Why Walking Is Harder on a Treadmill Than Running (Part One)
And Why It Matters for Maintenance, Longevity, and Motor Load
When most people think of what’s hardest on a treadmill, they picture sprinting: loud impacts, heavy footfalls, full-body motion.
But here’s the truth:
Walking—especially slow walking—can be much harder on your treadmill’s motor and drive system than running.
That may sound backwards, but it comes down to one key factor:
Friction.
The Friction Factor: Contact Time Is Everything
The motor in a treadmill works hardest when it’s under resistance—and that resistance comes from your body pressing down on the belt.
When you walk, your feet spend more time in contact with the belt, which creates drag. That drag makes the motor work harder to keep the belt moving at the correct speed.
Walking: Constant Contact, Constant Load
Let’s look at the actual gait mechanics:
Each foot spends about 60% of its step cycle in stance phase (on the belt).
The remaining 40% is swing phase (in the air).
During walking, there is no flight phase—there’s always at least one foot on the belt.
In fact, both feet are on the belt at the same time for ~20–25% of each step. This is called double support.
Total result?
There is always resistance.
And for about a quarter of the time, your treadmill is dragging two feet instead of one.
| Walking Gait Phase | Belt Contact |
|---|---|
| Foot A stance | 60% |
| Foot B stance | 60% |
| Double support (both feet) | ~20–25% |
| Flight time | 0% (none in walking) |
That means your treadmill is seeing more than 100% contact time across both feet per cycle. There is no break for the motor—just continuous work.
Running: Less Friction, More Recovery
In contrast, when you run:
Each foot still has a stance phase, but it gets shorter as speed increases.
You introduce a flight phase where both feet are in the air—often making up 30–45% of the stride.
This means the motor isn’t constantly under load, because it gets micro-breaks when neither foot is in contact.
So although running involves higher impact forces, the motor load is actually reduced compared to walking. The belt isn’t fighting constant friction—it gets to breathe.
What This Means for Your Treadmill
Whether you’re a home user, a facility manager, or a service tech, this changes how you think about maintenance.
Walking causes more continuous motor strain
Slow speeds = higher amp draw and more heat
Belt lubrication is even more critical for walkers than runners
Poor lubrication = higher friction = faster wear on motors, controllers, and belts
If your treadmill is used for walking—especially by heavier users or long durations—it needs more frequent care than you’d think.
Don’t Let Friction Win — Lube It Right
The best way to fight motor-killing friction? Proper lubrication.
At Huff-n-Puff Fitness Repair, we’ve tested every lube you can imagine, and we only trust what we use ourselves in the field every day:
✅ 100% pure silicone
✅ Zero odor, zero additives
✅ Industrial-grade 500cSt viscosity
✅ Available in larger sizes for gyms and smaller kits for home users
If you’re walking on your treadmill more than you’re running, it’s time to treat it right.
👉 Click here to get Huff-n-Puff’s treadmill lube and keep your treadmill running strong.