Short answer
For steel gear, look for cracked welds, bent uprights, worn holes and missing pins. For bars, roll them on a flat floor and spin the sleeves. For plates and dumbbells, weigh a few. For machines, run them for several minutes. Never pay before you have seen and tested the item.
Before you go
- Ask for the brand and model so you can look up the original specs, weight limit and parts.
- Ask for photos of welds, the base and any labels.
- Measure your space and your vehicle. A rack upright can be longer than a pickup bed.
- Agree to pay on pickup, after inspection. No deposits by app to strangers.
Racks and squat stands
Check every weld
Look at the base, crossmembers and pull-up bar joints for cracks, rust lines or grinding marks.
Sight down the uprights
They should be straight. A bent upright will not hold J-hooks evenly.
Check hole size and spacing
Measure the holes and the upright size so you know which J-hooks, safeties and attachments fit. Ask which brand made it.
Count the parts
J-hooks, safeties or spotter arms, pins, and all bolts and nuts. Missing safeties remove the main reason to own a rack.
Barbells
- Roll it on a flat floor; wobble means bent.
- Spin each sleeve. Both should turn freely and quietly.
- Check the knurling and the end caps for damage, and the sleeve diameter (Olympic sleeves take 2 inch plates).
- Know the weight. IWF rules set men’s bars at 20 kg and women’s at 15 kg (IWF); many home bars follow those weights, but check the listing.
Plates, dumbbells and kettlebells
- Weigh a few pieces with a hanging scale. Old plates can be off from the stamped weight.
- Look for cracks in iron and splits around the steel insert in bumpers.
- Shake dumbbells. Loose heads on fixed dumbbells are a safety problem; adjustable sets need every plate and the selector parts.
Benches
- Sit and lie on it: no wobble, no rocking.
- Run every adjustment. Pins and pop pins should lock firmly.
- Look under the pad for cracked boards or rust at the frame.
Rowers, bikes and treadmills
- Rowers: pull the handle through a full stroke: smooth chain or strap, no grinding, seat rolls freely, monitor powers on.
- Air bikes and cycling bikes: pedal hard; listen for knocking, check cranks for play and that the resistance changes.
- Treadmills: run it for several minutes, check the belt for fraying and the deck for wear, and pull the safety key to confirm the belt stops. The CPSC has warned that children can be pulled under treadmill belts (CPSC).
What to bring
Where to find listings: used gym equipment in Utah. Store options: where to buy in Utah.
Questions people ask
How do I tell if a barbell is bent?
Roll it slowly across a flat floor. A straight bar rolls smoothly; a bent one wobbles or bounces. Also sight down the shaft from one end.
Is surface rust on used plates a problem?
Light surface rust on iron plates cleans off with a stiff brush and a light coat of oil. Deep pitting, cracks or a chipped center hole are reasons to pass.
How long should I test a used treadmill?
Several minutes at walking speed and at a run, if the seller allows. Listen for motor strain, watch for the belt slipping or drifting to one side, and confirm the safety key stops the belt.
Sources
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Store hours, listings and models change; call a store before you drive and follow the maker’s instructions for setup and weight limits.