The best treadmills on the market make the numerous benefits of cardio exercise — lower blood pressure, improved circulation, and more — more accessible. (1) But, as BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto notes, these cardio wunderkinds are “large pieces of machinery” that can be as difficult to move as a piece of heavy furniture.
If you haven’t thought about moving your treadmill until now, we’ve got your back. After enlisting some help and mapping out your route, you might need to disassemble the whole machine. Or not. In this guide, we’ll offer up helpful tips on how to move a treadmill.
What You’ll Need to Move a Treadmill
Before you get moving, you’ll need a few simple supplies to make the job much easier and safer. Most important, though? A partner. If you can’t track down any help (or don’t have any favors to cash in), consider calling in a professional mover. Here are a few tools and materials you may need to move your treadmill.
- Gloves: The metal and plastic surfaces on the console, side rails, and frames can quickly get slippery as your hands begin to sweat. Use a pair of gloves to help secure your grip and protect your hands from scratches or scrapes.
- Moving Blankets or Padding: Consider wrapping your treadmill parts (or the entire machine) to create a barrier between it and your walls, floors, or outdoor surfaces. If you’ll be moving your treadmill over hard flooring, some protective padding laid out over your path could also protect against any dings or scratches.
- Tape, Rope, or Bungee Cords: If you plan to fold up your treadmill belt deck and move it in one piece, think about securing it in place with packing or duct tape. You may also be able to use rope or bungee cords to prevent any large parts from shifting or coming loose during moving.
- Allen Wrench or Screwdriver: If you need to remove smaller parts or separate larger pieces, you’ll most likely need a screwdriver or Allen wrench.
- Ziploc Bags: To keep track of any loose bolts, nuts, or screws that may get lost in the moving process, have a few Ziploc bags handy. A Ziploc with sliders may help you secure them faster.
- Furniture Dolly: Some of the best high-end treadmills can weigh upwards of 300 pounds, so you may need a dolly to move these heavier machines.
- Moving Straps: If you’re moving your heavy treadmill in a pickup or moving truck, consider grabbing some moving straps to secure it during transport.
Step-By-Step Guide to Moving a Treadmill
To safely move your treadmill, making a plan is key. Even the lightest treadmills can weigh well over 100 pounds, so having a partner nearby is essential. Whether you’re moving to a new home, rearranging your home gym, or ditching it at the curb, take a look at these easy steps for how to move a treadmill.
Read Manufacturer’s Instructions
We’re all familiar with the heart-pounding cardio treadmills can offer up, but with so many different features and capabilities, it’s important to check your user’s manual for the best way to move it.
After consulting your manufacturer’s instructions, you may find that moving requires disassembly. If your treadmill doesn’t need to be taken apart, check out the rest of our steps to get your machine on the move.
Map Out and Clear a Path
Before setting out on your journey, it’s important to identify your destination. When you’re deciding where to place your treadmill, BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto recommends grabbing a tape measure. “Check the overall length, width, and height of the machine in its assembled position and folded position if applicable. And triple-measure your space to make sure it will fit!”
Take note of any doorways, hallways, and stairs you’ll need to navigate before you have a piece of heavy equipment weighing you down. Also keep in mind the types of flooring you’ll be traversing. While many treadmills have built-in transport wheels, they aren’t typically very reliable — especially over thick carpet. After mapping out your path of least resistance, consider if you’ll be better off disassembling your treadmill or hiring movers.
Unplug the Treadmill and Secure the Power Cord
After unplugging your power cord from the wall, secure it to the machine with a zip tie. You could also use duct tape, but be aware some of the adhesive may be left behind when you take it off. We’d also recommend removing the safety key or at least securing it along with the power cord.
Fold or Disassemble Your Treadmill
After securing your treadmill’s loose or ancillary parts, it’s time to get to work. If you have one of the best folding treadmills, your deck can likely lock into place before you start moving. Even so, you may want to secure the deck upright with a bungee cord, rope, or some duct tape — the last thing you want when moving a treadmill upstairs is for the deck to slam open.
If your deck doesn’t fold, you may need to bust out a screwdriver or Allen wrench — and a baggie to hold any screws, nuts, or bolts — to take it apart.
Whether your model is foldable or not, consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions before you start. As you remove any hardware, consider using your phone to take pictures of where each piece came from to remind you later.
Carefully Lift or Roll the Treadmill
Whether you’re going to use the transport wheels or not, make sure you use proper technique when lifting your treadmill. Here are a few moving tips to do it safely.
- Keep your back straight.
- Lower your body by bending your knees, not curling your back.
- Find a secure grip at the slides or end of the treadmill with both hands.
- Prepare to use your feet, legs, and glutes to drive upwards.
- Countdown with your partner to lift together.
Once you’re moving, follow the path you set previously and make sure to take breaks as needed. Moving one of best cardio machines, whether it’s a treadmill or elliptical, is no easy task, so resist the urge to unnecessarily flex your muscles on moving day. If you start to feel unstable or off-balance, tell your partner so you can lower the treadmill together and live to lift another day.
Unfold or Reassemble Your Treadmill
Once you arrive at your new location, carefully lower your treadmill. If you had to disassemble it, lay each part near where it will need to be reassembled. Set the motor and frame near the base, so you can start there. Lay the handrails and console further away to attach afterwards.
Don’t forget to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model. After reassembling or unfolding your treadmill, take a look around for possible dings or marks it may have picked up during transport.
[Related: How to Move an Elliptical]
When to Hire Professional Movers
If you aren’t sure you can get the job done yourself or if moving this piece of equipment proves too big a hassle, hiring a moving service may be a reasonable choice. Consider calling in some back up if any of the following situations apply to you.
- Your treadmill is too heavy for you and your partner to lift.
- You need to maneuver it around tight corners, hallways, and stairwells.
- You don’t have the required tools for disassembly.
- You can’t find a willing or able partner.
- Health issues limit your mobility, balance, or coordination.
Final Word
Treadmill workouts are among the best cardiovascular exercises you can do in your home, but what do you do when you need to relocate your heavy piece of machinery? If you’re wondering how to move a treadmill, all the info you need is in this how-to.
Moving any piece of home exercise equipment requires a thoughtful plan to ensure you and anyone helping you can do it safely. After you map out your route, load up on wrenches, tape, rope, and padding, and call in a favor from some poor sucker in your orbit (you don’t want to move a treadmill by yourself). To prevent injury or damage to your home or machine, keep our tips in your back pocket to get your treadmill moving safely.
How to Move a Treadmill FAQs
What's the best way to move a treadmill?
Before moving your treadmill, make a plan for navigating the doorways, hallways, or stairwells you may encounter on your journey. We highly recommend enlisting the help of a partner to lighten the load. Once you have secured all your treadmill’s parts (or disassembled the entire machine), slowly and carefully lift or roll it to its new location.
Can you take apart a treadmill to move it?
Yes! In some cases, your treadmill may need to be disassembled to be safely relocated. Consult your user’s manual for detailed disassembly instructions.
How many people does it take to move a treadmill?
We recommend that at least two people move a treadmill, though many hands make light work.
References
- Nystoriak, M. A., & Bhatnagar, A. (2018). Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 5, 135.
