Short answer
Search KSL Classifieds first, then Facebook Marketplace and the Craigslist site for your region (Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, Logan or St George). Check public surplus at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City) and Utah State University (Logan). Buy steel and iron with confidence after an inspection; be pickier with treadmills and other motorized machines.
Marketplaces, statewide
Classifieds
KSL Classifieds
Statewide
The Utah classifieds site at ksl.com. Search by item and distance from your city, and save searches for racks and plates.
Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace
Statewide
Set your location and a radius, then search by item. Check the seller profile before you drive.
Craigslist by region
Where to look by region
| Region | Craigslist site | Also check |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake and Tooele | saltlakecity.craigslist.org | University of Utah Surplus |
| Utah County | provo.craigslist.org | KSL with your city and a 25 mile radius |
| Davis and Weber | ogden.craigslist.org | KSL and Marketplace around Layton and Ogden |
| Cache Valley | logan.craigslist.org | Utah State University Surplus |
| Southern Utah | stgeorge.craigslist.org | KSL and Marketplace around St George and Cedar City |
Public surplus
Campus and city gyms replace equipment on a schedule and sell the old pieces. You can find commercial racks, benches, plates and cardio machines that outlast most home gear.
- University of Utah Surplus & Salvage, 2110 E Stover Street, Salt Lake City: open to the public weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with items available from their public sale date; higher value items go to GovDeals (University of Utah).
- Utah State University Surplus, 880 East 1250 North, Logan: weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; items open to the public at 8:00 a.m. on their availability date, with a live bid if several people want one (USU).
- State surplus: public agencies get first claim, then items may be offered to the public (Utah surplus property rule).
What to buy used, and what to buy unused
Used buying guide (inspection points are ours, not a maker standard)
| Item | Used? | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Plates and dumbbells | Yes | Cracks, loose handles, weight stamped on each piece |
| Racks and stands | Yes | Welds, bent uprights, hole size and spacing, pins and J-hooks included |
| Barbells | Usually | Roll it on a flat floor: a bent bar wobbles; sleeves should spin |
| Benches | Yes | Wobble, torn pad, adjustment pins that lock |
| Rowers and air bikes | Often | Smooth chain or strap, monitor powers on, no grinding |
| Treadmills | Carefully | Run it at speed for several minutes, check belt wear, motor noise and the safety key |
The full list, with what to bring, is in the used gym equipment checklist.
Moving it home
- Count the weight. A pair of 45 lb plates is 90 lb; a 4 x 6 ft stall mat is about 100 lb (Greatmats).
- Bring a helper, straps and a dolly. Racks often need to come apart; bring the right wrench sizes.
- Measure the truck bed. Rack uprights can be over 7 feet long.
Bring to a pickup
Prefer to buy in a store? See where to buy in Utah.
Questions people ask
What gym equipment is safest to buy used?
Plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells (if straight), benches and racks. They are mostly steel and rubber. Motorized treadmills and machines with electronics carry more risk because motors, belts and consoles wear out and are expensive to fix.
When is the best time to buy used gym equipment?
Listings tend to grow when people give up on resolutions and when they move. We have no Utah data on timing, so set saved searches and check often rather than waiting for a season.
How do I search KSL Classifieds for gym equipment?
Search the exact item and a brand (for example "power rack" or "bumper plates"), sort by newest, and set the distance from your city. Save the search to check it daily.
Should I pay a deposit to hold used equipment?
Avoid it. Pay when you pick it up, after you have inspected it, in a safe place. Scams in classifieds usually ask for money before you see the item.
Sources
- KSL Classifieds
- Facebook Marketplace, Salt Lake City
- Craigslist Salt Lake City, sporting goods
- University of Utah, Surplus & Salvage (checked October 29, 2026)
- Craigslist Provo / Orem
- Craigslist Ogden / Clearfield
- Craigslist Logan
- Utah State University, Surplus property sales procedures (checked October 29, 2026)
- Craigslist St George
- GovDeals, University of Utah online auctions
- Utah Administrative Code R33-26, State surplus property (Cornell LII copy)
- Greatmats, What are stall mats
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.