Exercise equipment is very expensive and even if you appreciate that using it is an investment in health and longevity, it still can be very difficult to fit it into a home budget.  But used home exercise equipment might be a way to go.  Since most equipment last for literally decades and even with constant use will probably still have a lot of life left in them regardless of the age.  But where to find some good used exercise equipment and what should you look for before purchasing?

Before you start your search for used exercise equipment you should decide on the type of equipment you think would be of the best benefit to you.  Take a trip to your local home fitness center and check out the types of equipment available.  While looking at the equipment be sure to inspect the exercise equipment for quality of workmanship and if you are looking at gym equipment in a gymnasium you should look for the normal wear and tare.  This information will become vital when considering used exercise equipment.

Obviously most people would turn to eBay when looking for used home exercise equipment, but keep in mind that there is usually a large shipping cost for this type of equipment if you purchase it from someone outside of your immediate area.  However eBay does allow you to narrow your search to a specific range of miles around your home so that you can pick up something.  It’s recommended that for something as expensive as home exercise equipment you’ll want to arrange with the seller to inspect the pieces beforehand or pay in cash in person after winning the auction, if the piece is as advertised.  It’s never a good idea to just pay for something this expensive without having inspected it first.  Craig’s List online is also a good place to shop for used exercise equipment and some prefer it since it isn’t worked around an auction but is more like a huge garage sale instead.

You may have flea markets nearby that sell exercise equipment.  Goodwill, Purple Heart, the Kidney Foundation, and even the Salvation Army often sell good equipment from their donors.  You can easily find them online or in the phone book.

It’s important to inspect and try out the used home exercise equipment you find anywhere before you buy it.  When it comes to treadmills, look at the belt carefully.  It is curled or frayed at the ends?  When you run the machines does the belt have a tendency to drift to one side?  This signals uneven wear.  Of course belts can be replaced easily but if you plan on doing this then consider the added cost.  Try out elliptical machines and bikes.  Are the pedals securely fastened?  Do they have a tendency to wobble?  This might mean inferior quality.  As for weight machines and other pieces of used home exercise equipment, check pulleys, cords, belts, benches, and every moving piece.  Does it work effortlessly?  If not then something may be ready to break.  Make sure the cords and pulley don’t look frayed and worn.

Buying used home exercise equipment rather than new can be a good idea if it means sticking to your budget, but exercise caution and be sure that you don’t grab the first thing you see and that you have a chance to thoroughly inspect everything no matter what the brand name or price.



Thanks to David Cowley for contributing this article to our Exercise blog:

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How to Choose Home Exercise Equipment

Nothing can be more important than health and fitness. We all need to look after our health and take steps to improve our fitness. What we eat and drink plays a huge part in how healthy we are. Sticking to a healthy diet is as important as taking regular exercise. Many people enjoy going to the gym, others prefer to exercise in the privacy of their own home. It really doesn`t matter how, where or when we take exercise, just as long as we are doing a reasonable amount on a regular basis.

Exercise equipment comes in many different forms and at vastly different prices. Buying a simple skipping rope for a few pounds can provide valuable exercise in the same way as paying thousands of pounds for an elaborate gym standard exercise machine. Some people set a room or a garage aside in their home to set up their own gymnasium, others are happy to have an exercise bike in the corner of a room.

Exercise bikes come in all shapes and sizes and in all price ranges. At the lower end of the price range is the basic upright machine that is designed around the same design as a bicycle. At the upper end of the price range is the recumbent, fully programmable machine. Both machines provide aerobic exercise for the user. Many bikes offer options for riding up and down hills and controlling your heart rate.

Treadmills are another popular option for the home gym or those buying a single machine. Again treadmills can be low cost and basic through to fully programmable. Some are foldable for easy storage and others are solid and can take up a fairly large area of space. All are excellent sources of cardio vascular exercise. Again these machines can be set to simulate going up or down hills, vary the amount of resistance and alter the speed and distance from a slow walk to a full on run.

Rowing machines are available in three different forms: air, water or magnetic rowers. All three provide low impact cardio vascular exercise and are suitable for all age groups as they work all the major muscle groups. These machines offer good value for money as they provide good a good all round workout.

Elliptical cross trainers again provide an all round workout that is effective and low impact. They are now almost as popular as treadmills and exercise bikes. However, these are quite complex machines and caution should be practised when buying a cheaper machine.

As with all exercise equipment it is best to go for the best you can afford. Horizon and York are popular manufacturers of exercise machines and are best seller at Argos Sports from many years. However, many exercise machines are purchased each year and are never used. It is worth working out how much it would cost to be a member at the gym and how much you can save by exercising at home. Another important consideration is the space that you have available. It is also important to wear the correct clothing and good quality shoes, sturdy, hardwearing and durable.



Thanks to Adam Khan for contributing this article to our Exercise blog:

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