Lets face it, buying a used treadmill is always going to be something of a gamble. For many people, the sticker price of new treadmills can be daunting. A very basic treadmill can start as little as $400, and the premium models with all the bells and whistles can be over $3000. So many people opt for a used or discount treadmill hoping to save some money.

But how do you know that the treadmill you are buying is a good one? One good way to find out if that used treadmill is going to be worth it is to do some homework. All the different brands of exercise equipment are not the same. Some are definitely of better quality than others. Read treadmill reviews and treadmill ratings for the brand of treadmill you are looking at purchasing. Chances are, if it has an excellent rating as a new piece of exercise equipment, it will also be a good used item, as well.

Some of the things you should consider when buying a used treadmill include the age and the frequency that it was used. A good rule of thumb is to never buy a used treadmill that is more than five years old. Equipment that old is going to need some major work very soon.

Experts suggest that you should never pay more than 50% for used exercise equipment. This is the going rate; so dont offer more than that.

When buying a treadmill, you should consider all the features of it. It must suit your needs or it is not a bargain. Things like speed, incline, deck type, type of motor and belt, user-friendly control and display panels, durability and stability of the frame and the safety features are all things that should be looked at before buying. Again, checking the ratings for safety and performance of the type of treadmill you are looking at will give you a lot of insight into how it will perform as a used piece of equipment.

There are many companies that sell remanufactured or refurbished exercise equipment. This is equipment that has been sent to a factory and had all the worn parts replaced and been spiffed up to look as good as new. This is a good option for a discount treadmill, because they usually come with some type of warranty.

There are many places to find out about the ratings for treadmills, both new and used. Checking online sources, reading magazines and publications for exercise equipment and asking people who own and run exercise gyms are all good ways to find out about the best and worst treadmill ratings and reviews. This way, you can make an informed purchase of discount or used treadmills with confidence.