
How Can You Put a Treadmill Upstairs Safely?
- Position it on top of a floor joist. If you are familiar with your home’s floor plan, locate the floor joists or supporting walls. ...
- Place it next to a wall. This spot is an ideal alternative if there are no joists in the room. ...
- Transfer it to a carpeted flooring. ...
- Choose a well-built but lighter treadmill. ...
Is it safe to use a treadmill upstairs?
You can use a treadmill upstairs, but it may be a less than ideal choice. Consider the implications of using a treadmill upstairs before setting up your exercise space. While it is perfectly acceptable to use a treadmill upstairs, consider the noise factor before you make a final decision.
Can you put a treadmill on the second floor?
It is safe to install a treadmill on the second floor of any modern home or apartment built to current building codes. The average weight of a quality treadmill is between 250-300 lbs. Even with a 200+ lb person running on it, this is well within the weight capacity of a second-level floor.
Do you burn more calories outside or on a treadmill?
“You probably burn about 3 to 7 percent more calories running outside than on a treadmill," says John Porcari, Ph.D., director of the Clinical Exercise Physiology program at the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. When you’re on a treadmill, the moving belt helps propel you as you run, and you’re not dealing with wind resistance, he explains.
Should I run outside or on a treadmill?
There are pros and cons to both running on the treadmill and running outside. If you’re training for a race, you’re probably going to want to focus on clocking most of your miles outdoors, but if you’re running to keep fit, then a treadmill can help you reach your goals even if it's rainy and cold outside.

How do I get my treadmill upstairs?
Tilt the treadmill slightly back toward the floor and lift it off the ground from one end while another person lifts the other end. If your treadmill is still in the box, lift one end of the box while a second person lifts the opposite end.
Do treadmills damage floors?
Treadmills are typically heavy. The weight of the machine can make indentations in your carpet or wood floor, and can actually tear vinyl flooring. Add the weight and impact of your running or walking on the machine, and your floor becomes even more susceptible to the damaging effects of pounding.
Is it safe to put gym equipment upstairs?
The simple answer is yes; you can safely include gym equipment on the second floor of your home. This may be different if you live in an apartment, as you'll need to check with the landlord. The main consideration to keep in mind is safety, though.
Is a treadmill too heavy for second floor?
It is safe to install a treadmill on the second floor of any modern home or apartment built to current building codes. The average weight of a quality treadmill is between 250-300 lbs. Even with a 200+ lb person running on it, this is well within the weight capacity of a second-level floor.
How much weight can 2nd floor support?
The load capacity of a second floor in a home is regulated at 40 lbs. per square foot. For bedrooms, the capacity is 30 lbs. per square foot.
Where should I put my treadmill in my house?
Three possibilities:Create a workout room. Of course, this is the ideal: an entire room just for training. ... Put your treadmill in the living room. If you don't have a spare bedroom or office, put your treadmill in your living room. ... Keep it in your room. The last option: your bedroom.
Is it good to have a treadmill at home?
There are really numerous advantages of owning your own treadmill and using it on a regular basis. You can significantly improve your cardio and muscular strength while reducing the risk for heart, metabolic, and joint related health disease. You can also improve your stamina without having to run outdoors.
How do I exercise my second floor?
One of the best ways to reduce impact noise is to use a dampening material like a sound proof exercise mat. These mats use materials like PVC, rubber, or naturally-occurring fibers. All work on the same principle. Their texture absorbs the energy of the impact hitting the floor, and reduces impact noise.
What can I put under my treadmill to protect my floor?
A treadmill mat is an essential fitness accessory, which is placed on the floor below the treadmill. It absorbs the vibration and the noise produced by treadmills and protects the floor from damage. A good treadmill mat will protect carpets from tearing and prevent scratches on a hardwood floor.
Where should I put my treadmill in my house?
Three possibilities:Create a workout room. Of course, this is the ideal: an entire room just for training. ... Put your treadmill in the living room. If you don't have a spare bedroom or office, put your treadmill in your living room. ... Keep it in your room. The last option: your bedroom.
Is a mat necessary under a treadmill?
Unless your treadmill is installed on rubber gym flooring, you'll need a treadmill mat. A quality treadmill mat will protect both your floor and your treadmill. It will also dampen noise and vibration. A good mat will cost, on average, between $50 and $75 and is usually made of dense rubber.
What kind of floor do you need for a treadmill?
We would typically recommend polyurethane or vinyl floors for treadmills. These surfaces have desirable point elastic performance with a stiff, rigid surface. You most often find these surfaces in gymnasiums and indoor courts.
Why is my treadmill making noise?
According to engineering professor Dan Dolan of Washington State University, using a treadmill upstairs can cause noise and vibration throughout the house. Dolan explains that this is because houses have wooden frames which are flexible. The problem is worse in larger houses with fewer walls on the lower level.
How to test for noise in upstairs room?
Avoid Excess Noise. To test an upstairs room you can perform a footfall test. Stand up on your tip-toes and allow your heels to fall to the floor. Do this every few steps throughout the room. Have another person listen in adjacent rooms and downstairs.
Can treadmills make noise in condos?
Newman of the engineering firm McNeil, Ramsay Inc., explains that in a condo the vibrations from a treadmill can be amplified as they travel through the columns of the building. This can cause the noise to increase from 55 or 60 decibels to 110 decibels. A train, by comparison, produces about 100 decibels. Before using a treadmill in a condo or apartment, consult your tenants' association or landlord.
Can treadmill be used upstairs?
This is a tricky question and the answer to this particular question depends on various factors. In the case of a well-structured building, it is very much important to know how much weight the floor can take. You should remember the fact that the weight of both treadmill and the person on top of it will be calculated.
How much weight can the floor resist?
This depends on the construction of the building where you live. But in general, the built floor can take up to 50 lbs per square foot, this is floor load capacity generally. So, as if your room is 100 square feet, then your room can take 5000 lbs of weight without risking any types of damages.
Final Thoughts
So I hoped that has helped you in answering your questions about using a treadmill on a higher level, other than your first story of your house. If you have any questions that weren’t answered in this article, please leave a comment below and I will respond ASAP.
Is Treadmill in Bedroom Ideas Safe?
You would not put a treadmill or other workouts equipment in the bedroom because that is where you sleep and relax. But, if you live in a tiny house or apartment and don’t have a basement or enough space on the main floor, you can use a treadmill in the bedroom. So, a treadmill in a small bedroom is safe for your workout.
Can I put treadmill on apartment balcony?
Balconies are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can put treadmill or any equipment you want if there is adequate space on apartment balcony. But, what you can do is mostly determined by your balcony size.
Why do you put a treadmill on an upper level?
There are many practical reasons for this, such as space limitations, living in an upstairs apartment, and more.
How much does a treadmill weigh?
Treadmills generally weigh somewhere between 250 and 300 pounds. Even with a person’s added weight and impact, this is still well within the standard weight tolerance for a second or upper level.
Can you soundproof a workout room?
If you are concerned about the room to room noise transfer, you can also soundproof the walls of your workout room too
Can you put a treadmill on the second floor?
Now that you can rest assured that you can safely place a treadmill on your second floor (or above), you may be wondering about the noise the treadmill will generate for the floors below. This is a valid concern since the noise from the impact of running and walking can easily carry through the floors. Generally speaking, this is just an annoyance that can be dealt with by taking a few factors into consideration.
What type of Treadmill Should you Buy?
There are two main types of treadmills: Indoor and Outdoor. Both come in different sizes and shapes to suit everyone’s requirements.
Do Treadmills Damage Floors?
Treadmills do not damage floors. They reduce any wear on your flooring. When people walk or run on treadmills, they move more weight than when walking normally.
How to avoid squeaking on treadmill?
5. Avoid uneven spots. If one section of the treadmill is in the air, you can expect squeaks as you begin to walk or jog on the treadmill. To avoid this extra vibration, make sure the treadmill sits on a level surface such that no part of the base is in the air.
How to make a treadmill sound better?
Place the treadmill near a corner. Placing the treadmill near a corner ensures great support underneath the treadmill. Consequently, the building won’t bounce too much when you start jogging. On the other hand, placing a treadmill in the middle of the room results in a lot of noise and unnecessary vibrations.
How much does a treadmill weigh?
Treadmills are bulky machines. The heaviest treadmills weigh about 350lbs, though some like Peloton Tread weigh reach up to 450lbs. A structurally sound floor should handle this weight plus the impact of your running perfectly well.
How loud is a treadmill?
Treadmill noise levels are anywhere from 40 to 70 decibels but the noise is loader in an upstairs apartment because the vibrations that are caused by a treadmill go throughout the building and into the columns in the floor, down the columns, and into the floors above and below, according to Michael A. Newman of the engineering firm McNeil, Ramsay Inc.
What is the best mat for treadmill?
Anti-vibration treadmill mats make for a good impact absorber, taking care of some of the noise from your exercising activity. Rubber mats are the best; get them in the correct size and thickness to handle your machine’s weight and size. The thicker the mat, the better.
Why do floors collapse?
The only situation where floors collapse is because of excess weight than it can handle . If you put too much exercise equipment upstairs without assessing the floor’s condition, you risk falling through the floor. Weak load bearings cannot handle too much weight.
Do treadmills come as separate parts?
So, in most cases, treadmills arrive as separate parts, and it is up to the owner to put them together. Take care to avoid loose fittings. No matter what brand it is, a treadmill with a rickety frame, loose bolts, nuts, and screws is going to be noisy.

Do Manufacturers Have The Best Advice?
Manufacturers Responses
- I got a poor response in that most of the companies didn’t even reply at all. I do wonder that they didn’t respond because they didn’t want to incriminate themselves. For example they said there wouldn’t be a problem and then months down the line they get a lawsuit quoting their “no problem upper floor” email when there was. I’m so pleased with the companies hat responded and I think …
My Thoughts on The Responses
- All the responses were good advice, when it comes to floors a treadmill mat is a necessity. More than that you should place something below that to spread the weight even further. This is especially the case if you have hardwood flooring. You don’t want the treadmill moving as you run and you want to protect the contact points. As far as ceilings b...
Summary
- When you think of the weight of a bath and the water combined with a person in it. You’re talking hundreds of pounds. A bed with 2 people in that and the tiny contact points on the floor. A treadmill is 200 lbs plus and the person running on it? Most properties can handle that but use your common sense just in case. If your building is old or not built well then upstairs may not be …