A treadmill is an essential part of equipment for home gym. The increase in home gym products makes it easier to stay on top of our fitness goals than ever before. And like any of the furniture or equipment in our homes, there will come a time when you’ll have to manoeuvre it around. 

In this guide, we will explore how to move a treadmill and how you can do so safely and with ease. Time to show those strength exercises are paying off! 

Before we get into the logistics of how to move a treadmill, we need to think about the safest and simplest way to do so. Consider before moving; how can I avoid any damage or injury?  

  • Size & Weight Of Treadmill  
    How big is your treadmill? Do you use a standing desk or a gym standard treadmill? These questions will greatly help your plan to move your machine. A folding treadmill with a desk will probably be the easiest and most lightweight to move and could be done alone.  Be wary when moving larger, more commercial style treadmills. You will probably need to ask your gym buddy (if you have one) to help manoeuvre it with you.  
  • Can It Be Folded Or Dismantled?  
    Most treadmills will require some assembly, and if you own a folding treadmill, half of the work is done for you. If you can dismantle the deck from the frame, this will make moving a lot easier. Always read the instruction manual before dismantling.  
  • Can It Be Moved On Its Wheels?  
    If your treadmill has wheels underneath, then it’s an added bonus! Make sure when you are using the wheels, you keep an equal balance to ensure the machine doesn’t tip to one side or topple onto you.   
  • Can You Use A Furniture Dolly?  
    If your machine doesn’t come with wheels, then your best option may be to buy or rent a furniture dolly. We recommend a dolly that can lift up to 1000lbs to ensure it doesn't break under strain.  
Important Things To Know Before Moving A Treadmill

How To Move A Treadmill: Moving Tips 

1. Read Instruction Manual 

One of the most important parts of any expensive machines you own; keep the instruction manual! The instructions will have a lot of useful tips on how to properly care for your treadmill, along with step-by-step assembly/disassembly guides. Don’t be so quick to throw it away; you might find something useful in there! 

2. Remove Doors or Fixtures 

If your path to the treadmill's new home has many obstacles, you will need to take care of these first. Your doorway might be too narrow to fit the treadmill through, so you may have to remove the door for extra space. Make sure your treadmill won’t damage any lights or fixtures on the wall as you move it. 

3. Fold, Dismantle, Or Prepare Dolly

Ensure your treadmill is properly unplugged and the cord is safely out of the way. Remove any safety keys. If your treadmill folds, make sure it is securely locked in the folded position. If you’re dismantling the deck from the main frame, keep your screws safe. Don’t put yourself in a position later where you can’t put it back together. 

4. Prepare To Lift Treadmill 

Most treadmills will require two people to lift. If you are lifting it onto its wheels by yourself, make sure the balance on the wheels is equal. This will help keep it moving in one direction and not drift to the sides. A standing desk treadmill should be relatively light and easier to lift alone. Always lift with your knees and follow proper lifting techniques. Bending your back to lift can cause serious injuries. 

Related Article - How To Clean A Treadmill

5. Roll Treadmill From One Room To Next 

On its wheels upright, make sure you keep a firm grip on the treadmill at all times. Move slowly towards the next room or location you would like it, taking extra care to avoid damage to walls or floor. If you’re using a furniture dolly, move the dolly slowly so as to not lose control of it. Keep yourself upright to stop yourself from injury. 

6. Stop If It Becomes Too Difficult 

There is no shame in taking a moment to recuperate. A treadmill is a heavy piece of equipment, so your own strength and ability should be considered. If you find yourself struggling, or it’s losing its balance, stop. Take five minutes to breathe, and then continue when ready. 

7. Remove From Dolly, Reassemble or Fold Out 

Once you have found the treadmill's new home, you’re ready to reassemble! If you’ve folded the treadmill, make sure you have a firm grip on the deck and lower it slowly. Reassembling will be more difficult; make sure you have the correct fittings nearby and use the instructions. Removing from a furniture dolly may require a second pair of hands to stop any damage to the treadmill, walls, or yourself. 

8. Plug In 

One of the simpler steps, make sure that the plug is undamaged and reaches the socket. If it doesn’t, try to gently move the treadmill closer so the wire is not strained. Return the safety keys to their place and check to see it switches on.  

9. Check For Damage 

Just as a precaution, check the main frame and deck for any potential damage caused. Check the belt and the motor. Once you are sure it’s damage free, you’re ready to run! If you encounter any damage, check the manual to see if you can repair yourself. Otherwise, you may have to contact the manufacturer.  

How To Move A Treadmill

Moving A Treadmill Upstairs 

To begin, you should not attempt to move a home treadmill upstairs by yourself. It is incredibly dangerous and can lead to serious injury, or death. Enlist the help of a buddy (or two or three) to help you. Your treadmill is a delicate machine, so follow these tips to move a treadmill upstairs.  

  1. 1
    Clear a path – make sure the stairs are free of clutter or obstacles.
  2. 2
    As above, lock or dismantle the treadmill. 
  3. 3
    Lift from the back end first – the stronger of the two should lift the heavier end.  
  4. 4
    Flip the treadmill sideways – it will make the journey much easier. 
  5. 5
    Carry the treadmill up the stairs one step at a time, stopping if it becomes difficult.  
  6. 6
    Once up the stairs, carry to the desired location, lower gently and reassemble, fold, etc. 

Moving A Treadmill Downstairs 

Moving a treadmill downstairs will be slightly easier but is also a two-person job. The steps below should help you move your treadmill downstairs. 

  1. 1
    Make sure the path down the stairs is clear of obstacles. 
  2. 2
    Lock or dismantle as you would above.  
  3. 3
    Make sure the back end of the running deck moves down first. Tilt sideways.  
  4. 4
    The person carrying the heavier end should guide the other down, talking through each step towards the lower floor. 
  5. 5
    Stop if you need to. Once on the lower floor, tilt the treadmill up again and move to its new home. 

It may be easier, in both moving up and down, to hire a mover. They’ll be able to keep your treadmill damage-free while also giving you a break. Win-win! 

Moving A Treadmill Downstairs

How To Avoid Injury When Moving A Treadmill

The last thing anyone wants when moving exercise equipment is to become injured. There are several steps you can take to reduce the chances of hurting your back, shoulders, legs  or hands.

Always aim to be lifting with your legs as much as you can. Your legs can support more weight than you upper body so use them both to the maximum effect.

Wearing a back support brace can help take some of the pressure off the lower back. This area is usually the first to go when it comes to strains and pains so always protect it as much as you can.

Use furniture lifting straps as these can help evenly distribute the weight so it doesn't become overladed onto you.

Use multiple people as we never recommend moving large exercise equipment, such as treadmills, on your own. Don't be a hero. There is no olympic gold medal for getting a treadmill down or up the stairs. 

Take your time! Never rush these moves and plan each stage accordingly. Follow all these steps to make moving a treadmill safer and easier.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How can you move a NordicTrack treadmill?

It’s recommended that you disassemble the NordicTrack treadmill in order to minimize the risk of damage. Remove the deck from the main frame and make use of the wheels on the deck to roll to its new home.  

How can you move a Woodway treadmill? 

Woodway treadmills will often come with metal pipes with wheels attached, making them easier to relocate. There are four poles: two each for the front and back. Attach each to the holes on the sides of the treadmill and fold into place, which will move the Woodway treadmill with ease. 

How can you move a Peloton treadmill? 

You should set the incline to 2% to help keep the main frame off the floor. Power the treadmill down and unplug. One person should lift the front while another holds the handrails to tilt upwards. Use the incline wheels to roll the treadmill to where desired.  

How can you move a Horizon treadmill? 

Make sure to fold the treadmill and lock it into place. Horizon treadmills can be moved alone, by tilting onto their wheels using the handlebars. Make sure to have a firm grip on the handles, and slowly wheel the treadmill to its new location. 

What is the heaviest part of a treadmill?  

The motor is generally the heaviest part. Depending on the speed settings of your treadmill, a faster deck will have a bigger motor. The motor is located in the front of the treadmill, below the handrails, and in front of the running deck, which makes the front the heaviest.  

How do you move a treadmill through a doorway? 

With most treadmills measuring a width of 28 inches, it should fit through doorways with no issues. A folding treadmill with wheels is probably the easiest to move through, but taking it apart will also create more room. Take the door off the wall if you need to.  


Conclusion

It might seem daunting to move a treadmill, but it's much easier than you think! It is always safer to enlist help or hire movers when lifting such heavy equipment, but it can be done alone. Be safe, and good luck moving your treadmill! 

Last Updated on April 16, 2024

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Andrew White

Andrew White is the co-founder of Garage Gym Pro. As an expert fitness professional (gym building nerd) with over 10 years of industry experience, he enjoys writing about everything there is to do with modern fitness & the newest market innovations for garage gyms. When he isn’t testing out products for his readers, he’s usually out surfing or playing basketball.