After having purchased a used treadmill there are some additional expenses that are worth the investment such as warranty and a treadmill mat. The warranty is important to cover the cost of replacement parts in case there is any type of mechanical or parts failure during the early months of ownership. The treadmill mat is probably the most useful accessory in terms of benefit for the relatively small cost. The warranty is the backup in case anything fails but the treadmill mat is what will keep the treadmill in good condition.

The important thing before anyone should be buying used treadmills is that the previous owner took good care of the equipment. Otherwise the longevity is severely compromised. When it comes to the warranty of a used treadmill there are many possible situations and conditions that can only be clarified by asking the seller for details then verifying it either with written documentation to back up any retailer warranty promises or to contact manufacturer to verify validity of warranty claims. Most manufacturer warranties are non-transferable meaning that a second hand owner does not reap the benefit of the warranty even if it is still within the window of time.

Many reputable resellers, however, offer their own form of warranty typically for about 90 days after purchase. The recommendation, however, is to get something longer like 9 months at the minimum. Having warranty cover parts is very important because a cheap used treadmill can get to be very expensive if parts need replacement or the treadmill needs servicing for whatever reason that should have been covered had an extended warranty been purchased. Another important way to save money on repairs is by maintaining the machine and keep up with cleaning and minor repairs.

The simplest and probably the most effective way buck for buck is to spend approximately $50 to $75 and purchase a treadmill mat. There are many reasons people use a treadmill mat and they range from non-crucial, such as anesthetic purposes because the black mat helps anchor the big machine in the middle of the room, to courtesy reasons to purely financial reasons. The courtesy reason we mention is that the treadmill mat serves as a shock absorber and thereby reduces the noise generated from the treadmill during use. There is a lot of force that is being transferred when someone is pounding their feet on a belt that is constantly being spun by a motor.

But another reason that a treadmill mat is so important is because it sits between the treadmill and floor which means it catches any of the grime and sludge that might drip from the motor. There are lubricants that need to be used to keep the motor protected and running efficiently. But these lubricants over time and use will get thicker and turn into a sludge with heat and dust from the air. The resulting excretion from the treadmill can damage floors in the long term and stain carpets.

Speaking of dust, when the treadmill is in use a lot of debris from the floor and carpet fiber if it is on carpet is whipped up in the air and can easily get into the underside of the treadmill. This can cause mechanical problems when it begins to clog the insides of the treadmill. Some people think that carpet can replace the shock absorbing function of a treadmill mat but it is actually more of a risk since carpet carries and releases even more junk than hardwood floors.

Used treadmills require just as much maintenance and care as a new treadmill. In fact, it should require more care because it could have some additional wear that shortens the life expectancy of the treadmill. In order to maintain the notion that a used treadmill will save the buyer money, there cannot be wasted money because of reckless upkeep on a used treadmill.