How to Adjust a Treadmill Belt in 8 Steps?
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
Unlock your full potential by engaging with our experts and community! Have questions about your fitness journey or looking for expert advice on weightlifting techniques? Don’t hesitate โ leave a comment below and Ihor Shymechko will provide a personalized answer and insights to help you reach your goals.
Torokhtiy is reader-supported. Some links are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure page for details.
Iโd say that how to adjust a treadmill belt is the second thing you should learn when you get it. First, learn how to use it. Then, learn how to take care of it.
Treadmills are crazy popular, and I donโt think thereโs anyone that hasnโt at least heard of them. If you enter a gym at any time, youโll see that a lot of treadmills are occupied. If you have a home gym, Iโm sure thereโs a treadmill in it.
Or even if you donโt have a complete home gym, thereโs a good chance you have one or two pieces of gym equipment โ if you do, Iโm guessing thereโs a treadmill in your living room.ย
You want to buy a quality treadmill, so thatโs probably going to be an investment because theyโre up there in terms of price. If you invest in something, itโs good to learn how to take care of it.
You donโt want it breaking on you, do you? Well, thatโs why Iโm here so letโs see how to recognize when the belt is acting up and how to tighten the treadmill belt or make it looser!
Letโs tighten things up!
How to adjust a treadmill belt? The first thing you need to do is to find the rear roller bolts (at the back of your treadmill). Youโll need an Allen wrench to tighten or loosen them. After youโre done, make sure to test it before you actually use it.
Importance of a Well-Adjusted Treadmill Belt
If you find yourself with a wobbly belt on your treadmill, you might be thinking to yourself that itโs fine, that youโll deal with it tomorrow (the tomorrow that never comes), or that youโll use the warranty package to deal with the annoyance.
Well, Iโm here to tell you why itโs very important to keep good maintenance on your treadmill’s belt, so that you feel more motivated to fix the problem if you ever find yourself in this type of situation.
1. Smooth Workouts
Treadmill workouts are very good for youย and we all want them to be smooth, safe, and seamless. If your treadmill belt isnโt adjusted, then youโre very likely to experience some jerky and uneven movements.
Not only can that ruin your workout and annoy you, but it can actually lead to injury. Aligning the treadmill belt keeps you safe and makes your workouts comfortable.
2. Longer Lifespan
Treadmill belt adjustments can prolong your treadmillโs lifespan. If the belt is aligned, then thereโs no excessive wear and tear on the motor and other parts of the treadmill.
3. Performance
To cut it short โ your treadmill will perform better if the belt is adjusted. The motor will run how itโs supposed to, and the speed and incline will be consistent.
4. Less Noise
Treadmills can be quite noisy, especially when the belt gets loose. Adjusting it reduces that excessive noise and makes your workout more comfortable for you, and also for the people living with you.
5. Better Workout
Can you imagine running on a treadmill when the speed is uneven, has jerky movements and the incline is inconsistent? Itโs not a pretty picture, or a good workout. Do yourself a favor and make sure your belt is adjusted so you can focus on your workout and reap all the benefits a treadmill has instead of your treadmill acting up.
6. Accurate Metrics
Metrics are super important and are even used for research, but an improperly aligned belt can mess them up โ so keep the belt adjusted. This is especially important if you use fitness apps.
Tips From the Champ
The surface youโre running on is another great thing about it because itโs low impact. This means that itโs nice to your hips, knees, and ankles and itโs good to use even if you have issues with your joints. The belt is 45โโ in length when wrapped around the running surface. Itโs also 17.5โโ wide โ which is plenty.
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
5 Signs of an Improperly Adjusted Belt
Now you know why it’s important to have the belt aligned. But if you’re new to treadmills, you’re probably wondering how to even recognize something’s wrong with the belt. Keep reading because I have a list of things to look out for.
1. Slipping
If the belt is not adjusted, this is probably one of the first signs youโll notice โ the belt will slip or move sideways. You may feel like youโre losing your footing, or the belt can seem like it struggles to keep the pace up. If you notice any of these things, itโs time to make some adjustments.
2. Too Much Noise
Treadmills can be noisy, but thereโs a difference between normal noise and excessive noise. If your treadmill is louder than it usually is, check the belt and see if it needs some help to get back to working properly.
3. Weird Movement
When the belt is too loose or too tight, youโll notice that the movements are strange โ your treadmill can lag or fluctuate in speed.
4. Sluggishness
If the belt is too tight, it gets sluggish and responds slowly. A belt that is adjusted correctly should have a little give, and it should also respond smoothly to your movements. A loose treadmill belt can cause a lot of issues, but one thatโs too tight can cause even more problems.
5. Jerking
The belt can jerk or abruptly stop during your workout if itโs not adjusted. If youโre lucky, youโll get annoyed. If youโre not, you can get hurt, so make sure that the belt is aligned.
Adjusting Belt Tension: 8 Steps
How tight should a treadmill belt be? You may think you know all there is to know, and you can now โadjustโ your treadmillโs belt. Well, let me ask you this โ can you be sure you wonโt make the belt too tight or too loose? If youโre not confident, donโt fret โ I can show you how to adjust the tension and make adjusting a treadmill belt a piece of cake.
1. Turn it Off
This should be a no-brainer, but Iโll mention it anyway. Turn your treadmill off before you start making any kind of adjustments to it. If you donโt, it can start abruptly in the middle of you trying to fix it. Then, read the manual the treadmill came with and get familiar with instructions and safety tips.
2. Find the Adjustment Bolts
Now that youโve read the manual and turned the treadmill off, itโs time to find adjustment bolts. The majority of treadmills have two bolts and theyโre usually in the back. These bolts control the tension. Some treadmills will make your life even easier and come with an auto-tension feature; this adjusts the tension automatically.
3. Check the Current Tension
After youโve located the bolts (most treadmills haveย hex screws), you should check the current tension so you can see if the belt is too tight or too loose. A loose belt will slip and lag, and a belt thatโs too tight will cause a lot of wear and tear on the motor.
Should I be tightening a treadmill belt or loosening it? The answer is that it depends on how tense it currently is.ย
4. Adjust the Tension
Now weโre getting around to actually fixing the issue. If you want to increase the tension, turn the bolts clockwise. If you want to lower the tension, turn them counterclockwise.
5. Use the Right Tools
This is another reason to check that user manual โ so you can see what tools the manufacturer recommends. Youโll most likely need an Allen wrench but check the manual just in case.
6. Stick With Small Adjustments
Adjust the tension little by little (about a quarter or half of the turn). This makes sure you wonโt make the belt too tight.
7. Check the Alignment
The belt needs to be in the center of the deck so check if itโs centered or not.
8. Testing
Each time you make any adjustments, you need to test the treadmill to see if youโve actually fixed the issue or not. Look out for any slipping, jerking or weird noises. If you donโt see or hear anything, youโre good to go. If you notice anything strange, go back and adjust the belt some more.
Treadmill We Recommend
If you donโt have a treadmill or want to upgrade, I would recommend this one. And the good news is โ a brand-new treadmill doesnโt need any adjustments. So, youโre covered in this department.
Carbon TLX comes at a great price and packed with features we all love. Its dimensions are 74.3โ D x 35.1โ W x 59.1โ H, with a 20โ x 60โ belt. Itโs very spacious and you wonโt feel restricted in any way.
It comes with a 30-day iFit trial, which gives you access to over 10,000 workouts and a lot of personal trainers. This adds a lot of versatility to your training routine.
The motor is powerful and its performance is consistent. The incline ranges from 0 to 12% and adjusting it is a piece of cake. There are QuickSpeed button controls you use, or if youโre using iFit, your trainer will adjust it for you.
Carbon TLX weighs 249 lbs in box and it can support up to 300 lbs of weight.
I do have a bone to pick with it, however. The screen is just too small, and thereโs no way around it. You can still see everything on it clearly, but if you were thinking of using it for entertainment – think again. I would really like it to be slightly bigger – that would up the entire workout experience.
Positives:
Could be better:
FAQ
Why Does My Treadmill Belt Keep Moving To One Side?
If your treadmill belt keeps moving to one side, it means its belt is not aligned properly. The bolts can be loose or unevenly adjusted. If you want to know how to fix a treadmill belt slipping to one side, youโll be happy to know itโs pretty straightforward; check the bolts and make sure the belt is in the center of the deck.
If you donโt know how to center your treadmill belt, you can check the user manual to find out.ย
How Do I Know if My Treadmill Belt Is Overtightened?
If the belt is too tight on your treadmill, youโll notice itโs louder than usual, youโre having a hard time walking on it, and if you try running, it wonโt go smoothly. The belt will probably feel really rigid and tight, and you may even notice a lot of wear on the motor.
Conclusion
Congratulations! Now you know everything there is to know about your treadmillโs belt. Not only do you know how to keep it in check, but you also know how to fix it.
You learned how tight a treadmill belt is supposed to be plus what happens if itโs loose. Now you can save your money and instead of paying a professional to fix your treadmill.
Are treadmill belt adjustments new to you, or did you already know how to make them before reading this article? Did you try the treadmill I recommended? And if you did, how do you like it? Share your opinions and tips! Iโm off to grab my Allen wrench and make some adjustments!
Also read:
- How to Clean Treadmill Belt
- What Muscles Does Treadmill Work
- Beginner Treadmill Workout
- How to Lose Weight on a Treadmill
- How Many Calories Do You Burn on a Treadmill
- How to Fix a Slipping Treadmill Belt
- Best Foldable Treadmill
- Best Walking Pads for Under Desk
- Best Shoes for Walking on Treadmill
References:
- Treadmill benefits: Six reasons to jump on the running machine today // Livescience: https://www.livescience.com/treadmill-benefits.
- Get smart about treadmills // Harvard: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/get-smart-about-treadmills.
- Summary of outcome metrics from the modified graded treadmill // Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Summary-of-outcome-metrics-from-the-modified-graded-treadmill-test-GTT-Panels_fig2_323941760.
- Types of screws // Housebeautiful: https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/g25895027/types-of-screws/.
- Guide to allen wrenches // Familyhandyman: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/guide-to-allen-wrenches/.
- Photos are made by Torokhtiy Media team.
Why Trust Us?
With over 20 years in Olympic Weightlifting, our team does its best to provide the audience with ultimate support and meet the needs and requirements of advanced athletes and professional lifters, as well as people who strive to open new opportunities and develop their physical capabilities with us.
By trusting the recommendations of our certified experts in coaching, nutrition, dietology, and sports training programming, as well as scientific consultants, and physiotherapists, we provide you with thorough, well-considered, and scientifically proven content. All the information given in the articles concerning workout programming, separate exercises, and athletic performance, in general, is based on verified data. We ensure that you can rely on our professionals’ pieces of advice and recommendations that can be treated as personalized ones which will benefit you and fully meet your needs.
The product testing process is described in more detailย here
Author: Ihor Shymechko
Pro Olympic Weightlifter, Coach
Best Results: Snatch – 208 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Ihor has been a professional weightlifter since 1996, boasting over two decades of competition experience. His notable achievements include clinching the European Championship in 2009 and securing a silver medal in the 105kg division at the Senior World Championships in 2011. Ihor represented his country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics. After retiring from competitive weightlifting, he transitioned to coaching, leveraging his vast experience to guide athletes who now compete on both national and international stages.
Reviewed by:ย Oleksiy Torokhtiy
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J – 240 kg
Oleksiy Torokhtiy is a professional athlete boasting 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. With multiple European and World titles under his belt, he has showcased his prowess in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012). Upon concluding his illustrious career, Oleksiy dedicated himself to coaching. By 2022, he had conducted over 200 weightlifting seminars worldwide. He is the visionary behind an international sportswear and accessories brand known for its motto, “Warm Body Cold Mind.” Additionally, he is an esteemed author and the creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
Still have questions after reading our article? Unlock your full potential by engaging with our experts and community! Don’t hesitate โ leave a comment below and Ihor Shymechko will provide a personalized answer and insights to help you reach your goals.