Are you getting complaints from your downstairs neighbors about your treadmill noise? Or you're thinking of buying a treadmill, but worried it would disturb others? A treadmill is always going to make some noise.
Owning a treadmill is a great convenience and living in an apartment shouldn't hold you back (unless it’s not allowed of course). According to BrickUnderground, some apartment buildings won't even allow them.
Luckily, measures can be taken to reduce the noise and vibration, from choosing the right treadmill to finding the best location to place it. This way you can avoid annoying your neighbors while working toward your fitness goals.
Hold on to your running shoes and keep reading to get helpful tips on how to reduce treadmill noise in an apartment.
Best treadmills for apartments
The treadmill you own will make a huge difference when it comes to sound. So, if you haven't bought a treadmill already, this tip is for you!
When you're looking to buy the perfect treadmill for your apartment, look for one with a good shock absorbing system. These treadmills will benefit you in many ways.
A shock absorbing system will reduce the bearing on your floor, meaning less noise and damage. Additionally, it will also do your legs a great deal of good. Running on a treadmill with good cushioning will reduce the impact on your knees and joints so you, in turn, can run further.
Insulation
Is your treadmill standing on a bare floor? Consider moving it. A treadmill placed on a rug or carpet will really make a lot less noise.
Insulating your treadmill is all about thickness and good padding. This will reduce the motor sounds, but also the impact noise of your steps.
If you don't want to place your machine on a carpet, or if you want to reduce the noise even further, think about getting a treadmill mat. You can read my best treadmill mat reviews here. These are specially designed to minimize vibrations and sounds, while keeping the lower parts of your treadmill safe from dust or dirt.
Even if your treadmill is placed on a thick rug or carpet, it's recommended to put a treadmill mat in between. A soft rug will likely gather loads of dust which damages the motor. A specialized treadmill mat is designed to keep the dust at bay.
Location Matters!
Where you place your treadmill can definitely influence the amount of noise it makes. Placing it in the middle of a room might be better than toward the edge of the room. If you put the treadmill up against a wall, the sound is likely to echo and appear louder.
However, if you have small children at home, placing a treadmill in the center of the room might be like waving candy in front of them, if you get what I mean. Children and treadmills don't mix. This piece of equipment was built for adults only; small children can get their hands stuck or hurt themselves by pushing the wrong buttons.
Under these circumstances, safety comes first and it's better to place the treadmill out of reach.
A solution might be to buy a lighter or more movable and smaller treadmill. That way you can quickly pull it out of the corner and place it in the center when you are ready to use it. You can check my advise on the, in my opinion, best compact treadmills.
Maintenance
Maintenance is essential, no matter what. It also leads to a significant decrease in unnecessary motor or belt sounds.
If you are handy, you'll likely be able to work on the treadmill yourself, tightening the various bolts and screws. It's vital to give your treadmill a regular checkup. This will keep your equipment safe for many years, save you money on preventable damages, and keep it running more quietly.
Lubrication of a treadmill is especially important. Read through your owner's manual to check how often your machine’s manufacturer recommends applying lubricant.
If your treadmill is dry, friction is created between the walking belt and running deck. This, in turn, usually results in early wear and tear of the belt and also increases unnecessary noise. It might also cause you belt to slip.
Check if your treadmill belt requires lubricating or cleaning by sliding your hand underneath the walking belt. If your hand comes out dry, your machine probably needs lubrication. Read your manual for instructions on how to apply it; this can differ between manufacturers.
Get to Know Your Neighbor
Not many people buy a treadmill merely to annoy their neighbors. But no matter your intentions, your treadmill is bound to have some sort of impact.
In an effort to keep the peace, it’s a good idea to get to know your neighbors. Do they have kids? Do they often sleep in? Where is the bedroom or nursery? These are important questions to ask.
For example, you don't want to place your treadmill above a bedroom or nursery. These rooms are meant for quiet time, so your early morning run is likely to annoy those sleeping nearby.
Maybe let your neighbors know that you have or will buy a treadmill. And be reasonable; ask if there are any specific hours when you should avoid running.
Adjust your running technique to lessen the impact of your steps. Heavy feet are bound to make louder noises; they also tire you out faster.
If you need a clearer vision of how to diagnose and reduce the mechanical noise, please feel free to watch this video:
Conclusion
A treadmill in your apartment is a definite advantage. Unfortunately, if you're continually receiving noise complaints from your neighbors, this might limit how often you actually use it.
As we just learned, measures can be taken to reduce the noise and keep a good relationship with your neighbors. To summarize, here is a step-by-step guide you can follow:
- Buy a treadmill with a good shock-absorbing system.
- Place carpet or a treadmill mat (or both) underneath your treadmill. Yes, in my opinion, you still need one even if you have a carpet floor.
- Place it away from walls, ideally in the center of the room.
- Preform regular checkups and maintenance.
- Lubricate often as per your owner's manual.
- Be reasonable with your neighbors and don't run at disturbing hours.
Do you have any further questions? Or do you have any tips you would like to share? Please feel free to write a comment below.