The treadmill belt is what connects your body to the machine. If it’s not set properly, you are going to have problems. A treadmill belt that is too loose will most likely slip, with potentially disastrous injury resulting. Belts that are too tight will result in a stuttery, annoying belt movement that is just as dangerous. So, the answer to the question of how tight should a treadmill belt be is of vital importance. In this article, we’ll provide a definitive answer to that question. We will also explain just what a treadmill belt is, examine the reasons why your belt may be slipping and provide some useful treadmill belt maintenance tips. Read on to find out everything you will ever need to know about how to tighten and maintain your treadmill belt.
Table Of Contents
- 1 How Tight Should A Treadmill Belt Be?
- 2 What Is A Treadmill Belt & Why Is It Important?
- 3 Reasons Why Your Treadmill Belt Might Be Slipping
- 4 The Risk With A Loose Treadmill Belt
- 5 The Risk With A Tight Treadmill Belt
- 6 Tips And Warnings
- 7 When Should I Replace My Treadmill Belt?
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9 Conclusion
How Tight Should A Treadmill Belt Be?
A treadmill belt should be tight enough in its center so that you can lift it by two to three edges on the sides. If you are unable to do that, the belt is too tight.
Another way to check if the running belt is too tight or too loose is to stand on the sides of the running deck and set the speed to about 2 km per hour. Now begin walking on the machine. After a few steps, try to stop the belt from moving with your feet as you grab the side rails. If you are able to do so, it is an indication that the belt is too loose.
A third way to check the correct tightness is to get down on your hands and knees and take a look at the gap between the running belt and the running board below it. Ideally, that distance should be between five and six millimeters. If the gap is smaller than that, it is a sure sign that the running belt is too loose and requires tightening.
A treadmill belt should be tight enough in its center so that you can lift it by two to three edges on the sides. If you are unable to do that, the belt is too tight.
What Is A Treadmill Belt & Why Is It Important?
A treadmill belt is the rubbery surface of the treadmill that you walk or run on. The belt is the only visible moving part of the machine, allowing you to exercise.
Treadmill belts come in a range of sizes, with the standard dimensions being 48 inches in length and 18 inches in width. If you are 6 feet or taller, though, you will need a larger belt size to get a free, natural motion. Taller runners should buy a treadmill with a running belt that is 60 inches long and 20 inches wide.
The treadmill belt is fitted on a front and rear roller and sits above a running board. It moves in a backward direction, the opposite direction to which you are moving. The treadmill console will include a speed button that allows you to adjust the speed with which the running belt moves.
Many treadmills will allow you to adjust the angle of the treadmill belt. Cheaper treadmill belts will usually require manual incline adjustment, where you have to get off the machine and move a lever. More expensive models, though, will have an auto adjust feature. The best treadmills will allow you to set a decline as well as an incline angle.
Types Of Treadmill Belts
Treadmill belts are generally made from rubber. However, there are three different thicknesses or plies of belt as follows:
- Single Ply: A single ply treadmill walking belt consists of just a single piece of rubber. This is what you will usually find on most budget treadmills on the market. They provide the least amount of cushioning and joint stress impact reduction.
- 2-Ply: This type of treadmill walking belt has two layers. The top layer is usually constructed from rubber, while the layer underneath is made from a material like urethane, cotton, polyester or a filament. Naturally, 2-ply belts are heavier than single-ply versions. However, they are also a lot more durable and provide a greater degree of comfort and impact reduction on the joints.
- 4-Ply: The most expensive treadmills may feature a 4-ply treadmill belt. They are a lot more durable and impact absorbing than any other option. In addition, they are able to dissipate heat and reduce the noise coming from the motor. The only potential downside is that the extra weight of the treadmill belt can put quite a bit of strain on the motor. This may negatively impact the life of the machine.
Reasons Why Your Treadmill Belt Might Be Slipping
By understanding the reasons why your treadmill belt tension may be slipping, you will be able to take corrective measures to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. We have identified four main reasons why treadmill belts slip.
Drive Belt May Be Loose
The drive belt is what connects the motor of your treadmill to the front roller. If this belt is loose, it will affect the front roller performance so that it becomes jerky or stuttering. This, in turn, can cause the belt to slip.
Walking Belt May Be Too Loose
Over time, the treadmill belt will naturally loosen. A slipping treadmill belt is most often the result of this process. If not addressed, the belt will become so loose that you won’t be able to use the treadmill at all. Use the visual checks provided in the previous section and if the belt is too loose, tighten it immediately.
The Belt Needs Lubrication
The treadmill walking belt needs to be lubricated so that it can easily move over the rollers. Once that lubricant dries out, the belt’s movements may become jerky or may even slip. This can be dangerous to you as the user.
You should follow the owner’s manual recommendations about how frequently to lubricate the treadmill belt and what lubricant you use.
A slipping treadmill belt is most often the result of this process. If not addressed, the belt will become so loose that you won’t be able to use the treadmill at all.
The Pulley On The Front Roller May Have Lost Its Grip
The motor of the treadmill is a pulley that is designed to maintain the proper weight balance and keep the treadmill walking belt in proper alignment. Due to wear and tear, this belt may lose its grip, which can cause the running belt to drift either to the left or the right. If you notice this happening, it may be an indication that you need to replace the front roller.
The Risk With A Loose Treadmill Belt
Slipping When Running Or Walking Or A Crooked Walking Belt
A walking belt that is too loose is prone to slipping when you are walking or running. This is potentially hazardous and may lead to you ending up face down on a moving treadmill belt. At best, you’ll end up with some scrapes and scratches and, at worst, you could land in hospital.
If the treadmill belt tension is too loose, it may also cause the belt to be incorrectly positioned. It may be crooked or it may drift either to the left or to the right. None of these things are good, as they will compromise your running form and feel very uncomfortable.
Sluggish Performance On The Drive Belt
If the walking belt tension is too loose, you will immediately notice impaired drive belt performance. Rather than the fluid, constant belt motion that you expect, you will end up with a sluggish, jittery action that is extremely frustrating. You may also end up with a slipping belt. This type of jolting belt motion is also bad news for the joints of your ankles, knees and hips.
Check our review of the best underbed treadmills on the current market.
The Risk With A Tight Treadmill Belt
Runner’s Knee
A treadmill belt that is too tight will result in a stuttering performance. This is very stressful on the joints, especially the knees. This may lead to a condition known as runner’s knee. A belt that is too tight can also put excessive stress on the motor, causing it to burn out. By making a simple treadmill belt adjustment, you will be able to both save your knees and the life of your treadmill motor.
Tips And Warnings
Adjusting Left Or Right
Some treadmills have levers on either side of the handlebars that allow you to adjust the lateral direction of the treadmill belt. You simply move the lever to the left or right. You can also adjust the tension of the belt by moving the lever up or down.
Other treadmills allow you to adjust the belt tightness by pushing buttons on the control monitor. Check the user manual of your model to see just how to do this. On some models, there will be knobs on the sides of the hand grips that allow you to make adjustments to the tightness or looseness of the treadmill belt.
Tightening And Loosening
To make a manual treadmill walking belt adjustment, locate the pair of front and rear roller adjustment bolts located at the rear and front of the deck of the machine. Use the Allen wrench that comes with your machine to adjust these tension bolts until you achieve the desired tightness.
Adjusting the center treadmill belt tightness is as easy as that. It is not a difficult job and anyone can do it with an Allen wrench that comes with the purchase.
When Should I Replace My Treadmill Belt?
You should replace your treadmill belt when you notice that it has become damaged. Things to look out for are frayed edges and loose threads on the sides of the belt. These are sure signs that the belt needs to be replaced. You should expect your treadmill deck belt to last for between 300 and 500 hours. For most people that equates to between three and five years of use.
Always check your product warranty before spending money on a replacement deck as you may find that you are still under the belt warranty protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Treadmill Belt Loose?
Your treadmill belt is too loose if there is less than a 5 mm (3/16 in) gap between it and the running board. Other indications that the belt is too loose is that you are able to physically stop the running belt from moving by standing still on it when it is at a low speed. A third indication is that you are able to lift the edge of the belt more than 3 inches (7.6 cm) with your fingers.
Do Treadmill Belts Stretch Over Time?
Yes, treadmill belts do stretch over time. This natural stretching of the rubber will cause the belt to become looser. As a result, you need to regularly check for a loose belt and make adjustments as soon as you notice it. Natural treadmill belt stretching will cause the belt to move to the left or right side and make it difficult for you to run naturally.
Why Am I Slipping On My Treadmill?
You may be slipping on your treadmill because of improper walking or running technique. Another reason may be that the pulley on the front roller has lost its grip. This may require replacement of the roller, in which case you should call in a service repair person. The problem may also be due to an over tightened left rear roller bolt that has made the center treadmill belt too tight. This can easily be adjusted with an Allen wrench.
Conclusion
A center treadmill belt that is either too tight or too loose is not something that should be ignored. In this article, we have answered the question how tight should a treadmill belt be to enable you to take the appropriate corrective measures and ensure that you are getting the best performance out of your treadmill investment.
