Systems and methods for restricting transverse movement of a treadmill belt

A treadmill, comprising:

• a frame having a front end and a rear end substantially opposite the front end;
• a front shaft assembly coupled to the frame proximate the front end of the frame;
• a rear shaft assembly coupled to the frame proximate the rear end of the frame;
• a running belt disposed about the front and rear shaft assemblies, wherein the running belt defines a running surface including a curved portion;
• a first left side bumper coupled to the frame proximate the running belt such that the first left side bumper is disposed between the frame and the running belt, wherein in use, the first left side bumper is configured to selectively restrict movement of the running belt toward the frame;
• and
• a first right side bumper coupled to the frame proximate the running belt such that the first right side bumper is disposed between the frame and the running belt, wherein in use, the first right side bumper is configured to selectively restrict movement of the running belt toward the frame,
• wherein each of the first left side bumper and the first right side bumper are configured to selectively engage the running belt.

A method of restricting movement of a running belt of a treadmill relative to a frame of the treadmill, the method comprising:

• providing a frame including a left side member and a right side member, the left side member spaced apart from the right side member;
• providing a running belt coupled to the frame, wherein the running belt defines a running surface including a curved portion;
• disposing a first bumper between the right side member of the frame and the running belt;
• disposing a second bumper between the left side member of the frame and the running belt;
• and
• selectively engaging, by at least one of the first bumper or the second bumper, the running belt to restrict movement of the running belt toward at least one of the right side member or the left side member of the frame.