The hard part is over: You got one of the best ellipticals and you’ve developed a regular cardio routine. That’s great, but having a regular elliptical routine means having a regular maintenance routine, so you’ll be wanting a lubricant to accompany your shiny new purchase. A little bit of lubrication in the right spot can cut down on the annoying noises that come with wear and tear, and also prolong the life of your elliptical machine. That translates to more bang for your buck.

At BarBend, our team of certified fitness professionals have been assembling, using, and maintaining ellipticals, treadmills, rowers, and more for years. During that time, we’ve learned that, just like you have to regularly change your car’s oil and replace your HVAC filter, you also have to routinely tend to your fitness equipment. Whether you are a gym owner in charge of multiple ellipticals or have owned one for three to six months (hint, hint), we think these lubes are great options to keep yours running smoothly for a long time. Read on to check out our picks for the best lubricants for ellipticals.

The 4 Best Lubricants for Ellipticals of 2024

Best Lubricant for Ellipticals Overall: Horizon Fitness 3-Pack Silicone Treadmill Lubricant

Best Lubricant for Ellipticals With Applicator Tube: Noosa Life Treadmill Belt Lubricant

Best Squeeze Bottle Lubricant for Ellipticals: Impresa Treadmill Belt Lubricant

Best Aerosol Spray Lubricant for Ellipticals: WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray

How We Tested and Chose the Best Lubricants for Ellipticals

The BarBend team is made up of gym owners, certified personal trainers, and fitness professionals who know what it means to care for at-home and commercial gym equipment. Drawing upon our own experiences and research, we worked to ensure the lubricants we included on our list were made of safe and effective ingredients that can tend to moving parts like wheels, ramps, and drive belts without irritating the user. 

Whether you are traversing a crowded home gym or climbing around a pile of toys, the right type of bottle or nozzle can make the application process much easier. We included options that offer applicator tubes, multi-bottle packs, and one white lithium grease spray for metal-to-metal connection points. Read on to see if one of these lubricants is a good fit for maintaining your elliptical.

Type of Lubricant

When it comes to lubricants, there are two types that your elliptical will need to ensure it keeps on keepin’ on — 100-percent silicone and white lithium grease. For the wheels, ramps, and bars that facilitate the elliptical movement of the pedals, liquid silicone can help prevent the annoying squeaking or grinding noise that comes with wearing parts. (1) Even on the best treadmills, rowers, and ellipticals, noises like these can be a sign that the moving parts on your machine are due for lubrication.

In addition to being a sick name for a hair band, white lithium grease can prevent wear and tear of the metal-on-metal connections on your elliptical. Your elliptical may use sealed bearings, which don’t need to be lubricated at all, but if they aren’t sealed and begin to squeak, white lithium grease is the grease for you. (1)

Application Method

If bending, contorting, and reaching to find the spot to lubricate your elliptical seems easier than moving it, we have good news. The options on our list come with flexible applicator tubes, including squeeze bottles and aerosol sprays. During our research, we drew on our experience and customer reviews to ascertain which application methods made it easy to apply lubricant in tight areas, along with broad surfaces like ramps and rails.

Value

Since you’ll only need to lubricate your elliptical every four to six months, there’s no need to pay a premium. The lubricants we included here have multiple household uses, but if you do exclusively use it for your elliptical, you should be set for years. These options offer solid value for both home elliptical users hearing their first squeak and gym owners tending to the best rowing machines, treadmills, and ellipticals. 

Best Lubricant for Ellipticals Overall: Horizon Fitness 3-Pack Silicone Treadmill Lubricant

Horizon Fitness’ Silicone Treadmill Lubricant uses a 100-percent silicone formula to reduce the wear and tear brought on by regular use, while also helping to cut down on noise during an elliptical workout. Its thick consistency makes it easy to apply, and just a small amount can be enough for effective lubrication.

Depending on your elliptical, you’ll need to lubricate the ramp, wheels, or rails every four to six months, so three 1.7-ounce bottles, combined with its thick consistency, should be enough to last for years. (1) The $24 price point may seem high, but if you’re expecting to sweat on your elliptical for many years to come — or maintaining multiple ellipticals, treadmills, or exercise bikes — the three bottles in this pack might be the way to go.

[Related: The 10 Best Exercise Bikes of 2024]

Since the lubricant itself is a bit thick, some users reported that it was difficult to actually squeeze out of the bottle. This could be an issue if your elliptical is surrounded by other gym equipment and you need to stretch uncomfortably to reach the points that need to be lubricated. Straining just to get the lubricant out of the bottle can be tougher when you’re already in an uncomfortable position. 

This three-pack would be ideal for gym owners or anyone maintaining multiple ellipticals, treadmills, or cardio machines. At $4.70 per ounce, it’s pricier than other options, but for a Costco-sized haul of lubricant for your elliptical, we think Horizon Fitness’ Silicone Treadmill Lubricant is a solid value.

Best Lubricant for Ellipticals With Applicator Tube: Noosa Life Treadmill Belt Lubricant

Between wheels, ramps, and steel bars, there are places on your elliptical that can be a pain to reach. Whether you need to maneuver around a home gym or your kid’s toys, the applicator tube on the Noosa Life Treadmill Belt Lubricant can help you reach friction points that may be just out of reach.

Customers who applied this 100-percent silicone lubricant to their rails reported a reduction in noise. “Works great on my Schwinn Elliptical. No drag or noise on the rails,” noted one review. Its formula is also inherently odorless and nontoxic, which is good to know for when your kids come looking for those toys.

When paired with regular cleaning, applying this lubricant every four to six months can prolong the life of your elliptical. The sweat and dust that builds up on your machine can cause corrosion and impact its mechanics, while routine lubrication can slow down the inevitable wear on moving parts like wheels, rails, and ramps to keep them in working order. (2)

Because the applicator tube attaches to the nozzle, the connection point may see some leaking if it’s not securely fastened before each use. Some users also noted that keeping the tube straight during use was an issue, as well. 

“The flexible tube was a bit difficult to keep straight and to tell exactly where the lubricant was going,” one customer reported. “I put on a headlamp and the extra light helped me see what was going on.”

Best Squeeze Bottle Lubricant for Ellipticals: Impresa Treadmill Belt Lubricant

The Impresa Treadmill Belt Lubricant stands out for its EZ-Squeeze bottle and twisting top that supports easy application. While some options include extended applicator tubes, this bottle may be ideal for reaching points of friction at awkward angles. According to customers, the thick 100-percent silicone lubricant helped reduce noise during use.

[Related: The 7 Best Compact Ellipticals of 2024]

Users appreciated that there was no smell and the nontoxic formula may give parents and pet owners some peace of mind. Other customers also pointed out that their bottles leaked a little, with one three-star review noting, “I would have given 5 stars if it came with a longer applicator. They tell you the product will leak and it does — not terribly, but annoying.” 

For $9.99, you’ll receive one four-ounce bottle, but multiple customers said that theirs lasted for a long time. “I highly recommend this for anyone with exercise equipment since it’s affordable and long lasting,” said one user. “I think this is a must have.”

Impresa says that although it’s designed for treadmills, its American-made formula is suitable for ellipticals as well. They also claim that it works with many popular brands, including NordicTrack, ProForm, and Sole. While we can’t verify this claim ourselves, its formula can support the regular maintenance of the wheels, ramps, and steel bars of the average elliptical.

Best Aerosol Spray Lubricant for Ellipticals: WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray

Whether you use the spray or narrow stream provided by the straw, WD-40’s Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray is our pick for the best aerosol spray to lubricate your treadmill. White lithium grease is ideal for metal-to-metal applications, so while it can lubricate the bushings on your elliptical, be careful not to apply it to the wheels, ramps, or tracks. (1)

[Related: The 8 Best Commercial Ellipticals of 2024]

Much like your knee or elbow needs cartilage to cushion the counteracting movements of your bones, bushings can cushion the “joint” between two moving metal parts. This can reduce the friction between those parts and slow down long-term wear and tear. 

While this spray isn’t designed specifically for ellipticals, it can be used for them whenever the connections between metal parts need to be greased to reduce squeaking or grinding sounds.

However, some users mentioned that it was tough to spray just a tiny amount. Since your elliptical bushings won’t need much grease, take a few practice sprays to ensure you don’t overapply. When you spray through the straw or the nozzle, the liquid grease quickly dries to form a protective coating that can extend the life of your elliptical while also cutting down on noise in the short term.

This white lithium grease is $6.98 per can — and just $0.70 per ounce. It’s very affordable, but remember, it should only be used for metal-on-metal connections — like the bushings on your elliptical. It also can’t be returned through Amazon due to safety reasons.

What to Consider Before Buying Lubricants for Ellipticals

Before choosing a lubricant for your elliptical, think about how you’ll need to apply it — squeeze bottle, applicator tube, or spray — as well as how you’ll reach those points of friction. Our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, points out that you’ll also want to consider whether you’ll be able to keep up with the required maintenance. 

[Related: Build Your Own Iron Paradise With The Best Home Gym Equipment]

“Machines require maintenance, such as cleaning and lubrication,” she said. “It’ll be helpful to understand the maintenance requirements ahead of time, so you don’t purchase something you can’t keep up with,” she says. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when you start looking for an elliptical lubricant.

Application Type

Depending on where your elliptical is, reaching the points on the machine that need lubrication may be easier with an applicator tube, squeeze bottle, or spray. Before you choose a lubricant, identify where these points are and make a plan for how much you’ll need to bend and contort to apply it. 

If you’re climbing over a collection of home gym equipment, you may need an extended tube. However, for wider areas like ramps or rails, a spray could be a more efficient and effective way to lubricate your elliptical.

Friction Points

As you rack up the miles, the wheels, ramps, rails, and bushings are all working to support the elliptical movement of the pedals and reduce as much noise as possible. Imagine if you put off changing the oil in your car. It would still run, but the longer those parts operate without lube, the more likely you’ll face functionality problems down the road. 

[Related: The 7 Best Budget Treadmills]

After identifying how many places you’ll need to lubricate, then estimate how much lubricant you’ll need to keep those moving parts running smoothly. Your machine likely has either wheels that ride on narrow ramps or that glide along steel rails. It also probably uses bushings at the connection points between moving metal parts. 

Regular lubrication can help slow down the wear and tear on moving parts that constantly rub against one another, but it needs to be paired with regular cleaning to prevent corrosion brought on by dust, dirt, and sweat. Using gentle cleaning supplies like a mild soap, warm water, and a microfiber cloth will prevent damage to your elliptical’s surfaces. (2)

Frequency of Use

If your elliptical mainly serves as an expensive coat rack, you may not need to worry about lubricating it very often. If you’re using it regularly, however, you should lubricate it regularly. 

We recommend lubricating your machine every three to six months, but if you are spending an hour a day using your elliptical, your preventative maintenance should skew toward the three-month end of that range. If you’re logging an hour a week on your cardio machine, you may be fine with a six-month maintenance schedule.

How Much Do the Best Lubricants for Ellipticals Cost?

Depending on the size of the bottle or mode of application, lubricants for ellipticals can range anywhere from roughly $7 to $24. Some come in packs of multiple bottles, while others include just a small amount. Use the chart below to size up the price difference between the picks on our list.

Our top pick, the Horizon Fitness Silicone Treadmill Lubricant, comes in a pack of three 1.7-ounce bottles, totaling up to 5.1 total ounces, which is $4.70 per ounce. This is the priciest option per ounce, but for gym owners maintaining multiple machines, or for anyone who really racks up the miles, buying in bulk may be the way to go. 

At the other end of the range for 100-percent silicone options is the Impresa Treadmill Belt Lubricant, which comes in one four-ounce bottle and costs $2.50 per ounce. The EZ-Squeeze bottle and precision twist top may offer a bit more control than other options during application.

[Related: The Best Under-Desk Treadmills for Your Office]

The most affordable option on our list — WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease Spray — is not for the wheels, ramps, rails, or drive belt on your elliptical. You should only use this spray for tending to metal bushings or other metal-to-metal connection points. 

Benefits of Lubricants for Ellipticals

When you regularly lubricate your elliptical, you’ll be slowing down the wear and tear of the wheels, ramps, rails, and drive belts that make your machine go. This simple practice can also help reduce irritating squeaks and rumbles and prevent overheating. Check out a few of the benefits of lubricating your elliptical.

Prolonged Use

As gym owner and certified personal trainer Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, notes, regularly maintaining your elliptical can help prevent major issues from manifesting over the life of your machine. Translation: more value for your hard-earned cash. 

“Your equipment will be good to you if you’re good to it,” she says. “Lubricating an elliptical on the ramp and wheels keeps the pedals moving smoothly and could potentially elongate the life of the machine by reducing unnecessary wear and tear.”

For the price of a bottle of lubricant and a few minutes of your time every three to six months, regular lubrication of the wheels, ramps, drive belt, and bushings can keep your elliptical — along with your bank account — happy and healthy for the long term. 

Smoother Operation

The moving parts of your elliptical — wheels, ramp, rails, drive belt, and bushings — are in constant motion and creating consistent friction. Like the brakes in your car or hinges on your doors, they need a bit of lubrication to keep them working smoothly and quietly. As these parts rub or glide against each other, they can generate friction and create noise. It can be annoying, sure, but it can also indicate that those friction points are a little dry. Adding a touch of lubricant can reduce the friction between the parts, thus cutting down on noise during a workout.

Prevent Overheating

Part of caring for the moving parts on your elliptical is to prevent overheating, which can quickly cause damage. Lubricating your elliptical every three to six months creates a buffer between parts that can help prevent the build up of heat during operation. (1)

[Related: The 10 Best Treadmills for Walking, Researched and Tested by Our Team]

Just like when you rub your hands together to warm them up, the wheels, ramps, rails, or drive belts create friction that is converted into heat energy. Whether it’s the drive belt of an elliptical or tread belt on a treadmill, these moving parts need to be maintained to keep them running smoothly. A little bit of lubricant between the parts can reduce the friction that causes overheating.

Final Word

For any elliptical, regular maintenance can help reduce loud squeaks or rumbles during use and help you get more for your money by prolonging its overall lifespan. While it’s easy to just step aboard and press “go,” it’s important to note that the wheels, ramps, rails, drive belts, and metal bushings on your machine need care to keep functioning properly. 

To keep your machine in tip-top shape, adding a bit of a buffer between these moving parts by lubricating them every few months can go a long way. We think using one of the best lubricants for ellipticals is well worth the few minutes it takes to apply to these points of friction because it can result in a more enjoyable, safer elliptical experience. If you’d prefer to add a few drops of lubricant to your elliptical instead of taking on a major repair, check out our picks.

FAQs

References

Stevenson, C. (2023, May 5). How to lubricate your elliptical? where, why & how to tips. How to Lubricate Your Elliptical? Where, Why & How To Tips. https://www.treadmilldoctor.com/blog/how-why-and-where-to-lubricate-an-elliptical 

L., A. (2024, April 1). Elliptical maintenance 101: Tips for longevity and Peak Performance. NutroOne. https://nutroone.com/en/2024/04/01/elliptical-maintenance-tips/ 

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