The American College of Sports Medicine states that treadmills are a popular home fitness equipment choice. A treadmill is an uncomplicated piece of equipment to exercise on, making home workouts enjoyable. The most prominent feature on a treadmill is the walking belt. Know what the walking belt is, what it does and what it can do to increase your knowledge of treadmills and how to keep them moving.
What It Is
Made of a mixture of PVC and rubber, the treadmill walking belt forms a loop to wrap around the rollers at each end of the treadmill. Walking belts come in different material thicknesses and lengths to fit the variety of treadmills on the market, both old and new. Some belts are padded to absorb the shock that your feet and legs would normally absorb if you walked on a belt without padding, or on an outdoor path.
What Is Does
It is the walking belt that allows you to walk, jog or run in place. Without the belt, the treadmill is nothing more than an elaborate clothes-horse and a short storage shelf. The treadmill walking belt moves down the deck with the assistance of a motor at a pace you set. Although you are physically moving as if you were on a walking or jogging path, without the movement of the belt, your body would come to a complete stop in mid-stride.
Inspecting for Damage
Regular inspections of the walking belt can give you a heads-up to maintenance issues and damage to the walking belt, or damage to the treadmill that the walking belt causes. Look for signs of wear beneath the surface of the belt. The belt should have a ridged feel along the entire length and width of the belt. The belt may feel smooth in the area you walk, but if you see signs of black streaking along the bottom of the belt, the bottom layer is wearing away. Check the belt seams. They should appear uniform and even, no signs of pulling apart. Look for dirt on the belt and clean it with a stiff nylon brush and water. Replace your walking belt if it has any signs of wear and damage.
Damage the Belt Can Cause
A worn-out walking belt on your treadmill can cause the belt to lose power once you start walking on it, eventually causing damage to the motor. Dirt on the walking belt creates friction and the increased friction eventually wears down the walking belt, which in turn creates even more friction and heat. Friction and heat created by the worn walking belt cause the electric motor to draw more electrical current. The increased electrical current over-heats the motor and trips the treadmill's breaker. Operating the treadmill with a worn walking belt eventually can burn up the treadmill's motor. Keeping the walking belt in excellent condition will add years to the life of your treadmill.
References
- Treadmill Doctor: Belt Loses Power
- Treadmill Doctor: How to Inspect a Belt and Deck
- Treadmill Doctor: Walking Belt Friction Problems
- Treadmill Doctor: Why Use a Treadmill Belt Cleaner?
- PatentStorm: Treadmill Belt
- American College of Sports Medicine; Selecting and Effectively Choosing a Home Treadmill; 2005
Member Comments