If you don’t properly ground your treadmill, it can get annoying for you as you can get mild electric shocks from time to time while working out. Frequent static shock or zaps can hamper your workout sessions and performance. Also, it can lead to accidents and injuries too. So, you must ground your treadmill machine properly.
For grounding your treadmill and stopping the treadmill static shocks, you can take various preventative measures to reduce the unwanted electric shock or zaps while your skin comes in contact with the treadmill’s frame. For having a more enjoyable fitness routine, you need to take one of these measures and get rid of the shocks by grounding your treadmill.
Here are some tips for properly grounding your treadmill and getting rid of unwanted shocks:
Tips on How to Properly Ground a Treadmill
Tips 1: Keeping the Source of Power Direct
The best way to ground your treadmill, avoid electric shocks, and have proper performance and safety levels, is to use a power source that has a ground wire for running your treadmill. It means you will need to plug your treadmill into the wall’s power outlet directly.
As the electric wall outlets directly lead back to the circuit breaker, it will give your treadmill a powerful electric current. Using grounded power outlets to run your treadmill will protect the treadmill from unexpected surges of electricity that could cause damage to its inner compartments. Also, you should make sure that you are not powering or charging any other electric device by using that line. It’s also important that the power outlet can support a 120-volt circuit that has 15 amps. It’s optimal to get a 20-amp outlet for running your treadmill and have it appropriately grounded.
It is best if you don’t use surge protectors, extension cords, ground adapters, or power strips. There is a motor controller in your treadmill that will send pulses of both high and low series to increase and decrease the motor’s voltage. While using the treadmill, you apply a specific resistance to its motor that works to turn the belt. The motor controller then compensates for this resistance by increasing the voltage when you set your foot on the machine. This design has a specific efficiency that keeps the machine properly running and grounded, and using surge protectors and power conditioners can interfere with this.
Tips 2: Putting a Mat Under the Treadmill
If you use a treadmill mat made of durable and thick PVC, it can act as a useful measure to reduce equipment vibrations and grounding your treadmill. Foams can also help in this regard. If you place a mat on the treadmill, it will also help keep your treadmill’s motor compartment clean from debris and dust.
The static charge of treadmills can attract carbon fibers, vacuum, dust particles, dust particles, dirt, pet hair, etc., and make their way into the motor compartments and the belt. If the motor, belt, or underside of your treadmill gets clogged up with dust and debris, the gears and lower electronics board can get seized up, and various equipment can get damaged.
Among various flooring options, hardwood and cement flooring are low-static options, whereas carpeting and polymer flooring are high-static options. No matter what type of flooring you have at your home, the vibrations and heat produced by your treadmill can often generate unwanted static electricity and cause problems. To properly ground your treadmill, you can use a mat with an optimal thickness of 6 mm. Make sure to get a mat that will fit your treadmill perfectly.
Tips 3: Compensating for Dry Air
Many people go for treadmill machines so that they can work out in the comfort of their own homes. Due to that, they don’t have to walk or jog outside during uncomfortable weather situations. Especially during winter, the humidity is much lower, and the air is drier indoors. Users are more likely to get shocked by their treadmills or elliptical static electricity when the moisture is little in the air.
If you get a humidifier for the room with your treadmill and set the humidity level to around 40 to 50 percent, it can help you reduce the electric shocks and keep your treadmill properly grounded. The relative humidity level in the room will rise; by doing so, a reduction in static electric charge will get transferred between the treadmill and you. So, you can try grounding your treadmill by getting a humidifier for your room and bringing a change in the dry air of the room.
Check out this illustration from treadmillreviews.net on treadmill safety
Some Other Solutions
Make sure not to use bleach, ammonia, or alcohol cleaners. Instead, use something that is designed for treadmills. Use a washcloth for cleaning your treadmill. Follow the manuals properly while adjusting the treadmill’s belt and lubricating it. Also, you can try wiping the belt with a fabric softener as it helps to reduce static shock while running on the treadmill. You can also try spraying the area around your treadmill with anti-static spray, as it’s known to be of some help.
How to Run Properly on a Treadmill
If you’re new to running, you might be wondering how to properly use a treadmill. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Start by walking on the treadmill at a comfortable pace. Once you’re warmed up, you can start running.
2. Make sure you’re using the proper form. Keep your head up and your back straight.
3. If you start to feel tired, slow down or take a break. Don’t push yourself too hard.
4. When you’re done, cool down by walking for a few minutes. Then, stretch your muscles.
How to Properly Get off a Treadmill
Here are some tips for getting off a treadmill properly:
- First, slow down the treadmill to a slow walk before coming to a stop
- Press the stop button and hold on to the handrails
- Then step off the treadmill carefully
- Finally, give yourself a few minutes to cool down before leaving
Final Words
For a comfortable and efficient cardio workout session, you must take proper measures to ground your treadmill properly. It won’t only reduce electric shocks; you will also be safe from accidents and injuries caused by the static shock. You can quickly go through the measures mentioned above for grounding your treadmill. If you follow these measures properly, your treadmill will stay grounded and provide you with safe and comfortable workout sessions. Also, various parts of your treadmill will remain safe from getting damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you keep from getting shocked on a treadmill?
Ans: The best way to avoid getting shocked on a treadmill is to make sure that you are properly grounded. You can do this by wearing shoes that have rubber soles, or by using a treadmill that is equipped with a grounding cord.
Q: Can I plug a treadmill into a GFCI outlet?
Ans: Yes, you can plug a treadmill into a GFCI outlet as long as the outlet is properly installed and working.
Q: Do treadmills need a surge protector?
Ans: Treadmills need a surge protector because they have sensitive electronics that can be damaged by power surges. A surge protector protects against power surges by diverting the excess voltage to a grounding wire.
