A Quick Guide to Basic Treadmill Maintenance
Research shows that only 24.2% of US adults are exercising enough. The fitness standards set in 2018, recommend people work out at least 150 minutes every week.
If you wanted to get more active, you may have purchased a treadmill. But it is important to understand treadmill maintenance to keep this piece of equipment in good condition.
Treadmill care will help to prevent common treadmill problems from occurring. It also ensures this equipment will stay safe and in workable condition.
Keep reading to find out how treadmill maintenance works.
Wipe Down the Machine
When it comes to treadmill maintenance, the first step is keeping it clean. You should always wipe down the exercise equipment each time you use it.
You can do this with wet wipes or a damp washcloth. This helps to remove sweat and bacteria that would otherwise flourish and start to spread.
You should do this on any of the areas where you have been touching the machine. Once every few weeks, you can also wipe down the entire machine to remove dust.
Clean Under the Belt
The different types of treadmills may require different kinds of care. But most will need the belt maintained to a certain extent.
For example, you should clean under the belt on a monthly basis. This is an area that is very susceptible to wear and tear and dirt collecting.
If it is not cleaned, dirt and dust accumulation can cause greater wear and tear. You should vacuum under the belt and use a wet washcloth to wipe away any grime.
Clean the Motor
Another task you should take on monthly for your workout equipment is cleaning around the motor. This is a little bit more difficult, but it is still necessary.
Check the user manual to see if there are any instructions on how to do this. You will usually need to pop the hood off of the treadmill motor and vacuum around it.
Don’t remove the motor itself or try to clean it directly. The most important thing is to make sure debris is not collecting around the motor itself.
Tighten the Belt
When it comes to treadmill maintenance, the belt is very important. You may need to tighten the belt if the tension has worn down a bit.
You may have noticed this while using the treadmill if it felt too loose and awkward. You should be able to do this by adjusting the two bolts at the end of the treadmill deck.
The owner’s manual should instruct you on how to do this. You may also need to adjust the belt if it is off-center or too tight.
This can also be done by adjusting those two bolts at the end of the treadmill deck.
Lubricate the Belt
You may also need to lubricate the belt as needed. This is not something that needs to be done weekly or monthly, but you should keep an eye on it.
More affordable treadmills may need this every few months, depending on how much you use it. Higher-quality treadmills may not require it as much.
Keep in mind that most belts require a 100% silicone lubricant. You could easily mess up your belt by using the wrong kind of lubricant for that machine.
That’s why you should always reference your owner’s manual before doing any maintenance. In some instances, you may also need to replace the belt completely.
You will need to find the right kind of belt and figure out how to install it. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you should hire professionals to do it for you.
Use a Surge Protector
There’s always a risk of unexpected power surges coming to your treadmill. To avoid having this happen, you can plug it into a surge protector.
This will ensure that the machine will not get a power surge when it is plugged in. Some experts also recommend unplugging the machine when you are not using it.
Check for Wear
A weekly and monthly maintenance habit you should have is checking for wear and tear. This is important as it lets you know how your treadmill is holding up.
Excessive wear and tear could also indicate that something is wrong. If you catch this early on, you may be able to fix it yourself and prevent a costly problem.
Keep in mind that some wear and tear is normal, especially if you use your treadmill on a weekly basis.
When to Call a Pro
There are many ways you can maintain your treadmill machine. But if something more severe comes up, you may have to call the professionals.
You can find the fitness equipment repair linked here to a company that does this job. This is the best option if your treadmill has stopped working completely.
Or you may have noticed that a part needs to be replaced that you are not comfortable doing yourself. These are examples of when it may be better to hire a professional.
Treadmill Maintenance: Everything to Know
If you own a treadmill, you are probably interested in treadmill care. Treadmill maintenance is very important so that this piece of equipment stays in good condition.
If it isn’t cared for, it could wear down very quickly. There may also be issues with the machine that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Did you find this article on treadmill maintenance interesting? Keep reading for more health and fitness-related content you may find useful.
