Having a
treadmill at home allows you to avoid going to the gym. It's also
more convenient because you do not have to
move, wait for your turn to use it, or worry about staying on
the machine for too long leaving no room
for others. However, when you have a treadmill at home, you need to
take care of it, in order to keep it functioning effectively. Below
are several tips to keep your treadmill in the best possible shape.
Cleaning and
maintenance
Cleaning and
maintenance of the domestic treadmill is not a fun job. However, even
if you have one of the best treadmills, it will not work properly if
you do not take care of it. Household treadmills are expensive,
especially if they are of good quality, and workouts put a great deal
of stress on the components of the machine.
If you do not spend at least a minimum time taking care of it, the
treadmill will break and you will find
yourself looking for a new one or you will have to face the costs of
the repair.
Cleaning the
Treadmill
One of the most
common causes of premature deck and belt
wear is the accumulation of dirt and debris. For this reason, even
the best home treadmill needs regular
cleaning. If you have a treadmill, you should clean the deck
and belt at least once a month. You should
also clean the areas on both sides of the belt, as well as the
exposed areas of the deck. Also clean the
other parts of the machine with a damp cloth or sponge each week, and
clean / vacuum the treadmill motor area at least three times a year.
When cleaning the motor, follow the
instructions in the user manual.
After cleaning
between the
deck and the
belt,
it is always necessary to lubricate
the belt. Use
proper and specific lubricant, like the ones you can buy on
www.partsfortreadmill.com
Lubrication of
the treadmill
Some treadmills
may have self-lubricating systems or be pre-lubricated. Nevertheless,
this does not last forever and after some time it is necessary to
start regular maintenance including lubrication. Follow the
instructions described in the user manual or those on our blog.
Remember that even in case of irregular use, after a few years (6/8
depending on the treadmill) it is advisable
to replace the running belt, especially if it is not lubricated
regularly, as it hardens and loses some of its elastic properties,
becoming stiffer and generating more friction with the deck.
Belt
alignment
Even the best treadmills for the home may
require alignment of the belt from time to
time, especially if the user uses the treadmill
by walking slightly crooked or if the treadmill
is not perfectly levelled on the floor. The
belt should be straight along the center of
the deck at a similar distance from one
side to the other. If it does not follow this path and tends to go
near the edges, it must be re-aligned by adjusting the bolts on each
side of the back of the machine. Make small adjustments and check
your progress by following the step by step instructions that we have
indicated on our blog. If there are problems with alignment, consult
the user manual or our blog.
Maintenance
and belt tension
Most good
treadmills are properly adjusted at the factory. However, if you use
the treadmill a lot, the belt
may become loose. If it is too loose it will start slipping,
which causes an unpleasant situation for
the user. But be careful when adjusting the tape: if it is too tight,
it will cause damage to the motor and
rollers. The tension of the belt should
always be sufficient to prevent it from slipping. To determine if the
treadmill is slipping, move the treadmill
to a slow pace and press the foot down and forward vigorously. If the
belt slips, it is necessary to tighten the
bolts. Follow the instructions on our blog for more tips.
Replacement of
the belt
Whether you have
purchased a large and expensive home treadmill or a cheaper model,
the
belt will eventually wear out. You
should check the
belt for signs of wear at
least once every three months. To check for wear, rest your hand
along the bottom of it. If the carpet is worn out,
it
changes color (becomes darker) or the lower
white
texture is damaged, it must be replaced. If you continue to
use a
belt that needs to be replaced, the
belt friction will quickly cause damage to
the motor or
control board, which are very
expensive components. It will also cause an increase in energy
consumption every time you use the tool. Replacing the
belt
regularly will increase the life of your tool in a very sensitive
way. When replacing the
belt remember to
buy a low-friction
belt an
d
a recent
one so as to be sure to buy a
quality product.
Low friction belts are available
on www.partsfortreadmill.com
Protection of
the electrical system
Most home
treadmills manufactured today use electronic consoles controlled by
computers and a sophisticated motor control system. Just like a
desktop computer, the electronics on board the treadmill can be
damaged by power surges. To protect the machine from damage, connect
it to an outlet that is properly grounded. If possible, use a
dedicated circuit for your treadmill. Avoid using multi plugs or
similar.