Is KingSmith R1 Pro Worth Buying for Home Cardio Workouts? Complete UAE Review

The KingSmith R1 Pro WalkingPad sits in a useful middle ground between a basic walking pad and a traditional home treadmill. It folds, stores easily, supports walking and running, and reaches speeds of up to 10 km/h without taking over an entire room.

For UAE buyers living in apartments or smaller homes, that combination is appealing. The bigger question is whether the KingSmith R1 Pro Foldable Treadmill actually offers enough performance to justify its price—or whether you would be better off buying a full-size treadmill.

The short answer: yes, the R1 Pro is worth considering if compact storage and everyday home cardio matter more to you than high-speed running performance. Here’s why.

KingSmith R1 Pro: Quick Overview

The KingSmith R1 Pro at Athletix is a 2-in-1 foldable treadmill designed for both walking and running.

Its main specifications include:

KingSmith also ships the R1 Pro fully assembled, so you don't need to build a complicated treadmill frame before using it.

What Makes the KingSmith R1 Pro Different?

The main selling point isn't raw treadmill performance. It's the folding design.

KingSmith uses a folding deck that allows the treadmill to reduce its footprint dramatically after a workout. The official specifications list a folded size of just 980 × 720 × 155 mm.

That makes the R1 Pro particularly useful for:

• Apartments

• Bedrooms

• Home offices

• Small home gyms

• Multi-purpose rooms

A conventional treadmill may perform better for serious running, but most full-size machines can't disappear into the corner of a room after your workout.

Is the KingSmith R1 Pro Good for Walking?

Yes. Walking is arguably where the R1 Pro makes the most sense.

With the handrail lowered, the machine can be used as a KingSmith R1 Walking Pad for everyday indoor walking. The official product page also highlights its under-desk use for people who want to increase activity while working.

You can control speed through:

• Remote control

• KS Fit app

• FootSense automatic control

FootSense adjusts speed according to where you walk on the belt, although KingSmith notes that automatic mode may not work as reliably when the machine sits on carpet.

For users who mainly want to increase daily steps, this flexibility is one of the R1 Pro's strongest features.

Can You Run on the KingSmith R1 Pro?

Yes—but with realistic expectations.

The KingSmith R1 Pro WalkingPad reaches a maximum speed of 10 km/h, which is enough for brisk walking, jogging, and moderate running. 

That makes it substantially more versatile than walking-only models that stop around 6 km/h.

However, 10 km/h isn't particularly fast for an experienced runner. If you regularly train at 12–16 km/h, perform sprint intervals, or run long distances several times per week, a larger treadmill will probably suit you better.

The R1 Pro should therefore be viewed as a compact walking-and-jogging treadmill first, rather than a high-performance running machine.

Is the Running Belt Big Enough?

The R1 Pro provides a 1200 × 440 mm running area.

That's reasonable for a compact treadmill, but smaller than the deck you'll find on many conventional running treadmills.

For walking and moderate jogging, the size works well for many users.

Taller runners or users with a naturally long stride should pay extra attention to deck size before purchasing. Compact treadmills always involve some compromise between storage convenience and running space.

Is the 1.25 HP Motor Enough?

The R1 Pro uses a 1.25 HP brushless motor.

For the machine's intended use—walking, jogging, and speeds up to 10 km/h—that specification makes sense.

Brushless motors also tend to suit compact home equipment because they can provide smooth operation without requiring an oversized motor housing.

Still, if your primary goal is sustained heavy running, don't compare the R1 Pro directly with large treadmills featuring significantly more powerful motors. They're built for different jobs.

How Quiet Is the KingSmith R1 Pro?

KingSmith designed the R1 Pro for home and office environments, and the brushless motor helps support relatively quiet operation.

That makes it more apartment-friendly than many full-size treadmills.

However, no treadmill is silent.

Your footsteps create impact noise, especially once you start jogging or running. If you live above another apartment, placing a proper treadmill mat underneath the R1 Pro can help protect the flooring and reduce some vibration transmission.

Walking will naturally be quieter than running.

Is the KingSmith R1 Pro Good for Small Apartments?

This is arguably its strongest use case.

When folded, the R1 Pro measures only 155 mm thick, which means it can be stored much more easily than a conventional treadmill.

The machine also weighs 33 kg, making it much more manageable than large commercial-style home treadmills. 

For Dubai and Abu Dhabi apartment users who want indoor cardio but don't have a permanent gym room, that's a meaningful advantage.

KingSmith R1 Pro for Home Offices

The R1 Pro also works well for home-office setups.

Lower the handrail and use it as a walking pad during suitable desk-based activities, then raise the handrail when you want a faster cardio workout.

That gives it an advantage over walking-only pads because you don't need a second treadmill when your fitness improves.

The KS Fit app can display workout information such as time, speed, steps, and calories, while Apple Watch connectivity is supported through the app ecosystem.

Is KingSmith a Xiaomi Brand?

This question causes a lot of confusion.

KingSmith is not simply a Xiaomi-branded treadmill company. KingSmith is its own fitness technology company and created the WalkingPad brand.

However, KingSmith has had a close relationship with Xiaomi. WalkingPad says the brand has ties to the Xiaomi Ecological Chain, and the first WalkingPad launched through Xiaomi's crowdfunding platform.

Other company information states that Beijing KingSmith Technology joined Xiaomi's ecological chain system and received investment from Xiaomi Ventures.

So the more accurate answer is:

KingSmith is an independent company associated with Xiaomi's ecosystem—not simply a Xiaomi sub-brand.

Is KingSmith a Good Walking Pad Brand?

KingSmith is one of the most established names specifically associated with the WalkingPad category.

The company focuses heavily on compact folding fitness equipment and says it has sold more than 1.7 million units across 80+ regions.

Its product range includes walking-only models as well as hybrid walking-and-running machines such as the R1 Pro, R2, R3 Hybrid and other folding treadmills.

That doesn't mean every KingSmith model is automatically the best treadmill for every buyer. But if compact storage is your priority, KingSmith is one of the brands worth comparing seriously.

KingSmith R1 Pro Price in UAE

The KingSmith R1 Pro price can change according to stock, promotions, and retailer availability.

Rather than relying on an old advertised price, check the live Athletix KingSmith R1 Pro product page before purchasing.

Price becomes especially important when comparing the R1 Pro with newer models such as the R2.

If the price gap between the R1 Pro and R2 is small, compare the actual features and stock availability rather than automatically choosing the cheaper model.

KingSmith R1 Pro vs Basic Walking Pad

The R1 Pro costs more than a simple walking-only machine because it provides greater versatility.

If you only want to walk under a desk at 3–5 km/h, a cheaper walking pad may be enough.

If you want one machine to support both walking and moderate running, the R1 Pro provides better long-term flexibility.

KingSmith R1 Pro vs Full-Size Treadmill

This is where the decision becomes more interesting.

A conventional treadmill usually offers a larger running deck, faster maximum speed, and stronger running-focused performance.

The R1 Pro wins on:

• Folding

• Storage

• Apartment suitability

• Home-office use

• Portability

• Compact footprint

A full-size treadmill wins on:

• Serious running

• Longer running deck

• Higher speeds

• More demanding workouts

• Often stronger motors

• More training programmes on selected models

For a dedicated gym room, I'd generally favour a proper treadmill if running is the priority.

For an apartment, the R1 Pro can make much more sense.

Who Should Buy the KingSmith R1 Pro?

The R1 Pro is particularly well suited to:

• Apartment residents

• Beginners

• Home-office users

• People focused on walking

• Users who occasionally jog

• Anyone with limited storage space

• Buyers wanting a 2-in-1 WalkingPad

It works especially well if your goal is consistent daily movement rather than competitive running performance.

Who Should Consider Another Treadmill?

I'd look elsewhere if you:

• Run at speeds above 10 km/h regularly

• Want sprint workouts

• Have a very long running stride

• Need a user capacity above 110 kg

• Train for long-distance running frequently

• Have plenty of room for a full-size treadmill

In those situations, space-saving convenience may not be worth the performance compromise.

Which Brand of Home Treadmill Is Best in UAE?

There isn't one brand that wins every category.

For compact apartments and walking pads, KingSmith is particularly strong.

For interactive home running, buyers often compare brands such as NordicTrack and ProForm.

For durability-focused home treadmills, Sole Fitness is also worth considering, while brands such as Life Fitness, Matrix and Spirit Fitness move further towards premium and commercial-grade equipment.

Athletix carries a broad range of treadmill brands, which means the better question isn't “Which brand is best?” but “Which treadmill is best for my space, workout style and budget?”

What Should You Check Before Buying the R1 Pro?

Before ordering, make sure the machine matches your actual requirements.

Pay attention to:

• 110 kg maximum user weight

• 10 km/h maximum speed

• 1200 × 440 mm running area

• 33 kg machine weight

• Folded dimensions

• Available storage position

• Intended walking vs running use

• Floor surface

• Warranty

• Current UAE availability

These details matter more than simply liking the folding design.

Explore KingSmith WalkingPads at Athletix

The R1 Pro is only one model in the wider KingSmith range.

Athletix also carries other KingSmith WalkingPads and foldable treadmills, including models aimed at pure walking, hybrid walking/running and more demanding home cardio.

If the R1 Pro isn't available or doesn't quite match your requirements, compare it with the KingSmith R2, R3 Hybrid+, Z3 Hybrid+ and other models before moving to a completely different brand.

You can also explore Athletix's wider Walking Pads and Treadmills collections if you want to compare compact KingSmith machines with traditional home treadmills.

Related Athletix Buying Guides

You may also find these useful:

• Best Foldable KingSmith Treadmills for Apartments

• Best Treadmills for Apartments and Small Spaces in UAE

• How to Choose the Right Treadmill for Home Use

• Which Treadmill Brand Offers the Best Value for Money in UAE?

• Treadmill Price in UAE: What You Should Expect

Final Thoughts

The KingSmith R1 Pro is worth buying for home cardio if you understand what it's designed to do.

Its strengths are clear: a compact folding design, 1–10 km/h speed range, 1.25 HP brushless motor, 110 kg user capacity, KS Fit connectivity, FootSense control and the ability to switch between walking and running modes.

For a Dubai or Abu Dhabi apartment, bedroom or home office, that combination is genuinely practical. You get a machine capable of more than basic walking without dedicating permanent floor space to a traditional treadmill.

But if your main goal is serious daily running, sprinting or marathon training, I'd skip the R1 Pro and move to a larger treadmill with a longer deck and higher performance ceiling.

The expert verdict: choose the KingSmith R1 Pro for compact, versatile everyday cardio; choose a full-size treadmill if running performance matters more than storage.

FAQs

Is the KingSmith R1 Pro worth buying?

Yes, if you prioritise compact storage, walking, jogging and moderate home cardio. Its 10 km/h maximum speed, folding deck and 2-in-1 design make it particularly useful for apartments. It is less suitable for serious high-speed runners.

Can the KingSmith R1 Pro be used as a walking pad?

Yes. Lower the handrail, and it can function as a walking pad, including for suitable home-office use. Raise the handrail to use the faster running mode.

What is the maximum speed of the KingSmith R1 Pro?

The official maximum speed is 10 km/h.

What is the maximum user weight?

KingSmith lists the R1 Pro for users up to 110 kg.

Is KingSmith owned by Xiaomi?

KingSmith is its own company, but it has been associated with the Xiaomi Ecological Chain and its original WalkingPad launched through Xiaomi's crowdfunding platform. It is more accurate to describe KingSmith as a Xiaomi ecosystem-associated company than simply calling it a Xiaomi brand.

Is KingSmith a reliable WalkingPad brand?

KingSmith specialises in compact WalkingPads and foldable treadmills and reports more than 1.7 million units sold across 80+ regions. It is one of the established brands to consider when space-saving home cardio is the priority.