Would adding something thicker than a treadmill mat help?

You can always install .25"-.5" rubber gym flooring under your treadmill. That will allow for a lot more vibration dampening than a standard treadmill mat.

Are commercial treadmills quieter than residential models?

That depends on the model. On the whole, commercial units will be quieter as they are overbuilt and overpowered. They also tend to get more regular maintenance than a home unit. Nicer quality home units, though, will be just as quiet as commercial models. The quietest units should list their sound levels in db in their description.

Is it better to fix my treadmill or replace it?

If there is a major repair, it's often more cost-effective to replace your unit. If the control board goes down, your average repair cost is around $1000. For belts and motors, it can be even more. Check what the average repair cost is and ask yourself this question... "Would I buy a used treadmill for that much?" If the answer is yes, then pay for the repair. If the answer is no, then don't. Basically, when repairing something, you are buying a used version of that thing for the price of the repair.

Got Treadmill Noise? Here Are 17 Ways To Fix It!

Noise is an essential factor when purchasing a treadmill. And unfortunately, “whisper quiet” is often not quiet or whisper-like at all!

Treadmills are surprisingly noisy. They can reach as much as 90 decibels (the same as a lawnmower!) while in use.

We know that a treadmill’s noise can be distracting and annoying, so we’ve written this article to show you how to make your treadmill quieter.

If you want to make your at-home exercise routine quieter and more enjoyable, this article will outline the causes of treadmill noise and the ten best ways to make your treadmill quieter so that you can focus on your workout and achieve your fitness goals. Let’s dive in!

ProForm Treadmill — This treadmill is old, well-used, and noisy! Let’s fix that.

Causes of Treadmill Noise

Many factors are involved in the noise production from treadmills, and the volume depends on several elements. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common sources of unwanted treadmill noise:

Treadmill Belt

One of the irritated sounds produced by treadmills comes from the belt itself. The treadmill belt plays a crucial role in determining the noise produced. If the belt is not correctly adjusted, it can generate irritating, squeaking, screeching, and whining sounds distracting during your workout.

It’s also important to keep your treadmill belt lubricated and at the correct tension (see our complete guide on how to do that here). If either of these things is off, you’ll hear more of that irritating squeaking and screeching!

treadmill belt wear — Belt wear and damage can make all kinds of terrible noises!

The Motor

The motor is a significant contributor to treadmill noise. A new well-lubricated motor with the right power for your needs will be relatively quiet. You’ll likely get a lot of noise when your motor is old, worn out, and underpowered for your unit.

Over time due to dust and lint, the motor can become clogged with debris over time, increasing the noise level.

Treadmill Defects and Malfunctions

Like any machine, treadmills require regular maintenance to function correctly. Various components may need attention, which, if neglected, can increase noise levels.

treadmill noise can come from the motor or other interior components — Lots of places for noise to come from in here!

If your treadmill starts making a lot of noise unexpectedly, you may have a broken or defective part inside.

You!!!

Depending on your speed, stride length, physical weight, and running form, running on a treadmill creates its own noise. A professional runner who weighs in at 98 lbs will produce significantly less noise than an uncoordinated 200 lb individual who just started running.

How you use your treadmill dramatically affects how much noise it makes!

The Best Ways to Make Your Treadmill Quieter

Now that we have an idea of why your treadmill is making noise let’s take a look at how to quiet that puppy down! And as a side note, make sure to check out our guide on XX ways to quiet a home gym for an exhaustive list of all the ways you can bring some peace and quiet to your garage gym!

Choose the Right Location

The location of the treadmill is a significant contributor to noise. Choose an area with good surroundings; a room with a solid cement floor is the best option.

Apartment building — Those who live in an apartment might have a tougher time with treadmill placement.

You can significantly reduce treadmill noise by placing it in a garage or a basement.

If you live in an apartment, treadmill noise may disturb your neighbors. First-floor apartments tend to be better than upper floors and will disturb fewer neighbors. We have an entire article devoted to building a home gym in a small apartment that you can read here.

Try moving your treadmill away from adjacent walls. A treadmill produces more sound when placed near the wall because it is echoed and amplified.

You can also avoid treadmill noise by avoiding wooden floors and using carpets. If you don’t have a choice and the room you want your treadmill in has hard floors, then…

Use a Treadmill Mat

The primary source of treadmill noise is friction between your feet and the treadmill, also called impact noise. Not to mention your body weight landing squarely on the treadmill and transferring at least some of that force to the ground below.

Rubber treadmill mats have a shock-absorbing quality, which helps reduce treadmill noise. The mat helps reduce noise by absorbing the vibrations of the treadmill. We wrote a thorough guide to picking the perfect treadmill mat that you can read here!

Rubber mats also help reduce noise by minimizing the treadmill’s movement (called “walking”). If the treadmill was recently placed on a new floor, there is a higher chance of it sliding. In this case, the use of a mat will prevent sliding.