Over 60% of Americans aren’t engaging in recommended amounts of exercise on a regular basis. You don’t have to have the routine of a professional athlete to reap the benefits of exercise, but you do have to make a commitment.
Buying a treadmill is a great way to increase your physical activity, especially if you’re sensitive to extreme temperatures. Being able to walk or jog indoors can make it easier to stick with a daily fitness routine.
The problem is that your trusty treadmill can break down. Learning the basics of treadmill repairs can help.
Read on to learn more about how to fix common treadmill problems and when it’s time to call a professional.
Table of Contents
Basic Treadmill Maintenance
Before we get into basic repairs, let’s talk about the basics of treadmill maintenance. From wiping down your treadmill to spotting early signs of trouble, these steps can keep big problems at bay. Let’s take a closer look.
Use a Surge Protector
Rather than plugging your treadmill directly into the wall, plug it into a high-quality surge protector. Fluctuations in voltage can cause serious damage to the electronic elements of your treadmill, rendering it useless without expensive repairs. A surge protector lowers those chances substantially—but make sure that you’re not overloading that same surge protector with tons of other electronics.
Wipe Down Your Treadmill
When you’re at the gym, it’s a given that you should wipe down the fitness gear you use once you’re done with it. What you might not realize is that you should be doing the same thing at home. No, sweat and grime won’t necessarily damage your treadmill, but they can allow bacteria to grow, and antibacterial wipes are an easy tool to use to prevent the spread of germs, even within your own household.
Keep an Eye Out for Wear and Tear
Every time you use your treadmill, make sure that you’re keeping an eye out for wear and tear so that you can act quickly and prevent worsening treadmill problems. This can include things like fraying edges on the belt or slow, sluggish movement. It can also include loose or broken parts, damage to the control panel or screen, or new motor noise.
Cleaning Under the Belt
If you do notice that your belt is starting to get sluggish when you walk or jog, the first step is to clean the area between the belt and the deck. When grime and dust build up in this area, it can cause too much friction beneath the belt, which can not only slow down movement but also put undue strain on the motor.
To clean under the belt, grab a long cloth and feed it under the belt so that you can hold it on both sides. Then, run the cloth back and forth from the top of the belt to the bottom to loosen and remove any buildup.
Tightening the Belt
The belt can also become sluggish or start to drift off to one side if it has gotten too loose. This will happen over time to most treadmills, so knowing how to tighten the belt is crucial.
First, turn the treadmill on and set it to no more than 3 miles per hour. Then, locate the two screws that control belt tightness, typically located at the end of the treadmill on either side of the belt. Slowly turn each screw to the right until the belt is centered again.
Make sure you don’t over-tighten your treadmill belt. With the motor turned off, hold the edges of each side of the belt, standing close to the center of your treadmill. You should be able to lift the belt about two to three inches and if you can’t, you need to loosen it before you use it again.
Lubricating the Belt
How often you need to lubricate your treadmill will depend primarily on its quality and how often you use it. Proper belt lubrication is one of the most important things you can do for your treadmill because it will prevent a lot of other problems from occurring.
First, you’re going to need the right lubricant. We recommend using a lubricant designed for treadmill belts, rather than repurposing lubricant designed for other kinds of equipment. Plus, treadmill lubricants come with the right straw-like applicator for the job.
Head to the front of your treadmill and insert the applicator under the belt so that it’s about halfway across the width of the belt. Use steady pressure to squeeze the lubricant from the bottle, dragging the applicator slowly toward you as you go. Repeat this process on the other side of the belt and run your treadmill for about five minutes to distribute the lubricant from top to bottom.
Big Treadmill Problems Require Professional Help
What if you’re having bigger treadmill problems than the ones that we’ve described here? If you’ve got big problems, it’s time to call for professional help with fitness equipment repair found here.
This includes problems with your treadmill motor, screen, deck, and overall structure. It can also include issues with the belt, assuming the steps we’ve discussed above don’t address the problem. At the end of the day, professional repairs are the best choice when it comes to treadmill maintenance.
Master Treadmill Repairs to Master Your Fitness Routine
If your treadmill is an important part of your fitness routine, it’s time to master treadmill repairs. The better you know how to spot problems, fix them yourself, and recognize the signs that it’s time to call a professional, the longer your treadmill will last.
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