Buying Guide
How to Inspect Used Gym Equipment
6 min read
A checklist for inspecting used cardio, selectorized and plate-loaded equipment before you buy.
Cardio checklist
Run the machine for five minutes at moderate speed. Check belt tracking, deck wear, incline motor travel, console functions, heart-rate contacts and any grinding from the drive.
Selectorized checklist
Move the full stack through its range. Frayed cables, sticky pulleys, worn bushings and torn upholstery are the usual issues — all repairable, but they should affect the price.
Plate-loaded checklist
Look at welds, sleeve straightness and bearing smoothness. Cosmetic rust and faded paint are easy fixes; a cracked weld is not.