You might think the belt on your treadmill will last forever. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong. Most treadmill belt manufacturers recommend replacing the belt every 2,500 to 3,000 miles. While it’s easy to balk at that kind of money—a new belt costs around $100—a worn-out belt can significantly damage your treadmill. Worse yet, it can cause you to get injured.
Here’s how to tell if your belt needs replacing, how to easily replace it yourself, and what signs to look out for that signal it’s time to replace the belt.
The Lifespan of a Treadmill Belt
In general, it’s a good idea to replace a treadmill belt when it’s worn out, if you want to get the most value out of your exercise equipment. The average lifespan of a treadmill belt is between 400-500 hours, which means you should replace it after every 2,500-3000 miles, depending on its quality.
Generally, the lifespan of a treadmill belt is shorter in areas with high humidity or high heat, and longer in places with low humidity and cold temperatures. Another factor that affects the lifespan of a treadmill belt is the weight a person places on it. The heavier a person is, the shorter the belt will last.
How To Tell If A Treadmill Belt Is Worn Out
If you’re the proud owner of a treadmill, then you know how important it is to take proper care of it. After all, your treadmill is going to help you lose weight and get in shape, so if it isn’t in working order it defeats the purpose. Yes, treadmills are expensive, but you still need to take care of them if you want them to last.
A broken treadmill will not put in the hours you need to lose weight and get fit. That’s why you should replace your treadmill belt when it starts to show signs.
If you run, walk, or jog regularly, you know how important a solid, reliable belt on your treadmill can be. However, over time, a treadmill belt will wear down and may need to be replaced.
How can you tell if your belt needs replacement?
Look for the following signs: Noise – One of the first indications that your belt may be on its way out is a strange, high-pitched squeaking noise as you run.
This may not be pleasant, but it’s a good time to check your belt and see if it’s just the belt or if it’s coming from the roller bearings. If the noise is the belt, it could have lost its adhesion to the roller and it.
If you can easily slip your hand through between the belt and the side of the running deck, it’s time to replace it. If the belt is worn out, the belt could slip, causing a treadmill accident and that’s never good. When the belt is worn out, it will also wear out the treadmill’s motor and deck bearings.
If you have been using the treadmill for a while, you might notice that the belts are worn out. They will need to be replaced at some point. But, before you do that, you should check if the problem is due to the actual treadmill or the belt.
To check this out, all you need to do is check the below to see if any of the below are problematic:
- Check to see if there is any cracked or broken parts.
- Check the belt for any kinks or tears.
- Check to see if the rubber is peeling off.
When you find any of the above, then it is time to replace your treadmill belt. If all you find is that the treadmill belt is worn out, then you should replace it.
Replacing The Belt
One of the most common repairs for treadmills is replacing the walking belt. This involves removing the machine from the floor, disassembling the motor, and replacing the walking belt itself. Unfortunately, many treadmill owners neglect to keep up with regular maintenance and end up paying a professional service to fix something they could have done themselves, for much less money.
You will need a Phillips screwdriver, an Allen wrench, and in some cases a pair of pliers. The most difficult part of this job is removing all the screws attaching the cover to the machine.
- Step 1: Turn off the power to the treadmill. Exercise equipment can give off an electric shock when power is still on, so you’ll need to make sure that your treadmill is turned off and unplugged from the mains.
- Step 2: Take all of the screws out of the cover
- Step 3: Open the cover-up
- Step 4: Remove the yellow clip holding the old belt in place.
- Step 5: Take the old belt out of the track.
- Step 6: Install the new belt in the same way the old one was.
After replacing the treadmill belt, you need to check if it is safe to use. Just in case, it is possible that the belt could be too tight, which is not safe to use. If it is too loose, it could slip.
To check the belt first, after replacing the treadmill belt, pull it and it should return smoothly. If the belt is tight, loosen it and if it is loose, tighten it. Make sure the belt is not too tight or too loose.
Now, If you are confident that the belt is suitable for use, you can go ahead and start using the treadmill again.
Last Words
If you’re a regular treadmill user, then you probably know how important it is to change your treadmill belt regularly. Not only does a worn-out belt affect the treadmill’s efficiency, which in turn has a significant impact on the effectiveness of your fitness routine, but it also poses a safety risk. A worn-out belt will not only fail to absorb the impact of your feet hitting the belt, but it can also tear and snap, which could cause it to fly off the machine and strike you or someone nearby. As a result, keeping your treadmill belt in good condition is not only important for your health and safety, but it’s also the law.
