The Savvy Consumer: Platform Treadmills

Posted on 3153 January 2008 by JaMi in Equipment

As with any piece of workout equipment, platform treadmills can be expensive. However, there are alternatives. How about looking for a used treadmill? In fact, the used treadmill business is growing. Treadmill sales last year in the U.S. reached $750 million. It is estimated around 8-9 percent of the population owns a treadmill and may soon be selling them.

Treadmills are popular because of their anonymity. You could buy a lower-priced platform treadmill, but it will lack many features. On the other hand, used treadmills are everywhere at a much better price. Just remember not to take too many risks. Instead of looking for an ordinary treadmill, you should look for a re-furbished treadmill. They are actually reconditioned by a manufacturer adding new parts or repairing them. They are re-furbished like new at half the cost of a new platform treadmill. These machines even come with a warranty. If you want to get a used treadmill, you can find one at a fitness club, eBay, the classifieds, a sports store, or a thrift store.

Make sure the establishment offers a return policy or a warranty. If you buy your machine from a thrift store, the electronics may not work. If you get it from a gym, it will definitely have wear and tear. It is better to obtain one from someone who only used it for hanging clothes. Don’t buy a platform treadmill over a year old. After that, parts begin to break down. Get one that is a trusted brand like Nordic, Horizon or Bow Flex. If it was expensive in the first place, it may be a great find used. Find out how many times the machine was sold. If it had multiple owners it is not worth the headaches.

Buying a used treadmill can be a good idea for saving money, but you have to shop around and be a smart consumer. Hopefully these tips and advice will help you on your search.

Author: Lance Davidson

About the Author:

Find a wealth of tips on a variety of exercise equipment at http://www.treadmillguy.info where you’ll also find exercise balls.

JaMi

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