When you have spent a small fortune to purchase exactly the right treadmill for you, it is perfectly natural to want to take good care of it. Fortunately, newer pieces of exercise equipment such as the treadmill exercise equipment don't require a lot of maintenance because they are now designed that way. Even better, you won't need to spend more than a few minutes a month on the maintenance of your equipment to keep it looking brand new.

Maintenance Tip #1: Wipe Off Perspiration

At the end of each workout, you should wipe any sweat off the treadmill using a dry towel. Because of its corrosive properties, sweat can damage over time the belt on your treadmill exercise equipment. In addition, sweat can make the belt slick and, consequently, unsafe for anyone planning to exercise on it after you.

Maintenance Tip #2: Remove Dust

As you might suspect, dirt and dust can create two problems: they can inhibit the movement of the belt and they can interfere with your electronic board. Consequently, it is highly recommended to dust your treadmill exercise equipment at least once a week. The best tools for this task would be a clean dry cloth to remove dust from the belt and the area under the belt, and a moist cloth on the electronic board. Make be sure the cloth is only moist, and not dripping wet. Another thing to remember is to never use furniture products or polish like Endust on your treadmill exercise equipment.

Finally, every couple of months, it would be a really good idea to remove the hood of the machine to wipe away any dirt or dust that has accumulated inside.

Maintenance Tip #3: Check the Belt

You should check the belt on your treadmill to make sure it still fits snugly ant that it is aligned approximately once a month. After the first few uses, the belts on some of the new machines especially tend to loosen. Usually, you will find the screws to tighten the belt at the back of the machine. However, be very careful not to tighten too much. It may only take a quarter turn. If the belt is askew, simply giving it a gentle tug will get it back into alignment. Always remember to seek advice from the manufacturer or the fitness store where you bought your treadmill exercise equipment if you have trouble realigning or tightening the belt.

Since most new treadmills do not require belt lubrication, you should only lubricate your belt if and only if the manufacturer of your treadmill specifically recommends it. If that's your case, your manufacturer probably sells lubrication kits accompanied with instructions and all the equipment you will need to accomplish that task quickly.

Here are two good reasons to take care of your treadmill: 1) it is not at all time consuming and 2) giving proper care to your equipment will extend its life in the long run. The best course of action is to contact the manufacturer of your treadmill exercise equipment to obtain additional information if you are not certain about the specific care that is recommended for your treadmill.