What do I need to do to make sure my fitness machine stays in good working order? Well, cleanliness is next to godliness when it comes to exercise equipment of any sort. Human sweat is highly corrosive and you need to regularly wipe down your machine to keep it off. Also vacume under the unit every few months. You may be surprised what can accumulate under a treadmill over time. A rubber mat under a treadmill or elliptical is especially a good idea. Not only does it soften the feel under foot, it also reduces the static charge that can be discharged by you when you touch the machine. (especially in the winter when the house is closed)

On the elliptical pay attention to the glide rails and wheels to make sure they are clean and read up on the lubrication procedure on this site.