Cheap Treadmills: A Buyer's Guide To Used Treadmills

Treadmills provide one of the best cardio workouts of any home exercise equipment you can buy. These machines, however, come with a hefty price tag. A solid entry-level machine suitable for walking or light jogging will cost around $1,000. This might be out of your price range but that doesn't mean you have to rule out owning a treadmill. You can get a significant discount buying used treadmills.

Depending on the specific models you're looking at, you could end up saving several hundred dollars. This savings makes buying a treadmill much more plausible. Not all used treadmills are a good deal, however. Some are better than others and there are certain things you want to look for to avoid buying someone else's headaches.

Before you even go shopping for a used treadmill you should do some research on the models you are considering to find out more about them. Are they highly rated by consumers and experts in the industry? Are they stable and durable machines? Were they built primarily for walking, jogging, running, or all of the above? And what was the warranty like when they were new?

The treadmill warranty says a lot about the overall quality of the equipment. If a new treadmill has a lifetime warranty on the key components, such as the motor and frame, that says a lot about the machine. Simply put, it was built to last. You can buy used treadmills with this kind of warranty with peace of mind.

Contrast that to a new machine that only has a 90 day warranty. If you are buying it used even one year after it was new, it has no warranty. And since the manufacturer was only willing to back the product up for 90 days, chances are after just one year of use that used treadmill will be in need of repairs.

There are many places that you can find a used treadmill to purchase, including dealers in your area. They will usually have used commercial treadmills for sale. These are the machines used in gyms and hotels. They are great because they're often more durable and stable than regular home treadmills. Be careful when considering these machines, however, as they often have been used for a long time by many people so they have had their fair share of wear and tear.

To address this concern, dealers will often offer a short warranty or return policy. You won't get a used warranty like that if you buy directly from a private owner so buying from a dealer has the advantage there. Whether you buy from a dealer or a private owner, it is important to test drive the equipment and give it a good look over. Run the machine through its paces and "kick the tires."

If you decide to buy a used treadmill from a private owner, there are certain things that you should ask. Find out the history of the treadmill. Ask the seller why he is selling. Ask how often it was used and if it had any service repairs completed on it. Getting this information from the seller will help you determine if the particular treadmill is a good deal or not.

Many sellers are getting rid of their treadmill not because they didn't like it, but because they never used it. It has become an expensive, bulky clothes hanger! These are the best sellers to buy used treadmills from. Often times you'll get a practically new treadmill at a significantly discounted price.

Treadmills can play a crucial role as part of an overall weight loss and fitness program but they are expensive if you buy them new. Like a used car, however, quality used treadmills can be had for a significantly lower price. Just be sure to do your research and know what to look for before you buy so you don't end up with a lemon.