What to Look for When Buying Used Exercise Equipment Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Cardio Cardio Machines Save Money and Get Fit With Used Exercise Equipment Is Used Fitness Equipment a Good Buy? By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 26, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Andrea Rice Fact checked by Andrea Rice Andrea Rice is an award-winning journalist and a freelance writer, editor, and fact-checker specializing in health and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Print tammykayphoto / Getty Images Buying used fitness equipment may be a great investment for your health and your wallet as long as you know what to look for before handing over your cash. You can save a lot of money buying used fitness equipment. Used treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines, and weight equipment are a fraction of the cost compared to the same equipment brand new. If you are planning to set up a home gym, buying used equipment can save you thousands of dollars. Not all used fitness equipment is worth the savings, however. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for used fitness equipment. What to Buy The variety of equipment available is endless. The specific pieces of used fitness equipment you choose to buy should be based on the type of exercise you enjoy doing, as well as pertain to your fitness goals. You may only need a stationary bike to ride during the evening news or a few dumbbells to add to your running routine. If, however, you are planning on setting up a basic home gym, learn about the must-have items. Try Before You Buy It's a good idea to shop for used fitness equipment that you have previously used at a gym, a store, or a friend's home. Make sure the equipment is something you are not only familiar with, but that you like enough to actually use on a regular basis. Avoid buying something just because it's a good deal or it may end up in your garage sale next year. Choose Quality Brands Even though you are buying used equipment, don't think you can't buy brand name items. When it comes to electronics and fitness equipment, purchasing name brands will generally save you money in the long run. Buying a cheap heart rate monitor, motorized treadmill, or other fitness equipment may result in a lower quality item that is poorly made and more likely to break than a well-known and trusted brand. Check for Excessive Wear Before buying any used fitness equipment, be sure you inspect the items for any kind of damage, excessive wear, cracks, rust, or other defects. Thoroughly test out the equipment before you buy it to ensure that everything works as it should. If it needs any parts cleaned or replaced, make sure they are still available for purchase and are reasonably priced. Check Safety Features Another important aspect of buying used fitness equipment is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use. This may mean checking the emergency shut-off switches, and inspecting the electronics and wires for fraying or other signs of damage. Any rubber or plastic parts should not show signs of cracks or excessive wear and tear. Iron dumbbells should not be rusty, and stationary bikes should pedal smoothly and stop easily. Check the Warranty Used fitness equipment will likely no longer be under warranty, but it's still a good idea to check. If this is a high-end item, contact the manufacturer to ask about the product and ask if they offer any service or support. It also can't hurt to ask about purchasing an extended warranty plan if there's one available. At a minimum, check to see if the equipment had any recalls and if replacement parts are easy to get. Where to Buy You can find used fitness equipment at garage sales, your local classifieds, and websites such as Craigslist, eBay, and Recycler. Be sure that any vendor you purchase from is a verified buyer to avoid any potential scams. How Much Should You Pay for Used Fitness Equipment The easiest way to know what the equipment is worth is to first check the retail price at an online site such as Amazon or by going directly to the company's website. You could also peruse the classified ads to find out the going rates for the used equipment in your area. This will give you a good idea of the market value of the item. From there, you can negotiate with the seller and get the equipment for a fair price you feel good about. Is There Any Fitness Equipment You Shouldn' t Buy Used Some people may say that you should avoid buying used electronics or shoes. While it's a good idea to thoroughly check out any of these items before you buy, you can still get some great used heart rate monitors and even sports shoes if you know what it is you're looking for. The best advice on these items is to do thorough research, refrain from impulsive purchases, and ask a lot of questions of the seller. If you have a bad feeling, aren't getting straight answers to your questions, or see any inconsistencies between the product and the seller's story, move on. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Related Articles How to Make Your Home Cardio Workout Worthwhile How Does a Manual Treadmill Compare to a Motorized One? How to Start Cycling: What You Need to Know The 7 Best Online Cycling Classes of 2022 The Best Home Gym Equipment of 2022 How to Find an Affordable Treadmill for Your Home How to Exercise When You're on a Budget How to Use a Stationary Bike and Add It to Your Workout Routine The Best Pilates Equipment for a Studio Experience at Home Why Using an Elliptical Machine Can Be a Great Exercise for You Consider This Before Buying Exercise Equipment Is a Personal Trainer Right for You? 10 Reasons to Hire One How to Turn a Bike Into a Stationary Bike 12 Best Indoor Cycling Bikes, Recommended by Experts The 12 Best Exercise Bikes of 2022 for Home Workouts Ride On With the Ultimate Guide to Indoor Cycling Workouts When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept All