Although walking belts are referred to by a variety of various names, there is no difference in the fundamental recognized design, even if different individuals do not use the same word. Additionally, the belt is referred to as a treadmill belt, striding belt, running belt, jogging belt, bands (all of which have similar descriptive variants), runner, and mat.
For convenience, we refer to it as a walking belt, although our nomenclature does not imply any restriction on the kind of exercise that may be performed. There are many classes of walking belts, and their quality and price may vary significantly depending on the style of construction. The majority of walking belts are constructed from two distinct materials that are bonded together to create the final product you see. The majority of people believe that the top coat of a belt is rubber, however the majority of modern belts have a PVC top coat. PVC is more durable under a variety of shoes and applications, and owing to its robustness, many people believe their belt is still in good condition while the backing is totally worn out.
The belt’s backing is the most critical region. Monofilament, polyester, cotton, and urethane are the most often used backing materials. The softer the material used for these backings, the quieter the belt will be. As a result, a cotton-backed belt will be much quieter than a urethane-backed belt. The trade-off is that the softer the material and the quieter the belt, the faster it wears out. Numerous businesses that formerly utilized cotton have shifted to a polyester mix during the past two decades. The primary benefit is that the belt remains relatively quiet, but it is more heat resistant and has a greater capacity to endure wear over time.
Monofilament backing is gaining popularity. This technique utilizes a single kind of fiber. Due to the fact that it is made of synthetic materials, it is more resistant to heat and can be molded more readily to a rougher backing that will have less surface contact with the deck. This is critical because reduced contact area results in less friction, which puts much less load on the motor and controller. The disadvantage of monofilament belts is that they are louder than belts made of cotton or polyester. Additionally, since it is a single strand, it has a lower tensile strength than braided or urethane fibers.
Urethane is the most costly backing material. It is also the noisiest, although with appropriate maintenance, we have seen urethane backings survive over ten years in a light commercial environment. It is a very robust material that is well-suited to the demands of intensive usage and the heat buildup associated with club use.
There is much misunderstanding about the layers of a walking belt. While the majority of firms offer a two-ply belt, some claim as much as four plies. The misunderstanding occurs because adding layers is not always beneficial. As HealthRider discovered many years ago, an excessively thick belt may be dangerous. HealthRider began with a conventional two-ply belt and then added a layer of carpeting neoprene to the top. As a consequence, a three-ply (or four-ply, depending on how you interpret the last addition to the belt) belt gained a good insulating layer of neoprene, which performed an amazing job of trapping heat and highlighting the possible issue with multi-layered belts. Even in a domestic environment, the HealthRider belts simply disintegrated due to the extremes in temperature they encountered. Fortunately for the general public, HealthRider discontinued the use of these belts many years ago.
Other businesses may promote an orthopedic belt with extra layers or a thicker top layer to assist soften the impact of the footfall. Again, our primary concern with these belts is the heat generated and the fact that many of these belts may weigh up to three to four times as much as a standard two-ply belt. The heavier the belt, the more effort the driving system must use to keep it moving. Combine this with the heat issues associated with a thicker belt (remember, it is more insulated), and it’s easy to understand why we’re not huge lovers of orthopedic belts.
When shopping for a new treadmill, pay close attention to the walking belt. Despite common belief, it is the heart of a treadmill. If you currently own a treadmill, keep it maintained and clean; your treadmill will thank you in the long run.
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