Buying A Second Hand Treadmill?
Check Out Our Essential Guide To Get The Best Deal

Buying a second hand treadmill is much the same as buying a used car. If you’re careful and pay attention to the detail you can get a great running machine at a great price. If you’re not so careful you’ll end up with a useless piece of equipment taking up space that is going to cost you money to get rid off.

Benefits of Buying A Second Hand Treadmill

Do your homework and you can get a much better machine with a higher specification and more features than if you had bought new. Models that may be out of your price-range new, are a viable option if used. This means you will have a much wider choice than if buying new, although obviously the brand new models just on the market are unlikely to be available yet.

However, before you buy second hand check new treadmill prices here, there is a great selection under £500 with excellent warranties (peace of mind) – some for up to 3 years.

1. Buying Second Hand From The Internet

One of the first places most people look to buy anything second hand is good old Ebay or other online auction sites. Second hand fitness equipment is a huge online market simply because so many people buy them with good intentions and end up hardly using them!

Read our guide to buying a treadmill on eBay.

Are you sure you will use a treadmill? See our Buyer’s Guide and see if it’s suitable for you.

Buying from an individual online can involve risk but this can be reduced thanks to the auction sites rating systems. It is also essential to try out the machine before taking collection – see second hand checklist.

We recommend you buy from a reputable auction site, examine the machine before buying, and buy a model you have already tried either at the gym or fitness retailer so you are familiar with it.

2. Buying From A Private Individual

Local newspaper ads or boards at gyms, newsagents or supermarkets will usually carry adverts for a private sale. As with buying online only buy a model you are familiar with and have had chance to check out first – see second hand checklist.

Ask to see the receipt for the initial sale so you know the age of the machine you are buying. If you have any doubts just walk away, there’ll be plenty other machines out there.

3. Buying An Ex-Gym or Health Club Treadmill

Some are wary about buying an ex-gym model because they feel it will have suffered from heavily use. However, they are usually top models with great specification and, due to health and safety regulations, serviced on a regular basis by a certified engineer.

Ask to look at the models service record and if all appears well and good you have got yourself a top model at a fraction of the price new.

4. Buying A Reconditioned/ Refurbished Treadmill From A Retailer

As with buying from a gym these have to be done according to strict standards. Reconditioning usually involves fitting a new belt, motor and rollers – the parts most susceptible to wear and tear. You can get some good deals on higher spec machines for several hundred less than the new price.

Also check what guarantee you’ll get for the work that has been done and how it impacts on the manufacturers warranty.

A refurbished treadmill may be a better bet. These are usually ex-display models or customer returns. If a customer changes their mind and returns a treadmill it cannot be sold as new – even if it’s still in its box! You can pick these up from many retailers and often you’ll get a good deal. For more information please see buying a refurbished treadmill.

What To Look Out For When Buying A Second Hand Treadmill?

Where ever you choose to buy a second hand treadmill ask to see a copy of the warranty. If the machine is still within it’s warranty period check to see if it can be transferred to you, the new owner.

Examine the treadmill closely and look for signs of wear and tear to the belt, the frame and console.

Start up the machine and before getting and run it at all speeds gradually working up to the full speed. Listen for knocking or grating sounds and look out for any smoke or smells that do not appear right.

Get on to the machine, remember to stop it first :0), and listen for any changes to the motor. It will have to labour more but listen for any new knocking or grating sounds.

Look at the screws holding the frame and motor together for signs that they have been removed. If the owner has receipts or proof of repair, have they been carried out by a certified engineer?

If you have any doubts just walk away – remember there’ll be plenty more unwanted machines out there!