Treadmills are a good addition to any home gym. They can be reasonably priced and used whatever the weather outside. But if you are using yours on a frequent basis, it might need some maintenance. There are typical problems that you may experience when you own a treadmill. If you respond promptly you can minimize damage and any avoid down time.
Motor
Most problems arise with the motor, usually because it cannot maintain a consistent speed or because the belt that it is running is beginning to wear. Make sure your treadmill is directly connected to your outlet. Using a power strip can cause power fluctuations that can damage the motor. Before attempting to fix your treadmill motor--a somewhat lengthy and potentially expensive process--check your warranty. Many manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on a motor and will ship a replacement to you for installation. You can complete the installation yourself or hire an expert to come to your house directly (see Resources).
Belt
The next most classic, and most visible, issue is with belts. Belts wear out over time. You may see grooves wearing into the belt, holes developing or the sides fraying as the motion of the belt wears it thin. Or, you may notice that the treadmill hesitates when you step onto it; a sign that the belt is stretched out and has too much slack. Belt replacement is reasonably easy, and requires only a new belt for you to get back to using your home gym.
Speed
If you notice that the speed varies when you are running, it could be an issue with the machine. Check your manual for the recommended speed setting. When you set your treadmill to this speed, don't get on. Instead, observe it for a few minutes to see if there's any hitching of the belt, a sign that you need a new belt. If it shuts down, there's either a faulty circuit or a motor issue.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical problems will become obvious with such signs as the smell of something burning, or irregular belt movement. A burning smell means that there's either too much friction between the belt and rollers (so you need to wax the deck or add lubricant) or that there's a short somewhere in the motor or circuits. Belt movement issues, once you've ruled out any issues with the belt itself, mean that the rollers may need to be tightened or that there's not enough tension on the belt from the drive motor.
Warning
While home repair and maintenance is less expensive, make sure you understand fully how best to tackle any problem that arises. Electrical and motor repairs are best handled by an expert. It's far more expensive to buy a new treadmill, in most cases, than pay an hourly rate for an expert to complete repairs. And, most belt issues and mechanical problems simply require adjustment of the parts involved. As long as you remember to turn the power off, you can try tackling these problems yourself.
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