How To Lubricate A Treadmill Belt? (How Often Is It Needed)

Why Lubricate A Treadmill Belt? 

For some, lubricating a treadmill belt may seem like an optional task, something that only needs to be done every now and again – or not at all. However, lubricating your treadmill regularly ensures that: 

Lubricating your treadmill helps extend its lifespan, saving you money and keeping you safe in the long run. 

When To Lubricate A Treadmill Belt (How To Know + How Often) 

Treadmill Belt Starts Sticking 

When you start to feel a sticking sensation in your belt, it may mean that the lubrication from a previous maintenance session has begun to dry and needs to be topped up.

In addition, your belt runs over various rollers, and sticking increases the load on your motor, making technical issues more likely. 

Treadmill Makes A Loud Noise 

If your treadmill makes loud noises while in use, your motor may be under stress. Lubricating your treadmill belt as soon as possible can prevent expensive repairs and minimize noise. 

After A Training Session 

If you do decide to lubricate your treadmill, make sure to do it after you finish using it. Lubricant needs around 12 hours to set after being applied; running on it directly after will just make the oil spill out, rendering it ineffective. 

Before Starting Workouts On A Brand New Treadmill 

Because treadmills can be stored for an extended period, you may find that the lubricant applied by the manufacturer may be sticky or in need of a top-up. We recommend lubricating and leaving the oil to settle before using your treadmill for the first time. 

Frequent Workout Sessions 

The amount that you will need to oil your treadmill will depend on how often you use it, as well as your weight, the type of workouts you do, the temperature of the room, and so on. 

However, the more workouts that you do, the more friction will occur, meaning that you will need to lubricate more often. 

What Kind Of Lubricant Should I Use On My Treadmill? 

What can you use to lubricate a treadmill? Most treadmill experts would recommend using a silicone lubricant when maintaining your machine. Most brands have similar compositions and will be of similar quality, making it easy to find the right one for your machine.

Silicone treadmill oil typically comes as a gel, spray, or wax bar; the spray will provide even coverage, but the gel is most common. We do not recommend using other household oils and lubricants on your machine as they may damage or corrode the parts. 

How To Lubricate A Treadmill Belt (DIY Guide) 

Knowing how to apply lubricant to a treadmill is key to its maintenance cycle. We have a general guide below. However, it is worth noting that some treadmills may have a slightly different method or not need lubrication at all; always check your manual before oiling your machine. 

Materials: 

1. Turn off & unplug your treadmill 

To prevent any injuries, turn off your treadmill completely and unplug it before starting. 

2. Lift the belt 

Slide your hand between the belt and the deck and lift the belt gently. Some treadmills may require you to unscrew or loosen areas of the treadmill to do this – follow manual instructions carefully. 

3. Spread the lubricant 

Give the deck a quick dust before getting the lubricant. Following the product instructions, spread the lubricant from the center to the sides on both the top and underside of the deck. 

4. Plug in & go for a walk 

Once the lubricant is evenly spread, plug your treadmill in and walk for 3-5 minutes. This helps the lubricant spread evenly. Once done, you may need to wipe excess oil from the sides of the treadmill. 

5. Make a schedule 

Once the lubrication is complete, you can create a schedule for oiling and other treadmill maintenance. While times vary depending on brand and your situation, lubricating your machine every 40 hours or every month can be a good general guide. 

Popular Treadmill Brands And How To Lubricate Them 

Lubricating A Nordictrack Treadmill 

How do you lubricate a NordicTrack treadmill?  

How To Lubricate A Proform Treadmill 

How do you lubricate a Proform treadmill? 

Proform recommends doing this twice a year, depending on the model. 

Adding Lubricate To Horizon Treadmills 

Wondering how to lubricate a Horizon treadmill?  

Horizon recommends only using their branded oil on their products. 

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can you use WD 40 to lubricate a treadmill? 

It is not recommended that you use WD 40, or any other household lubricants, as a replacement for silicone treadmill lubricant. Other types of oil can damage or erode parts of your treadmill and make it unsafe. 

How much is the treadmill lubricant? 

Treadmill lubricant prices vary depending on the brand, your local area, and how much you want to buy. That being said, most silicone lubricants will cost between $10 and $20. 

How long do treadmill belts last? 

That depends on a variety of factors, including how much you use it, how often and well you maintain it, what the belt is made of, how well it was built, and so on. However, most 1-ply belts will last roughly 3-5 years, whereas 2-ply belts typically last 5-10 years. 

Conclusion

Your treadmill is an investment in your health and wellbeing; taking proper care of your treadmill is, by extension, taking care of yourself. By lubricating your treadmill extensively using our steps above, you can extend the life of your treadmill and keep fit for years to come.