Buying a treadmill can quickly turn into a list of technical terms: motor power, walking area, incline, maximum user weight, sound and folding mechanisms. The most useful machine is not necessarily the one with the longest specification sheet. It is the one that fits the way you intend to use it, the space you have and how often you expect to train.
This guide works through 12 practical checks for CITYSPORTS walking pads and treadmills, from low-speed walking in a home office to light jogging, incline and regular home training.
Decide how you will use it before comparing models
For slow walking at a desk, a compact walking pad can be more relevant than a larger treadmill. If you want to jog, use incline or have a handrail, compare models designed for those needs instead.
- Walking pad
- Folding treadmill
- Incline
- Home office
1. Intended use
Start with the activity rather than the product name. A walking pad is aimed at walking and a compact setup. A folding treadmill can offer a wider speed range, and some models add a handrail or incline. Choosing by actual use helps avoid paying for a feature you are unlikely to use.
2. Speed range
For walking while working, the source product content groups WP6, WP8 and ZX3 around 1–6 km/h. ZX2 and WP9 extend to 1–12 km/h for walking and light jogging. WP16 extends to 1–15 km/h.
| Use | Speed range shown in the source content | Models to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Home office and walking | 1–6 km/h | WP6, WP8, ZX3 |
| Walking and light jogging | 1–12 km/h | ZX2, WP9 |
| Higher-speed home training | 1–15 km/h | WP16 |
For a more focused explanation, read 12 km/h or 15 km/h: which top speed do you need?
3. Motor power
Motor power needs to be read alongside the intended speed and use. The current source content lists 440 W for WP6, 550 W for WP8 and ZX3, 1400 W for ZX2 and WP9, and 2200 W for WP16. A higher number is not automatically more relevant for low-speed walking.
4. Walking or running area
The usable belt area affects how much room you have for each stride. Walking generally needs less space than jogging, but you should still compare the usable area, the machine’s full dimensions and the clear floor space around it. The separate guide to treadmill belt width and length covers this in more detail.
5. Maximum user weight
Check the current limit on the individual product page and allow an appropriate margin for your intended use. The source guide states 120 kg for WP8 and ZX3, while WP16 is stated at 200 kg.
6. Operating space and storage
Measure twice: once for the space needed while the machine is in use, and again for where it will be stored. A walking pad can be easier to place beneath a desk or beside furniture. A folding treadmill may need more room but can add features such as a handrail.
7. Incline type
Incline can add variety, but the adjustment method differs by model. The source content states manual incline of 0–14% for WP6, up to 7.7 % for WP9 and up to 4% for ZX2. ZX3 is listed with fixed 6° incline, while WP16 uses automatic electrically adjustable incline.
Compare how each option works in practice in our guide to manual and automatic treadmill incline.
8. Perceived noise, vibration and flooring
What you hear depends on more than the motor. Speed, walking style, flooring, footwear and the mat beneath the machine can all affect perceived sound and vibration. If you live in a flat or take calls while walking, read the existing guide to walking-pad noise in an apartment. This link does not alter the original article.
9. Controls, display and app functions
Clear controls can matter more than a crowded display. Check how speed is adjusted, what the LED display shows and whether the model uses a remote control or app. Only rely on a function if it is listed on the current product page for that exact model.
10. Handrail and sense of stability
Compact walking pads prioritise a low profile. If you plan to use a higher speed or prefer a handrail, compare ZX2, ZX6, ZX8 and WP16, then check the current product images and specifications to confirm the exact arrangement.
11. Machine weight and moving it
If the treadmill will be moved after most sessions, check its stated weight and transport arrangement. The source content lists WP6 at approximately 15.7 kg and also records 15.7 kg for WP8. Larger treadmills may be less convenient to move even when they fold.
12. Price, warranty, returns and support
Compare price against the features you will actually use. Before ordering, read the warranty, return and delivery information currently shown in the shop. Those policies can change, so this guide does not repeat a fixed promise.
Current model comparison
| Model | Current source specifications used in this guide | Product page |
|---|---|---|
| WP6 | 1–6 km/h, 440 W, manual incline 0–14%, approximately 15.7 kg | View WP6 |
| WP8 | 1–6 km/h, 550 W, 120 kg maximum user weight, 15.7 kg machine weight | View WP8 |
| ZX3 | 1–6 km/h, 550 W, fixed 6° incline, 120 kg maximum user weight | View ZX3 |
| ZX2 | 1–12 km/h, 1400 W, manual incline up to 4% | View ZX2 |
| WP9 | 1–12 km/h, 1400 W, manual incline up to 7.7 % | View WP9 |
| WP16 | 1–15 km/h, 2200 W, automatic incline, 200 kg maximum user weight | View WP16 |
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first when buying a treadmill?
Start with the intended use: walking, home-office movement, jogging or more regular running. Then compare speed, motor power, belt area, maximum user weight and the room needed to use and store the machine.
Is a walking pad or treadmill better for a small flat?
For low-speed walking and compact storage, a walking pad can be the more relevant format. If you want to jog, compare a folding treadmill or a model designed for the higher speed range.
Do I need incline?
Not necessarily. Incline is optional for desk walking. It may be relevant if you want to vary the effort, but the type and range should be checked for the individual model.
Where should I compare the current range?
Browse the main treadmill collection, the walking-pad collection and the UK-localised under-desk treadmill collection.
Conclusion
A suitable treadmill is not automatically the most powerful or expensive model. Choose by the routine you plan to follow, verify the current specification on the product page and make sure the machine fits both its operating space and storage position.