Moving a treadmill can be challenging, as there is a risk of both bodily injury and expensive damage to the equipment if transported incorrectly.
Whether you’re moving to a new home or shifting the treadmill to a different location, it is essential to consider how to move a treadmill.
You must be very cautious if you don’t want to damage your walls and furniture, pull a muscle, or scratch the treadmill.
Ideally, you should hire professional movers to help you move the treadmill; however, if you are planning a DIY move, having a friend to assist you is essential.
This blog will guide you step-by-step on how to move a treadmill safely without causing any injury to your back or damaging the equipment.
Before you start moving a treadmill, here are some tools or moving equipment you will need to make the process easier and faster:
Tools You’ll Need To Move a Treadmill
1. Safety Gloves: When you are moving, it’s important to wear gloves to protect your hands from any scratches. They also help you maintain a secure grip.
2. Furniture Dolly or Hand Truck: A furniture dolly is crucial for transporting heavy items like treadmills or other gym equipment.
3. Moving Blankets/Protective Padding: Packing supplies, including moving blankets and protective padding, protect against scratches or dents.
4. Comfortable, non-slip shoes or a pair of safety boots with steel toes: These will help you move the treadmill safely without slipping.
5. Philips head screwdriver/Socket Wrench: Screwdrivers and wrenches are also necessary for disassembling and reassembling.
6. Packing Tape: Packing tape is needed to secure loose parts or accessories accompanying the treadmill.
7. Moving Straps: Moving straps are essential for securing the treadmill onto a dolly or a moving truck.
8. Bubble Wrap: Bubble wraps are used for extra cushioning, especially for delicate parts of equipment.
Step-By-Step Guide on How To Move a Treadmill
1. Read The Instruction Manual Carefully
Before trying to move a treadmill, try to find the instruction manual. It is essentially important if you are planning a DIY move.
Each model has different features that you need to consider before moving it, especially if you are moving it upstairs or downstairs.
Here are some examples of how treadmills may differ:
Folding Treadmills
Folding treadmills are usually designed to save space. They have a hinge mechanism that allows the running deck to fold up.
When you secure the gear, ensure it is securely locked in the folded position.
Non-Folding Treadmills
Non-folding treadmills are generally sturdier, but they may require the disassembly of parts, including the console or arms, for easier transportation.
Heavy Motors and Light Motors
Some treadmills have very heavy motors, while others are lighter weight. (often new models)
Some Have Wheels
Some treadmills have wheels to transport them, while some don’t.
The most important moving tip we would want to emphasize here is to be careful with their electronic components and screens.
After getting an idea about the different features of a treadmill, check the owner’s manual. If you can’t find the manual, you can check it online.
It would consist of two pieces of important information. These would be:
- Weight and size
- Folding and locking instructions
- Your treadmill instructions can help you determine whether you should plan a DIY move or take the help of professional movers.
- If your treadmill is over 45 pounds, you may need two helping hands to move it. For heavier treadmills of more than 100 pounds, you may need three or more people. So, check the size (width and length of the treadmill), especially if it’s non-foldable.
- Ensure that it can easily pass through all the doorways, including the elevator entrance. Sometimes, it’s easier to remove a door than disassemble a treadmill.
Pro Tip: If you are planning to move the treadmill yourself, consider renting a furniture dolly. By renting a furniture dolly, there are less chances of getting injured or hurting your back and muscles.
2. Unplug The Treadmill and Secure The Cord
Before moving the treadmill, always remember to unplug it from the wall to avoid accidental activation.
Once unplugged, secure the cord with packing tape to prevent it from hanging or tangling during the move.
Some treadmills also have safety keys, which you should remove before relocating your cardio equipment. The safety key is really small, so ensure that you keep it in a safe place to avoid losing it or breaking it during the move.
3. Dismantle or Fold Your Treadmill
Once you understand the details of how your treadmill works, it’s essential to do a little prep work.
If your treadmill model folds, it would be easy to lock it into place.
If your treadmill model doesn’t fold, you would need to dismantle it with the help of a Phillips head screwdriver or a socket wrench.
Go through the manufacturer’s manual or an online tutorial to understand how to dismantle your treadmill correctly.
Keep an airtight bag handy to secure all the loose nuts, bolts, and screws.
While it doesn’t mean that you cannot move a fully intact treadmill, some models come with extra accessories or unique shapes that make them easier to move, at least if partially disassembled.
4. Clear The Pathway To Your Moving Truck
While moving the treadmill, the last thing you’d need is any obstruction in the hallway.
Clear any chairs, tables, or any other obstructions out of the way. Consider using floor protection to avoid any dents or scratches.
Measure your treadmill at this point, whether it’s (folded, locked, or disassembled) and compare the width with that of your doorframes.
Ensure that you map out your route and discuss it with the person helping you to lift the treadmill.
For instance, if you are carrying the treadmill up the stairs, discuss beforehand whether you’ll pause before taking it on.
Here are a few additional steps that you can take when moving your treadmill:
- Removing the doors where the treadmill won’t fit through
- Park the moving truck close to the door so that you don’t have to travel a longer distance.
- Ensuring that the outside area is free of any obstructions like ice, stones, or any slippery spots.
5. Place The Treadmill On a Furniture Dolly
Using a furniture dolly is essential for a treadmill without wheels, especially if the treadmill weighs more than 100 pounds.
Place the treadmill onto the dolly by having two people lift each side of the equipment to set it on the dolly.
If you have more than two helpers, have one helper slide the dolly underneath the lifted machine to make the transfer easier.
Position it on the center of the dolly to evenly distribute the weight and make it easier to transport to the moving truck.
6. Roll The Treadmill Safely To The Moving Truck
Now, it’s time to move your equipment to the moving truck; whether you’re moving the treadmill with wheels or transporting it on a dolly, be sure to have a person at each end, with one person holding the upright bars and then the other person grasping the belt below the equipment.
Carefully put the treadmill back on its wheels and then slowly roll it toward the desired location. Ensure that the person who is walking behind is guided to avoid any obstacles.
If your treadmill is located on the upper floor, here are a few ways you can move it downstairs:
- Assign a stronger person to hold the lower end and handle most of the weight.
- The person who is holding the upper end should keep a firm grip. Consider wearing safety gloves; it would make the move easier and more comfortable.
- Move the dolly down, take it one step at a time, pulling it back instead of pushing.
- Keep the treadmill at a 45-degree angle to ensure it’s safe.
- Communicate with your helper at regular intervals to be sure that everything is in control.
7. Load The Treadmill
Now you must be thinking, how do you load the treadmill? Don’t worry; we have it covered for you.
Carefully roll the dolly up the ramp and onto the moving truck. If your truck doesn’t have a ramp, get help from an extra person to lift it and move it inside.
When you’re lifting a treadmill, follow these guidelines:
- Maintain a flat back (ensure there is no curve in your spine)
- Bend your knees and squat as much as needed
- Lock your upper body in place to the best of your ability
- Securely grip two stable points of the treadmill
- Lift the bottom of the treadmill by holding it under the belt area
- Do a countdown with your partner and lift at the same time
After you’ve safely loaded the treadmill in the moving truck, wrap the treadmill in moving blankets or bubble wrap to protect it from scratches and dents caused by surrounding objects.
Finally, hook the treadmill to the wall with moving straps to keep it secured and stable during transit.
How To Reassemble Your Treadmill
After you’ve decided where you want to set it up in your new location, use the above tips to safely and securely transport your treadmill from your moving truck to its new place.
Remember to go through your instruction manual for guidance on treadmill assembly.
If needed, lock the treadmill back in its upright position and place the safety key in its proper place.
When your treadmill is back together, plug it back in and ensure that it’s fully functional and wasn’t damaged during the move.
Hiring Professional Movers or DIY Moving: Which Is Better?
While the decision of hiring a professional moving company vs. DIY moving lies on you, when moving a heavy item like this, it is advisable to hire a professional moving company.
It does not mean that you cannot move a treadmill yourself, but the machines are heavy, and the risk of damage to the equipment is high.
Professional movers are well-equipped and trained to handle your heavy items like gym equipment, pool tables, pianos, etc. So, handling a treadmill won’t be a difficult task for them.
But, if you don’t have the budget to hire professional movers or want to go for DIY moving, you’ll need at least one person to help you- it could be a friend or family member, especially if you have to move the treadmill upstairs or downstairs.
You might disassemble the treadmill for a smooth move, but the base would still be heavy to carry yourself. Moreover, you’ll need to spend additional money on packing materials.
If you feel you are not confident enough to move the treadmill yourself, take the help of a local moving company, who will make the move stress-free for you.
Movers know how to pack, load, and unload gym equipment. They can also navigate difficult stairways or narrow hallways, so they are the pros in efficiently moving a treadmill without damaging it or injuring themselves.
Conclusion
After you’ve finally made the decision to move a treadmill, remember to go through the owner’s manual and the steps mentioned in the blog before relocating it.
If you are still unsure or don’t want to hurt your back or legs, hire a professional moving company for assistance. You can hire a labor-only moving company if you just want to take treadmill moving services.
These moving services are more affordable and helpful if you are struggling to do the heavy lifting but don’t want to hire a full-service moving company.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How heavy is a treadmill?
The weight of the treadmill generally depends on the model. Generally, treadmills can weigh between 100-500 pounds.
If we talk about low-end treadmills, a simple consumer treadmill can weigh around 200 pounds.
Meanwhile, the high-end treadmills that we see in the gym can weigh around 500 pounds.
2. How do I store a treadmill?
If your new home isn’t ready yet, you can store the equipment in climate-controlled storage units. The treadmills are safe in the storage units.
Also, you can store the loose parts in a bag or tape the bag to the treadmill frame. These measures would ensure you don’t lose the parts of the treadmill.
3. Is it hard to move a treadmill?
Some treadmills are harder to move than others; it depends on what model you have.
Folding treadmills with wheels makes the move much easier, while the heavy and bulky treadmills without the wheels will make the move much more challenging.
For the most part, it would be easier to move a treadmill with a helper, but don’t try moving it alone; you might damage the equipment or injure yourself.
