Buying a Used Treadmill - Be Cautious!

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buying a used treadmill If you've been shopping for a treadmill, you may be suffering from sticker shock. A good treadmill is not cheap. In addition, when I say "good" I mean one that is adequate for achieving your fitness goals without serious maintenance issues.

My rule of thumb is, spend at least $900 if you plan to use the treadmill for walking, $1,200 for jogging and $1,500 or more for running. There are some budget treadmills that are adequate for walking for are under $900, but they will not be as durable and will have limited warranties.

In order to buy a treadmill within your budget you may be considering a used model. In fact, I get a number of inquiries from individuals who are contemplating buying a used treadmill. You'll find countless used models on eBay and CraigsList.

Is a Used Treadmill a Good Value?

In most cases, I would be very leery purchasing a used treadmill. Consider what treadmills are built for - to withstand the constant impact of walking or running. In the case of running, each impact is equivalent to 2.5x your body weight. In addition, treadmill components are in constant motion. The motors, belts, bearings, rollers, etc. are continually moving and rotating.

And for these reasons treadmills are the highest maintenance fitness equipment, much more than an elliptical trainer.

Considerations When Buying a Used Treadmill

How long has it been used? Of course, they are many treadmills that become expensive clothes racks, and if you can purchase a barely used treadmill at a discount price, that can be a bargain. My mother bought an Image treadmill for $800, used it for a few months, and than it just sat there unused. She sold it to a friend of mine for $300. That was a deal.

However, if you are considering buying a used treadmill that was used on a regular basis, it is a matter of time before it will have service issues. The time factor depends on the quality of the machine and luck.

Avoid used treadmill that initially came with a 90-day parts and labor warranty. These are cheap models, not designed for the duration.

Be cautious buying treadmills on eBay. When I worked for a treadmill company, there was some scam artist in Europe claiming to be selling our brand for considerably less. She claimed she bought them in a closeout. She was trying to get people to transfer money for non-existent products. Same situation occurred on Amazon.

Only consider refurbished treadmills if they come with an adequate warranty. Make sure the original manufacturer refurbished them.

Final Thoughts

I encourage you to buy a new treadmill with full warranty coverage. If your budget is limited, be diligent and get a model with a good track record and limited usage.

Below are reviews on treadmill models that have since been discontinued. I am providing them in case you run into a used version.