Many of us go to the gym, and a great many of those who do will use a treadmill. For them, working out on a treadmill is a pleasant and enjoyable experience that rounds off their gym session with a lovely jog.
It is an exercise routine that we view as necessary to maintaining at least a little bit of a healthy body. However, it’s a substantial purchase that is not done lightly. One of the first questions that come to mind is, “How long will it last?” Or maybe, “How can I make it last?”
While running on a treadmill is a straightforward activity, it can be time consuming, especially if you needed to go to the gym to do it.
This is what makes buying a treadmill for your home gym a tantalizing idea.
Today, we’ll look at the lifespan that you can expect from a treadmill, and what you can do to make it last longer.
Picking the Right Treadmill
1. Choose the right treadmill for you
Make sure that the treadmill you pick is the right one for you, meaning, you should consider its weight capacity, durability, features, and programs or connectivity (if that’s what you need).
Don’t be tempted to jump on the first cheapest thing you find on the internet or overspend on the most heavy-duty commercial-grade machine for your sole use. Either moves wouldn’t be right.
2. Look for a warranty
You shouldn’t treat treadmills like you would a set of dumbbells or a jump rope, something easily bought and replaced when broken. Getting a treadmill should be treated like getting an electronic device or big household appliance, like a laptop or a washing machine.
For them to work, they have a lot of moving parts and electronic pieces that interconnect into a circuit and replacing or fixing them could cost a fortune.
As such, the first port of call for buying a treadmill is the warranty. No matter where you’re buying from, find one with a warranty. This shows how long the company expects the treadmill to run. If the warranty is up to 2 years, the company selling it expects that the treadmill should last 2 years with no problems or only minor ones.
If you can, find a warranty that will last for 5 years or more. This means the company is very confident in their product ,and if something happens to the treadmill, you’ll be covered for a while without paying extra.
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3. It should be reasonably priced
For a decent treadmill, you are looking at paying between $600 and $2000, and the warranty will be scaled appropriately with the price, with higher warranties included in a higher price.
If you do end up buying a treadmill, I would advise calling a professional installer, ideally from the company you bought it from.
Installing a treadmill can be tricky, and doing it wrong can often void the warranty. Paying for the installation should not cost much and will protect you from any other problems that might arise.
What Is the Average Life of a Treadmill?
So, you’ve bought a decent treadmill. If it was installed correctly, you don’t have to worry about any hiccups, and if something does go wrong you have the warranty. How long should it last?
If we go by what most manufacturers say, then you’re looking at about 10 years. If we go by what most treadmills owners say, then it is between 10 and 12 years.
Most treadmills are designed to experience and deal with heavy-duty exercise, meaning that they should be robust and durable. The only concerns you should have when owning a treadmill are issues with wear and tear.
The good thing is that most parts are easily replaced or will hopefully reveal problems during the warranty phase.
The not-so-good thing is that there’s one component that needs to be watched carefully – the motor. If it goes down, it’s a major repair, and it can be annoying to replace. Therefore, when purchasing the treadmill, make sure that the warranty covers the motor.
If at all possible, buy a treadmill with a lifetime parts coverage that specifically covers the motor. That way you can rest easy knowing that even if the motor breaks, it can be replaced easily.
Problems and Maintenance
One thing you may have to do to make sure that your treadmill lasts for up to 10 years is to search for problems and do diligent maintenance on the machine.
When searching for problems or potential problems with the treadmill, you should make a checklist to make sure it has been checked correctly.
1. Appearance & Exterior Parts
Are there any cracks or breaks on the exterior? What is the belt like? Is it shiny? Worn? Crinkled anywhere?
2. Belt
Bottom and top: Is the belt torn anywhere? If you look at the underside of the belt, is it worn? Torn? Cracking? Does the texture feel different from the top of the belt?
3. Mileage
Almost all treadmills have a built-in mileage system within the console. If you are unsure how to get the information to display, check the owner’s manual or contact the seller’s customer service.
The average mileage a treadmill has before problems occur is around 15,000 miles. This varies depending on the person and the machine, but that is normally about 2 to 3 years of everyday use, which is why the warranty is important.
4. Deck
Though the belt is the most obvious place where an issue may occur, it is imperative that you check the deck as well. The deck can crack, wear, or develop grooves and scratches that can tear the belt. It is all well and good replacing the belt, but if you put it on the same scratched deck, it will again need replacing in a couple of months.
5. Sticking
If the belt is too smooth and sticks or jolts when you run, then the belt is too worn down. If you are having these problems, do another once-over to make sure you haven’t missed any problems.
If you’re truly worried about your treadmill having difficulties, don’t be afraid to call out a professional to help you. If the treadmill is still in the warranty period, then get the company to do it. There are also many repair businesses that will look at treadmills, and their services don’t cost too much.
Final Thoughts
Treadmills can last for a decade or even longer. However, to make them last that long, you need to constantly check and maintain them.
A treadmill’s ability to handle heavy and constant use is one of the advantages of owning one rather than going to the gym. Remember, though, that it’s also what makes it susceptible to breaks and tears.
Thus, it is important to do regular inspections. Don’t be afraid to call for help, if needed. If you follow these steps, there’s no reason that your home should go without this exercise equipment.
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.