The price of exercise equipment can be enough to make any would be exerciser run back to the safety of the couch-bound lifestyle!

Depending on the type of equipment that you are wanting to purchase, the prices can go from just a marginal expenditure, all the way up through thousands of dollars for more advanced exercise equipment.

However, despite the fact that an initial investment may be needed in order to start increasing your level of health and fitness, there are ways to keep those costs down to a minimum, and following is a list of 4 ways that will help you do exactly that! 

eBay

There is a reason why Ebay is one of the most popular websites in the world. You can find pretty much anything that you want there, and you can usually find it for a lot cheaper than it would cost you to buy it brand-new.

In fact, if you look at the AuctionAds block to the right of this text, you should see 2 pictures of exercise equipment that is being sold on eBay in real-time as you read this. If you refresh this page, that block will reset to show you other eBay auctions that are going on, or you can simply click on over to eBay and surf around yourself.

One thing to keep in mind if you are going to purchase exercise equipment on eBay is the actual weight of the equipment that you are considering. Exercise equipment can be very heavy, and you will likely be purchasing from an eBay seller who does not live close to you.

If you get a dirt-cheap price on some exercise equipment, but then have to pay an excessive amount for shipping costs, you'll be defeating the purpose. Read through any auctions that you take part in to determine the shipping costs before you place your bid. 

Classifieds

Most towns have at least one local or county-wide periodical that features a classifieds section, and most cities actually have several different newspapers or media periodicals to choose from.

I have never - and I mean never - put something up for sale in the classifieds and not sold it. Even in today's information-soaked world of globally reaching Internet communication, your local papers can still be one of the best places to pick up bargains.

Often people are either moving to a place where their exercise equipment will no longer fit, they are not using their equipment for whatever reason, or they simply need the money, so they put it up for sale.

Whatever the reason is, don't go to a sporting goods store until you have taken the time to check out the classifieds section of your local newspapers first.  

Second Hand Stores

It is normally not hard to find several different used or second-hand stores in any given area, and exercise equipment is often available for a very low cost in these stores.

With the exception of high-tech electronic devices, most exercise equipment is pretty low-tech, and it either works or it doesn't. A cursory glance over a set of weights, an exercise bench, or even an exercise ball will tell you quickly whether or not it is in working condition. If it is, you can save a bundle by picking up used equipment as opposed to buying it brand-new.

Also, there is a middle-ground option that many people have access to, and that is sports-specific second-hand stores such as Play It Again Sports. The used equipment there will be a little more pricey than what you would get at a general thrift store, but it will also tend to be in better condition.

Click on through to the Play it Again Sports website to find out if there is a store in your area, or just open up your local yellow pages and look under headings such as sports, thrift stores, etc. 

Family, Friends, & Co-workers

Despite the fact that many people initially get involved in a health and fitness program, the truth of the matter is that not everyone sticks to it. There are probably a half dozen people (or more) in your circle of influence who have exercise equipment laying around their house that is not being used.

I'm not saying that you should encourage people to get rid of their exercise equipment, but if they are not using it anyway, it would be a win/win situation for them as well as you if you could take it off their hands at a discounted price.

If they decided to sell it on their own, they would have to pay for a classified advertisement in the newspaper, and they still wouldn't recoup the full retail price that they originally paid for the equipment. 

By purchasing their unused equipment at a fair price, you will be saving them the hassle of having to find a buyer, and in exchange, you'll be getting some exercise equipment for less than you would pay for it at a store.

To get the process started, simply ask around. Tell all of your friends, family, and co-workers that you are looking for some exercise equipment, and if they have any that they would like to get rid of - or know someone who does - then you might be able to help each other out.

Between the people in your own circle of influence, and the people that they know, chances are you will be able to find someone who has some exercise equipment that they would like to get rid of for a reasonable price.

Don't let expensive exercise equipment keep you from getting started on a health, fitness, or weight loss program! Save money on exercise equipment using these 4 tips, and you'll have cleared a roadblock that may have previously been standing in the way of your success!