Replacing A Treadmill Belt – Cues, Tips, and Costs

A treadmill is one of the best training equipment you can have.

It can help you log in the miles, burn calories and stay fit all year. But, like most machines, they require regular maintenance.

As a regular runner, I’ve learned that maintaining your treadmill, especially the belt, is crucial.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ll ignore the signs until something goes wrong. My old treadmill had been making these weird noises for weeks, but I kept pushing through, figuring it would be fine.

Then one day, mid-run, the belt slipped out from under me, and I nearly wiped out.

I finally accepted that my treadmill wasn’t just quirky but desperately asking for a new belt.

Here’s what I learned from my near-tumble and how to avoid that mistake.

Quiz: Is It Time to Replace Your Treadmill Belt?

Wondering if your treadmill belt needs replacing? Take this quick quiz to find out:

Do you notice slipping while running?

• A) Yes, frequently.
• B) Occasionally.
• C) No, not at all.

Is the belt fraying or showing signs of wear?

• A) Yes, it’s very worn.
• B) A little, but not much.
• C) No, it looks new.

How often do you use your treadmill?

• A) Daily.
• B) A few times a week.
• C) Rarely.

Results:

If you answered mostly A’s, it’s likely time to consider replacing your treadmill belt. If you have a mix of A’s and B’s, keep an eye on it, and if most are C’s, your belt is likely still in good condition!

Why Does the Treadmill Belt Wear Out?

When you run, the belt takes the brunt of the impact, so it will naturally wear down over time.

The problem is a worn-out belt doesn’t just feel annoying—it can mess up your treadmill’s motor, which is a much pricier fix.

Trust me, you don’t want to go down that road.

For me, the first sign was when the belt started slipping. At first, it was just a small slip here and there, like running on ice for a second.

I shrugged it off. “Eh, it’s fine, I’ll tighten it later.” But the more it happened, the more I realized it was throwing off my entire run.

And one day, during a longer session, the belt slipped so hard that I had to grab the sidebars just to stay upright.

At that point, it was clear: time to stop procrastinating and fix the damn thing.

I also started noticing the edges were fraying, and there were little cracks in the belt.

In hindsight, I probably should’ve taken care of it sooner, but we all think we can get a little more life out of things, right?

Wrong. Every run after that was putting more strain on the motor, which meant the whole machine was running hotter than it should’ve been.

In other words, replace the belt to avoid putting too much strain on the motor—or else you might end up with the extra cost of getting a new treadmill motor along with the belt.

This can be as expensive as getting a new treadmill, and you don’t want that do you?

How Long Should a Treadmill Belt Last?

I hate to break it to you, but I don’t have the exact answer because the length depends on factors such as treadmill quality and training frequency.

In general, treadmill belts can last between 300 and 500 hours.

For most of us at home, that’s about 3 to 4 years of consistent running.

But if you’re at a gym where the treadmills are getting beat up all day, the belt might need replacing every few months. It depends on how much use (and abuse) your treadmill gets.

How to Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Treadmill Belt

Here’s the thing—sometimes, you don’t need to replace the belt. Sometimes it just needs a good tightening. But how do you know when it’s time to replace it?

Then it’s time to test it out. Before you check your treadmill belt, make sure you have the following at hand:

• An unplugged treadmill (of course)
• A flashlight
• A Screwdriver that suits the roller bolts of your treadmill. Check the owner’s manual.
• Patience and lots of it.

The Manual Check

It may sound too basic, but simply checking the treadmill in person may reveal a lot.

Unplug the treadmill, then carefully loosen the belt using a screwdriver that fits the units’ tension roller blots (you can find these on the back of the treadmill). This should help you to visually check and feel the exterior and interior belt surfaces.

It’s probably time for a new one if:

• Uneven wear: Check if any parts of the belt are smoother than others, especially where your feet land, it’s probably time for a new one.
• Fraying: Check the edges and see if they’re fraying, cracked, or cut up.
• Loose seam: Run your fingers along the seam on the bottom of the belt. If it’s starting to come apart, stop running on it.

If everything looks okay after you’ve inspected it, tighten the belt back up and carry on. If not, it’s time for a new belt.

Slipping Belt? Here’s What to Do

A slipping treadmill belt is not only annoying, it’s dangerous.

Imagine being mid-run, and your belt shifts—you’ll probably end up flat on your face.

To check for slack, turn off the treadmill and try to lift the belt off the deck.

It must be tightened if it moves more than a couple of inches. If you tighten it and it’s still slipping, that’s your cue that a new belt is in order.

How to Replace a Treadmill Belt

If you’ve never replaced a treadmill belt before, don’t worry—it’s not as intimidating as it seems.

First, ensure you get the right belt for your machine.  Remember that when choosing a new treadmill belt, sizes vary from treadmill to treadmill.

The belts aren’t universal, so it’s not easy to be sure that a belt you found on Amazon was made for your specific treadmill model.

So please don’t experiment with a generic belt, even if you feel tempted because of the cheaper price.

Instead, check your user’s manual (or contact the manufacturer), find the exact model number of your treadmill, and get a belt specifically made for that model.

Most treadmill belts can be easily removed and installed, but you should always follow the instructions in your owner’s manual before you get started. That way, you’ll have a rough idea of what’s in store.

When I finally accepted that my belt was toast, I went on Amazon, ordered the replacement, and got to work. I’m not handy, so I also had YouTube open, just in case. It turns out that with the right tools and a little patience, it wasn’t as hard as I had expected.

Let’s get to it. I’ll also share some YouTube tutorials for visual learners!

Tools You’ll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• Pliers
• Marker (to help with alignment)
• A second set of hands (seriously, this is way easier with help)

Steps to Replace the Belt:

1. Unplug the treadmill: Just trust me, turn it off completely so nothing goes haywire while working on it.
2. Loosen the belt: Use the bolts at the back to loosen the belt enough to fit your hand under it.
3. Remove the old belt: Lift the deck and have someone help slide off the old belt.
4. Install the new belt: This part was trickier than I thought. I had trouble keeping the new belt centered but finally aligned it after some trial and error with the rear roller bolts.
5. Reassemble: Tighten everything back up, ensuring the belt sits right in the middle. You might need to adjust the deck a little to get everything aligned.
6. Test it: Plug the treadmill back in and start it at a slow speed. Gradually increase it to ensure the belt is running smoothly and isn’t slipping.

How Much Does a Treadmill Belt Replacement Cost?

Again, I don’t have the exact answer because this will depend on the size of the belt, whether a 20″ x 55″ or 20″ x 60″, as well as your treadmill model.

But most belts can cost anywhere from $50 to $200. If you hire someone to do it for you, expect to pay another $100 to $150 in labor, which brings the total to $150 to $400. If your treadmill is still under warranty, check that first—you might be able to get the belt replaced for free.

Regular Cleaning and Lubrication: Lessons Learned

Before this whole fiasco, I never bothered cleaning or lubricating my treadmill.

Now, I clean it after every run and lubricate the belt every few months. It’s wild how much better the treadmill runs and how much longer the belt lasts with just a little maintenance. I’m not skipping those steps anymore.

When to Call a Pro

I almost threw in the towel when I couldn’t align the belt properly, but I stuck it out and got it done.

If you’re having motor issues or the alignment drives you crazy, don’t be afraid to call in a pro. It’s better to get it fixed properly than to risk messing up your machine (or hurting yourself).

Further Reading

For more in-depth information on treadmill maintenance and care, here are some additional resources:

• Runner’s World: “How to Maintain Your Treadmill” – Link
• Fitness Blender: “Treadmill Maintenance: Tips and Tricks” – Link
• Consumer Reports: “Treadmill Buying Guide” – Link
• LifeSpan Fitness: “Preventive Maintenance for Treadmills” – Link

Join the Conversation: Share Your Treadmill Maintenance Experiences!

Maintaining your treadmill is crucial for ensuring it stays in great working condition, and your insights can help others in the community. I’d love to hear from you!

• Share Your Experience: Have you replaced a treadmill belt before? What challenges did you face, and what tips do you have for others? Whether you’ve handled the maintenance yourself or sought professional help, your stories are valuable!
• Questions Welcome: If you have questions about treadmill maintenance, belt replacement, or even general treadmill care, leave them in the comments below. Let’s support each other in keeping our equipment in top shape!