Getting Static Shock on Treadmill?

J_E

Hello there, I've googled this problem and can't seem to a conclusion so wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

I started a gym/pool membership a few weeks ago, and have been enjoying it for the most part, although there's a serious problem I'm having with the treadmills in the gym. Whether I'm walking or running, I seem to build up quite a big static charge, and if I touch the HR monitor, I get a shock that gives me quite a jump. Even when avoiding the monitor, I had my earphones plugged in (it has TV on it) and I got a shock through my ears after a few minutes! Thought it might have been my tracksuits, so I changed to cotton shorts, and it's happening still. I haven't seen it happen to anyone else there, so I'm just wondering what the cause could be and if anyone else gets this? I thought it might be my shoes - they're Asic GT-2000's, thought they would have been made for running though? I could get a static strip but I don't want to have to have a wrist strap flapping around when I'm running and it shouldn't be happening.

Any suggestions?

Stench Blossoms

What kind of runners are you wearing?

Oryx

How often do you touch the tm while running? Maybe if you touched it at regular short intervals it would discharge any static buildup without shocking you.

Alf Veedersane

Sounds like the treadmill's become a Van de Graaff generator...

thegreatiam

rubber soled shoes?

J_E

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

What kind of runners are you wearing?

Asics, GT2000s.

I could regularly touch the metal part but that isn't really a solution especially when I want to focus on running. Doesn't seem to happen to anyone else using them. Will see about changing shoes but would have thought they'd have been good runners? (Done 10K and the like in them no problem)

The Diddakoi

Cydoniac wrote: »

Asics, GT2000s.

I also wear Asics GT2000s, and also get static shocks from the treadmill pulse sensor whenever I get anywhere near it. The shocks are mild though, and never got one through my headphones, sounds really unpleasant
My other half uses the same treadmill, with Asics GT 2170s, (I would think the soles are made from the same material) and has never had a static shock. Asics would be great shoes.
Do you get static shocks through other things ? I get them from shopping trolleys and car doors, Some people are just more prone to them than others.

thegreatiam

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asics-Silver-Trainer-T2K2N-9307/dp/B00A66S8JS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390384737&sr=8-1&keywords=asics+gt2000


Rubber soles.

Static electricity is caused when build up of electricity cannot discharge from your body. Rubber in your footwear is prevent normal flow of current leaving so it builds up, then when you touch something conductive like a treadmill the charge leaves you.

Change your shoes to something conductive.

Are your exercise trousers made of nylon as well? If so change to all cotton clothes

J_E

Damn, I suspected it might be the Asics. I'm annoyed, considering the money I paid for them, you'd think they'd work on a treadmill properly! What alternatives should I be looking at then in terms of material? I thought all runners were rubber soled.

Swapped to cotton shorts so sorted there. It could only be the shoes.

Do you get static shocks through other things ? I get them from shopping trolleys and car doors, Some people are just more prone to them than others.

Not too often, no! I only wear the Asics when running, never get them from running outside although I suppose I'm not running on an electrically charged rubber strip there. I normally wear boots which must be a different type of rubber at the bottom, can't ideally use those in gym though. I suppose running in socks in a gym is definitely a no no!

roseybear

The weathers getting nicer, dont waste your asics, go outside instead of the treadmill!

roseybear

The weathers getting nicer, dont waste your asics, go outside instead of the treadmill!

Alf Veedersane

Asics do work on a treadmill properly.

The problem is there's a build up of static on the treadmill belt and it's being conducted through the Asics. There are ways of reducing or removing that but that's down to the staff at the gym.

Asics don't come pre-electrified for your displeasure.

Pat Mustard

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Asics do work on a treadmill properly.

The problem is there's a build up of static on the treadmill belt and it's being conducted through the Asics. There are ways of reducing or removing that but that's down to the staff at the gym.

Makes sense.

I wear Asics too but have not had any problems.

The Diddakoi

Cydoniac wrote: »

Damn, I suspected it might be the Asics. I'm annoyed, considering the money I paid for them, you'd think they'd work on a treadmill properly! What alternatives should I be looking at then in terms of material? I thought all runners were rubber soled.

Any chance of borrowing a different make of runner just for a test run ? Seems a shame to ditch a perfectly good pair of Asic's when it might not be them that's causing it.

SpaceTime

Is it happening on all the treadmills or just one?

thegreatiam

just earth your self with a bit of material touching you and touching the treadmill.

Like a lightning rod.
(dont use an actual lightning rod)

You can also get anti static spray to spray on your cloths, that may work. prevent the charge from building up. (all cotton clothes should do this as well tho)

Alf Veedersane

thegreatiam wrote: »

just earth your self with a bit of material touching you and touching the treadmill.

Like a lightning rod.
(dont use an actual lightning rod)

You can also get anti static spray to spray on your cloths, that may work. prevent the charge from building up. (all cotton clothes should do this as well tho)

A lot of treadmills have the cord attached to the stop button in case you slip. That might work.

You could also spray the treadmill belt with a mist of watewr with some fabric softener in it since that helps reduce the build up of static.

thegreatiam

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

A lot of treadmills have the cord attached to the stop button in case you slip. That might work.

You could also spray the treadmill belt with a mist of watewr with some fabric softener in it since that helps reduce the build up of static.

yup and yup

SpaceTime

Just be careful you don't make it slippy! I wouldn't suggest spraying equipment you don't own and that is in public use with anything like fabric softener! It could make it very slippy!

I'm just wondering if it might be a fault?

I would assume the belt should pass through an earthed roller or something to discharge any static.

The body of the machine is obviously well earthed via the plug and building wiring. That's why you're getting a shock.

thegreatiam

tbh, I dont think its the machine causing it. I think its nylon running pants rubbing together and not being able to discharge since you make no contact with anything except rubber soles which do not conduct.

Spray yourself not the machine.

Change of shorts may help, but make sure all your clothes are cotton.

SpaceTime

Mention it to the gym though.
You'd never know...

Alf Veedersane

thegreatiam wrote: »

tbh, I dont think its the machine causing it. I think its nylon running pants rubbing together and not being able to discharge since you make no contact with anything except rubber soles which do not conduct.

Spray yourself not the machine.

Change of shorts may help, but make sure all your clothes are cotton.

J_E

roseybear wrote: »

The weathers getting nicer, dont waste your asics, go outside instead of the treadmill!

To be honest, I hate running outside, and the weather is still too cold for me, I feel the taste of blood in my mouth in that temperature. Gym so much handier.

I'm just wondering if it might be a fault?

I've been on 3 treadmills and same happened, and nobody else is getting it, so it's me.

tbh, I dont think its the machine causing it. I think its nylon running pants rubbing together and not being able to discharge since you make no contact with anything except rubber soles which do not conduct

I changed to cotton shorts and it's just as bad!

Might try cleaning the soles of my shoes and rubbing some anti static solution on them. Will keep you guys updated! I just really want this to end, who wants to get punished for running?

thegreatiam

http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_shocks_reducing.htm#.UuE2yrTFLIU

Mosturise.

Or better yet use a thimble to discharge. Personally I think you are missing out on the obvious trick

do not touch the treadmill, wait till it builds up loads of charge then touch some unsuspecting sap with a super power charge. extra points if their hair catches fire.

thegreatiam

thegreatiam wrote: »

just earth your self with a bit of material touching you and touching the treadmill.

Like a lightning rod.
(dont use an actual lightning rod)

This is the sort of thing I was thinking of, didnt know it was an actual thing.
http://www.esdjournal.com/articles/bracelets/how%20to%20use%20static%20bracelets.htm

I was thinking of tying a string or shoelace to your ankle and have it touch the floor when you run, not ling enough to trip on but long enough to discharge.

brownej

thegreatiam wrote: »

This is the sort of thing I was thinking of, didnt know it was an actual thing.
http://www.esdjournal.com/articles/bracelets/how%20to%20use%20static%20bracelets.htm

I was thinking of tying a string or shoelace to your ankle and have it touch the floor when you run, not ling enough to trip on but long enough to discharge.

I had to post this as it still makes me laugh every time.

J_E

The above video is basically what my experience has been with treadmill

SpaceTime

You could get a grounding wrist strap and clamp it to the earthed parts of the treadmill before you start i.e. the grab handles or some other easily accessible metal part.

This would constantly earth you and reduce static build up.

They're used for PC maintenance work. So, you could probably find one online by just googling. They're very cheap.

runawaybishop

Just earth yourself regularly. How is this thread 2 pages long?

J_E

runawaybishop wrote: »

Just earth yourself regularly. How is this thread 2 pages long?

I don't understand why I should have to strap a grounding strip or whatever when it works fine for everyone else! Just trying to find a way to exercise without being punished...

runawaybishop

Cydoniac wrote: »

I don't understand why I should have to strap a grounding strip or whatever when it works fine for everyone else! Just trying to find a way to exercise without being punished...

You don't need to wear a grounding strap, just slap the treadmill regularly.

Alf Veedersane

Cydoniac wrote: »

I don't understand why I should have to strap a grounding strip or whatever when it works fine for everyone else! Just trying to find a way to exercise without being punished...

Might be time to hit the rowing machine.

The treadmill hates you.

thegreatiam

everyone gets static shock on the treadmill, people discharge it by touching something every now and then or don't have rubber soled shoes.

Some people are more prone to static shock, but everyone gets it.

I get shocked all the time, its annoying as fuck. usually when I open my car. Now I just touch the glass before I touch the metal, or I touch it with my key first.

I also get shocked in supermarkets by the trolley, so I just make my missus push it.

Spend some time in a really dry country. Youll walk around like electro zapping everything. Was fun living in vegas I can tell you.

Alf Veedersane

thegreatiam wrote: »

I also get shocked in supermarkets by the trolley, so I just make my missus push it.

Shocked by how it never moves in a straight line or the direction you push it.

thegreatiam

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Shocked by how it never moves in a straight line or the direction you push it.

lol, I don't push it. That's akin to manual labour

boydkev

This happens to me when i use a treadmill, So i used one of the solution mentioned and i run outside what ever the weather.
I just got fed up getting shocks all the time, I also get the shocks from car doors and shopping trolleys and if i touch my 1.5 YO daughter who is in the trolley accidently she get s the shock aswell, Cue crying child.

pamweld

Wouldn't think its your runners as I get the same as well and I have New Balance! Yeah the shock in the ear is the worst, especially since you can hear the crackling of the shock as it happens! I just assumed it happens to everyone:(