How to Lubricate a Treadmill Belt

Nothing beats the safety and comfort of a personal treadmill. Sure, it might not be the most engaging way to exercise, but it’s comforting to know you have a warm, dry, and safe place to run at any time of the day or night. That assumes, of course, that it works properly. There’s nothing worse than jumping on your treadmill only to find it’s not running smoothly or, worse, not working at all.

A treadmill requires regular maintenance to ensure it runs properly and maximizes its lifespan. One of the easiest ways you can have (yes, I mean she can do this!) keeping up with routine maintenance is lubricating your treadmill. Here’s everything you need to know about how to do it.

What is a treadmill?

Lubricating your treadmill is a simple and easy task, but it helps to understand basic treadmill terminology and anatomy. The treadmill belt (also known as treadmill or running belt) is a circular piece of rubber that wraps freely around two pulleys at either end of the treadmill and the stationary treadmill deck. The belt is the actual surface that moves when you run. When the treadmill is on, the motor spins the front pulley, also called the drive pulley, which carries the belt across the deck and rear pulley.

Why you should lubricate your treadmill belt

Every time you step on the treadmill, it pushes against the treadmill deck, creating friction between the treadmill and the deck, explains Jon Fasulo, owner of treadmill fixation, a full-service treadmill repair company based in the Philadelphia area. “The more friction you have, the harder the engine has to work, which can lead to premature engine and engine timing failure,” explains Fasulo. Lubrication acts as a buffer to reduce friction between deck and belt, preventing excessive stress on the motor and controls.

Scott Eastman, senior test lab supervisor at Nautilus, advises you to first read the owner’s or service manual to determine the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most manuals will tell you how to lubricate your treadmill and how often. Fasulo agrees with Eastman’s recommendation of consulting the owner’s manual first, adding that some quality consumer and commercial brands like NordicTrack, Spirit, Precor, and Life Fitness have maintenance-free belts that don’t require lubrication. He warns, “Some manufacturers may threaten to void warranties if you don’t follow their recommendations.”

Know when to lubricate your treadmill belt

How often you need to lubricate your belt depends on the manufacturer and can range from 25 to 180 hours of use. Your owner’s manual will usually give you a frequency interval for your particular model. Fasulo advises “lubricating less (volume) more often than much (volume) much less often”. One way to tell if it’s time to grease is to lift the edges of the belt and feel between it and the deck. Eastman says, “You should feel some slippage from the lubricant on the underside of the belt. If it doesn’t feel smooth, you should lubricate it.” A mistake many people make is just feeling under the edges of the belt. The edges are often adequately lubricated while the center can be dry. This is because heat can cause the lubricant to evaporate and dissolve faster in high stress areas while remaining behind in less stressed areas.

How to lubricate your treadmill belt

If you’re not a DIY enthusiast, don’t worry; Eastman and Fasulo say lubricating your belt is a quick and easy task that anyone can do. No disassembly of parts is required. They recommend allowing 5 to 10 minutes the first time. Over time, as you become more comfortable, it should only take a minute or two. You need to buy 100 percent silicone lubes. Non-silicone lubes like WD40 contain additives that could potentially damage the belt.

Fasulo recommends a bottle with an extendable nozzle, such as Spot-On Treadmill Lubricant or Godora Treadmill Lubricant. This makes it easier to apply lubricant to the center of the treadmill without disturbing belt tension. You can also buy a treadmill lubrication kit like this Lube-N-Walk Deluxe Treadmill Maintenance Kit, in which the user applies silicone lubricant to a foam that is applied to a long piece of flexible plastic and then runs it along the underside of the strap. However, this method is not as easy as using 100 percent silicone spray.

Before applying the lube, it is important to unplug your treadmill before placing your hands under the treadmill. It is also advisable to cover the surrounding floor with disposable paper or towels to prevent lube from dripping onto the floor. Depending on the brand of 100% silicone lube you purchase, the application pattern and amount may vary. Fasulo says the pattern doesn’t matter. “The most important thing is to make an application underneath where each foot would be on the treadmill.” He acknowledges that lubricant manufacturers tend to override the amount of lubricant needed. Fasulo says to use half an ounce, maybe a full ounce if the belt is partially dry from lubrication between the two sides. Applying too much lube can cause it to ooze out the sides and onto the belt and tread, as well as the floor around your treadmill. when you buy Godora’s 16oz Treadmill Lubricantit comes with a syringe that dispenses the desired amount of lube.

Be careful to keep the nozzle away from the top of the treadmill. If lubricant gets on the tread, it is very difficult to remove. After the lube has been applied, plug the treadmill back in and walk on the treadmill at a very slow walking pace for two to three minutes. This distributes the lubricant throughout the belt.

A step-by-step guide to lubricating a treadmill

Step 1: Buy 100% Silicone Lubricant (Spot-On Treadmill Lubricant or Godora Treadmill Lubricant)

Step 2: Cover the surrounding floor with disposable paper or towels to prevent lube from getting on your floor

Step 3: Disconnect all power supplies from the treadmill

Step 4: Lift the edge of the belt and apply half an ounce to one ounce of lube under the center of the belt where your feet would be

Step 5: Reconnect the treadmill to the power supply

Step 6: Walk at a very slow walking pace for two to three minutes