Best Places to Buy Exercise Equipment
January is the busiest time of year for exercise equipment sales, as well-fed consumers look to make good on their health-based New Year's resolutions. But if you're considering a home treadmill or elliptical it might make sense to pull the trigger sooner. Retailers are rolling out special deals on exercise equipment now, looking to get in on the holiday traffic, plus you'll find a wider selection of models, including the top picks from Consumer Reports' latest tests.
Although you can purchase exercise equipment online, we don't recommend it. The fit and feel of the machines is very important to your workout experience, especially with ellipticals, where the wrong ergonomics can wreak havoc on your pedaling stride. That leaves two brick-and-mortar options: big-box stores—including those that specialize in sports equipment, like Dick's Sporting Goods and Sports Authority, as well as home centers like Sears and Walmart. The other way to go is with a specialty dealer, assuming there's one located nearby.
If you do have access to a specialty exercise equipment dealer, it's at least worth a visit, especially if you're considering one of the higher-end models that dominate the top of our ratings, such as the Precor TRM 243 nonfolding treadmill or the Landice E7 Pro Sport elliptical. The staff members at these stores tend to be very knowledgeable, plus you'll be able to try all the different machines. One more thing: Dealers typically offer delivery and installation. The service might set you back another $150 or so, but given the weight of these machines and their often complex assembly, it could be money well-spent.
If saving money is your top concern and you don't mind lugging a few-hundred-pound box into your home and handling the assembly, then check out the big-box stores. Sears, for example, carries many models that did well in our tests, including the Schwinn 470 elliptical and the NordicTrack C1650 treadmill. Keep in mind that assembly of exercise equipment is usually a two-person job, especially when it comes to connecting the console to the machine. As with any installation, make sure to read the instructions all the way through before getting started.
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