A treadmill is a smart investment in your health, and like any investment: proper maintenance is essential. Whether you walk daily while working from home or train intensively for your running goals, a well-maintained treadmill performs better, lasts longer, and remains safe to use.
By regularly cleaning your treadmill, checking components, and using the right lubricants, you prevent wear and technical problems. In this article, we'll explain step by step how to keep your treadmill in top condition, so you can continue moving worry-free, day after day.
How to maintain a treadmill
Maintaining your treadmill might sound complicated, but with a few simple actions, you can keep your treadmill in top condition. Think of regular cleaning, inspecting components, lubricating the running surface, and checking tension.
By structurally incorporating this treadmill maintenance into your routine, you prevent unnecessary wear and keep your treadmill safe and pleasant to use. Below, we'll explain step by step exactly what you need to do to keep your treadmill in top shape.
1. Clean your treadmill properly
One of the simplest but most effective ways to maintain your treadmill properly is by cleaning it regularly. After each workout, it's important to clean the running surface, display, and surrounding parts with a slightly damp cloth. Especially sweat can be harmful to the electronics and belt surface over time, so immediate cleaning after a workout is essential to prevent damage.
Additionally, it's wise to dust your treadmill thoroughly at least once a week, including the underside and around the motor area. Dust can accumulate in moving parts and ventilation openings, which can negatively affect performance over time. By keeping your treadmill clean, you not only ensure a fresh device but also extend its lifespan and continue exercising comfortably.
2. Check your treadmill components
Besides cleaning your treadmill, it's wise to inspect your treadmill regularly. Start by checking all screw connections. Due to vibrations during use, screws can loosen over time. Therefore, check them once a month with a suitable Allen key or screwdriver and carefully tighten them where necessary.
Also check the centering of the treadmill belt. If the running surface isn't positioned neatly in the center, this can cause uneven wear and a less pleasant running experience. Set your treadmill to a low speed and see if the belt runs neatly in the center. Does the belt drift to the left or right? Then you can easily correct this with the adjustment knobs at the back of the device. Consult the manual for the specific model you're using.
Finally, the belt tension is also important. A belt that's too loose can start slipping, while a belt that's too tight puts unnecessary pressure on the motor. How to check and adjust this exactly, we'll explain later in this article. By performing these types of checks regularly, you prevent bigger problems and ensure your treadmill continues to function smoothly.
3. Lubricating the treadmill
A well-lubricated treadmill is essential for smooth movement and a long lifespan. Friction between the running surface and the underlying platform can cause wear on moving parts. Silicone oil reduces that friction and ensures your treadmill continues to run smoothly, while the motor and other components are less stressed.
Preferably use the original WalkingPad silicone oil for your WalkingPad treadmill (naturally also suitable for treadmills from other brands). WalkingPad silicone oil is specially developed for lubricating treadmills and prevents damage that other lubricants might cause.
Application is simple: fold the foldable running surface slightly upward and apply a thin, even layer of oil to the platform under the belt, ideally in the center. Then let the WalkingPad run for a few minutes at low speed, so the oil spreads well over the entire surface.
How often you need to lubricate depends on usage. With normal use (two to three times per week), lubricating once every three months is sufficient. If you use the treadmill more intensively, it's recommended to lubricate your treadmill once a month. If you notice the belt running less smoothly, making more noise, or not moving fluidly, that's often a signal that it's time to lubricate your treadmill.
4. Checking treadmill belt tension
Proper tension of the running surface is crucial for safe and comfortable training. If the belt is too loose, it can slip or move unevenly. If the tension is too high, this puts unnecessary pressure on the motor and accelerates component wear. Therefore, it's important to check the tension regularly and adjust when necessary.
You check the tension by turning off the device and pushing the center of the running surface slightly upward with your hand. There should be approximately 3 to 5 centimeters of space between the running surface and the platform. If the space is larger or smaller, adjustment is needed.
You can do this via the adjustment screws at the back of your treadmill. By turning both screws a quarter turn clockwise, you increase the tension. If you turn counterclockwise, you make the belt looser.
It's important to always adjust both sides evenly, so the running surface stays well-centered. After adjusting, let the treadmill run for a few minutes at low speed and check again if the tension is now correct.
Keep your treadmill in top condition just like yourself!
Just as you take good care of your body, your treadmill also deserves regular proper attention. By consistently cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, and adjusting, you not only extend your treadmill's lifespan but also enjoy a safer and more pleasant training experience. Good treadmill maintenance prevents technical defects and keeps you moving, without frustrations or interruptions.
Are you looking for a treadmill that's maintenance-friendly, compact, and easy to use? Then discover our range of treadmills and choose the model that fits your lifestyle. This way, you stay in top shape (and so does your treadmill)!
