Treadmills, Walking Pads & Foldable Running Machines

A walking pad is a slim, motorised belt with no tall handrail or console, built mainly for walking, often under a standing desk. It stores flat under a bed or sofa. A treadmill has a handrail, a console, a longer and wider belt, a faster top speed and usually incline, so it suits jogging and running. A 2-in-1 walking pad sits in between: walk with the handrail down, or lift it up to jog or run.

Only on a 2-in-1 model. The K300 2-in-1 reaches 10km/h, the K500 12km/h, and the V200 and V300 14km/h with the handrail up. Walking-only pads like the original K300 top out at 6km/h. For regular running, a full treadmill with a longer, wider belt is more comfortable.

A walking pad takes the least room. The K300 2-in-1 folds to just 10cm high, the K500 to 12.5cm and the V200 to 13.5cm, so they slide under a bed or sofa. If you want to run, the K100 is our most compact full treadmill at 116.5 x 62.5cm, and its deck folds up with hydraulic help.

For walking, a 40cm wide belt is enough for most people, and every walking pad we sell is 40cm to 43cm wide. For jogging and running, a wider and longer belt gives you more room for your stride: our running treadmills go up to 48cm on the V1200 and K2000, 50 x 130cm on the V500 and 58 x 145cm on the MX3. Taller runners and fast runners should choose the longest belt they have room for.

Incline makes walking harder without running faster, so it raises your heart rate and works your legs and glutes with less impact on your joints. Manual incline means you set the angle before you start, like the 8% and 11% positions on the K300 2-in-1 and V200. Auto incline changes at the press of a button while you walk, like the 15-level incline on the K200 and V500, 3 to 12 degrees on the K2000, or up to 15% on the V1200, MX3 and V1100.

Walking is usually 3 to 6km/h, jogging around 7 to 10km/h and running 10km/h and up. A walking pad with a 6km/h top speed suits walking only. For jogging, choose 10 to 14km/h. For running and sprint intervals, choose 20km/h or more, like the V1200, V500, MX3 and V1100 (20km/h) or the K2000 (22km/h, our fastest).

Our walking pads are rated to 100kg (K300, K400, K500) or 120kg (K300 2-in-1, V200, V300). Running treadmills range from 100kg (K100) to 140kg (V1200) and 150kg (MX3, V1100). Choose a model rated comfortably above the heaviest person who will use it.

Yes, that is what they are designed for. Walk at 1 to 6km/h while you work, using the remote control to change speed. The K300 and K400 show speed, distance, time and calories on an LED display, and the K400 has a fold-up handrail with a tablet holder. Keep the pace slow enough that you can type and talk comfortably.

Keep the belt and deck clean, check the belt tension, and lubricate under the belt with 100% silicone oil such as Helmar silicone treadmill lubricant, following your manual for how often. The MX3 has an automatic lubrication port that spreads the oil across the belt. A 2m x 1m equipment mat protects your floor, cuts noise and vibration, and keeps dust away from the motor.

Most treadmills need some assembly, usually fitting the handrail uprights and console. The K500 walking pad needs no assembly. Treadmills are heavy (the V300 weighs 40kg), and couriers deliver to the building entrance only, so have a second person ready to carry it in.

Keep children and pets away from a treadmill while it is running, because contact with the moving belt can cause friction burns. Clip on the safety key, which stops the belt if you fall or step off, remove it after each workout and store the treadmill out of reach. The K100, K200, K2000 and V1100 listings state they are certified to the mandatory Australian consumer product safety standard for treadmills.

A treadmill is the most natural choice for walking and running, and walking on incline is easy on the joints. An exercise bike is lower impact and quieter. An elliptical cross trainer works your arms and legs with almost no impact. A rowing machine works your back, arms and legs together. Browse our full cardio range.