Treadmills require basic maintenance to keep them running well. Treadmill manufacturers recommend that you check the tension of your running belt regularly, about once every month. A treadmill belt can loosen over time and will require tightening. You should careful how much you tighten the belt because over-tightening it can damage your machine.
Treadbelt Tension
Treadmill manufacturers recommend you routinely check the tension of your treadmill belt. This is a simple test that requires only a ruler or tape measure. Stand on one side of your treadmill, near the middle of the belt. Lift the edge of the belt off the walking deck as far as you can without excessively pulling on the belt. Depending on the make and model of your machine, you should be able to lift the belt 2 to 3 inches or 3 to 4 inches off the walking platform. Your owner's manual will provide precise measurements.
Tightening a Belt
If you can lift the belt off the walking platform farther than the maximum recommended distance, you need to tighten the belt. To do this, use an Allen wrench to tighten the rear roller bolts on the back of the treadmill. You will turn one or both bolts depending on the model you own. To avoid over-tightening the belt, treadmill manufacturers recommend you only tighten the bolt 1/4 to 1/2 turn at a time.
Check the Tension
After you adjust the rear roller bolts, recheck the belt tension. Lift the belt in the same place you lifted it for the initial test. If it is still too loose, adjust the rear roller bolts again 1/4 to 1/2 turn. If the lift is within the prescribed amount, you have properly tensioned the belt. If you cannot lift the belt at least the minimum of 2 or 3 inches off the deck, the belt is too tight. Only tighten the belt enough so you can lift it the recommended amount.
Warnings
If you over-tighten your treadmill belt and use your machine, you can damage the motor, the motor bearings and the belt. The increased tension causes more friction between the belt and the parts it rolls over. This can prematurely wear and fray the belt. It can also wear down the motor since the motor has to work harder to rotate the overly tight belt. To avoid damaging your machine, each time you adjust the rear roller bolts, check the tension of the belt with the lift test.
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