A Quickie Guide to Purchasing Used Exercise Equipment
Let's face it. Exercise equipment is expensive. Treadmills, elliptical trainers, weight-lifting machines, and exercise bikes can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Yet many people still feel that an exercise machine is the best way for them to get in shape, even if they can't quite afford the hefty price tags, so they think that perhaps a used machine is the best way to go.
In fact, buying used equipment can be an affordable way to get a high-quality machine.
However, it can also be a chance for some unscrupulous seller to saddle you with a worn-out piece of junk. However, the result doesn't have to be left to chance.
Armed with a little bit of knowledge, and prepared to do some research, you can turn the search for used equipment from a grab-bag game of chance to an opportunity to score a great deal.
There are two main sources of used exercise equipment. The first is from individual, non- commercial sellers.
These are generally the people on eBay and in the newspaper classifieds who have finally decided that they're never really going to use that treadmill collecting dust in the garage, after all.
These are also the people who used their exercise bike every day, and are only selling this one to make room for the newer, shinier, latest version.
In either case, some equipment will be like new, and some will be about as far from new as you get.
About the only way to know for sure is to see the machine for yourself.
If you're looking in the newspaper, the solution is relatively simple. When you call the number in the ad, tell the person selling it that you want to see it and try it out before you buy it. If he or she refuses, then don't buy from that person.
(If you or the person selling the machine is worried about being alone with a stranger, remember that you would have to meet to deliver sure it runs smoothly.
Keep in mind that used machines don't come with warranties, and that it may be harder to find replacement parts for older brands and models.
If you decide to buy it, make sure you have each other's name and number, in case something else comes up in the future.
If you're looking on eBay or another online auction site, then it probably won't be feasible for you to fly out to California or Wisconsin to check the equipment.
However, most sites like eBay have a rating system, where you can check whether or not the seller has sold other things through the site, and if so, how satisfied his or her previous customers were.
Check any posted pictures carefully for signs of wear and tear, read the information the seller provides on what is included, and if it doesn't answer all of your questions, you can email him or her to ask for more information.
A second source of used exercise equipment is remanufactured equipment, sometimes known as refurbished or reconditioned equipment. Many larger gyms lease their exercise equipment for a few years instead of buying it, so they can upgrade more easily and more often.
When they return the equipment to the manufacturer, it is then resold to a re-manufacturer who restores it and sells it for up to 30-70% off the original price.
The main problem with this route is the lack of standardized quality control.
While some companies will strip a unit down to the frame, replace any worn or broken gears, grips, or other parts, run diagnostics to make sure everything works, repaint it and otherwise clean it up until it is as good as new, or maybe even better, other, less scrupulous companies may simply slap a coat of paint over the rust.
However, as with any company, a little checking should tell you if a re-manufacturer or reseller is reputable.
