Where To Buy Used Gym Equipment? (Best Places For Cheap)

Gym equipment has never been more popular, and over the last few years, we've seen a massive spike in the creation of home gyms.

This has driven demand through the roof, and the price of gym equipment has risen with it. 

Thankfully, there are a lot of places where you can buy used gym equipment and get much better value. 

In this guide, we'll help explain how and where to buy used gym equipment so you can get your gym kitted out without spending a fortune.

How To Buy Used Gym Equipment Using Online Platforms (Various Types Explained)

It used to be a lot more challenging to buy good quality used gym equipment, but you now have a whole range of options. 

Online buying platforms allow buyers and sellers to meet in a virtual marketplace. Buyers can explore what's on offer and talk to the seller about the products.

Some of these online platforms will take a cut of the money, but that's generally from the seller's side and won't impact your price as a buyer.  

These online platforms make it easier than ever to buy and sell used gym equipment, and we’ve highlighted some of the best platforms below.

Remember that you can get the best value by searching across all platforms, so it’s worth setting up a few accounts on different sites.

Craigslist

Craigslist is one of the biggest and most well-known online marketplaces. It's available across the US, where it has been operating for over 25 years. 

In that time, it’s grown so much that you won’t find a more diverse group of sellers anywhere else. 

They’re one of the preferred choices for sellers because they have no fees and for buyers because of the quick and easy nature of purchasing.  

Craigslist has a wide array of different used gym equipment to choose from, big or small. 

Each area has its individual website so you can keep your searching focused, but there are a few sellers who operate nationally.

On Craigslist, you'll find all the gym equipment you need, from large treadmills to individual used gym mats, and if you search hard enough, you can equip a whole commercial gym.  

Craigslist is one of the simplest ways to buy and sell, and you don't even have to register. This makes it very quick but means you have less information about the seller [1]. 

It's harder to know the credentials and reliability of the seller, so there's more risk of lower quality equipment.  

Craigslist has begun to decline in recent years as competitors like Facebook Marketplace have sprung up, but it's still a massive marketplace.

Craigslist is usually best for smaller items, but you will find a wide range of used gym equipment at competitive prices.  

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a relatively new place to buy and sell products. It integrates directly with the social media platform, and it’s accessible worldwide as the marketplace is available for anyone with a Facebook profile. 

There's no need to register separately; you can just click a button and browse listings. 

Facebook Marketplace was designed to give everyone a simple way to list and buy items. 

You can set the geographical limits yourself, but it's best to find gym equipment in your local area because the pick-up/drop-off can be challenging.

You’re more likely to find home gym equipment, used exercise bikes and treadmills, and some smaller accessories on Facebook Marketplace than commercial gym equipment, but you might find a few larger pieces.

Once you've decided on your items, you'll be connected with the seller, so you can message back and forth to agree on the price, delivery terms, and any other details.  

The advantage of Facebook Marketplace for used gym equipment is that it's quick and easy [2]. 

You'll generally get reasonable prices because people want to get rid of things quickly, and you can connect with local people to make collection easier.

The disadvantage is that there's usually less choice, and you are unlikely to find large used commercial gym equipment.

However, there are many different sellers on the platform, and some will potentially have what you need.  

Facebook Marketplace doesn't process payment or provide any guarantees. They literally just connect buyers and sellers. They're a great place to look first and browse what's available in your area.

Gumtree

Gumtree is one of the most popular platforms to buy and sell used goods. They operate primarily out of Australia but have a presence in various countries worldwide. 

The Gumtree platform started by giving people a way to free-cycle their goods locally and, in doing so, prevent so much stuff from getting thrown away. This has developed into a diverse place to find all kinds of goods at great prices [3].  

Gumtree has a lot of fitness equipment to choose from, but it tends to be more home gym equipment than used commercial gym equipment. 

As it's based on what people in your area have available, it can be a bit hit and miss. 

That being said, people tend to want to get rid of pieces quickly, so you can often find some great bargains and get your hands on them quickly.  

With Gumtree, you have to register if you're a buyer or seller, but there are no fees for buyers. 

Seller reviews and reputation are displayed clearly so you can find credible people selling quality used fitness equipment. 

It's also super simple to connect with sellers, but Gumtree doesn't provide any guarantees or warranties, so make sure you do your due diligence. 

You are generally limited by geography, though, and if you live in a rural area, you’re going to have much less choice.

Still, you can find some great value through Gumtree, and it's worth exploring what's available.  

eBay

eBay operates internationally and is probably the most popular marketplace in the world. 

They have a massive range of products available in the US, UK, Australia, China, Germany, and other parts of Europe with shipping options, so you have a wider choice of products than any other marketplace.  

There are a wide range of sellers on eBay, ranging from individuals to big companies. Sellers have to pay a fee to post, which means the likelihood of fraudsters is much lower, and eBay has policies to protect buyers.

Seller information is published and clear so you can buy with confidence, and the competition on the platform helps ensure you’re getting the best price.

All payment is done through the system, which helps give you protection but makes negotiating price a bit more complicated.

However, some sellers will auction items so you can pick up excellent quality gym equipment at a bargain price.  

You'll find everything fitness-related on eBay, from used commercial gym equipment to home accessories [4]. You don't have to rely on local sellers either because more oversized items can be shipped from halfway around the world.  

eBay is largescale and reliable. You do need to be on the lookout for some scams, but it's generally very safe.

If you want larger used gym machines, then eBay is a great place to look, but just be careful of shipping fees because a lot of the goods come from China. 

Bonanza

Bonanza is an online marketplace that operates internationally across the US, India, Russia, and South America.

It has over 50,000 sellers with a huge variety of different products available to buyers, including a wide range of used fitness equipment. 

It’s been around since 2008, but it’s started to really take off in recent years because it charges less commission than other marketplaces, which makes it popular among sellers.

The website is simple to navigate and has individual sellers and wholesale companies using the platform.

It doesn’t have all the same protection as eBay but still offers support for buyers by displaying reviews and managing payment through the platform.

You have to register to use Bonanza, but the process is simple. The goods are then split into categories with a very wide range of fitness equipment to choose from [5].  

As a marketplace, Bonanza caters to all tastes and has a lot of different items. It's generally individual sellers, so you'll find smaller pieces of fitness equipment rather than large used commercial gym pieces. 

It's a very safe space, though, and the Bonanza team is extremely proactive in weeding out fraudsters and scammers. 

Once you've selected what you want, you can message the seller directly to determine the exact costs and shipping requirements.  

There's less room for negotiation in the platform because of how it's set up, but Bonanza can facilitate shipping internationally as needed. 

It's a safe and reliable place to look for all kinds of used gym equipment and should have most of what you need.

Other Ways To Buy Used Gym Equipment  

Online marketplaces are a great way to explore a diverse range of products, but it can be useful to look at fitness-focused sellers.

Some retailers offer a range of used equipment which is cheaper than new models and can offer great value.

These have the advantage of being verified by specialist suppliers, and they will often have physical stores, too, for those who don't like buying online. 

Here are some of the best options: 

Global Fitness

Global Fitness is a premium US company offering a wide variety of fitness equipment. They are world leaders in remanufactured and used fitness equipment, meaning they deal exclusively in second-hand equipment [6]. 

They have 20 years of experience, so they're a great place to find reliable, good-quality products.  

Their range includes cardio, strength, accessories, and packages so you can completely fit out your commercial gym.

They offer top-end products at 20-50% off with additional discount codes and seasonal deals. They aren’t as cheap as some direct sellers on marketplaces, but there’s still value to be had.  

To sell fitness equipment, you have to register with Global Fitness and give full descriptions of products. 

They only really trade in commercial fitness equipment, so they won't accept some home-use products, but they will help arrange shipping to their US site. 

In addition, they perform rigorous checks before they commit to buying to help ensure their customers only get the best quality.  

Often with resellers, you can be limited in the choice of products. This isn't the case with Global Fitness, and their long history in this area means they are well enough established to have a wide range of used fitness equipment. 

If you're looking for a lot of commercial-grade used gym equipment, then this is your one-stop-shop.  

Used Gym Equipment

Used Gym Equipment are the fitness specialists who offer everything you need to get your gym set up.

They deal exclusively in renovated and used equipment, with a wide range of racks, strength equipment, weights, and machines. 

They provide a full service to help you design your gym and give you everything you need to bring it to life.  

Used Gym Equipment has high-quality products, and there's very little chance of defects [7]. 

The discounts range from 15-60% off market value, and they have complete packages to kit out your space. They offer international shipping and finance options if you can't afford it all upfront.  

There’s no option to sell old equipment directly to Used Gym Equipment as they source it all themselves from old commercial facilities.

They deal primarily in wholesale products rather than remanufactured, which means they take equipment directly from the floor and ensure it's in good enough condition for new users.

Unfortunately, they don't carry out much repair work themselves, so they don’t offer any guarantees or cover for replacement parts.  

Used Gym Equipment makes the experience of buying and selling used gym machines as easy as possible.

They even have a large warehouse in LA where you can view and try different equipment before you buy, something we advise everyone to do if they're spending a lot. 

Used Gym Equipment is more expensive than online marketplaces, but they offer consistent quality and a guarantee that your equipment will last—a great option for anyone looking to kit out large commercial gyms for the best price.  

Used Fitness Sales

Used Fitness Sales operate out of the US and stock new and used fitness equipment. They have equipment from all the big brands with packages and rental options to make it more affordable [8]. 

Their used range covers everything from treadmills to flooring, with rental packages, so you don't have to spend as much upfront. 

This, along with their installation service, makes them a great one-stop-shop to fill out a commercial gym with used equipment.  

Their used range is split into their remanufactured and refurbished. The refurbished line is equipment that’s just been cleaned up and tested, but the remanufactured line includes equipment they’ve done repair work on. 

The quality across both lines is good, and the extensive testing helps weed out any unsuitable equipment. They also provide a warranty on the remanufactured machines to help protect your investment.  

You have the option of selling directly to Used Fitness Sales through their website. You will have to describe and send the goods, and if it doesn't stand up to their product testing, it will be returned to you.

Most of their used range is tough commercial gym products, but they may accept some home gym equipment if it's in working order.

The prices they offer are reasonable but less than other brands, so if you're selling, you might want to shop around.  

Used Fitness Sales cater to large commercial gym owners primarily, but they have a range suitable for home gyms too.

They offer significant savings compared to new products and are cheaper than competitors selling used equipment, so you can score some bargains.

Their selection is good, but their used selection is less diverse than some other retailers, and stock levels can vary.

However, if you have a small or medium-sized gym and a tight budget, Used Fitness Sales is a great option. 

Primo Fitness

Primo Fitness offers used gym equipment in the USA, China, Singapore, and Australia with some well-developed infrastructure that allows them to ship efficiently [9]. 

The range of goods varies in each region, but there's an extensive selection of commercial gym equipment available to choose from, including cardio, strength, multi-gym machines, and package deals.

They also offer a gym installation service in some areas to help you get everything set up.  

Primo Fitness work with all the major brands to collect used equipment which is in good enough condition to be reused.

They test extensively to ensure consistent quality, so there's minimal risk of a dodgy product. They also offer guarantees on some equipment (but not all) to help protect your investment.  

Primo Fitness will buy commercial-grade gym equipment from certain suppliers, but only if it meets quite high standards.

They will very rarely buy individual pieces, and they will only collect from a very limited area, so it's worth checking before you start the process. 

Primo Fitness is popular with new gym owners because they can provide everything in one place. They offer discounted equipment, installation, and even gym movers so you can get it set up quickly. 

You’ll find they are more expensive than online marketplaces but up to 50% cheaper than buying new equipment.  

Gymkit

If you want to find reliable used gym equipment in the UK, Gymkit is a great option. They acquire old commercial quality gym equipment and refurbish it, so it's ready to be used again [10].  

The founder of the company was looking for a way to provide users with better quality equipment at an affordable rate and remove the reliance on flimsy fitness machines with a very short lifespan. 

Over the last 20 years, he’s built a company that’s done just that and provided high-quality gym equipment for hospitals, schools, football clubs, and even some Olympic teams.  

Gymkit has an extensive assurance process to ensure the quality of products they sell is consistent. They offer everything, from cardio equipment to lockers, so you can fully fit out your gym at a discount rate. 

They also provide a servicing function to help keep your equipment functioning as it should and have links to gym moving firms so you can reconfigure the gym.  

Gymkit currently has a limited international presence, but their stock of products is impressive. 

They are one of the most affordable places to pick up used gym equipment in the UK and offer finance options to spread the cost out. One to check out if you need equipment and accessories.