What Do Power Drive Belts Actually Do in Fitness Equipment?

If your equipment uses a pedal, wheel, or rotary system to create resistance or movement, it’s using a belt to transfer power internally.

Power drive belts connect multiple shafts inside the machine to transfer power from a pedal to a flywheel, or from a hand crank to a resistance wheel. Without the belt, the machine simply doesn't work.

That’s why equipment designers engineer everything around preventing belt failure. And that’s also why choosing the right belt supplier can make or break product performance and the manufacturing process.

Custom Cut Belt Challenge Solved by D&D

A leading manufacturer of fitness equipment switched to D&D Global two years ago—not because their belts were failing, but because D&D could do more.

The manufacturer needed:

• Custom lengths, not bulk rolls
• Quick turnaround on samples
• Ongoing inventory support
• Proven performance under load
• A better price point

D&D delivered.

Their required belt needed to handle 500,000 revolutions without degradation. D&D’s custom-cut belt lasted over 1,000,000—with no visible wear.

The tensile cord was switched from fiberglass to aramid fiber, delivering greater strength and durability. And D&D did it at a 15% cost savings compared to their previous supplier.

Why Manufacturers Choose D&D Belts for Exercise Equipment

Here’s what sets D&D power drive belts apart for fitness equipment manufacturers:

• Custom Lengths for Your Design
  They don’t just ship bulk rolls—they cut belts to the exact length your machine requires, ready to install. No trimming. No waste.
• Broad Profile Compatibility
  HTD, RPP, STD, and American-standard profiles—you name it, we can make it. Whether you're working with a legacy pulley or a new system design, we match the belt profile to your build.
• Material Flexibility
  Need a specific rubber compound or tensile member material based on previous experience? D&D owns the molds and can customize every component to meet your performance and durability goals.
• Fast Samples and Backup Inventory
  D&D can ship custom belt samples lightning fast for a made-to-order product. Once approved, backup inventory is stocked to eliminate long lead times.
• Transparent Testing, No Gimmicks
  D&D belts don’t just pass tests—they’re built to exceed them. Real-world life cycle testing, not theoretical marketing spin, showed results that spoke for themselves.
• Cutting Through the Confusion in the Belt Market
  Let’s face it—belt sourcing is confusing. Many suppliers hide behind buzzwords and trademarked terms, making it difficult for engineers to compare apples to apples.

• Which profiles are compatible with which pulleys
• Which materials truly increase belt life
• How to balance performance and cost without sacrificing quality

They pull back the curtain on the belt industry so you can make informed, cost-effective decisions.

Bottom Line: Reliability Matters

Whether you're building high-end spin bikes or accessible rehab machines, your entire product depends on the reliability of the belt that powers it. D&D makes belts that are built to last—and backed by real results.

Need exercise equipment power drive belts for your manufacturing process?
D&D will help select the right belt, customize it for your application, and deliver it on time—every time.