If you are in the market for gym equipment, you may come across a variety of terms that describe the condition of the products. These terms can be confusing, but understanding them will help you make an informed decision when the time comes to purchase your equipment. In this article, we will explore the differences between used, refurbished, and remanufactured gym equipment, among others.
Used Gym Equipment
As the term suggests, used gym equipment refers to equipment that has been previously owned and used by someone else whether in a home gym or commercial gym setting. While the equipment may have signs of cosmetic wear and tear, at Express Gym Supply, we guarantee that every piece of equipment in "Used" condition is cleaned and serviced to operate at full functionality by our professional in-house team. This restoration process allows us to focus on the important components of our gym equipment while cutting costs on the not-so-important components, allowing you a more affordable experience.
Pre-owned is another term you may often come across during your shopping experience, especially when browsing websites like eBay. While there are some distinctions between "used" and "pre-owned" in some industries (such as "certified pre-owned" in the car industry), for all intents and purposes, these terms are interchangeable when referring to gym equipment.
Refurbished Gym Equipment
Like used or pre-owned equipment, refurbished gym equipment has been used previously. However, it may also indicate that its exterior pieces, such as any plastic coverings or upholstery, have been replaced or repainted to cosmetically appear in a like-new condition. Due to the expenses of sourcing these (often rare) exterior parts and laboring the refurbishment process, refurbished gym equipment tends to be sold for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars higher than used equipment. Oftentimes, the cost of refurbishing a piece of equipment can exceed its original price!
Reconditioned gym equipment is yet another term that may pop up from time to time. However, in the gym and fitness industry, reconditioned equipment is generally synonymous with refurbished equipment, and should be viewed no differently. That being said, it's always important to review how the gym equipment reseller personally defines the conditions of their products as these terms can be quite nuanced.
Remanufactured Gym Equipment
Remanufactured gym equipment is the most thorough form of equipment restoration. A remanufactured product is typically stripped to its core components which are each then completely replaced or revitalized. While a piece of refurbished gym equipment operates in great condition and appears like it did when it was new, a remanufactured piece of equipment is as close to new as it can possibly get. Oftentimes, this process includes replacing the product with new belts, new bearings, and a new battery. Generally, remanufactured gym equipment cannot be easily distinguished from brand-new equipment.
But as we discovered earlier with the refurbishing process, the remanufacturing process generally comes at a greater cost. Customers looking to buy gym equipment in a remanufactured condition should expect to pay a price close to and possibly even exceeding its original price tag in cases where a specific model is no longer being manufactured new. (Think of an older model car restored to its original glory.)
There are clear advantages and disadvantages between used, refurbished, and remanufactured gym equipment. A general rule of thumb should be: the more work that goes into the restoration process, the more expensive the gym equipment will be. While shopping for your next gym equipment, it is important to weigh your budget, your needs, and your level of comfort with purchasing used equipment. Where a public gym or individual may be willing to pay extra for a refurbished or remanufactured piece to complete a legacy collection, a more budgeted buyer may only be interested in an affordable, yet solid product to get the job done.
Luckily, at Express Gym Supply, we aim to mitigate the frequent concerns of buying used equipment by providing free 90-day parts and labor warranty on all gym equipment. Additionally, we offer affordable extended warranties ranging from one to five years. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding our gym equipment or restoration processes.