If you've come across both KingSmith and WalkingPad while looking for home fitness equipment, you may have wondered how the two names are connected. KingSmith is the creator of WalkingPad, combining engineering, product development and space-saving design to make exercise easier to fit into everyday life.
But the story goes beyond a brand name. From the first foldable walking pad to treadmills and rowing machines, KingSmith has continued to develop home fitness equipment that balances exercise performance with practical storage.
Who Are KingSmith and WalkingPad?
KingSmith is the company responsible for the research, engineering and development behind WalkingPad. Founded in 2015, KingSmith created WalkingPad to offer a more convenient way to stay active at home.
WalkingPad became widely recognised for its innovative folding walking pads, while KingSmith continued developing a broader range of fitness equipment.
The two names are closely connected rather than competing brands. You may see WalkingPad on a folding treadmill and KingSmith on a rowing machine or fitness bench, but both are part of the same product development story.
Understanding this relationship makes it easier to explore the equipment without worrying about which name appears on the product.
How the WalkingPad Story Began
The idea behind WalkingPad began in an unexpected place: a university robotics laboratory.
While studying at the University of Science and Technology of China, a group of postgraduate researchers spent long hours working on robotics projects. Their demanding schedules left little time for physical activity.
They wanted a simple way to exercise without travelling to a gym or finding space for a conventional treadmill. The solution needed to be compact, easy to use and simple to put away afterwards.
In 2014, the team proposed the concept of a foldable walking pad. KingSmith was established the following year, and the first WalkingPad A1 entered mass production in 2018.
The design soon gained international recognition. In 2019, the A1 received both the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award.
What began as a solution to a personal problem gradually developed into a wider approach to home fitness: making exercise equipment easier to accommodate in everyday living spaces. Over time, the term "walking pad" became widely used to describe this category of compact walking machines.
The Innovations Behind KingSmith and WalkingPad
The original folding concept continues to influence how KingSmith develops its fitness equipment. Rather than focusing only on exercise performance, its designs also consider how equipment is moved, controlled and stored.
Foldable Designs That Save Space
Traditional treadmills often require a permanent place in the home. KingSmith's folding technology offers an alternative by allowing selected walking pads and treadmills to fold into smaller dimensions between workouts.
Early WalkingPad models introduced a running deck that folds in half. Later developments included upright storage designs, such as the WalkingPad X21, which launched in 2021.
The WalkingPad G5i Foldable Incline Treadmill demonstrates how the concept has developed further. Its running deck folds in half, while the treadmill supports both flat and vertical storage. Despite its foldable design, it offers speeds up to 16 km/h and an adjustable incline of up to 18%.
These options are particularly useful when a living room or home office needs to serve more than one purpose.
Smart Features for Everyday Exercise
Convenient controls can make a difference when fitting short workouts into a busy schedule.
KingSmith has developed several technologies to simplify everyday exercise:
- FootSense™: Automatically adjusts walking speed according to your position on the belt on compatible models.
- SpeedDial™: Allows convenient speed adjustments using a rotary control on selected treadmills.
- TRIFOLD™: Allows selected rowing machines to fold into a compact form for easier storage between workouts.
- Free KS Fit app: Connects with compatible equipment to track workout information, including time, distance, steps and calories.
These features are available on selected models rather than across every product.
Comfort and Versatility at Home
KingSmith's approach also extends to workout comfort and flexibility. Selected walking pads feature SoftStep™ cushioning to provide a more comfortable walking surface. The G5i incorporates SoftStep Incline™ cushioning alongside powered incline adjustment, allowing you to vary workout intensity without increasing speed.
Other practical features, including foldable handrails and transport wheels on selected models, help make equipment easier to use and move around the home. The aim is to offer different exercise options without making home fitness unnecessarily complicated.
Beyond Walking Pads: A Wider Range of Home Fitness Equipment
Although WalkingPad became known for compact walking machines, KingSmith's product range now extends beyond walking.
Foldable walking pads remain a practical choice for gentle indoor activity, especially when paired with a standing desk. For those who want to jog or run, foldable treadmills provide higher speeds, larger running areas and, on selected models, incline training.
KingSmith also develops rowing machines for full-body cardiovascular exercise. Models such as the WM10 Foldable Water & Magnetic Rowing Machine use TRIFOLD™ technology to reduce storage space between sessions.
The wider range also includes fitness benches and other home exercise equipment, extending the same practical design approach to different types of training.
What Does This Mean for You in the UK?
KingSmith's brand story is closely connected to a familiar challenge: finding enough room and time to exercise regularly. Its products offer several ways to make home workouts more practical.
More Exercise Options for Smaller Homes
In a flat, terraced house or shared living space, keeping a treadmill permanently unfolded may not be practical.
Foldable equipment makes it easier to reclaim floor space after exercising. Depending on the model, you can store a walking pad beneath suitable furniture or position a folded treadmill in a designated storage area.
Always check both the unfolded and folded dimensions before buying, including the clearance needed for safe use.
Flexible Workouts for Different Routines
Not every workout needs to involve running. A walking pad can support gentle movement during a working day, while a treadmill provides more flexibility for jogging, running or incline sessions. Rowing machines offer another option when you want to involve both your upper and lower body. Having equipment at home also makes it easier to maintain a routine when the weather is wet, daylight is limited or travelling to the gym feels inconvenient.
Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Home
The best choice depends on how you plan to exercise and where the equipment will be kept.
If walking is your main priority, explore the compact walking pad range. If you want to build towards running or incline training, consider a foldable treadmill with an appropriate speed range and running area.
For more ways to stay active at home, explore KingSmith's rowing machines, fitness benches and other home fitness equipment.
Whichever option you prefer, consider storage dimensions, exercise intensity, available floor space and budget before making a decision.
Conclusion
KingSmith and WalkingPad share a common story built around making home fitness more accessible through thoughtful engineering and space-saving design. From the original foldable walking pad to today's wider equipment range, the focus remains on helping exercise fit naturally into everyday life.
Whether you're looking for a simple way to walk more or equipment for varied home workouts, understanding the brand's approach can help you choose what works best for your space and routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are KingSmith and WalkingPad the same company?
KingSmith is the company behind WalkingPad, responsible for its product development and engineering. WalkingPad is a brand created by KingSmith, best known for its innovative foldable walking pads and treadmills.
Why do some products say KingSmith instead of WalkingPad?
KingSmith is both the company name and a name used on certain fitness products. WalkingPad is closely associated with the company's walking pads and treadmills. Products bearing either name can belong to the same KingSmith-developed range.
Does KingSmith make more than walking pads?
Yes. Beyond walking pads, KingSmith develops foldable treadmills, rowing machines, fitness benches and other home fitness equipment. Different products are designed to support walking, running, rowing and strength-focused exercise at home.
Where can I buy KingSmith and WalkingPad products in the UK?
You can explore our range of home fitness equipment on the official WalkingPad UK website and compare models to find the right fit for your space and workout needs.
