Treadmill Belt Lubricant
Fitness equipment have become a must-have in every household these days. Although, most of us have become increasingly fitness conscious, not all of us can manage to take time for a workout session in the gym. For such people buying fitness equipment for their home gym is the only option of ensuring their fitness. Treadmill is one of the most sought after fitness equipment, as it allows maximum fitness for people of all ages. Those who cannot find time to take a jog in a park, find it very convenient to run a few miles on their treadmill. However, treadmill also happens to be one of the most expensive fitness machines. Thus, there is an increasing trend to buy second hand or used treadmills. These machines are a bit old, but function just as fine as new ones. No matter, if you buy a used treadmill or a brand one, you ought to pay attention towards the treadmill belt lubrication.
Why to Lubricate Treadmill Belts
As mentioned above, treadmill is a machine that is used by almost every member of the family, due to myriad treadmill benefits. Naturally, it undergoes a lot of wear and tear. The rotating belt is the part of treadmill that is subjected to a lot of stress. The belt keeps rolling over the deck generating a great amount of heat during the friction during treadmill workout. As a result, the life of the belt is further shortened. To ensure that your belt lasts longer and remains in a perfect working condition for a very long time, you need to lubricate it on a regular basis. Lubrication lowers the friction between the belt and deck while you run at the top speed. The smooth rolling of belt produces less amount of heat and ensures that the belt remains in good working condition.
Points to Be Considered While Buying Treadmill Belt Lubricant
It is very much important to do a fair amount of research while buying treadmill belt lubricant. It is possible that your treadmill won't need any lubrication in the first place. Some treadmills come with an auto-lubrication feature, which takes care of the lubrication on its own. Most of the high-end treadmills available today come with this feature. However, if you have purchased a used treadmill, then it is very much likely that your machine may warrant manual lubrication. Most treadmill manufacturers offer a warrant period on parts. But with a used machine, this warranty period may have already expired or is very much likely to be expired in near future. At that time, you may have no choice but to go for manual lubrication of your treadmill belt. How will you know if your machine needs a lubrication or not? Besides, what is the type of lubrication that one needs to go for? Your manufacturer's guide or manual should be able to answer these questions for you. Remember, this is a very important pre-buying step. Applying wrong lubricant can damage your treadmill's belt. Similarly, applying lubricant to an auto-lubricating machine can do more harm than good to the belt.
Types of Treadmill Belt Lubricants
There are essentially two types of treadmill belt lubricants available in the market. These include wax lubricants and petroleum free silicon lubricants. Most of the auto-lubricating treadmills come with a pre-waxed belt. Wax lubricants are available in granules, powder or in solid forms. Silicon lubricants mostly come in liquids and sprays. Silicon based lubricants are not recommended unless your manufacturer particularly recommends to do so.
While applying treadmill belt lubricant, one must take into account the type of lubricant that he is using. Treadmill belt lubrication kits come with detailed instructions for applying the particular lubricant. Follow these instructions carefully. Keep the treadmill in unplugged condition while you are doing the job. The frequency of lubrication is determined by the amount of time spent on the machine everyday.
