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Written by Matt CummingsLast updated on May 24th, 2024 Expert Verified By: Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1 Colorless Methyl Silicone Oil
If it’s been three months since you brought home one of the best treadmills and you’ve noticed some catching or slippage in the belt, this song’s for you. Fitness equipment requires regular maintenance, whether it be wiping it down after use or gently removing the robin’s nest nestled in your power rack. And when it comes to cardio machines, lubrication is key. Much like changing the oil in your car, regular maintenance of your treadmill will prolong its lifespan and keep the squeaks and squeals at bay.
Our team of gym owners and certified fitness professionals has years of experience assembling and maintaining treadmills, ellipticals, rowers, and more. Whether you are the attentive parent of your first treadmill or a seasoned manager of multiple machines, we think these options are your best bet to keep your treadmill in tip-top shape. Keep scrolling to check out our picks for the best treadmill lubricants.
This article has been reviewed by Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, a certified personal trainer, USA Weightlifting coach, and CrossFit Level-1 instructor. She reviewed the research we cite to help ensure we’re providing helpful, accurate descriptions and recommendations.
The BarBend team of gym owners, certified personal trainers, and marathon runners has been assembling and maintaining treadmills for years. In addition to following BarBend’s Equipment Testing Methodology, we leaned on our personal experience and research to make sure the treadmill lubricants on our list are safe and effective for your machine.
We also asked BarBend expert reviewer and gym owner Kate Meier to provide insight from her decades of experience as a fitness professional. Below are some of the factors we looked for when choosing the best treadmill lubricants.
This 100-percent silicone lubricant can help prolong the life of your elliptical without needing to re-up anytime soon. Customers report that it effectively reduces noise during use. Because it is thicker than other lubricants, a small drop can effectively lubricate your machine.
Grab your calculators, students. Each bottle in the Horizon Fitness 3-Pack contains a little more than one and a half ounces, but you’ll just be squeezing a small spot on with each use. Since you’ll be lubricating your treadmill every three months or so, each three-pack contains enough for (calculating…calculating…) nine applications — or 27 months. That’s more than two years’ worth of lubricant for $24.
This 100-percent silicone formula helps keep your belt and rollers spinning smoothly and can help cut down on the squeaks and squeals of a neglected treadmill. Its thick consistency makes for easy application, too, as it will exit the bottle more slowly.
However, some customers reported that its viscosity may be a little too thick, noting in Amazon reviews that they had trouble getting it out. This could be an issue if your treadmill is in a crowded space. Straining just to squeeze the lubricant out of the bottle may be more difficult if you’re already contorting your body to reach under the belt.
This silicone formula is also safe to use on the best cardio machines that aren’t treadmills — like ellipticals and exercise bikes. For $4.70 per ounce, it’s pricier than some other options, but having three bottles on hand will be useful for gym owners or those with well-stocked home gyms.
This all-in-one maintenance kit contains lubricant packets, a replacement safety key, cleaning spray, and towel. It's lubricant formula is 100-percent silicone.
If your search for treadmill lubricant has you thinking broadly about how to clean treadmills, the NordicTrack Treadmill Maintenance Kit is a one-stop shop. In addition to the lubricant and applicator tube, you’ll get an 8-ounce bottle of cleaning spray, a cleaning guide, and a towel to help prevent any buildup of dust and debris.
While NordicTrack markets this kit for its own treadmills, the treadmill lube itself matches the 100-percent silicone formula we recommend for most machines. One customer reported that, after keeping their treadmill in storage for a year, this lubricant prevented it from stalling. “After about 10 to 15 minutes, it would stall. I was told to get lube for the belt. Got this stuff and applied it, now I can run the treadmill’s full workout programs with no stalls,” they wrote in an Amazon review.
The applicator tube spans the width of most treadmill belts, but some customers noted its flimsiness. “The applicator was a little weak. I thought it was going to break a few times but it held up,” said one customer. Another user wasn’t so fortunate, writing, “The applicator strips broke into three pieces on the first slide of the first use.”
We think this kit is suited for new treadmill owners who need to stock up on basic maintenance supplies, like cleaning spray or a replacement safety key. If you only need the lubricant, $39 is too high. But to round out your treadmill care tools, the NordicTrack Treadmill Maintenance Kit is a good option.
[Related: How To Clean Treadmill Belts]
The applicator tube assists in applying this 100-percent silicone lubricant to hard-to-reach areas. Its formula is odorless and nontoxic and can reduce noise, while prolonging the life of your fitness equipment.
Whether your floor space is being overtaken by fitness gear or Bluey toys, the applicator tube on the Noosa Life Treadmill Belt Lubricant can save you some of the contorting required to reach under the tread belt.. Since most treadmill belts are around 20 inches wide, the extra 10 inches the tube adds to your reach might be the answer for spaces crowded with the best home gym equipment.
Customers not only loved the lubricant, which is odorless and nontoxic, but they also reported that the tube can make all the difference. “This lubricant worked much better than what was supplied with my treadmill. The long tube made it easy to apply,” one five-star Amazon review reads. “That it is American-made is a plus for me. The treadmill runs very smoothly and is quieter. Quality is definitely good. Good service on delivery from Amazon.”
While the quality of the tube itself is reportedly solid, the connection point between the tube and the bottle presented issues for some users. “The overall design in theory is great and simple,” one customer wrote. “Except the screw cap with the applicator leaks when I use it. I put it on as tight as I can, and it’s still not watertight.”
While the tube seems to be higher quality than some other options we’ve seen, one customer had difficulty pinpointing where the lubricant was going. “The flexible tube was a bit difficult to keep straight and to tell exactly where the lubricant was going,” they said. “I put on a headlamp and the extra light helped me see what was going on.”
The EZ-Squeeze bottle and precision twist top allow for simple application. Its 100-percent silicone is both odorless and nontoxic, and one four-ounce bottle can last for a long time.
If using an applicator tube seems unnecessary or awkward, the EZ-Squeeze bottle and precision twist top of the Impresa Treadmill Lubricant may be your answer. The silicone formula is odorless and nontoxic, and customers praise the design of the bottle. “I was very impressed with the bottle,” reads one Amazon review. “It was a lot easier to squeeze out than one I had purchased from someone else. I will definitely purchase this again.”
The thick consistency earned high marks from many customers who reported that it will boost its longevity. “I highly recommend this for anyone with exercise equipment since it’s affordable and long-lasting,” said another customer. “I think this is a must have.” For $9.99, you’ll receive one 4-ounce bottle, which should be enough for about eight applications.
Other customers did report some leaking, including one three-star review that said, “I would have given 5 stars if it came with a longer applicator. They tell you the product will leak and it does — not terribly, but annoying.”
This silicone formula can also be applied to many of the best exercise bikes and ellipticals. If you maintain multiple treadmills or other cardio machines, the Impresa Treadmill Belt Lubricant is also available in a two-pack. Opting for two 4-ounce bottles should be enough for about 16 treadmill belt applications.
This aerosol spray comes with straw nozzle for easy application. Its water-resistant formula protects against rust and can be used in other settings.
If you prefer using an aerosol spray over treadmill oil or gel, DuPont’s Teflon Multi-Use Aerosol Treadmill Lubricant may help with the application process. The straw nozzle assists in targeting the spray in the precise location where it’s needed under the walking belt.
Its water-resistant formula contains corrosion-resistant additives, as well as Teflon, which may cause damage to certain treadmills. As such, take the time to double-check your user manual to see if this could damage your machine.
One customer did exactly that when they applied it to their NordicTrack treadmill. “After much research, this was purchased for an older NordicTrack treadmill,” they wrote. “Do your research on your treadmill brand, as some suggest silicone and others a non-silicone lubricant (i.e. Teflon). Comes with a small red straw to help direct the spray in smaller areas. Worked well to help reduce treadmill belt friction.”
Some users noted that after application, they noticed a lingering unpleasant smell. “The only thing I don’t like about it is the smell,” one customer said. “[It] resembles shoe polish, but is stronger and lingers for a long time.”
It's 100-percent silicone formula is safe for most treadmills and is inherently odorless and nontoxic. This lubricant comes with a money-back guarantee.
The 100-percent silicone formula of the Essential Values Silicone Treadmill Belt Lubricant is made in the U.S. and inherently nontoxic and odorless. While Essential Values recommends using an entire 1-ounce bottle — roughly the size of an eye-dropper bottle — to lubricate your treadmill, we’ve found that half an ounce is typically just right.
Three 1-ounce bottles should be enough for around six applications, meaning this three-pack should last about 18 months if you stick to a lubrication schedule of once every three months. Customers report that it works across multiple brands, but always check your manufacturer’s instructions before applying any lubricant. In our experience, 100-percent silicone lubricants like this are ideal for treadmill belts.
One user reported in an Amazon review that this Essential Values lubricant remedied some sputtering in their belt. “The lube itself seems to work well. My treadmill was giving me issues, not having been waxed in quite a while,” they said. “After using this product, the belt again seems smooth and there is no catching or slipping.”
Many options are sold in larger bottles and while using a smaller bottle may be easier to apply under tight belts, one customer reported that was actually an issue. “I figured I would like the single-use bottles but fitting them under the tight belt and then trying to tip them enough to get all the liquid out is difficult,” they wrote.
According to BarBend expert reviewer Kate Meier, “It only takes about 5 minutes to properly lubricate a belt, and doing so can extend your treadmill’s lifetime. The lubrication minimizes the friction between the belt and the treadmill deck, preventing belt damage over time.”
When he broke down how to lubricate a treadmill, BarBend’s lead reviewer, Jake Herod, NASM-CNC, said, “Lubricating the belt may be the most important component to ensuring it operates at peak performance for years.”
Whether you prefer a squeeze bottle with a twist cap or an aerosol spray, the best treadmill lubricants can cost anywhere from $9.99 to $39. Here is a breakdown of the price range of our picks.
Before clicking add to cart, consider the type of treadmill lubricant that will best serve you by asking a few questions: “Do I need an applicator tube? How often do I use my treadmill? Did I trash that user’s manual?” Whether you manage a commercial gym or are still figuring out where to position your treadmill, here are a few things to consider as you peruse our list.
When you consider the available methods of application — squeeze bottle, applicator tube, or aerosol spray — think about how you’ll reach under the belt. If you’re in a cramped garage gym or climbing over your kid’s toys, an applicator tube may keep you from having to contort your body too much. However, if you have plenty of room around your treadmill, a spray could be more comfortable.
The frequency with which you use your treadmill is a major factor in how often you’ll need to lubricate it. Some treadmill manufacturer’s and lubricant brands offer mileage ranges or timeframes for regular lubrication. Absent specific instructions from the manufacturer, Meier says that, in most cases every few months should do the trick. “A good rule of thumb would be to use about half of an ounce of a lubricant on your machine every three months.”
Before snagging one of these lubricants, Meier recommends consulting your treadmill’s user manual (that you definitely kept) or finding it online. “To properly lubricate your machine, it’s best to first check your owner’s manual to see if there is a set amount of lubricant to use or how often,” she says. Many treadmills require a silicone lubricant, but make sure you know exactly what type your machine needs.
Our top treadmill lubricant is the Horizon Fitness 3-Pack Silicone Treadmill Lubricant. Each bottle in this three-pack contains enough lubricant for roughly three applications, which should last more than two years if you follow our recommended three-month lubrication schedule. Buying this much at once is great for anyone maintaining multiple treadmills or those — like yours truly — who prefer buying in bulk.
Whether you’re squeezing oil from a bottle or spraying your lubricant, the method of application shouldn’t affect the performance of the machine. Five of our six picks are 100-percent silicone oil and the one aerosol spray is silicone-based, but contains Teflon. Double check your owner’s manual to see what kind of formula is safe for your treadmill.
WD-40 Specialist Silicone is safe to use on most treadmills, but we can’t say whether it performs better than the options on our list. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendation before using a third-party lubricant.
Many 100-percent silicone lubricants are safe for use on treadmills, but always consult your specific treadmill’s user manual before applying any lubricant.
Matt Cummings is a fitness instructor, product reviewer, and curriculum writer. If you're looking for him, chances are, he's on the move. Whether it's hiking, lifting, biking, or taking his dog for a run, he can't stand being still for long.
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