The best times to buy used exercise equipment are during the off-season for your favorite sport or After New Year’s and other major holidays when many people sell their unused equipment. Online marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace can be great sources for deals.

Exercise equipment can be expensive, especially if you are buying new.

If you are on a budget and do not mind using used fitness gear, you can save hundreds of dollars by following these 10 best times to buy used exercise equipment and save a bundle!

You might even find name-brand items or hard-to-find colors and features at the best prices of the year.

Summary

1. During the off-season for your favorite sport.
2. After New Year’s and other major holidays.
3. When stores are going out of business.
4. From second-hand retailers like The Salvation Army or Goodwill.
5. From online marketplaces like Craigslist or eBay.
6. Seasonal discounts include Labour Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, back-to-school season, and winter holiday sales.
7. From friends or family members who no longer need their exercise equipment due to health issues, lifestyle changes, or moving away from home.
8. Garage sales in your neighborhood can be a great way to find workout gear sitting unused in people’s homes all year long!
9. If you are unsure how old an item is at garage sales, bring a magnet with some iron filings to test the metal content.

List of the best times to buy

Spring

It is the time of year when many start thinking about getting in shape for swimsuit season.

And what better way to get fit than by working out at home? That is where used exercise equipment comes in.

You can often find great deals on lightly used fitness gear at consignment shops, garage sales, and online marketplaces.

The key is to keep your eyes peeled for bargains that offer the best value.

Summer

It is the perfect time to buy used exercise equipment since many people are trying to get in shape for swimsuit season.

You will find great deals on lightly used treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes.

Be sure to test out the equipment before buying it to ensure it is in good working condition.

Consider buying your workout buddy their equipment so they can work out with you at home.

Check your local Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for sellers near you.

Fall

After the New Year’s fitness resolutions have come and gone, you can find some great deals on lightly used gym equipment.

Look for sales at your local sporting goods stores or check online classifieds and auction sites.

If you are purchasing from an individual seller, ensure they have an established history of transactions with happy customers before agreeing to buy anything.

Be especially careful about buying exercise equipment from overseas sellers; it may be difficult or impossible to verify that what you are getting is as advertised.

Before New Year’s resolutions

According to a study by the University of Scranton, 45% of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions.

If getting in shape is one of your goals, you are not alone—but you don’t have to break the bank to do it.

That number jumps even higher after the holiday season; research suggests that as many as 80% of people will start working out more and try eating better during January.

After the Holidays

January is a great time to buy used exercise equipment because many people give up on their New Year’s resolutions and sell their gear.

You can often find top-of-the-line equipment for steep discounts. For example, treadmills that were $1,500 new may be available for as little as $500 used.

Similarly, elliptical trainers that originally cost $2,000 may be found for less than half the original price.

One year after the holidays, you might even see a treadmill in your local classifieds priced at just $200!

Before moving

Before you move, buying used exercise equipment is a great time. You can find some amazing deals on Craigslist or at garage sales.

Plus, you will not have to worry about carrying it around when you move.

If you are not quite sure what equipment you need yet, just take the opportunity to try different things and see what works best for your needs.

If you are moving overseas, this is the perfect time because import/export laws limit how much personal goods are allowed in certain countries – so once again, no lugging!

Buying used also helps keep prices down for everyone who buys new stuff.

Spring cleaning time

Every year, as the weather gets warmer and people start to think about summertime activities, gyms see an influx of new members.

And what do new gym-goers need? New workout gear! As a result, prices on used exercise equipment drop like flies.

Spring is the time to buy if you are in the market for some used equipment.

Auctions, garage sales, second-hand stores—there are plenty of opportunities to get top-quality fitness goods at rock-bottom prices.

And if you do not have the cash upfront? Look into renting your desired fitness items instead!

From friends and family members who upgraded or quit

One of the best ways to get great deals on used exercise equipment is to buy from friends or family members who have upgraded or quit their fitness journey.

They may be more than happy to sell you their old equipment for a fraction of the cost, and you can be sure that it is still in good condition.

From family members who upgraded or quit: This can be an extremely cost-effective way to get some great gear for your home gym.

Garage Sales/Consignment Stores

One of the best times to buy used exercise equipment is during a garage sale or at a consignment store.

This is because you can often negotiate a lower price for the item, and, likely, the equipment is still in good condition.

Just be sure to inspect the equipment thoroughly before making a purchase. If you are on a budget, check out these two options first.

You may also want to ask about any warranties that come with the equipment, so you will know your legal recourse if there are any problems later.

End-of-year clearance sales

If you are looking for great deals on used exercise equipment, check out end-of-year clearance sales.

Many retailers are looking to clear out their inventory to make room for new products, so you can often find deep discounts on everything from treadmills to free weights.

Remember that these items may not have been returned by customers and will only be used for a short period.

You will need to clean them thoroughly before use or risk having your health club come with a few more germs than usual!

Final Thought

Let us wrap things up. If you are looking for great deals on used exercise equipment, there are a few key times of the year when you are likely to find the best prices.

In general, you will find the best deals during the off-season for your particular sport and during major holidays.

However, there are a few other things to keep in mind as well.

For example, newer models of exercise equipment are often released in the fall so that you may find good deals on last year’s models then.

And remember that if something goes on sale or clearance at one store, it may not go on sale at another. Check around before you buy!