Almost $450 Worth Of Exercise Equipment...For Twenty Bucks

What you see are two pieces of exercise equipment I purchased at a thrift store. I got one (the bigger...) one week, and the smaller one a week later.

Grand total for the two: $20.

A quick internet search list the cost as $269 (for the bigger one...), and $179 for the smaller. You could say, I scored two deals. 

When you buy something second-had (or third, fourth, or more...), there's only one item, flaws and all. Take for instance, the Rodeo Core (blue...). It's one of the strangest pieces of exercise equipment I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, do an internet search and watch a video of it in action. I'm sure you'll agree with my assessment. It cost us $15. The reviews say it's quiet, but mine's not. The thing's as creaky as a haunted house. It does work, though, but if anyone else is home, they know I'm using it to work out.

Then, there's the second one (white...). It's called a Desk Cycle. It has two flaws...technically, three. There's an electronic device used to keep track of a person's progress that was not included when we bought it. I didn't think it was that important since I'm not using it to track my progress. That's the first flaw. Then, the unit's missing the rubber boots on the back post. They are important--they keep the Desk Cycle secured in place. That's flaw #2 and #3.

Still, for $5 I'm willing to look past those flaws.

You could say we made off quite well with our two purchases. But, there's no way I would have bought either of these new, and not just because of the costs. We only picked them up because they were so cheap. Yes, they may be great deals...

But, only if I use them.

Did We Just Buy A Really Heavy Coatrack...?

 We pulled the trigger on an exercise system. As you can see, it was not the most expensive one available on the used exercise equipment market. That was a huge selling point in our decision. That, and the fact that the seller was located in an obscure little northern Utah town.

Over the weekend, my son and I climbed into the van, drove the half hour to our destination, and loaded it up. Now it's set up in our garage/home gym. The one-hundred thousand dollar question is...

Will it get used?

And if it does, will it get used in the manner for which it was designed?

We've had a home gym set up for a couple of years. We decided to not sell our treadmill when we moved and we brought it along. We found a free stationary bike on the side of the road and we bought an elliptical machine. Part of my daily work routine is to take a break and use the equipment. And, had I not stepped on the power cord of the elliptical machine, I'd continue to use all three.

One thing we didn't have was a weight system. Granted, the elastic system we bought is not optimum, but it's something. Since we moved it into place, I've used it twice, yesterday and today. I only used one of the systems. I'm glad to say it wore me out a little, which is the only reason to have these machines in the first place.

There are days that I don't make it to the gym. Sometimes we have staff meetings during the time I usually work out, and now that summer's inching closer, I can only work out in the mornings because it gets too hot otherwise.

So far, so good. So far, the machines are being used for exercise and not a place to hang clothing. We'll just have to keep it that way.