Exercise Equipment Experts

Last year, I called NordicTrack, because it was cold and snowy and I hated feeling like a sloth. I knew that if I owned my own treadmill, I could use it every day, and stay fit even during the days I didn’t want to venture outside. I have average credit but nothing spectacular, and they were all like «No treadmill for you!» unless I was going to pay cash, which wasn’t going to happen a month before Christmas. So I decided, if a huge company wasn’t going to give me credit because my scores weren’t at some unrealistically high level, I was going to take my time and shop around.
It was then that I remembered that there were a few places in Columbus that sold exercise equipment, and if a huge national chain wasn’t interested in my business, perhaps a local company would be?
I also remembered that there was a little shop right across from the new Whole Foods on Lane, and — always looking for an excuse to go to Whole Foods — I decided that would be my first stop.
But first, the research…
I always check out companies on BBB, because that’s where people complain. What? Not a single complaint in the almost 12 years they’ve been in business? Cool! A+ rating? Nice!
Next, I take a trip over to Unilocal — no reviews, so sad. I’m thinking «maybe I’ll get to be the first?»
Lastly, I take a look at the business’ web-​site, and it’s pretty decent for a local business. I took a look at the products they sell and see brand-​names I’d never heard of before: Bodyguard, Bremshey and SportsArt. Then again, I’m not really an exercise machine connoisseur or expert. I’d seen Precor, StairMaster, NordicTrack and a few others before, but never these.
So I read up on the site a little more, and it sounds like the guy who owns the place is a super fitness expert, knows all about the practical and theoretical end of exercise physiology, getting healthy, reducing injuries, and also just happens to sell exercise equipment. Starting to sound like a much less biased opinion than, say, a direct manufacturer that only focuses on a single brand. Looks like the owner alone has decades of experience, and his staff have their own specialties too. Neat!
So I set-​up an appointment, not really knowing what to expect, and walk into what looks like a small gym, where you can try out the machines — but is also functioning as a small gym and exercise services center. I was impressed.
Anyone who knows me, knows I have a really good taste in equipment — whether it’s the latest cell phone, computer or whatever. I don’t buy garbage. I don’t even like to touch low quality stuff that almost falls apart before I buy it. But I also don’t buy stuff just because of a brand name. The name must mean quality, and the item must reflect that quality or I’m not buying. The cool part about the items in the store was that they were all sturdy, and aside from my inability to buy products without excess gadgetry imbedded inside, I could have bought any of the treadmills in the store.
Then I saw the prices, and realized that although the prices were reasonable, and I wanted to give this business my money (way more than I did NordicTrack), I still couldn’t pay with cash. Is this the end of the story? Not at all!
I have no idea what happened to this type of financing, but the owner was like «Yeah, we can just do a series of postdated checks for a year.» No annoying credit check, no feeling like a criminal. Just pure, unadulterated awesome! Plus, if you buy when you first go in, you get the «I get it!» discount (so research before you go). Plus the unit I was buying was on-​sale. It was pretty incredible. Plus, the warranty. I think it was like seven years?
The unit arrived seven months ago — and I waited this long to write the review because I wanted to see how well this item would stand up.
First, understand that having a treadmill in my house means exercise every single day. I haven’t missed more than a handful of days since the beginning of 2014. It’s truly motivational, and I feel a ton better! You can’t use it as a clothes rack, or a place to store magazines and paperwork. You have to get on the equipment regularly and use it properly in order to gain the benefits. But if you do, you’ll be glad you did.
So after six full months — and halfway into the payment plan — this machine is still rock solid, no complaints, it just works. I’ll probably have them come out and do a preventative maintenance check sometime this year, just to make sure the belts are tightened properly and everything’s in working order, but honestly, it just works.
Overall, I’ve known this was going to be a five star review for over six months, but wanted to wait just to make sure I could speak to the quality of the product itself, over the course of a few months of constant use. I like the Bodyguard’s build quality and warranty — serviced locally!
I’m super happy with my purchase, the treadmill I selected, and the company who sold it to me. Hooray!