How to Move a Treadmill Up or Down the Stairs in Your Home
A treadmill can be a useful piece of equipment to have in your home, especially for cross-training outside of basketball practice. However, moving it can prove to be a challenge. With most treadmills weighing hundreds of pounds, it’s easy to see why most people don’t know what to do when they’re ready to move. This is especially true for those who have stairs, which make moving this piece of equipment more difficult. Fortunately, the information below can help make the process go more smoothly from start to finish.
Preparing the Treadmill
Before you do anything, it’s important to prepare the treadmill for the move to come. The first step will be to unplug it and remove any additional pieces that may easily come off during the move. From there, fold the treadmill up and lock it, so it stays in place (check your owner’s manual or this video to learn how it’s done).
Use a Furniture Dolly
Before you go down/up the stairs, you must move the treadmill out of the room it’s in. To do this easily, cheap moving Philadelphia recommends using a furniture dolly. While you can certainly pick the treadmill up with the help of a couple of friends, a dolly will do the work for you. To use this, have a friend (or a couple of movers) lift the treadmill onto the dolly and carefully wheel it to the staircase. Check out Livestrong to read more about doing this properly.
Navigating the Stairs
When going up/down the stairs, there should be one person holding the belt area of the treadmill and another holding the top. However, keep in mind that because the belt slips, it’s crucial to grip on the sides to avoid dropping the unit. With the belt going first and the treadmill flipped, so it’s positioned sideways rather than horizontally, one person should begin walking slowly up/down the stairs. With each stair they climb, it’s important to look at the surroundings to prevent hitting the machine on anything.
If there is a corner on the stairs and you’re moving the unit up, the treadmill should be angled and then held straight up and down to prevent it from hitting the wall. The person who is at the top can then grab the belt-end of the treadmill on the sides to maneuver it up. If there is a corner and you’re moving the unit down, then the treadmill should be positioned as vertical as possible with the person at the bottom moving slowly down each step.
Go Slowly
Whether you’re moving up or down, going slowly is key. Moving too quickly can mean dropping the unit and damaging it, the house, and your body!
Should You Hire a Mover?
If you are moving by yourself or don’t have the strength to carry a treadmill, it’s 100% worth it to hire a professional. Their experience means they’ll know the best treadmill-moving techniques (even on stairs) and their strength will give you a break. More importantly, this will ensure your investment doesn’t get damaged so you can continue to use it for years to come.