Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Guidance on Buying Used Treadmills

By Tony Dana

If you are thinking about taking your fitness regime more seriously, then you may have considered buying used treadmills. The main advantage of this, of course, is that it is going to cost you less than if you were to buy a new machine. Although this is a huge draw for many people, it is important to know what to look out for when thinking of purchasing used treadmills.

For example, did you know that several manufacturers will not sanctify a warranty of a machine when it has been passed on from the original owners to others? This can leave you with a machine that could break during your ownership and you will have to repair or replace it as the warranty does not cover it. And of course, this means shelling out more money than you had planned to in the first place.

It is important to consider how much the used treadmills have been, well used, before you decide to buy. The owner of the machine may not be totally forthcoming with the truth as they are keen to sell. It is often difficult to determine how much the machine has been used just by looking. There is essentially no way of knowing whether it has been used twice a week for a year or twice a day for a year. There are small methods you can employ to give you a rough idea of well the equipment is likely to perform for you as the new owner.

As an alternative to an ordinary used treadmill, you could opt to purchase commercial treadmills. There are some people who sell used commercial treadmills which have been used in fitness clubhouses and gyms. As these machines are fundamentally built for the purpose of heavy usage, then it is possible to find some in very good condition.

No matter is you are looking to purchase used treadmills, commercial treadmills or other types of fitness equipment, it is necessary to give the machines a thorough going over. Firstly, all of the associated cords and cables should not be exposed or broken in anyway. If you buy a treadmill with these problems it can be hazardous and potentially lethal.

The functions such as calorie counter, incline rate and heart rate monitor should all be in full working order. Buying used treadmills that does not have these functions fully operational is a waste of money. Take the time to try out the machine; walk, jog or run on it to give you a sense of how well it performs and that it will be able to fulfill your requirements.

Although it can be difficult to gauge the wear and tear of the equipment, an overall good appearance should indicate that the machine will work without any problems. If the treadmill is visually in a poor condition, then the likelihood of it working well are pretty slim. Politely decline to buy it and move on to the next option.

You will find a range of places where used treadmills are advertized, particularly on auction websites. Take the time to establish what you want the machine to do, how you will use it and research thoroughly before you part with your hard earned money.

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