The treadmill is one of the greatest pieces of exercise equipment to have at home in the world of health and fitness. Why? They take away the boredom of coming to the gym to work out.
Furthermore, they provide all of the benefits and outcomes of exercising from the comfort of your own home.
Consider getting a home treadmill if you feel like you’re wasting too much gas traveling to the gym every day or if you’d want to have your protein shake with you at all times when you work out.
Treadmills, however, are large and noisy, making them difficult to maintain in your home. This is especially true for individuals who reside in an apartment on the second level. Even if you manage to carry the massive equipment upstairs, where can you put it without jeopardizing the storey?
You have to be concerned about the noise and how it may affect your neighbors once more. Is it, then, feasible to retain the treadmill on the second floor? Let’s have a look.
Can You Use Your Treadmill Upstairs in a Safe Way?
Several factors influence whether or not a treadmill may be used upstairs. On the other hand, any well-built building should be able to support the weight of a treadmill. Whatever the case may be, the floor must be able to bear any pressure exerted by the machine, whether or not a human is there.
Treadmills for home use typically weigh between 250 and 350 pounds. When a 300-pound person is added to the 350-pound treadmill, the total weight is 650 pounds. This isn’t a load that an up-to-code structure shouldn’t be able to bear.
Is your floor capable of supporting so much weight?
Houses are constructed in a variety of ways. As a result, the weight capacity of your building is determined by its construction. Any home built according to industry standards should withstand at least 50 pounds per square foot. This means that the greatest weight the building can support in a 50 square foot space is 2,500 pounds. As a result, your home should be able to support the 650 pounds of your treadmill and you on it.
Are You Still Worried About the Treadmill Weight? Consider These Solutions
Solution 1: Position Against a Load Bearing Wall
Place the treadmill right on top of a floor joist to put your mind at ease if your treadmill weight continues to concern you. This is for additional load-bearing capacity. Even better, especially if you’re installing your treadmill on the second story, you may place it against a load-bearing wall.
Solution 2: Purchase a Lighter Treadmill
Perhaps installing a lighter treadmill on the second floor will help you feel better. However, keep in mind that even the largest treadmill has a slim chance of damaging your floor. You may discover that having a lighter model is less stressful because they are easier to handle and set up.
Apart from that, being nervous every time you use the treadmill is not good for your health. Falling through the floor is, without a doubt, a terrifying possibility. However, following these two suggestions should be enough to put your mind at ease.
Using a Treadmill on the Second Floor: Issues and Solutions
While you won’t have to worry about your treadmill’s weight breaking through the floor, you should be aware of several additional concerns with treadmills on the second story. If you live in a flat, there’s a good possibility that the noise and vibrations produced by your machine are bothering someone else.
The noises and sounds we hear are often delivered to us through the air, even though air carries sound waves poorly. On the other hand, solid things have the ability to transmit sound quicker and more powerfully than air. As a result, your treadmill may sound fine to the person using it while blaring into another person’s ear in another room. Treadmills create a lot of vibrations in addition to the noise. This adds to the machine’s average noise level and raises it even higher. This is what makes the machine nearly loud to anyone in the vicinity. If you live upstairs, the folks who live below you are likely to be subjected to all of this unpleasant noise.
The following are the solutions:
Solution 1: Check the sound projection in your home
In your home, how does sound travel? You should put this to the test by standing on your tiptoes upstairs and lowering your heels to the floor. Request assistance from a buddy and have him, or her listen on the floor below. The treadmill’s noise would most likely be unbearable for that downstairs if they can hear your heels sliding to the floor.
Solution 2: Use a carpet
Carpets and anti-vibration treadmill mats are two items that might help to muffle sound in your home. Rugs and carpets serve to protect the floor from damage in addition to decreasing noise. To reduce noise and vibrations, it’s also a good idea to put your treadmill in a corner.
Using Your Treadmill on a Flat
As you may be aware, using your treadmill on an upper level, whether in a family house or a flat, has several drawbacks. Perhaps you could speak with your family members to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to your treadmill. However, if you live in a flat, this is not always doable with your neighbors.
If your home has characteristics like a wood frame and a wall void, you’re in much more difficulty. This is because these items amplify the noise in the house. Meanwhile, any treadmill that operates at 50 decibels will create a noise level of 100 dB for the people below you. The annoyingly scream of a passing train is equal to 100 decibels. Do you want your neighbors marching up the stairwell and pounding on your door complaining about how noisy your treadmill is? If not, what are your options?
How to Use a Treadmill in Your Apartment
Option 1: Relocate to the first floor
Moving to the first floor is the only way to totally avoid bothering anybody in your unit. This also removes the strain of transporting the treadmill to the next or higher level. If this isn’t practicable, consider reducing vibrations using treadmill mats or gypcrete soundproofing.
Option 2: Opt for a flat with a gym
Another alternative is to rent an apartment with a gym included. Though this alternative is more expensive, you won’t have to worry about disturbing your neighbors. Purchasing a home treadmill, on the other hand, is a far more cost-effective alternative.
Option 3: Have a conversation with your neighbor down below
Inform the individual who lives below your apartment that you will be using your treadmill to exercise. Suggest that they come to you and tell you if the noise becomes bothersome.
Also, find out when is the optimum time for you to utilize the machine. You’ll be more comfortable, and they’ll be more comfortable as well. They’ll also be more likely to approach you than report you if the disruption becomes too great.
Also, attempt to schedule your appointment during times when they aren’t at home. All of these methods should help you keep a friendly relationship with your neighbors while also allowing you to use your treadmill.
What’s the Best Way to Get Your Treadmill Upstairs?
When you buy a treadmill, most businesses will only deliver it to your front door. They are unlikely to assist in transporting the machine even to the main floor. How are you going to get your treadmill to the second story now?
You can choose to have your treadmill delivered to the second floor for an additional fee. That isn’t all, though. You’ll also need to hire a dolly to get your belongings up the stairwell. Keep in mind that a pre-assembled heavyweight treadmill may not be able to pass through your stairwell. This is because the stairwell may be too narrow for it.
Final Thoughts
If you can get your treadmill to work on the second level, you’ll have solved half of the difficulty that comes with using a treadmill upstairs. Make sure to follow our advice for dealing with any treadmill noise or weight concerns.
While the likelihood of the machine’s weight falling through the floor is remote, it cannot be ruled out. Some houses are built improperly, and the machine’s pressure may cause the floor to give way. However, this is seldom the case. Utilize all of the options presented here, and using your treadmill on the second story will be a reality.
FAQ
How heavy is a treadmill?
A manual treadmill should weigh around 60 lbs (27 kg), whereas a motorized treadmill should weigh around 210 lbs (95 kg). A treadmill’s weight capacity increases as it becomes heavier.
How do you move a heavy treadmill?
Maintain your balance and keep the treadmill upright. Before stepping away from the treadmill, double-check the pin. Swing the back end of the treadmill frame up off the ground by lifting with your legs rather than your back. Swing the treadmill frame toward the main console by lifting it up.
How hard is it to move a treadmill upstairs?
It depends on the treadmill weight and the size. But in most cases, it’s pretty hard for one person to move it to the second floor.