Used Exercise Equipment Vs. New Exercise Equipment

Refurbished precor ellipticals, treadmills, reconditioned exercise bikes, and other used exercise equipment (which can be pre-owned, refurbished, or remanufactured) is a low cost alternative to a new exercise machine. However, if you are thinking about purchasing used gym equipment, consider the following:

Pro’s and Con’s of Used Fitness Equipment

Pro’s

• Cheaper than new exercise machines (obviously!)

• You can buy more fitness equipment (like a set of free weights, a bench, and a treadmill or elliptical) with a limited budget. If you’re buying new equipment, you might just have enough for one piece of equipment for your home gym

• For free weights, the weight of a dumbbell, barbell or weight plate is going to remain the same over time. So buying something new that is not going to break down (with the case of weights) is not beneficial

Con’s

• Lack of warranty on the equipment (many new fitness equipment offer lifetime warranty)

• Because the equipment has been used, it may require more maintenance

• Quality of the home gym or exercise equipment would vary (depending on the use the machine has already received). New equipment is bought right after it is manufactured, so you don’t have to worry about it being used and abused

• Used weight plates will not break down, but often times these plates are rusty because they haven’t been taken care of

As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages of used fitness equipment. If you don’t mind the possible rust, then used free weights would be cost effective addition to your home gym.

However, if you’re looking for a home gym or cardio machine, it may be more expensive to buy used equipment due to the lack of a manufacturer’s warranty, and the cost of possible replacements, defects, and headaches.

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