Treadmill Belt Wear

With regular use all treadbelts need replacing at some point, but by taking a few easy measures you'll get a few extra miles out of yours.

Start off by regularly checking the condition of the belt - every three to six months should do it.

The most frequent cause of belt wear are friction and overtension.

Friction occurs between the belt and rollers and is due to inadequate lubrication and resultant belt tension, or simply too much tension on the belt.

To minimise friction, apply a Treadmill belt lubricant according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Some belts are waxed or don't need lubrication at all but if lube is required - apply as required.

Treadbelts come pre-tensioned by the manufacturer. However, belts stretch so to reduce belt wear adjust the belt's tension by using the tension bolts on the rear roller.

The belt shouldn't be too tight as this will cause wear on the rollers and put strain on the motor.

Check the belt alignment too. The belt should run directly down the middle of the deck. If it runs slightly off-centre, use the tension bolts to make any necessary adjustments.

This should prevent one part of the belt wearing out quicker than the rest of the belt.

When the belt is ready to be replaced don't put it off. A worn belt will increase wear on the deck, rollers and motor.

Ignoring belt wear may well cost you more than the the price of replacing the belt in the long run.

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