Tips for Selling A Treadmill

Treadmill manufacturers upgrade their models every season. Perhaps you’re ready for a new one, or maybe you’re tired of your home treadmill and want an alternative, like an elliptical. Either way, if you’re looking to sell your treadmill instead of just getting rid of it, knowledge is key. The quarantine related to COVID-19 resulted in a swarm of home treadmills purchased across the world and that means a vigorous market for good used models. The upside to this is there are plenty of avenues due to the volume. The bad news of course is heightened competition. But before you decide to just get rid of your treadmill, consider some advice from the pro’s.

Below are some tips designed to help you maximize your sale, both in terms of speed and sale price. Another resource to consider is our Five Step Treadmill Buying Guide. If you’re in a high-population area, it might be as easy as talking to a neighbor. Folks in lower-population areas might have to surf the old Internet a bit. Either way, you’ll want to do some prep work in advance otherwise interest might not be there. Remember, treadmills are among the most popular pieces of home exercise equipment for a reason. Everyone wants the luxury of working out on their own schedule. So get ready for some scrubbing, and let the marketing begin.

Proper marketing of your treadmill is critical when selling it.

Get Your Gear Together

Before going any further, gather as much paperwork on your machine as you still have. Prepare a checklist with the following information:

• Brand of treadmill (NordicTrack, Horizon, Sole, etc…)
• Year and Model (2022 Commercial 1750, 2022 Horizon 7.0 AT, 2022 F80, etc…)
• Downloaded user’s manual and warranty information from the manufacturer’s website (See example here from the Horizon series). This user’s manual and warranty information should contain the motor size, speed, incline, type of belt, associated computer information, and roller sizes. Is this is a 4.0 Continuous Horsepower (CHP) motor, or perhaps a 3.0? Does this machine incline up to 12% or 15%? Is there a decline? Does it reach speeds of 10mph or 12mph. What is the maximum user weight? Is it Bluetooth? All of these questions can be answered by checking the manufacturer’s website. Be sure to get the measurements too. If it’s an older model and no information is on the manufacturer’s site, you can always use one of our reviews. To see an example, check out our analysis of the 2022 NordicTrack Commercial 1750 here and search for other old models.
• The name of any associated fitness apps connected to the machine. For instance, most NordicTrack treadmills are built to work with iFit and iFit only. Place on the checklist the monthly user fee associated with the app, whether it’s required to use the machine or not. If the machine can work with multiple apps, like the Horizon and Matrix series, be sure to take that information with you.
• Take pictures of the machine from the front, rear, both sides, when upright if a foldable, and the screen in use. Before taking pictures be sure to clean the treadmill belt and dust off the screen and other parts.
• As much maintenance and usage history as you have. Be prepared to explain how frequently the machine is used and how often you’ve lubricated the belt, or perhaps even changed it. Be honest in discussing the machine’s performance and sell “As Is.” You don’t want to sell someone a treadmill that doesn’t work or be blamed for a machine failing due to the new user’s error. Offer a receipt in exchange for the money and be sure to keep it.

Once you’ve gathered your data, do a quick check on Amazon.com to see what the going rate is for your particular model and see how the competition stacks up. Facebook also has a number of marketplaces for used goods and once you know your information, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re up against. Keep in mind, treadmills are like cars in that their resale value is contingent on condition and age. If you’re looking to get your purchase price back, be prepared to clean the machine for the pictures.

Also, know what you owe on the machine if payments are still being made. You’ll need to factor that into the pricing. There’s going to be a big difference in selling a machine you own outright as opposed to one on which you’re still making payments. If you’ve purchased the machine with manufacturer financing, they’re unlikely to let you switch that over to another person and let them take over the payments. Just like a car on which you’re still making payments, the customer will have to get their own financing or simply pay cash. If you put it on a personal credit card you’ll still need to figure out how much you need to clear the sale.

Usually a damp rag, soap, and some water will clean up the dirt on your treadmill belt.

Contact a Fitness Equipment Store

If there’s a fitness equipment or sporting goods store nearby, go talk to the sales reps. Even if they don’t wind up buying your machine, they’ll certainly give you good advice. When you go, be sure to take your information sheet and pictures. Academy Sports for instance happens to carry the ProForm lineup and might be more willing to work a used model into their mix. Smaller family-owned stores might be willing to sell your treadmill on consignment, meaning they’ll place it in their shop with a “For Sale” sign on it in exchange for a small fee. Even if the sales staff says no on the first try, you’ll get a good idea of the price range.

Play It Again Sports is a franchise with physical stores located throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as a strong online presence. This company not only deals in used treadmills but many other pieces of exercise equipment as well, bringing lots of potential buyers to the table. The value to a franchise like this is it has local owners and a national reach for both buying and selling. Johnson Fitness & Wellness also offers a buy-sell-trade service through its corporate stores. This company manufacturers both the Horizon and Matrix lineup of machinery and in some cases will arrange pick-up of your treadmill from your house. Both groups work with all brands of treadmills.

Spread the Word and Be Prepared to Move

Treadmills are popular and you might be surprised. As with anything else for sale, the first step is to let friends and family know you have a treadmill for sale. One big question you’ll have to answer potential customers is how delivery will be handled. Depending upon your location, this could be a major issue. Ideally someone will agree to come to your house and pick up the unit themselves, but let’s face it, that’s not guaranteed. Be prepared to fully disassemble the unit and take it to the new location. You might need to borrow a truck. If it’s a foldable treadmill you might be able to roll it up the ramp of a truck, but be sure to have it fully secured while in motion. If it’s not a foldable unit, more work will be required.

Whether a small, easily moved treadmill or a large commercial machine, the basics of selling one come down to preparation and presentation. The cleaner the unit and the more information you have about it, the more likely you are to get a good price. Garages across the country and full of old exercise equipment which has gone to the dust moths. Don’t let yours be one if you’re planning to sell it for anything but yard sale prices.