Top tips on buying second hand Gym Equipment

Choosing what type of gym equipment you want can be a mine field. If you’ve been a gym member (or still are) you could ask the professionals, what would be the best for you. But if you are staring out at home do be careful not to harm yourself by doing too much too soon.

Thinking about where to shop for second hand can be daunting as there are so many options. At Rumage.com we bring together loads of second hand sites so with one search you can let us look for you rather than having to individually search the many online sellers. If you give us your email address you can set-up an alert and we can search for you every day till you find what you need.

Used gym equipment is divided into two different types: cardiovascular equipment and strength training equipment.

Where to buy preloved gym kit

Thinking about where to shop for second hand can be daunting as there are so many options. Wherever you buy make sure you really get a good look at each piece, understand how much wear and tear there is before handing over any cash.

At Rumage.com we bring together many second hand sites so with one search you can let us look for you rather than having to individually search the many online sellers. If you give us your email address you can set-up an alert and we can search for you every day till you find what you need.

The Rumage.com team are passionate about second hand but we know that when you want that special item it can be a little daunting so here are some tips to think about.

Buying preloved kit often means you can buy more heavy-duty equipment at a good price. Overall what are the top things to look out for when buying preloved gym kit?

Full Inspection

Wherever you buy make sure you really get a good look at it and understand how much wear and tear there is before handing over any cash. These machines need to be safe for you to use to avoid any damage to yourself. Examine the condition of the item to determine whether it has significant wear and tear. Things to consider are:

• Are any plastic or rubber parts of the machine missing or damaged?
• Is there any rust on the metal parts?
• Do all of the features work correctly? (e.g. exercise bikes should pedal smoothly)
• Check is anything needs to be replaced or cleaned
• Also Check to see whether you can buy the parts needed now (or later) at a good price.

Check out the Warranty

Check to see if the seller offers buyer protection, such as a money-back guarantee with the purchase. Often a Warranty cannot be transferred but you can talk to the manufacturer and ask about buying an extended warranty plan. They might provide services or support you as a second hand buyer.

Chose an established brand

Just like with any other second-hand purchase buy the best you can afford to do the job you need. Any buy if from a reputable brand. The better the brand the more you will pay but there you are likely to be able to get tips on how to use it from the brand. The better the brand the less likely it is to go wrong so you will save overall.

Know what you want it for

As with anything the more you pay, the more features the equipment will have. It is important to get clear on what you don’t need it to do so you can save on features you will just never use. If a few hours on an exercise on a bike in front of the TV you can probably punt for a basic bike (just check out the noise it makes so you can still hear the plot of the movie!)

Don’t assume refurbished is always cheaper, always shop around before you buy. A pre-used model will be better for the planet as you are avoiding new materials being used. Rumage exists to lighten the load on the planet as well as save you money.

We’re building relationships with many sites who believe, like we do, that second-hand should be the first choice as much as possible.

why buy new?

Know what you need it for

If you are training couch to 5K, a treadmill is probably  your best bet – but if you want all round aerobic exercise, then a cross trainer could be what you need. Cardio machines are things like:

• Treadmill
• Cross Trainers
• Exercise Bikes
• Rowing Machines.

However, if you want to build up your strength at home then a multi-gym could be what you are looking for. You can get started with:

• Barbells
• Dumbbells
• Kettlebells
• Weight Plates
• Or overall Weight Machines.

How will you get it home?

All items that you collect need to be the right size for transportation. Fantastic second hand equipment that were once flat packed just might not break down again.

If you liked this then read Hints and tips on how to buy second-hand

Quick links to help you find what you need:

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