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22nd Aug 2025
A treadmill (also known as a running machine) is one of the most popular pieces of fitness equipment in households and gyms and can be a significant investment into your business and life. It can improve the fitness and health of customers or yourself, whether you enjoy a brisk walk or a fully dedicated run. Your treadmill is likely to see a lot of action throughout its life and may show signs of wear and tear over the years. But, just like any other piece of fitness machinery, it will need regular maintenance and care for it to remain effective in accomplishing its purpose.
In this blog, we will be providing you with information on treadmill maintenance and tips for cleaning. This will include regular tasks and annual tasks. Other information on things like troubleshooting and repairs will be provided to ensure the correct knowledge is retained on treadmills. At Elite Gym Maintenance, we strive to ensure your treadmill stays as reliable as the day you purchased it.
Treadmills may just look like large scale conveyor belt but they are much more complicated on the inside. Containing parts such as motors, belts, rollers and electronic components, skipping regular maintenance and upkeep can total up and become costly.
Performing small, routine maintenance can lead to a better performing treadmill and less outflow costs on repairs for you or your business. A little bit of care can protect your investment and ensure safety whilst training.
Ensuring that these small daily maintenance tasks are carried out can significantly increase the lifespan of your treadmill. Here are a few tips for daily maintenance and routines to follow for the highest level of performance and longevity.
Once you or your customer has completed a workout, dust and sweat can accumulate into the treadmill and on the belt. Use a microfibre cloth to wipe down all surfaces such as the console and handles, side rails and the surface of the belt. Do not use any harsh chemicals such as bleach or disinfectant on the treadmill as this can cause damage. Instead, use a sparing amount of water and a few small drops of mild soap. This can ensure a more thorough clean has been completed.
Whilst the treadmill is in use, ensure to listen out for any noises that sound unusual or different from when you first purchased the treadmill or running machine. Any squeaking, grinding or knocking can indicate that there is a bigger issue.
Addressing these issues early on can prevent a large investment of money into the already pricey machine. This will avoid bigger problems later down the line, saving time, money and allowing you to use the machine whenever needed.
Weekly treadmill maintenance refers to keeping the area around the treadmill and the base of the treadmill. Ensuring that things from the floor are not getting trapped inside of the treadmill and making sure that all components are working correctly. Here are some small weekly tips to improve the conditions for your treadmill.
Lots of nasty stuff can begin to accumulate around and under your treadmill. By hoovering around and underneath it every week, you are expanding the longevity of tour treadmill and reducing maintenance costs from blockages.
This will prevent the ingress of dirt and mitigate the risk of accumulated dirt and debris causing blockages. This can significantly expand the treadmill’s lifespan.
The most important parts of a treadmill are the running belt and deck. Without these components, there would be nowhere for someone to walk or run on top of. Maintenance for these parts are very important and should be carried out weekly to determine if any larger scale repairs need to be conducted.
Conducting these checks can ensure that your treadmill will last the extra mile and can reinforce safety as well as preventing injury from broken components. All of which saves money.
Over time, the repetitive impact of running or walking on a treadmill may cause any bolts or screws to become loose. This can cause a major health and safety risk (especially for businesses) when it comes to customer or personal use. Ensure to check all frame bolts, handle screws and console screws to ensure that they are firmly in place and will not come loose within the next month. If some bolts and screws are loose, grab a wrench or a screwdriver and adjust them accordingly. Beware to not over tighten any bolts or screws, especially around plastic components, as it can cause cracking or breakages to the frame.
Treadmill belts are similar to conveyor belts in the fact that they need lubrication to be able to run smoothly and efficiently. A treadmill belt should be lubricated every three to six months or after every 150 miles of use. This can vary depending on the model of treadmill and how frequently it is in use.
TIP: Before lubricating your treadmill belt, please check to ensure that your treadmill does NOT have a self-lubricating deck. Do NOT lubricate the belt if the deck is self lubricating as this can cause the belt to become too smooth and may slip out of position.
This is the most efficient and cost effective way to prevent your treadmill belt from seizing up and requiring professional attention.
Once a year, it is usually recommended to have a professional come and tune your machine to ensure it is performing to the best of its ability. At Elite Gym Maintenance, our highly qualified technicians can perform and complete and comprehensive tune-up, this includes:
If any parts appear as though they need changing or repairing, we can provide you with a quote and double check with you to ensure that all work is wanted and within budget. We will NOT fit or repair any components without knowledge or a consultation to explain the problem and discuss a course of action with our clients.
Some parts such as the running belt, deck, drive belt and rollers are the most common components that need replacing. This is due to the heavy strain of running or walking on a treadmill constantly. Usually, noises will begin and the treadmill will feel different when in use when a problem has occurred. On some modern treadmills, the console screen can provide information on components, alerting the user or gym that there is an issue that needs addressing.
Though treadmills are a heavy duty form of machinery, manufactured to endure heavy footing and force, common problems can occur. Some treadmills may encounter more problems than others depending on the make and model of the machine. Some common problems are the treadmill is not turning on or starting, the belt on the treadmill is slipping, the console is unresponsive and a burning smell coming from the treadmill. We can tell you how to address these common issues and provide information on how to repair them.
If your treadmill is not turning on or starting, ensure that you have check the power supply from the plug, all the way down the lead and to the treadmill itself. Examine for any rips, tears or breakages on the wire or plug. If a surge protector is being used, ensure to check that too. If nothing appears broken, try to reset the breaker or replace a fuse within the treadmill.
If the running belt on a treadmill is beginning to slip, ensure you check for the tension bolts located on the sides of the treadmill. These bolts may need tightening or loosening. If these bolts seem to be fine, check for a worn drive belt. This can indicate that a part of the belt has been torn or frayed during use, causing the belt to move out of place and become unsafe.
When the console is unresponsive, this indicates an electrical problem. Ensure that all worse are intact and connections are strong. This means that wires should not appear lose or unkept and should be tidy and guided. The machine could also need restarting. A firmware update could be necessary for continuous use. A professional technician may need to be hired for this depending on what type of update and what make/model the treadmill is. They will bring specialised equipment with them to download the update and resolve the issue.
A burning smell can indicate multiple things with a treadmill:
If a burning smell is being produced whilst the treadmill is in use, unplug the device immediately and do not use it until the problem is solved as this may become a fire risk. Inspect the treadmill, identify and clear out any blockage. At Elite Gym Maintenance, we can provide basic and in-depth maintenance services to ensure your treadmill is running to the best of its ability.
A treadmill that has been maintained well and cared for like its part of the family can make a much safer, quieter and more efficient workout and experience. 30 minutes of care each month can prevent your treadmill from costing you or your business money and will ensure that the machine will last for years to come, regardless of age. Ensure that treadmill maintenance comes first, do not wait around for something to go wrong. Mitigate that risk now and your wallet will thank you for it later.
If you need any help with treadmill care, repair or maintenance, do not hesitate to contact our friendly team who will provide you with a suitable technician to resolve your problem!
