How to Child Proof a Treadmill

Child Proof Treadmill

Many treadmills have a way of folding up to save space, but often, as is the case with mine, the latch is very simple and not enough to keep little hands from unlatching it. The base is also very heavy, so if it were to fall on anyone, it could cause serious injury. This is how I child proofed my treadmill using a padlock and a few parts from the hardware store.

This was my temporary solution. I just tied it up in place, but I wanted to start using it again, so I needed something a little better.

Child Proof Treadmill Old Fix

Below is the original latch. It’s just a pin held in place by a pretty weak spring.

Child Proof Treadmill Original Latch

Parts Needed:

5 feet of 1/8th inch coated wire cable. $2.25 (I got the plastic coated cable so it wouldn’t scratch anything or anyone)

2x wire rope clips $0.96

2x wire rope thimbles $0.96

2x 1/4 inch by 4 inch eye bolts $1.04

2x lock washers $0.22

2x hex nuts $0.10

1 padlock (not shown) which I already had on hand

Child Proof Treadmill Parts

Steps:

Step 1:

The first thing to do is to slip one of the rope saddles (or thimbles) through one of the eye bolts. (only need to do this to one side)

Child Proof Treadmill Eye bolt

Then run the wire rope around the thimble and secure it with one of the clips. Just work back and fourth on the two nuts to get it as tight as you can. I also threaded the nuts

Child Proof Treadmill side one

Step 2:

After securing the first side, measure the length of cable needed to reach the other side. Then wrap it around the other thimble and mark where to cut the cable, leaving about an inch past the end of the thimble so there is room to attach the clip.

Child Proof Treadmill measured cable

Cut the cable on the second mark. This is difficult because wire rope is designed to be hard to cut. I used some pliers with wire cutters and just worked the cable, turning it and cutting it and it wasn’t too hard.

Child Proof Treadmill Cable Cut

Step 3:

Attach the second thimble and clip as in step 1. Here is the completed cable.

Child Proof Treadmill Assembled Cable

Step 4:

Now to drill holes in the upright legs of the treadmill. Use a bit the same size as the eye bold so it just barely fits through.

Child Proof Treadmill Drill Holes

Step 5:

Attach the eye bolts with the lock washers. One on each side.

Child Proof Treadmill Attached Cable

Child Proof Treadmill Attached cable2

Last Step:

Attach the lock to the open side.

Child Proof Treadmill

And that’s all there is to it. For under $6, I feel much better about the safety of this latch.

Child Proof Treadmill 2

Leave a comment below to tell me what you think or if you’ve tried a similar approach.

Disclaimer:

Don’t make this. I accept no responsibility if you do.

2 replies on “How to Child Proof a Treadmill”

  1. Jack says:

    The remaining length of bolt that’s still sticking out looks like it would be a nice raw edge to run into. Have you considered trimming it down and using a cap nut on it?

  2. admin says:

    That’s a good point. Where the treadmill sits, nobody can run buy it, so it hasn’t been a problem. Also the eyelets aren’t at anyone’s head level (for now) and since other parts of the treadmill stick out more I don’t think it will be an issue. I may modify it in the future if needed.

    Thanks for the reply.

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