A Gym Owner's Guide to Buying Used Gym Equipment
When building a home gym or expanding a commercial gym, used equipment can be a valuable investment. It lets you secure a wider range of equipment from higher-quality brands at affordable prices. It also means you can purchase more equipment, which can make your gym or personal workouts even better!
Not all used equipment is created equal, though. To get more value for your dollar, you need to know what to look for and avoid. Learn the tips and tricks for buying used gym equipment.
Why Buy Used Equipment for Your Gym?
Secondhand workout equipment offers many benefits that brand-new equipment can't match, especially if you're on a budget.
You can get high-quality equipment with multiple attachments and functionalities at more accessible prices. You can also secure equipment from premium brands without having to pay the full retail price.
Using secondhand equipment is also a great way to reduce waste. Rather than ordering entirely new options, you can feel good reusing existing pieces, knowing you rescued them from a landfill.
How Is Equipment Condition Classified?
Used equipment can be broken down into three categories, and each one represents a different level of quality. These categories include:
- As is: This is probably what you think of when you think of used equipment. Any bench, squat rack or set of dumbbells sold as is has not been cleaned, touched up or otherwise repaired. It has just been put out on the market because the owner no longer has a use for it or needs to sell it for some other reason. Equipment in this category is generally functional but not as pristine as that in the other categories.
- Cleaned and serviced: This equipment has been carefully cleaned and tested to ensure that it works how it's supposed to. Some cleaned and serviced equipment may have minor cosmetic flaws, but the core mechanisms should work perfectly. So, if the minor wear and tear doesn't bother you, this type of equipment is a great option.
- Refurbished or remanufactured: If you're looking for top-of-the-line used equipment, this is the category for you. Refurbished equipment is disassembled, cleaned and inspected before the worn or damaged parts are replaced entirely. This is awesome for you because the equipment will likely last longer and work better. It might even come with a warranty for parts and labor!
A lot of secondhand commercial gym equipment for sale will fall into the as-is category, but you can find high-quality refurbished equipment and more at trusted providers like Global Fitness. Refurbished options tend to offer the most bang for your buck and are often the best choice for commercial gyms.
What to Inspect Before You Purchase Used Gym Equipment
The equipment classifications are useful, but the only way to really be sure that used equipment works properly is to inspect it yourself. To do that, you need to know what to look for. Here are some general guidelines you should follow:
- Inspect upholstery and grips for rips, cracks and other damage: A lot of equipment comes with upholstered components and grips. These parts can rip and crack over time, so make sure to check these areas out before making a purchase.
- Run the equipment through a full range of motion: Any machine worth the investment moves from the top of the movement to the bottom. Always test this range of motion yourself. You can even run this test at varying weights to be extra thorough. Doing so will help you figure out whether repairs are necessary or not.
- Examine the frame and/or cables of strength equipment: Multifunctional power racks and other pieces of strength equipment come with both frames and cables. The cables, especially, can wear down over time, but the frames can also become bent or damaged. Assess the health and stability of both before making a purchase. Otherwise, you might be stuck with a machine that does not work when you need it to.
- Test cardio equipment for at least 10 minutes: Treadmills, stair machines and other cardio equipment should always be tested before purchase. This will help you figure out if anything is damaged, even if you can't see it at first glance. Run the machine for at least 10 minutes at varying speeds to make sure it works without potential issues, like rigid movement or noisy operation. You should also make sure all the buttons and settings do what they are supposed to.
Key Questions to Ask the Used Equipment Seller
Inspection is only the first step, though. There are also some questions you should ask the seller, including the following:
- How long has the equipment been in use?
- Do you have a service history or maintenance records for this equipment?
- Are all of the parts of this piece of equipment original, or have some been replaced?
- Will the equipment be cleaned or serviced at all before it is sold?
Each of these questions will help you make your final buying decision. They help you get a sense of the equipment's condition and how long it is likely to last. These records also help you proactively perform preventive maintenance on your equipment's parts, which can increase the equipment's overall working lifespan.
Read customer testimonials before making your purchase to ensure you work with a reliable seller who takes pride in the equipment they sell. Also, look at the machine model's reviews and prioritize options that are known for quality, performance and longevity to get the most out of your investment.
How to Prepare for Used Gym Equipment Installation
Before committing to a piece of equipment, you need to know if it's going to fit your space. Always measure the dimensions of your available space first and compare them to the equipment you're interested in. Plan ahead, and ensure you can safely move the largest pieces into your facility or home without complication.
Find the Best Used Gym Equipment With Global Fitness
When you are looking for used exercise equipment for sale, you need a seller you can trust. With Global Fitness, you get exactly that. We've been helping folks just like you find the used equipment they need for their home or commercial gym for over 20 years. We offer strength equipment and cardio equipment from brands like Life Fitness, Precor, Cybex and more. All of our used equipment is backed by a 30-day warranty as well, so you can have peace of mind after every purchase.
To request a quote on a piece of equipment or a gym package, fill out our contact form or give us a call at 310-483-7743.
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