What is a refurbished treadmill?

When a treadmill has had several used parts replaced with newer parts and then re-released for sale it is considered refurbished. A few parts may have been changed due to wear and tear but the end product can be as good as new.

The words remanufactured and refurbished are often interchanged when describing fitness equipment. However, there is a subtle but very important difference between the two terms. Let us explain.

Anyone can refurbish a treadmill by cleaning it up, fixing or replacing a few parts here and there, and then claiming it as good as new. A treadmill that is refurbished leads to many questions that MUST be answered before you purchase it. Who refurbished the treadmill? Is this person reliable? Did they do a good job with the repairs? Were the old or defective parts really changed? And if so, were they replaced with new, original parts or with used parts?

A remanufactured treadmill was sent back to a manufacturer to get refurbished. Isn’t it more reassuring to know that the treadmill was sent back to a manufacturer, rather than a private retail store?

Keep in mind that not all manufacturers are reliable. Ideally you want to purchase a treadmill that has been refurbished by a reputable manufacturer.

How is a treadmill refurbished?

To get a better understanding on how treadmills are refurbished, we referred to Megafitness.com's (online retailer store) process. It goes as follows:

• Disassemble the equipment

• Sandblast the frame to strip off any imperfections

• Powder coat the frame and bake it

• Rebuild the mechanical and/ or electrical systems with brand new parts to match new equipment specifications

• Reassemble the equipment

• Refinish exterior with paint, seal/finish, decals, etc.

• Triple Diagnostic Examination is performed by certified specialists to ensure performance

• Completion! The item is now essentially NEW, and often the only part of the equipment that is not brand new is the frame

Why consider a refurbished treadmill?

There are some excellent quality brands of treadmills that are known to perform but there is just one problem: the retail prices of some new machines are too high.

You can save up to 50% of the new retail price when purchasing a refurbished treadmill. Brands such as Precor and Star Trac sell refurbished treadmills so customers can have the chance to purchase a high end quality treadmill at an affordable price.

A major advantage of purchasing a refurbished treadmill is that a warranty is still offered. A used treadmill on the other hand doest not always come with a warranty.

Another reason why you might want to consider a refurbished treadmill is to find out if you really like the model you plan on purchasing.

Assume you want to purchase a treadmill, are unfamiliar with them, and are not quite sure which make and model you like. Purchasing an expensive new machine might leave you disappointed or regretful if things don’t turn out like you would have hoped. Because a refurbished treadmill is much less expensive, you won’t feel as bad if the make and/or model doesn’t fulfill your expectations.

Things to look for when purchasing a refurbished treadmill

• Try and find out how old the treadmill is before purchasing it. The older the machine, the more chances it has of malfunctioning.

• Make sure you are purchasing a treadmill that has been refurbished by a reputable manufacturer. Megafitness online is a good example. They have a good reputation and always offer a 30 day money back guarantee on any of your purchases. Also take advantage of their free shipping offer.

• Always make sure there is a warranty that comes with your refurbished treadmill. You don’t want to get stuck with a broken machine that has no warranty on it.

Precor
Experience a high quality treadmill at an affordable price.