Looking for used weights for sale can be a pain; however, it doesn't have to be.
By looking out for a few things, you will dramatically increase your odds of finding "the ones" without all the stress and hassle.
Used equipment is going to be cheaper, whether we are talking about dumbbells or weight plates, all without sacrificing quality.
Let's go ahead and take a quick look at 3 things to keep in mind as you are buying used weights for your gym.
#1) Don't trust everything you see online
At one point, I was looking for a used air bike. I searched Facebook Marketplace, and I found a solid bike for sale in the category. It had plenty of pictures, and the seller said it worked perfectly.
The bike was about an hour and a half from my house, which was unfortunate, but it was a good deal, so I made the drive. I got there, checked out the bike, and I'm sure you can imagine - it didn't work. The monitor was completely broken and wouldn't turn on.
I mean, what's worse than suffering through an air bike workout? Well, actually, I'm not sure there is anything. But, what's second on that list is having no idea how you did - gotta have that feedback.
Anyways, the guy claimed his son had just broken it as we were driving to see it - sure. Safe to say, I declined to purchase. However, that 90-minute drive home gave me plenty of time to reflect on what I would do differently when looking at sites for used gym equipment.
First, ask for a working video of any used gym equipment, especially if there is a long drive.
Now, obviously, a video of a dumbbell working is a silly idea. But a 360-degree video is sufficient for dumbbells and similar home gym equipment.
Second, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
As far as used weight websites go, you can check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist (although it may cease to exist any day now), or check us out - both new and used.
#2) Used Weights Are Like Toyotas
Who doesn't love a good Toyota? If you can't tell, I'm a big fan, primarily for their history of high-mileage, reliable, no-frills vehicles.
Used weights are pretty similar.
Used weights are going to last for a very long time in your gym. As long as they are quality-built, metal and rubber are two of the most durable substances we have.
I say this to put you at ease when buying used weights. It is pretty hard to go wrong.
The biggest flaws you are going to see are primarily cosmetic.
The two most common are rusting and chipping.
With used gym equipment, rusting may happen, especially if they are stored in a garage or outdoors.
Does rusting really matter? Well, depends on the severity.
Minor rust isn't going to be a huge deal - primarily just looks.. If that doesn't bother you, congrats, the asking price probably dropped 25% on your used weights - more money for you.
The other issue is chipping.
This can happen with metal or rubber gym equipment. Minor chipping, just like minor rusting, is not a huge deal and can be expected over time.. I will say we may have to drag you out of the 225lb. bench press club though as that chip brought your bench PR down to 224.4. Sorry, I don't make the rules, just enforce them.
It is something to be aware of and certainly another reason to get 25% off for your home gym.
You do want to monitor the chipping and be sure it doesn't spread, as very rarely, the entire dumbbell or weight plate can break. This typically happens with cheap dumbbells and weight plates or with lower weights - 5 or 10lb. dumbbells or weight plates.
Now, if you are buying, the downside of Toyotas is that they hold their value.
As far as gym equipment goes, used weights are very similar. Because of their durability, they don't depreciate all that much. Don't get me wrong, used is still going to be cheaper, but not by a huge margin. The size of the margin varies largely based on what brands you are comparing.
Another typically huge saver with used weights for sale versus new is local pickup.
Shipping is a huge cost to customers when it comes to buying new weight plates or dumbbell sets.
#3) Used Adjustable Dumbbells - Proceed With Caution
Adjustable dumbbells are the one outlier here to be a little bit more cautious about.
Adjustable dumbbells have more moving parts than standard dumbbell sets.
It doesn't matter which type you get; almost all require some sort of plate system, pin or switch to move, or any number of other modifications.
Now, of course, that is what makes these used weights so attractive for your home gym equipment.
You mean, I can have all the weights and all the space, sounds like a win, win, and it can be. Used adjustable dumbbells just require a little bit more due diligence. Here, chips and rust would be a reason to avoid buying. With all the moving parts, you can't risk issues with one piece that mess up the whole operation.
Also, many of the pins and switches are holding the weights together.
This means if something goes wrong, the weights could separate or drop, bringing a whole new meaning to drop set.
Anyways, buying used adjustable dumbbells isn't a bad idea altogether. However, be wary of rust, chipping, parts that don't move smoothly, and storage conditions.
Now, you have th