The invention of the treadmill has brought a great deal of convenience to fitness enthusiasts all over the globe. 

Not only do they allow us to maintain our fitness regime when external factors get in the way, such as weather, commuting, or scheduling responsibilities, but they are also great sources of data that allow you to achieve your cardio goals down to the precise details.

If you live in a flat area but love running in the hills, most treadmills offer different incline levels to provide a similar experience. If you love to run in shorts but it’s too cold outside, you won’t have to worry as treadmills are great for that purpose, as well. 

With a treadmill, the number of benefits and possibilities are plentiful to help you stay in tune with your workout routines.

However, with many great benefits and possibilities, you can also run into some problems with your treadmills.

Whether it’s the cost, the portability, the installation, or potential defects, there are potential issues that you may experience with your treadmill. It’s important to be aware of the problems you could potentially face, and how to address them.

At Akfit, we’re experienced and extremely knowledgeable in the field of treadmills. In fact, this article is designed to help you be aware of some potential problems treadmills can present, and provide some solutions on how to help you get back up to speed in no time.

In this article……..

1. What is a Treadmill?
2. 5 Common Problems (and fixes) with Treadmills
3. Purchasing / Servicing your Treadmill with Akfit

What Is a Treadmill?

A treadmill is a cardiovascular fitness machine that enables people to walk, jog, or run in place. 

The moving platform is a walking-belt that advances to the rear. This allows the user to walk or run at a speed with the belt’s motion. Further, the platform can adjust to an incline if a flat surface isn’t the challenge they’re looking for.

Treadmills are a popular piece of fitness equipment for doing cardio exercises, since walkers and runners can go at a speed they’re comfortable with, all while being able to comfortably do so indoors.

In fact, treadmills are the largest-selling exercise equipment on the market. Everyone from casual fitness goers to everyday athletes can find value in using a treadmill for their workouts. 

5 Common Problems with Treadmills

Before we get into actual ownership related issues, let's quickly cover a couple (we'll count them as one) that are more about preparation but majorly impact the rest of your ownership journey:

Cost of a Treadmill

Cost is an important detail that significantly impacts your decision when you decide to invest in a treadmill. 

Though you could find a used treadmill or cheaper model from Costco, Canadian Tire, Amazon or others that can save you a few extra bucks in the short term, what we see over and over again is our customers coming to us and saying that they have done this and regret it. They didn't enjoy using it, it couldn't actually keep up with their needs, it broke in the first week or two of use - you name it. 

Who needs that hassle?

If you are looking to invest in a treadmill that is actually motivating to use, that's safe and will last you for as long as you need it, then there is a very good chance you will need to open up your wallet a bit. While features play a large role, generally speaking, a new high-quality treadmill costs over $2000 CAD industry-wide. Medium quality treadmills will cost between $1000-$2000. 

Spending more alone does not guarantee a great experience, but when it comes to the treadmills we carry, they're from Canadian and international name brands with a reputation for quality. It typically means a more powerful motor, superior belt and more that can actually smoothly support the weight and intensive activity of an adult day in, day out.

If you're not sure what your exact needs are, the fitness professionals at Akfit are here to help. Please feel free to consult with us to find the treadmill that will help you reach your goals but also stay within a budget that will work for you. 

Finding Space for your Treadmill

Treadmills are a large piece of workout equipment. If you are planning a home gym for yourself, you’ll need to consider some space to fit your treadmill.

The majority of treadmills are heavy and take up a lot of space. In turn, they can’t easily be moved around your home like a shopping cart. Depending on your space and flooring,  you will likely need to dedicate some space for proper protective equipment such as a treadmill mat to fit in your workout area.

A solution is purchasing a foldable treadmill. A treadmill that folds up vertically will provide you more space in your workout space to perform other fitness activities.

At Akfit, we sell a variety of folding and non-folding treadmills. When it comes to planning space for your home gym, we can also help you with that at Akfit. Book a virtual meeting with one of our fitness experts for advice on planning your home gym and fitting a treadmill into the equation. We also provide delivery and installation services so that you can get the most out of your treadmill safely.

Sticking or Sluggish Belt

Now it is time to look at some mechanical problems you could potentially face when you regularly use a treadmill, and the first two are typically the most common:

First, a belt that "catches", stutters, or begins to operate more sluggishly can most often mean that the machine simply needs lubrication. Check your manual for the type of lubricant needed.  Most use a special treadmill grade silicon, while a few don't require anything.

The above symptoms are often paired with new sounds, like a scraping, rubbing, or "shushing" noise coming from under the belt. Another surprising but common symptom is an increase in static shocks when you touch the handrails.

The more serious warnings are hard to miss. If your treadmill is shutting off mid-workout, flashing an error code, or you notice the deck is really hot to the touch after use, friction is too high. The absolute biggest red flag is a burning smell, which could be the belt or the motor overheating. If that happens, stop using it immediately. The best way to be certain is to unplug the machine and slide your hand under the belt toward the center. It should feel smooth and slightly waxy or oily. If it feels completely dry, dusty, and rough, it's thirsty for lubricant. Get treadmill lubricant at AKFIT with fast shipping anywhere in Canada!

Slipping Belt

Belt slippage can be caused by too much lubrication or your belt being too tight. If you happen to feel a slipping sensation while using your treadmill it could mean a couple of things. You may need to adjust the belt or your belt may be in need of repair.

To check if your belt is too tight you need to lift it up by the sides at the center of the frame. You should be able to lift the belt by approximately 2 or 3 inches. If not, the belt is too tight. If it lifts up considerably more than that mark, then your belt is too loose.

Depending on the model of your treadmill, it’s best to refer to the owner’s manual to address aligning and tightening your belt. However, this problem can be avoided if you are providing regular maintenance on your treadmill.
 

Burning Smell

If you notice a burning smell when running on your treadmill then you could have a serious problem! If this happens you must turn off and unplug your treadmill immediately.

A burning smell from your treadmill can be caused by a variety of problems. The friction between the belt and the deck could be too high, your treadmill could be suffering from a power surge causing a short in the motor, wiring, or electronics.

All of these potential causes of a burning smell from your treadmill are fire hazards. In this situation immediate treadmill repair is essential.

Some of these problems can be fixed by maintaining your motor and clearing any dust or debris around it, or maintaining the deck of your treadmill to reduce the amount of friction your treadmill creates. In these cases you’ll want to refer to your owner’s manual, but in the case of electrical shortages you’ll want to call an electrician.

You can also reach out to Akfit about your fitness equipment problems and fill out our service request form to help run you through every potential issue you may be having with your treadmill.
 

Inconsistent Treadmill Speed

If you feel that your treadmill is not operating at a consistent speed, then your treadmill could have a variety of different issues that could be contributing to this inconsistent speed.

The first thing you’ll want to make sure of is that your treadmill is properly levelled and grounded. When taking note of your treadmill speed, you’ll want to measure it on a levelled surface.

Next you’ll want to refer to your owner’s manual and set a recommended speed on your treadmill, but for safety reasons, do not get on your treadmill. You’ll want to observe your treadmill for several minutes to determine if there is any hitching in the belt. If this is the case, then most likely you’ll need a new belt for your treadmill.

Inconsistent speed can also be caused by loose connectors to the motor, lack of lubrication or required maintenance to the belt. Further, worn out or moving parts can be related to the inconsistent speed caused by the motor and the belt.

A faulty circuit could also come into play, leading to speed consistency problems. We highly suggest never plugging your treadmill into an extension cord, but rather always directly into an outlet. In the event of any household electrical issues you may be facing, again it’s important to call an electrician.
 

Treadmill Display Not Working

Unfortunately, problems with treadmill display are some of the most common issues that users have with their treadmills today. 

The display console on your treadmill is your source of data. The display usually reads off to your crucial information such as your speed, incline, distance, heart rate, and more.

Thankfully, in most cases this isn’t a difficult problem to fix. Faulty display units on your treadmill are most likely caused by minor electrical problems. To fix this issue you’ll want to run through some troubleshooting steps.

Make sure your treadmill is plugged tightly and directly into a power outlet. Check the condition of all your power cables to make sure you don’t have faulty wiring. If your console or treadmill relies on batteries, then check those out too. You may not have a healthy battery.  Finally, sometimes resetting your circuit breaker can actually do the trick. To reset the circuit breaker we recommend unplugging your treadmill for 60 seconds and then plugging it back in.

Purchasing Your Treadmill at Akfit

There are many factors to consider in the treadmill purchasing process, and depending on your personal preferences, some may be more important than others. Finances, space, fitness level, and features. Each of these factors are important to consider and every individual situation is unique.

Thankfully, we’re here to help. Akfit has been serving consumer and commercial clients since 1989 and our fitness professionals pride themselves in being able to find which treadmill will work for you, your goals, and your budget.

We make sure you’re completely satisfied with your purchase and experience, whether it's for a single home treadmill or you're outfitting a larger gym with multiple commercial treadmills.

At Akfit, our technicians not only deliver and assemble your treadmill for you, but they’ll make sure you know how to use it safely as well. Not to mention, we offer additional plans for regular maintenance to ensure your products continue to function properly.

Simply reach out to us or visit us at our showroom. As you think about investing in a treadmill, we are here to discuss any concerns you may have, plans for a home gym, and personal fitness goals you have in mind when owning your own treadmill.