How To Tell If A Treadmill Belt Is Worn Out

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By Simon Gould

Apart from the motor, the treadmill belt is probably the most important part of the machine. It is the part that has contact with the motor, which the motor pushes round to get the speed you want. It has contact with the deck, where there should be no dirt in between. It also has the contact with your feet as you do your running routines.

Maintaining the belt

I'll go through the worn out question but first you should maintain the belt regularly. This is due to it's importance. A regularly maintained belt can extend the life of the treadmill by years. A treadmill can last up to 10 years if looked after properly. So you need to clean the belt every 2 weeks or so and lubricate it every 3 months. These both depend on how often you use it. Here are some guides:

• How to clean a treadmill belt
• Lubricating your treadmill
• Can I use household lubrication on a treadmill?

How to tell if the belt is worn out

If the belt is worn out it doesn't means you need to replace the treadmill, belts can be replaced just like other components of the item can. First you need to evaluate if your treadmill belt is worn out. What you need to do is run it at a very slow speed without you getting on it and look at the edges to see if they've curled up or are frayed.

Next have a look at the seam to see if any part of it is ripped or frayed too. This is a vulnerable area of the belt so problems are likely to occur here first so have a good look. Turn the treadmill off and unplug it and lift the belt up with your hands and there should be 3 to 4 inches of give. If there's more then tighten the belt using the screws at the end. Keep an eye on this to ensure the belt hasn't lost it's rigidity.

If it does need to be replaced then check to see if your treadmill is under warranty. If so talk to customer service at the manufacturer and organize the repair. If not they still may be able to help you or choose a repair man of your own. Don't try to fit the new belt yourself if you're not experienced enough. It may void the warranty and you may damage the treadmill.

If you're considering replacing the belt yourself, Amazon do a wide selection of treadmill belts* and your make and model could be there.

Thinking of buying a treadmill? See my top 3 recommended treadmills for 2021