Buying Used Elliptical Trainers

If you plan to buy a used elliptical trainer, you need to get as much information as possible about it.

Review the Elliptical Trainer Buying Guide to understand the different types of elliptical trainers.

Then work out the features that are most important to you. Some Ellptical Trainer features are important to some body types and suit certain fitness goals, whereas others are not worth paying the extra money, for your purposes.

Find out how much the elliptical trainer origionally cost. Use our Amazon Shop to compare prices between the various models.

Read the reviews by users in our Amazon shop and the other reviews on this site.

Check the manufacturers website to find out the various models of elliptical trainers they make, and where the ones you have in mind, fit within the range. You will also be able to compare features between models here.

Once you are ready to contact sellers of used elliptical trainers, get prepared to find out:

1. The serial number - contact the manufacturer for the age and product line history.
2. The total number of strides the unit has clocked - an average workout is 100 strides/min. A 30 min. typical workout would then clock 3,000 strides. You can then calculate the usage in hours of a used unit.
3. Ask whether the elliptical trainer has been in use or storage - Avoid any elliptical that may have been stored in a moist or damp environment. i.e. garage, storage building, cold basement, etc. Storing in a damp enviroment without lubrication can cause small rust pits in the bearings and metal parts, which results in the unit losing its smooth feel and reduce its life expectancy.
4. Download an Owners Manual from manufacturers web site. The owners manual give the key-sequence to display the built-in odometer, this registers the "Total # of Strides" the unit has received, and any error codes recorded.

Finding Used Elliptical Trainers

You can find used elliptical trainers:

• On the Go-Reviews Amazon Shop
• Ebay
• Newspapers
• Trade & Exchange Stores
• Asking around at the gyms.

Overall, try to avoid just buying a cheap machine. Cheap does not equate to good value if it doesn't suit your personal preferences and fitness goals.

You may prefer to lease an elliptical trainer for a while, to see how much you really use one. Like most, you will find it works well for you and you may be prepared to forgo next years gym membership and invest in a better or new model.

Also read:

• Elliptical Trainer Buying Guide
• Elliptical Trainer Feature Guide

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