If you know the exact make and model you want, you may save money by
calling the manufacturer directly. Some manufacturers let you buy direct;
others may refer you to a local dealer. But do your homework: Sometimes
you can get a better deal from the manufacturer. Other times, going through
the dealer is cheaper. You can often save a couple hundred bucks by making
a few phone calls.Buying used equipment is okay, but keep it simple. Stick to gadgets with no
motors or complicated designs. The only exception is buying used equipment
through an authorized dealer that gives you a warranty. No matter what type
of used equipment you buy, ask for a trial period and get all the instruction
manuals.A knowledgeable trainer can save you a lot of research time and may be able
to help you purchase equipment. Trainers often get discounts from equip-
ment dealers because they recommend and buy equipment on a regular
basis. But ask your trainer if he receives a commission from the dealer or if
he’ll be charging you a commission; this may eat away at any potential sav-
ings. In other cases, a dealer may give you a discount on top of the trainer’s
commission.As we explain in the “The Ten Commandments of buying TV fitness gadgets”
sidebar, we generally don’t recommend buying exercise equipment off TV or
the Internet. The picture and real-time video may look fabulous, but when the
gizmo arrives at your doorstep, it may be a useless plastic piece of junk. Or it
may not even arrive at all, as a friend of Liz’s discovered when she ordered a
sports watch that never showed up. When the woman tried to check out the
Web site again, the URL no longer worked — a tactic that some companies
use to evade government regulators.Buy from the Internet only after you research the product, know exactly
which make and model you want, and know that the online dealer is reputable.
Liz buys all her athletic shoes on the Internet from a well-known mail-order
catalog and saves over 40 percent. Occasionally, she also buys a small piece
of exercise equipment over the Internet. For example, she recently found a
brand-name heart-rate monitor online for $20 less than the list price.Taking a test drive
You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a spin. The same rule applies
to exercise machines. Be sure to test every feature. Pull every handle and
push every bar. Make sure that a stationary bike pedals smoothly at several
tension levels. Try a treadmill on the flat setting and on the incline setting.
If the salesperson won’t let you give the machine a whirl, say adios.306 Part VI: Conquering the Gym (Even at Home)