Used Treadmills – A Suitable Cheap Treadmill Option?

A used treadmill, though a cheap treadmill option, is often said to be quite a risky investment. This is because:

  1. Treadmill use causes a lot of wear and tear. Therefore a used treadmill runs the risk of having seen a lot of all this.
  2. If somebody is planning to sell away a treadmill, it is likely because they have found some defects in it that causes trouble.
  3. You can never clearly ascertain the condition of a treadmill by mere inspection.

Merit Fitness 725TThere could be a number of other hassles too with a used treadmill.

You may ask if buying a used treadmill is a suitable option or not. The fact remains that nothing can beat the reliability of a first hand treadmill bought after proper inspection from a good store.  If you can make proper judgments before making your purchase, your used cheap treadmill could be almost as good too.

While inspecting the treadmill you must keep the following tips in mind:

  1. Make sure you go accompanied with an expert if you are not very familiar with the machine. This can help you make the right decision.
  2. Ask the seller how long he/she has been using the machine and why he/she is eager to sell it. Though you cannot really trust much of what the seller really says, asking these questions can surely help.
  3. Ask for the original bill to check the date of the purchase, and compare the price with the current price of the machine.
  4. Go through customer reviews of the product.
  5. Try to find a machine which the guarantee period has not yet expired.

The viability of this cheap treadmill option also depends on how long you aim to use your treadmill, and how well can you maintain the machine. Used treadmills are generally more suitable in small families where there are fewer people who will use it. Thus go for one that best suits your needs. If you can keep these few factors in mind, you can get a used treadmill that will be sure to give you many years of good use.

Finding The Right Treadmill Mat

For all those who own a cheap treadmill or are planning to buy one, they should also consider buying a treadmill mat along with it, as it is the most important accessory for a treadmill.

There are many reasons why mats are important for a treadmill:

  • They look after the carpet and flooring from the weight of the equipment with constant usage.
  • They prevent the oil, grime and dirt that gathers under the motor unit from depositing onto the carpet or floor.
  • They help increase the life of the treadmill by curbing vibrations and decreasing the carpet fibers that enter the electrics of the treadmill.

Treadmill MatTreadmill mats are priced depending on three factors: the size, thickness and material. The larger and thicker the mat is, the higher the price of the mat.

Typically a treadmill mat will measure about 6.5 feet x 3 feet and will accommodate many varieties of treadmills. Larger and more expensive treadmills that are 7 feet in size will require longer treadmill mats.

It is always better to check the measurement of the cheap treadmill you intend to buy so you can purchase the appropriate treadmill mat. If you have bought your treadmill for over $2000, you might need a larger treadmill mat than the usual sizes available.

The average thickness of treadmill mats is 1/4 inch. If your treadmill is not used everyday then a thin treadmill mat will suffice but if the treadmill is in constant use a thicker mat is necessary. You may need a treadmill mat of about 3/8 inch which is not that costly.

How much do treadmill mats usually cost? An average 6.5′ x 3′ mat with ¼ inch thickness will be priced anywhere between $35 and $50. Although the same mat with 3/8 of an inch thickness will be priced an extra $10 approximately.

There are many online stores for buying cheap treadmill mats. There are heavy discounts on mats on these websites in comparison to specialty fitness stores as they are dedicated only to selling mats.

Treadmill Reviews: An Look Into The Popular Treadmill Brands

WesloBuying a treadmill can turn extremely tiresome if you do not have a good idea about the various treadmill brands. Here is a brief peek into some of the globally famous and all time favorite brands that you can consider while buying your treadmill:

Gold’s Gym

The Gold’s Gym chain is known all over the world for its excellent machines that have great durability. Though the prices have increased in recent years, they have cheap treadmills available too, starting at around $400.

Their products come with a long guarantee period which itself is an assurance of their quality and longevity. However, one drawback with Gold’s Gym is that there is little variety in the treadmill department. All in all, it is a great option for starters. It is not recommended for hardcore runners.

Star Trac Treadmills

Known for their durability and reliability, there is no brand that can beat the attraction of Star Trac’s specific designs and smart features. However, the price range that starts at $3000 often makes them expensive for small families.

Another drawback is that they provides just a 3 year warranty (quite a short duration when compared to many other close competitors). It is recommended for those looking forward to a serious workout.

Weslo

If you are looking for a cheap treadmill, Welso is perhaps the best deal for you. Most of their products are sold at less than $1000, and the machines include all the basic features that they should have. However the products come at a warranty period of just about 90 days and the treadmills lack most of the fancy features.

Also, you may find the Welso treadmills feeling less comfortable as compared to the other brand available. To sum it up, it is suitable only for starters who do not need anything more than fair quality and reasonable basics.

While these were the most common manufacturers, you might like to consider reviews of certain other popular treadmill brand names too, especially if the models do not match with your requirements.