Qualities to Look for in Used Gym Equipment
Used gym equipment for sale is a great option for those looking to replace their old, outdated machinery. A second-hand machine may not have all the bells and whistles of its brand new cousin, but it’ll do the job just fine. Plus, you’ll save yourself some serious cash when you cut out the middleman: manufacturers.
Whether you’re in the market for a treadmill or a weight set, there are specific things that one should look for when inspecting these pieces of equipment.
Things to Look for in Used Gym Equipment
If you haven’t used this machine before, ask the seller some questions about it. How long has he owned it? Did he purchase it used or new? How much use has it seen? Did the last owner have any problems with it? Run through a list of standard operational questions and be prepared to watch the machine in action. If anything feels off, try to ask more in-depth questions or request another demonstration.
Most of us are reluctant purchasers; we want to make sure we’re making the right choice when buying workout equipment or something so important. The only way to ensure that you’ve made the right decision is to run through a list of standard operational tests and make sure everything works properly.
Doing a visual check is equally important. Don’t just look for physical damage. How is the machine on the inside? Is it clean? Make sure the moving parts are smooth and not sticky. Check to ensure that all of the springs are intact and that there are no visible tears or missing bolts/nuts on any parts you can get to (the backrests, weight stacks, and rollers). Try to lift the machine’s weight with each hand individually or with both hands together. If you can’t lift it at all, walk away.
The worst thing you can do is purchase used gym equipment without inspecting it thoroughly. Make sure everything works as advertised, and don’t hesitate to walk away if something doesn’t feel right. It might take a little extra time and effort, but it’ll pay off in the long run when you get home with a machine that functions properly.
What should you look for when buying a used Treadmill?
A treadmill is used in the same way as a sewing machine or an old car. All you need to do is make sure all of the parts are there and that the machine runs smoothly. Here’s a run-down of what you should check out when examining treadmills:
Handrails: Check out both sides of the handrails and get a feel for how smooth they are. Remember, if it feels sticky, walk away. If wanders or loosens during your test run then that’s not a good sign either.
Upper Deck: Check out the spacing between the deck and the rails. It should be even all around. If it looks like anything is loose or missing, don’t go any further.
Lower Deck: Check out the belt for excessive wear, which could point to a problem with either the motor or its wiring. Also, check to see whether or not there’s a walking belt on there. It should be there unless otherwise specified.
The Motor: Run it in both forward and reverse for at least 5 minutes in each direction using your full body weight on the treadmill. If there’s excessive noise or it doesn’t hold up the load then it’s a bad motor. If you’re unsure at all about the motor, walk away.
Rear Deck Rail: Check to make sure that both sides are even and that there aren’t any cracks or movement in any of the mounting points. The deck will move side-to-side if you tighten the bolts too much, so make sure they’re tight enough so that the machine stays straight when running on an even plane.
Tread Belt: Check whether or not there’s a walking belt on it. If it doesn’t have one, figure out why. If there is a walking belt on there, make sure that the area where it goes through the deck is even at all points along the deck. Also, check to see how well it rolls. It should roll very well with little or no friction.
Rollers: Check out both sides of them and make sure they’re smooth and don’t have any sticky spots where they might grab your shoes.
Thinking of buying used weight training equipment? Here’s what you should check:
Weight Stack: If you’re buying a used weight stack, make sure it comes with the selector pin and the plates on top. If you can’t find them, there’s a chance that they’ve been stolen.
Weight Plates: Check out all of the weights on the machine to ensure that they match each other in size and weight. If one is missing or not normal in size, it could mean that someone has tampered with the machine and you should probably walk away.
Bottom Pulley Assembly: Look at both sides of it and make sure that they’re even and well-balanced.
Fork/Cable Attachment: Check that it’s attached to the bottom pulley and that both sides are even and well-balanced.
Cable Housing: Check to see whether or not it’s well balanced. Look for any frayed wires or any place where the cable housing is not even on both sides. If you find any of these signs, walk away from the machine.
Weight Stack Housing: Make sure that there aren’t any cracked pieces, rust spots, or anything else inside of the weight stack housing that could cause a problem if you use this machine.
Seat or Backboard: Check to see whether or not the seat or backboard has any signs of cracks. If there are, walk away.
Weight Stacks: Check the weight stacks themselves and make sure that they match the number of plates on top of them. If one is missing or is out of place then walk away.
Press Arm: Check to see whether or not it’s even at all points along the Press Arm and make sure that it doesn’t have any cracks. If it’s bent then you know someone has used it before and probably damaged it.
Suspension Pads: Check to see if there are any signs of rust where the pads are and whether or not they’re even and balance on both sides.
Weight Stack Plates: The weight stack plates should be the same size as each other and as small as possible. If one is out of place or too big then walk away.
Seat: There should be an even amount of screws holding this seat together with both sides being equal in comparison. Check to see whether or not it’s a solid piece and isn’t cracked.
Backboard: Check to see whether or not the backboard has any cracks in it. Also, make sure that it’s balanced on both sides.
Plywood: If the plywood on the back of the weight stack housing is damaged then it’s most likely because someone has been using or tried to use this machine and they’ve probably damaged it as well if you decide to make this purchase.
Nuts and Bolts: Look over all of them and make sure that they’re holding in place without damage. Beware of any broken bolts because you’ll need new ones if one is missing out of place.
