A treadmill can be one of the most irresistible pieces of exercise equipment that you need to have when you want to have your own home gym. They are the best cardio machines to have around: you can walk, jog or run anytime you want to regardless of the weather condition outside. You will definitely achieve better cardiovascular fitness and effectively burn calories when you regularly use a treadmill.
A treadmill can be quite an expensive piece of fitness equipment to buy. However, if you are still very interested and keen on buying one for your home gym, you can consider investing in a used treadmill.
A used treadmill is definitely more affordable than a new one. They are still fully functional and can provide you years of service. However, since you will be buying a used treadmill, you have to put in more effort in choosing the best one to invest in. Below are some of the important parts and features you should check in a used treadmill before buying it:
The treadmill belt. While the treadmill is turned off, inspect it carefully all the way around and check for any fraying, particularly around the edges on both sides. Once it is turned on, watch it carefully at higher speeds and check for any signs of sliding or skipping. If the belt is sliding or skipping, don’t buy it since a skip at high-speed can be very dangerous: it can cause you to slip or trip. In addition, make sure that the belt is not rubbing against any part of the frame as well.
The treadmill motor. Make sure that the treadmill’s motor is still fully functional. You can do this by running the treadmill all the way from warm-up to maximum speed. Pay attention to any sound that you hear whenever you increase the speed. The motor is functioning properly when the sound you hear is smooth at any speed level.
The display. Make sure that the display is easy to use. Ensure that you can read all the displays as well. Inspect it for signs of wear or damage. Used treadmills usually have worn-looking displays from dripping sweat and spilled beverages. Although it’s quite all right for the surface of the display to be a bit scratched and foggy-looking, make sure that the electronic part of the display is still clear and bright.
The incline. Finally, the treadmill should go up to at least 10% incline or even a bit more. When the treadmill moves up, make sure it goes smoothly without bumping or jerking. Test it while the treadmill is running at moderate to high-speed, while you are on it and when you’re not on it.
