Treadmills are complex machines with many parts. For you, the treadmill owner, that means a lot of things that can break! Here are some common repair jobs you can do yourself. Treadmill repair doesn’t have to be a headache.
If your treadmill works fine…until you get on it
Your well-honed exercise routine won’t do you much good if your treadmill stops every time you step on it. It’s not meant to be a piece of furniture, so let’s find out how to fix it and get it working again.
Most likely that belt is too old and worn out. If you just bought the machine, it’s the manufacturer’s fault and should be covered under warranty. If you’ve had it for a while, you may need to replace it.
Now, your instruction manual will probably provide better full instructions with pretty pictures, but here’s the rundown. UNPLUG the machine. I’ll say it again. UNPLUG the machine! Next, your treadmill will have a sort of hood that you’ll need to remove on the deck with a screwdriver. Once you have it open, you will need to loosen the belt with the screwdriver and remove it. Put on the new one just as you took off the old one… but in reverse.
It works, but it has a mind of its own!
It’s hard to get the right workout when the treadmill keeps jumping back and forth between different speeds. Sometimes a treadmill decides to do its own thing, taking its owner on a wild roller coaster ride that could end up with damaged body parts.
The good news is that it probably needs to be cleaned. The bad news is that it probably needs to be cleaned. Speed jumps are often the result of dirty speed sensors. The electronic components of the machine may be covered in dust and need to be polished.
Speaking of cleaning, a little routine cleaning will go a long way in helping your treadmill function properly and extend the life of its parts. Dusting electronics is good; so is opening it and cleaning the belt from time to time. You can buy lubricants and belt cleaners at your local fitness store that will make baby run smoother than ever.
No problem at all except for that awful burning smell
Something is burning. That is not right. We definitely have a problem here.
First of all, unplug the machine and don’t even think about turning it on again. Something is rubbing against something else in a way it’s not supposed to, and it’s destroying your treadmill with every step. Opening the deck and readjusting the strap will usually fix the problem. If you bought a really cheap treadmill, it can self-destruct by cooking its insides and there’s not much you can do but improve.
If something is burning, you may have a problem with your engine. Replacing the motor is something you can definitely do yourself, but you must follow the instruction manual carefully and make sure you buy the correct replacement motor.
Get to know your machine and you should be able to fix most problems yourself. Routine maintenance will always be needed to keep it working as it should. Treadmill repair is not rocket science; just be sure to save that instruction manual somewhere!
