Setting up a home gym can be an expensive proposition. A treadmill, an elliptical machine, all those gym accessories can add up. When done right, fitness equipment is a serious investment.

So it’s not surprising that many people are attracted to the concept of the ‘Lifetime Warranty’ offered by many gym equipment retailers. What’s not to like about a lifetime warranty? Plenty, it turns out.

WARRANTIES: THE FACTS

The first thing to know about warranties is they’re not federally regulated. That said, they’re governed by state law, which of course varies widely. In many cases, a perfectly legal ‘lifetime warranty’ is much less than a lifetime—expiring after only 6-7 years!

Generally speaking, however, most retailers define the ‛lifetime’ in their warranties not as the customer’s lifetime, but the equipment’s lifetime. That means that when your treadmill (or its components) begin to fail regularly, its lifetime is up—and so is your warranty.

That leads to the second aspect of ‘lifetime warranties’ offered by retailers: Even if they honor the commitment of their warranty, they may only do so only if parts are still available from the original source. It’s a fact: Most treadmill manufacturers don’t actually make the parts that comprise their finished machine. If a motor or other part they obtain independently is no longer available from its original source, many manufacturers won’t replace it (nor are they obligated to according to the terms of their warranty).

Gym Source is different. First, we only sell top brands that honor their warranties. Take TRUE treadmills, for example. Even if one of TRUE’s component manufacturers goes out of business, TRUE will honor its warranty and replace that part of the same or higher quality. And for manufacturers we sell that don’t have that safety net expressly documented, Gym Source stands behind your purchase—and will find exactly the replacement part you need (and fix the machine) no matter what, for as long as you own it.

Finally, read the fine print. Even if the manufacturer or retailer who sells your equipment has a wonderful ‘lifetime warranty’ for parts and components, ask about labor. Having a service professional dispatched to your equipment’s location for service is usually the most expensive part a repair bill. That’s why Gym Source includes additional labor warranties on top of manufacturers’ warranties—so you’re covered (and not surprised by hidden expenses), no matter what.

The simple lesson is: Always read the fine print, and know a little something about your state’s laws when it comes to warranties. When in doubt, an organization like the Better Business Bureau can help you separate reputable firms from shady dealers. Or visit us at Gym Source, and know that you’ll always be treated honestly, fairly and with absolute integrity when it comes to our warranties.