Hi friends, it’s your friend Kathleen again. Today, I want to talk about treadmills and whether you can or should put one upstairs.
Putting a treadmill upstairs isn’t a bad idea. I mean, not everyone has a garage or a basement, and I think a greater number of people don’t want a treadmill sitting in their living room. The question is, is it safe?
When you consider that the average treadmill weight is 300 pounds, and you weigh, say 200 pounds, that’s a 1/4 of a ton sitting on that second floor.
I remember when I once was living in an apartment complex that was so, well, shall we say, cheaply made, that I worried about sleeping on the second floor! How much more if you’re considering working out on a treadmill on the second floor of such buildings.
To top it all, is using your treadmill upstairs going to hurt your hardwood and laminate flooring?
Let’s talk about the facts regarding having your treadmill upstairs so that you can rest easy.
Is It OK to Have a Treadmill on the Second Floor?
Let’s cut right to the chase, shall we? Yes, it is perfectly safe to put your treadmill upstairs. Whether it’s the second floor or even the third floor, modern building codes are made to withstand at least 30 pounds per square foot.
The real question is, SHOULD you put your treadmill upstairs? Will the treadmill motor or the vibration damage the flooring? Will the noise drive other people insane?
What about other pieces of gym equipment? Do you plan on having dumbbells or other pieces of exercise equipment on the upstairs floor?
Let’s talk a bit more about these issues.
Noise and Vibration in an Upstairs Apartment
While I’m addressing apartments in general, these problems can apply to almost any second-floor room.
One thing that is true with nearly all pieces of workout equipment is that they make noise. Lots of noise and vibration.
You can help cut down on those two problems with anti-vibration treadmill mats. I always recommend a treadmill mat even if you’re using your treadmill downstairs or your treadmill sits on a hard floor, such as a cement one.
Why use a treadmill mat? These not only help cut down on the dust that can accumulate underneath the machine and cause damage to the motor, but they also provide shock absorption, which cuts down on noise and vibration.
This is true even if you have a lighter treadmill or a new treadmill of average weight.
The most noise occurs when a person running on the treadmill uses the incline feature. While many treadmills have some type of shock absorption system, it’s impossible to stop all noise, even if you’re only doing some brisk walking.
If you plan to put your treadmill on the second floor, I highly recommend that you use anti-vibration treadmill mats to reduce noise and vibrations and to help extend the life of your treadmill.
How Much Space Will My Treadmill Require?
Great question. I think this is something most people never think about.
To safely use your treadmill, you should have at least 5 feet behind the treadmill free from any objects, in case you should fall.
You should have 2 feet in front of the treadmill to help give the motor proper air flow.
The treadmill should also have 2 feet of clearance on at least one side so you can easily get on and off the machine.
Now you might see people using a treadmill in a much more confined space. That situation is not ideal, but, of course, it’s a decision that people make for themselves. Personally, I’d always choose what’s considered safe than take a chance about my safety while using a home gym equipment like a treadmill.
How Do You Put a Treadmill Upstairs?
In a perfect world, treadmills would come with treadmill mats when you buy them, and houses or apartments with an upper floor would have an elevator.
Nice dream, Kathleen!
Ok, since we can’t get everything we want, you might wonder how in the heck you are going to move your treadmill upstairs.
Let’s take things one step at a time.
- Make room wherever it is that you plan to put your treadmill. Move any furniture or items that might get in the way.
- Buy some coffee and cookies to cajole a friend into helping you with your treadmill. You might think that you can move it yourself, but please take my advice and don’t. You could easily trip or lose your grip on the stairs, causing you and your treadmill to fall down the stairs. Two people will make the job much, much easier.
- Put the treadmill mat on the floor where you plan to place your machine.
- Unplug your treadmill and tie or tape the cord out of the way.
- If your treadmill folds (and all the best treadmills do) lift from the bottom of the belt and push until the belt locks into place.
- Most well-built treadmills will have wheels on one end. Tilt the treadmill so that the weight is balanced on the wheels and roll it to the bottom of the stairs.
- One person will now pull the treadmill, using the wheels, up each step. The second person will be at the bottom helping to push this piece of equipment if the other person is unable to pull it. Be careful so that if the person pulling should lose their grip, you have a place to grab the machine and prevent it from falling on you!
- Continue pushing and pulling until the treadmill is in the upstairs room you want to use.
- Place the treadmill wheels on the front portion of the mat.
- Lower the belt and make sure the treadmill is securely and evenly placed on the mat.
If your treadmill is new in the box, you will most likely have one person hold the bottom of the box and walk backward up the stairs, while the second person puts the box on their shoulders.
Always be careful when handling heavy pieces of equipment like a treadmill. I wouldn’t want to see anyone injured by a heavy object!
Related Post: Can I Plug My Treadmill into a Regular Outlet?
Do I Still Need a Treadmill Mat on Carpet?
Great question!
Yes, you still need a treadmill mat. In fact, I think carpeted floors need one more than hardwood floors do!
While using a treadmill, the vibration can cause damage to hardwood floors, but chances are that a treadmill on the second floor will be sitting on carpet.
The treadmill belt and motor will be inches from your carpet, and while carpet does help to muffle noises, it also creates tiny fibers that go airborne. If you’ve ever laid down on your carpet, you know that there are very small fibers that will be stuck to your clothes, right?
In the same way, those fibers can get inside the treadmill motor, along with the usual dust and pet hair. Not only that, but those fibers will also get underneath the belt, causing excessive wear over time.
A good quality treadmill mat will not only protect your carpet from sweat, oil, and wear marks from the treadmill feet, but it will also cut back drastically on the amount of dust and fibers that get into your treadmill.
I’m betting that you paid several hundred dollars, or even more than a grand for your treadmill. Why not shell out $100 more for a treadmill mat to protect both your treadmill and floor?
Related Post: How much does a treadmill weigh in kg?
Can I Put a Treadmill Right Next to the Wall?
When space is at a premium and every square foot counts, you might wonder just how close you can put your treadmill to the wall.
If being close to a wall is the only place you have, then go for it!
Putting your treadmill close to a wall means that you will need to be a bit careful about sticking your arms or elbows outside of the handrails, but it is perfectly safe to put your treadmill next to a wall.
Some people put a treadmill next to the window, but I don’t advise that. It’s too easy to hit the window with your arm or hand if you should lose your balance.
If possible, put your treadmill where it faces the window. Not only do you get a nice view, but you’ll also get some much appreciated fresh air! No fan required, just open the window.
Well, as long as you aren’t singing as you walk. Those sounds really travel through an open window. Yes, this is experience talking!
The Final Takeaway
At the end of the day, you and a buddy should be able to move most treadmills to an upstairs bedroom or other room with very few problems.
A second floor can handle the weight of a treadmill and the person using it.
If your downstairs neighbors or other people complain that it makes too much noise, try an anti-vibration treadmill mat.
I think treadmill mats are a good idea for every treadmill, but buying one that is made to prevent treadmill damage and designed to prevent noise is worth every penny if you’ve got picky neighbors.
While you should allow some space around the treadmill, it is perfectly fine to place it up against a wall if space is at a premium.
Be safe when lifting heavy objects like your treadmill and use a treadmill mat, and you will find that your treadmill is perfectly suited for an upstairs room.
Stay safe and healthy, friends! Get that treadmill mat because life is too short to deal with fussy neighbors!
Written by Kathleen Langdon – TheHealthPot.com Founder
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
Kathleen, a mother of two, struggled with ongoing weight and health issues. She created this website after she turned her life around. She built Thehealthpot.com to help inspire and motivate others with their fitness goals. Read more about Kathleen here.