When it comes to buying or selling a used treadmill, there is quite a bit of uncertainty and misinformation out there.
It is easy to find or post a used treadmill online, but how much should you pay?
How much should you charge?
How do you know if the price is fair?
Research shows that the average price of a well-equipped used treadmill that you can expect to buy or sell is 30-40% off of the new price. The average price of a quality used treadmill for a runner is $735, the new price is $1,050 - a discount of 31.5% or $315.
Needless to say, it can be hard to fully understand when, where, and how a used treadmill should be bought and sold.
We have researched 104 of used treadmills on various different places, with special attention to price, quality, and location.
With all of this information, we have put together an ultimate guide to buying and selling a used treadmill, so whatever questions you may have will surely be answered below.
This article will be broken up into two sections for Buying and Selling, but we encourage you to read through both sections, as understanding both sides of the exchange will only help you make a better informed decision.
Buying Guide:
Buying a used treadmill can be an overwhelming experience because there are so many more factors than you might have first thought about.
Like many people, your first step is probably to just hop on your computer and look up a popular search term like “used treadmills near me” or “where to buy a used treadmill?”
What follows in a gust of links and websites that can make your head spin.
So we are going to break it all down into sections so you can have a step by step treadmill buying guide.
What is a Good Price for a Used Treadmill
First step is to establish what you are looking for in a treadmill.
Do you want something with state of the art features (TV monitor, exercise programs, shock absorption, automatic incline, durable and powerful engine, etc.) and a favorable return policy?
Here is great article that lists out the most popular treadmills with built-in tvs and a bunch of other features.
Well that is going to look a lot different than someone seeking an indoor walking machine.
Nevertheless, the biggest factor affecting your wishlist is probably going to be the price, and that will help you narrow down your desired features list on the used treadmill.
Keep in mind that a used treadmills can range from $100 to over $3,000, and we do not want to assume, but if you are looking at buying a used treadmill it's safe to say you are looking to pay on the lower end of that range.
Ultimately, it is about finding a good combination between cost and quality. That middle ground will look a little different to every individual.
Now for the short answer, We have found that:
Based on research of 104 used treadmill pricing, the average price of a well-equipped used treadmill for a runner is $735. The median price of a quality used treadmill is $600.
Researched: Used Treadmill Pricing Guide
I made a list of over 104 different used treadmills for sale on different websites including Facebook Marketplace, OfferUP, Craigslist. I also called around to our local Play it Again Sports to get pricing on their used treadmills.
Below is a chart of the pricing comparing the used price versus the new price.
Treadmill | Used Price Range | Used Where? | New Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Horizon T101 | $100-$600 | OfferUp & Play it Again Sports | $699 |
Horizon T202 | $400 | Craigslist | $799 |
Horizon T303 | $799 | OfferUp | $999 |
LifeSpan TR1200i | $600 -$700 | Craigslist & FB Marketplace | $699 LifeSpan |
NordicTrack 1750 | $750-$1500 | OfferUp, FB marketplace & Play it Again Sports | $2,970.00 |
NordicTrack T6.5S | $500-$650 | Craigslist, OfferUp & FB Marketplace | $799.00 |
NordicTrack T9.5 S | $1,250 - $1500 | Play It Again Sports | $1,799.00 |
Sunny Health & Fitness 7515 | $450 | Craigslist | $499.99 |
Weslo Cadence G 5.9 | $60-$350 | OfferUp | Price not available |
Xterra TR300 | $300 | OfferUp | $839.06 |
Xtrerra TR150 | $450 | OfferUp | $393.78 |
What is a Good Cheap Used Treadmill
No matter how much research someone does, it can be hard to objectively state what a “good” treadmill is, and we wager that a “good cheap” treadmill might have an even larger array of answers.
Here is what we think a good cheap treadmill costs. We define “cheap” as any treadmill under our median used treadmill price of $600.
We do have an entire article sharing the best under $500 and some really good cheap ones that you can buy brand new.
We define “good” as a treadmill that has:
Notice these are all related to the performance output of the treadmill.
We realize that this is stripping it down to the minimum and not including anything about display monitors, storage ability, foldability, heart rate monitors or workout programs.
The weight capacity may be a factor in your decision. If so, here are the capacity ranges of popular treadmills.
These are all more like icing on the cake and less related to the overall performance of the equipment.
It might be that you are looking for a treadmill that is easy to store as well, so definitely make sure to take that into account in your personal features list and budget.
Given our definition of a good cheap treadmill, you will most definitely be able to find a good cheap treadmill, especially on the websites listed below.
Case Example: Used NordicTrack Treadmills Pricing
The most common used treadmill brand that we saw was NordicTrack, which made up 31% of the total used treadmill listings in our sample size of 104 used treadmills for sale.
NordicTrack is obviously one of the most common brands on the market in general, but since it makes up over 30% of the used treadmills on the market let’s quickly take a look at the average and median used prices of their most popular treadmill series.
These three models represent the different tiers of prices and quality that you can have in your used treadmill search, so look to apply this into other brands and models as well.
NordicTrack T6.5S - (Entry Level) | NordicTrack 1750 - (Intermediate) | NordicTrack T9.5S - (High Quality) |
|---|---|---|
Total Price Range: $150-$600 Average Price: $520 Median Price: $600 | Total Price Range: $750-$1,400 Average Price: $1,200 Median Price: $1,350 | Total Price Range: $1,100-$1,500 Average Price: $1,300 Median Price: $1,200 |
Take these for what you will, but we think this serves as a great pricing guide for you to consider when looking at that middle ground between your budget and the qualities you are looking for in your treadmill.
Where to Buy a Used Treadmill
Now that you have established a features list and budget it’s time to start the search.
There are a plethora of used item websites these days and it can be hard to know what is sketchy and what is legitimate.
So we will break down our favorite used treadmill websites and include links so you can check them out.
1. Facebook Marketplace
Quick Facts:
Facebook Marketplace is a good place to start your search for a couple of reasons, but it comes with positives and drawbacks.
It is great if you hop right on, search for “treadmills” and the machine of your dreams pops up for a good price and is only 5 miles away, but the reality is that this does not often happen.
It can be a convenient place to start your search because everything listed is in your area and it is easy to contact and make a deal with the seller.
However, this only works if you can find a suitable treadmill on the website.
If you live in a more densely populated city area (Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, etc.) then you might have a much larger array of options to choose from ranging from cheap to fair prices. If you happen to live in a less populated area, then the array of options will be limited here.
Oftentimes now even on Facebook Marketplace you can have these items shipped to you and you won’t even need to pick it up, but that often also means you will not be able to inspect the treadmill in-person before your official purchase, which can become a hassle if it does not come as marketed.
2. Craigslist
Quick Facts:
Craigslist is your classic used treadmill website. It is actually a lot like Facebook Marketplace because it can also be a hit or miss spot depending on your location and search radius. City dwellers are going to see more options than those who are not.
Once again, it can be a good place to start if you are just starting your used treadmill buying journey because it will provide an array of options from low to high quality options.
You must be weary on Craigslist because there is a tendency to have overpriced used treadmills for the quality you will be getting. Oftentimes you will be able to go inspect the treadmill before buying, so if you get that far make sure to do a thorough inspection of the treadmill belt and engine.
Do not be afraid to ask the seller to plug it in and test it out through a range of paces from walking to speedier running (really whatever you plan to use it for), as this will give you a good indication of what kind of used product you are purchasing.
Expect to pay a higher amount on Craigslist versus Facebook marketplace.
3. OfferUp
Quick Facts:
Once you are well acquainted with the used treadmill market and want to see a larger amount of buying options then OfferUp is an excellent resource. It is easy to navigate and has a larger scope of treadmills for sale.
Although we see the average price is around $680, there is often a large scope of prices ranging from $100-$5,000, which if you ask me are both two extremes that you should not be looking at for your price range.
It is easy to get carried away and see a low priced treadmill that looks pretty good for its price, but that is really when you should be cautious and make sure you have a chance to inspect and test the treadmill before buying.
It is possible that the treadmill really is a good steal, but it's also quite possible that it is defective and has some problems.
Bottom line here is to do your diligence, you can tell a lot about a treadmill just by plugging it in and taking it through its pace range.
As for the higher price range, let be honest here, you are buying a used treadmill because you want to save money and spend less than you would on a brand new one, so even for the best of the best used treadmills I’d wager no one here is looking to go much about $1,500 for a high quality used treadmill (otherwise you should just buy a new treadmill).
Back to OfferUp, there will probably be a larger array of buying options listed on this website, so take a little time to click through the ones that fit within your price range and something good just might jump out at you!
4. Play It Again Sports
Quick Facts:
Is it possible that we saved the best for last?
Play it Again Sports is yet another website that offers treadmills at a range of prices from cheap to a bit high, but the overall quality of buying options seems to be higher in comparison to the other we have listed above.
Most local Play It Again Sports have a website AND a facebook page. Often times that keep their facebook page updated with inventory more frequently than their website. The quickest way to check their inventory and prices is simply by calling them.
There is the added advantage (and disadvantage) of not being bound to your location as much because Play it Again Sports will show you options across the country.
While this provides a wider range of treadmill options with the benefit of having your product shipped directly to you, it also means that you might not have the chance to personally inspect the item before purchasing. In this case make sure you have a possibly return policy (but we don’t want it to come to that point).
If you are a veteran in your treadmill search then you will have an easier time figuring out the quality through inspection of the images, item description, and price. This is why we recommend this website as one of the later pages to check out.
5. Other Options
For you convenience, I have linked below to "used treadmill" queries for each to make it easier for you.
Although we have found most of our success on the websites listed above, you are not limited to these locations for your treadmills, as you can see many more options that we will go over as some “honorable mentions”.
A popular tactic is to always start your search with a popular search on the internet - “used treadmill near me”, which always pulls up a plethora of options near you that have a number of local stores and websites to check out.
There are also bigger websites like Amazon, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and ebay, which all offer plenty of buying options ranging in quality and price.
Feel free to check out these websites as well, there are definitely some great buying opportunities within these websites as well.
There you have it.
With this used treadmill buyer’s guide you should now have an established features list of mandatory features and also optional desired features, a budget that has a little bit of sway on both sides (if we are looking at averages, your budget is probably between $400-$800), and plenty of website resources to browse the treadmills you are looking for.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Treadmill
Pros:
Cons:
We put together a really helpful article detailing storing a treadmill in a garage and the positives/negatives for it. Keep in mind the heat in the garage and dust accumulates faster than inside of the house.
Best Used Treadmill:
Based on extensive research, the NordicTrack T6.5S is the best used treadmill on the market. From durability, features, and running space, it is one of the top choices. Often times you can find this treadmill 40% retail price
Used Treadmill Buying - Frequently Asked Questions:
A good used treadmill can be found on Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, OfferUp, & garage sales.
Buying a good used treadmill will cost between $400-$750 and will last you 4-7 years. It will save you $2,384 - $3,282 over the lifetime versus the average cost of a monthly gym membership ($58) making buying a used treadmill a good investment
Not only is a used treadmill a money saving purchase but the convenience of working out at your home on your time makes a used treadmill a worthwhile purchase.
Continue reading if you want to see the best practices on selling a treadmill.
Selling Guide:
Selling a treadmill can be daunting if you do not know how to start.
Furthermore, understanding how a seller should think is a great way to become a better used treadmill buyer as well.
What Do You Do with Old Treadmills?
Old treadmills can be sold, donated to a local gym, sell it for scrap metal or donate it to a company who fixes used treadmills.
After reading this section of the article you should be able to understand how much your used treadmill is worth, where to sell it with most success, and some general do’s and don’ts as a seller.
How Can I Sell My Old Treadmill?
You can list and sell a used treadmill on Facebook marketplace, Play it Again Sports, Craigslist, eBay and other selling apps such as OfferUp.
Keep in mind that this process might take a little bit of effort on your part, just make sure that it does not end up costing you more time than you will make back from your sale.
Quite frankly, that just probably isn’t worth it unless under extreme circumstances.
How Much is My Treadmill Worth?
On average, the well-equipped treadmill can sell for as low as $450 or as high as $1,500 depending on the features, size, condition and brand.
Establishing how much your treadmill is worth has will start with answering some important questions:
- Is it worth trying to sell?
- How much did you buy it for?
- How long have you had it?
- How much use has it endured?
- Are any original features unavailable or is there any visible wear/tear?
Answering these questions should give you a good heading on establishing the asking price for your treadmill.
This requires a lot of honesty on your part, but answering these questions will provide you a strong understanding of what your treadmill is worth, and how much you are willing to lower your asking price (if any).
Then definitely do a little bit of market research on same/similar used treadmills models already on the market.
This will give you an external idea of what price range you should be asking for.
How to Price Used Treadmill
Example Price Ranges
Given our market research we have found that:
Weslo Cadence G5.9
- Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill
How Much Can You Sell a used Bowflex For?
A used Bowflex can sell between $250-$1,200. The average price is $850. The price range depends on the features, age of the unit, condition and size.
BowFlex Treadclimber
BowFlex BXT116
Once you have an established asking price, do not be afraid to bump it up a hundred dollars or so. This gives you room to bargin and negotiate if needed.
Above all else, be completely honest about the shape and quality that your treadmill is in, and don’t be afraid to charge what you believe that it's worth (plus a little extra for some room to spare).
On the other side of the coin, don’t lowball your treadmill at the beginning just because you don’t think it’ll sell at your valuation.
Put it out there at your fair valuation and see if anything bites, and if you go too long without any offers (whatever that time frame is to you) then you can then consider lowering the price a little bit.
TIP
Look to see what other people are selling their exact treadmill for on multiple places online and write them down.
This provides you a price range to list yours.
Depending on the condition, you can price on the higher side or lower side. Most buyers are looking to negotiate, so be prepared to go down on your asking price.
Where to Sell a Used Treadmill
Where to buy and where to sell your used treadmill is not that different in terms of locations, as you will see we recommend using many of the same websites.
The biggest difference is as the seller you need to choose the selling place with:
1) The most ease of use
2) The most eyes looking at your posted treadmill for sale
3) The best chance to sell at your asking price
Furthermore, there is probably nothing stopping you from posting your item on all of the following platforms, which allows you to see what is working best and get the quickest and most profitable sale.
Note: Just make sure to remove your listing from the other websites after making the sale.
Here are the top three locations that we recommend to post your used treadmill:
It is remarkable how easy it is to post a used item online for sale nowadays.
The websites above have made putting an item up for sale incredibly user friendly, all you need to do is create an account, post the pictures with a title, description and asking price and boom! It is out in the universe for shoppers to look at.
The Facebook marketplace may be one of the more underrated places to tell a used treadmill, as this is one of the first places people tend to take a peak at when wanting to purchase a used item.
OfferUp again is incredibly user friendly on both the buyer and seller side, to post an item for sale you just need pictures and a title. A large number of people come here to shop, particularly for used treadmills, as it seems to have plenty of posting nationwide.
Craigslist is one of the old standbys that always get the job done, they are the poster child for “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” website mentality. Although the website hasn’t been updated for what feels like two decades, it still manages to draw a large audience of buyers and sellers, and it is of course a commonly traveled website for those looking to buy used items.
As a seller I would recommend not limiting yourself to a single website, just make sure you are able to manage all of the pages and if you can’t just go with the website you see the most likelihood of success with.
The success of sales on each website will depend on your geographic location, do 10-15 minutes of research to see which place might be best for you.
Selling a Used Treadmill - Do's & Don'ts
Think of this section as a bit of a lighting round for used treadmill sellers.
We are going to tell you some things that you should definitely do, and not do to ensure the highest likelihood of a successful sale with hopefully the smallest amount of effort and drama.
Do -
A once over of maintenance and cleaning (higher sale’s price)
- Making sure you have touched up and cleaned your treadmill before listing it will allow you to better understand its value, and the small fixes you make can go into a higher sales price.
Stage your treadmill nicely for pictures
- This is a problem that we see in a lot of used treadmill postings, few people take the time to make their treadmill look nice in the pictures. Taking an extra 20 minutes to move your treadmill in a nice location with good lighting could make all the difference in someone scrolling through endless used treadmill listings. Give your buyers a reason to be interested in your treadmill.
Provide a details and easy-to-read description with features list and current condition.
- Another thing we see in so many used treadmill postings is that there is often little to no description of the item. This is an instant turn off. Take the time to list out the features of your treadmill and give an honest description of the item. Generally, the more easily digestible information you give a buyer, the higher chance of converting a sale.
Be Transparent
- Please. Be honest about the condition that your treadmill is in, and reassure the buyer that the listing price is a fair one for the possible scratches of deficiencies it comes with.
Don’t -
Take fake pictures/just screenshots online
- This is just asking for trouble. Most buyers can see through fake pictures and will instantly lose interest. If you happen to make the sale, then your buyer will be very upset that the treadmill did not come as advertised.
Lie about quality
- This kind of goes back to posting fake pictures. When it comes to sharing the details of your treadmill, be honest and transparent about anything that might be wrong.
Underprice your treadmill
- This might seem like a given, but price your product at the value you think that it is worth, and maybe even add $100-$150 to that to give yourself some negotiating room (if applicable).
Shut down a “low-ball” offer
- Negotiating is not quite as common as it used to be in used item selling, but this is why we recommend you just slightly bump up your asking price, this gives you room to let a buyer come in with a counter offer. If you are super smart you might even include a little accessory item that was of no extra expense to you.
Conclusion
There are so many options on the internet to buy and sell a used treadmill nowaday that it can get incredibly discouraging, or even threatening to either try to buy or sell one of these.
Breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps is the first step to getting out on the marketplace to buy or sell that treadmill.
So we hope this ultimate guide to buying and selling your used treadmill makes the process a little easier for you.
Did we miss anything?
Please do not be afraid to contact us with more information on your personal experience with either buying or selling your used treadmill.
Hi, Jeremy Here,
I am the the guy behind Train for a 5K. On this site, I share everything that learned along my running journey. The content I create is the running training I wish I had before we started this journey. About Me.
Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API