovative, slim, foldable, treadmill that you can stow away when you’re not using it. The unobtrusive design is perfect for a ‘walking while you work’ situation. The only thing it lacks (as far as treadmills go) is an incline feature.

If you spend any time on TikTok, you may have come across a plethora of videos of happy-looking folks walking (and running) confidently on a compact, stylish, pad while working or simply staring out the window. If, you too, want to hop on the minimalist treadmill bandwagon here's how to set up a Walking Pad treadmill.

Walking Pad Models and KS Fit App

Arriving assembled in the folding position, all Walking Pad models are pretty simple to set up. The majority of the process consists of unfolding the treadmill,  inserting the included battery (or batteries) into the remote, pairing the remote, then connecting your treadmill via Bluetooth to the KS Fit App, which is available in both the Apple and Google Play stores. Some customers complain that the app is especially buggy but customer service response is usually quite good. 

You can use either the app or the remote to control the WalkingPad. App settings include a child lock, maximum speed, and the speed to start in automatic mode. You can also adjust the sensibility of the treadmill in automatic mode (where your the position of your feet affects how fast the belt moves).

Modes

All WalkingPad models have a manual and an automatic mode. In automatic mode, your feet control the speed of the belt. To start the belt, stand with your feet in the front section right up to the edge. This is the acceleration response area; when your feet are positioned here, the treadmill speeds up. When your feet enter the back region of the belt (or the deceleration area), the treadmill will slow down. Walking in the middle, keeps the belt moving at a steady speed.

The P1, C2, and A1 models have a speed range of .5 to 6 kilometers per hour while the R1, R2, and X21 models also have a “running mode” where the range reaches 10 kilometers per hour.

Setting up the WalkingPad A1 Pro, P1, and C2

The A1 is the company’s original folding, minimalist, model which won the Red Dot Design Award and iF design awards in 2019.

The P1 (or C1) is less expensive than the A1 and has a display screen on the remote as opposed to the treadmill itself.

The C2 is also less expensive than the A1 and comes in a variety of bright colors like red, blue, and yellow. It does have an LED display screen on the treadmill itself.

Set up each of these Walking Pad models as follows:

1. Unfold treadmill – they come out of the box folded in half.
2. Install battery or batteries in the remote.
3. Plug the power cord into the treadmill and electric outlet. Flip the switch on (located on the front)..
4. Scan the QR code in the instructions or download the KS Fit App.
5. Register for the app using your email address.
6. Choose your WalkingPad model and connect via Bluetooth.
7. To pair the remote, press and hold the mode button (while the treadmill is switched on) until you hear a beep.

Walking Pads have a semi-annoying feature of limiting your speed to 3 kilometers per hour until you’ve completed the quick setup novice guide in the app or walked a full kilometer.

R1 and R2 Pro

The R1 and newer, upgraded R2 Pro models include a telescoping handle. The main difference between the two is that the R2 features a dedicated phone and tablet holder slot on the handle, as well as (according to the company), being more aesthetically pleasing.

1. To set up the R1 and R2, lay the folded treadmill flat on the floor. Pull the handle release knobs located on the front sides out and unscrew them to loosen the handle. This allows you to unfold the handle into its upright position. Retighten the knobs and press them in to secure them.
2. Next, locate the hefty levers on each side of the handle, open them and raise the handle to its full height, then relock the levers.
3. Connect the red emergency stop to the yellow plug area located on the handle. Then unfold the treadmill.
4. Insert the included CR2032 cell battery into the remote. To open, turn the back cover counterclockwise and remove it. Snap in the battery, then replace the cover.
5. The buttons on the remote include: start/stop, acceleration, deceleration, and a mode switch (manual, automatic, or standby).
6. To pair the remote with the treadmill: Switch the treadmill on/off button on, then press and hold the mode toggle switch on the remote. When the LED screen on the treadmill lights up and a sound is heard, the pairing is successful.
7. Next, connect the KS Fit app via Bluetooth by selecting your treadmill model in the app.

With the R1 and R2 models, you can only use the automatic mode when the handle is down, and the manual mode when the handle is up. There’s a convenient storage compartment in the handle for the safety switch and remote.

X21

The WalkingPad X21 won the iF design award in 2022. This model is KingSmith’s most expensive and robust. It features a double-fold design and, like other WalkingPad models, has wheels making it easy to move. This version can also be stored upright as opposed to flat.

To set up the WalkingPad X21, press the center, release button/lever and unfold the belt section from the handle, then fold out the “tail” to its fully extended position. To close, fold the tail, then press the button and fold up into the handle.

This model has control buttons on the arm handle, including a large on/off button that you press and then rotate to speed up or slow down.

Set up is the same as the R1 and R2 as far as remote pairing and app setup.

Belt adjustment and lubrication

All Walking Pad models require a belt adjustment from time to time as the running belt will occasionally shift too far to the right or left.

To fix this, insert the included Allen wrench in the adjustment hole located on the side of the frame on the tail end on the side where the offset has occurred. Turn clockwise about one-half of a turn, switch on the machine and observe if the belt is now centered. If not, repeat the process until it is.

Despite the occasionally finicky companion app, Walking Pad treadmills are quite easy to set up – they do arrive completely assembled after all. You’ll be walking, working, and happily recording TikTok videos in no time.