Walking or jogging is a great way to get your heart pumping, burn calories and stay fit. But if your treadmill belt is slipping, you may not be able to get the workout you’re looking for. If your treadmill belt is skipping, it’s even worse, since you’ll have to work around the problem instead of enjoying your workout.
The treadmill belt slipping is one of the most common problems that people face when using a treadmill. The fact is, this inconvenience is quite easily remedied. If you find that your treadmill belt slips a lot when you are running, you will need to adjust the belt to get it to run smoothly.
A slipping belt can be annoying, but it’s nothing to worry about. It’s usually caused by a buildup of dirt, dust, and debris between the belt and the motor pulley. The solution is to clean the belt and the pulley. You can also try other methods, listed below.
Causes of Treadmill Belt Slipping
Many things can go wrong with your treadmill, and your belt is one of the most important parts of your treadmill. If you are experiencing difficulty with your treadmill belt, we have some suggestions for troubleshooting the problem. This can help you determine if your problem is with your belt, the motor, your safety key, or something else.
- The Belt Needs Lubrication
- Drive Belt May Be Loose
- Walking Belt May Be Too
- Loose Incorrect Belt Tension
The Belt Needs Lubrication
If you notice that the belt on your treadmill is getting a little squeaky or that it’s making a lot of noise, then it’s probably time to seriously lubricate the belt. You only need to lubricate the treadmill belt once a year, so if you don’t plan on using the treadmill for many months, it would be a good idea to lubricate the belt before you store it away.
Drive Belt May Be Loose
If your treadmill sounds like a bus, it is likely the belt is making excessive noise as it runs. The belt may be loose due to a number of reasons, including a worn or deteriorated drive belt, improper tension, or cogged rollers.
Walking Belt May Be Too Loose
The treadmill walking belt is an essential part of the treadmill. The walking belt runs the length of the treadmill and is the part you stand on when walking or jogging. The walking belt is made of a sturdy material, usually vinyl or rubber. The walking belt is what gives your treadmill the ability to hold up to your weight. The walking belt is strong enough to handle a person’s weight, but it may not always be adjusted properly. If your walking belt is too loose it can cause you to stumble or fall.
Incorrect Belt Tension
Treadmill belts are made of rubber. They get stretched out when you use your treadmill and become loose, which will cause the belt to slip, get tossed, or both. If you have a treadmill, it is imperative that you know how to check the belt tension, so you can prevent these problems before they occur.
Incorrect belt tension will cause the treadmill belt to slip. If you are working out with a lot of weight or are trying to run fast the belt will be destroyed if it’s not set at 7. Turn Your tension up and the belt started will start to work better.
Adjusting a Treadmill Belt Tension when Slipping
It’s not uncommon for a treadmill belt to slip off the motor pulley wheels, especially after a period of non-use and there are certain things you can do to prevent this from happening, or if it does, to fix it as fast as possible.
The first thing to do is to make sure the belt isn’t too loose. There’s a way to measure the belt’s tension and compare it to the proper settings recommended by the manufacturer. Keeping the belt properly tensioned is key to a long and reliable treadmill belt life.
Belt Tensioning
The treadmill belt is the moving part of a treadmill. If the treadmill is not moving or is moving slowly it may be because the belt is either too loose or too tight. Loose belts can be caused by a variety of factors, including dried-out lubrication, misalignment of the frame, and bent rollers.
Bent rollers can occur if the treadmill is dropped. The treadmill belt on your treadmill is what allows your treadmill to function, and what allows you to use your treadmill for walking, running, or jogging.
The treadmill belt is typically 2” to 4” wide and made of durable fabric that is also designed to be strong and flexible, since it is used to support your weight.
Over time, the belt will wear out and become loose. Adjusting the treadmill belt tension will make your treadmill work like new again.
Most treadmills include a quick-release lever that allows you to adjust the resistance of the treadmill belt, making it easier to run. If you have a motorized treadmill, make sure the motor is off, and place a 1/4- or 1/2-inch wrench on the belt. Then run the treadmill for a few minutes to loosen up the belt. You can also tighten the belt by hand.
If your treadmill belt seems to move too fast or too slow, the belt tension may be defective or damaged. While you can adjust the tension on many treadmills, it is best to have a professional adjust the belt tension on a treadmill that is not working properly.
Last Words
If you exercise, then you already know how important your treadmill belt is. It’s your lifeline to getting in shape. Of course, if you don’t use it frequently, your belt can get worn down, become unglued, or even wear out completely. So, how can you tell if you need a new treadmill belt? Check your belt for any tears or cracks in the material, and determine if the belt is falling off the track. If it’s frayed or cracked, it’s time to get a new one.