Inspecting a Used Treadmill

For those who are looking to buy used treadmills, it is important to keep in mind that there should be no reason to compromise what we want out of a treadmill just because it is not new. Besides inspecting the machine for excessive wear, any shopper should also look for the features that they would want from a treadmill such as pre-programmed workouts, built-in television or whatever bells and whistles treadmills come with these days. The important thing, however, is to make sure the treadmill is able to endure the many years of service you will demand from it. To be sure we don’t waste our money on lemons it is important to inspect the most important parts of the treadmill.

The most critical part is the motor. This is essentially the heart of used treadmills and can be very expensive to repair which is why a warranty to at least cover parts for the motor is required. To inspect the motor, turn it on and listen for any funny noises. Ask about anything that makes you unsure about the quality of the motor and then step onto the treadmill to feel it out. There should be no change in the belt speed as you put your full weight on it and the motor should not appear to struggle in anyway. Again, this is really where you want most of your attention since the motor will pretty much make or break the usability of the machine.

The rest of the treadmill that should be inspected includes the console or dashboard and the body. A steel frame will definitely be more durable than any other material so this is always a good feature to look for. The console should have all the things you would want and make sure the displays read correctly. If possible, test the heart rate monitor and other features to make sure they are working properly. One aspect that should not be compromised, especially if you have small children at home, is the safety lock to keep the machine form accidently turning on.