So you bought a new cardio machine. Whether it’s a new rower, treadmill, elliptical, or stair climber, that shiny new piece of gear is being delivered to your home very soon!
You spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars. You did your research. You bought a treadmill mat and an extended warranty. But how about treadmill installation?
The last thing you want to do right now is spend more money. Especially on something you could probably do yourself, right?
In this article, we’ll address treadmill assembly, but everything here applies to all cardio machines.
Should you pay to have your treadmill assembled?
Yes! Treadmills are big, bulky, and deceptively hard to assemble. The wiring harness, in particular, is sensitive and easy to damage. Improper assembly of your treadmill will also void your warranty. Assembly prices are usually reasonable considering the amount of work, and it’s always worthwhile.
I sold treadmills as part of my career for almost twenty years. I’ve seen every variety of installation issues. I can tell you from experience that no matter how handy you are, you want a professional to do this!
Here are 9 reasons, based on 20 years of experience, that paying to have your treadmill professionally installed is an intelligent investment.
It Will Save You Time and Frustration
Assembling a treadmill is not a straightforward task. It requires a reasonable amount of time and patience. The instruction manuals provided with treadmills can be complex and challenging to follow, causing frustration and delays.
Hiring experts experienced in treadmill installation can save you the necessary time and the frustration of deciphering complicated instructions. They will have the proper tools and expertise to complete the assembly efficiently, allowing you to start using your treadmill sooner.
When I worked at Abt Electronics near Chicago, they employed (still do!) in-house delivery and installation crews. Fitness installers were all required to attend specialized training.
A trained and experienced crew can install a treadmill or other cardio machine in 2-3 hours. A consumer doing it for the first time typically takes 4-6 hours or longer. Yep, twice as long at a minimum!!!
Not to mention, about halfway through, many of those people called the store to arrange for Abt to come out and finish the job.
If you value your time and sanity, do yourself a favor and have the professionals do it.
As a heads up, Abt ships nationwide and has been rated the number one appliance store in the country over ten years in a row by Consumer Reports. They offer treadmill installation solutions both in the Chicagoland area as well as across the country!
You Aren’t Liable If Something Goes Wrong
If you break or damage your treadmill during installation, you get to pay full price for the repair or replacement. If the installer does, it’s on them!
When I bought my first treadmill, I was broke. I simply couldn’t afford installation. So I assembled the beast myself.
Once assembled, the incline didn’t work. When I had the store come out to look at it under warranty, they found a tiny little wire leading from the motor to the control board that had been crimped.
It wasn’t broken. It wasn’t cut. It was just crimped a little. Well, that crimp meant that I was the one who somehow had damaged my brand new machine. That treadmill sat unfixed for almost six months while I saved up for the repair.
Letting someone else be responsible is much easier and less expensive in the long run!
You’ll Benefit from Expertise and Experience
Professional installers specialize in assembling exercise equipment of all kinds. They are familiar with various models and brands, understanding the nuances of each one.
Their experience enables them to tackle the assembly process efficiently and effectively. They know the common pitfalls to avoid, ensuring a seamless installation experience.
By hiring professionals, you benefit from their expertise, giving you confidence that your treadmill will be set up correctly.
The crimped wire I mentioned above is an excellent example of this. Never in a million years would I have been able to see that that wire was the problem. The installer only saw it because they had done the same thing before.
The experience of a skilled installer is invaluable.
You Won’t Void Your Warranty
Most treadmills come with a warranty that protects you against defects in materials and workmanship. However, one common condition in warranties is that they are only valid if the equipment is assembled correctly.
If you attempt to install the treadmill yourself and make mistakes, it could void the warranty. Paying for professional assembly ensures that the treadmill is assembled according to the manufacturer’s specifications, keeping your warranty intact.
According to Jason Fried, fitness buyer at Abt Electronics, the average repair cost on a treadmill is $200 in labor plus parts. Parts like a control board can range from $800-$1000, consoles run $200-$300, and a new motor is $200-$300.
Those prices are for ProForm models. Higher-end brands like Life Fitness are 2-3x the cost of the parts listed above.
None of that will be covered if it’s found that your particular issue was caused by improper installation.
No matter how much installation is in your area, I can almost guarantee that it costs less than any of those repairs!
Your Treadmill Will Work Correctly
Treadmills have many moving parts and electrical components that must be correctly connected to function properly. A slight misalignment or a loose connection can result in the treadmill not working as intended or even pose safety risks.
Professional installers have the knowledge and experience to ensure that each part is correctly installed, adjusted, and secured. This guarantees that your treadmill operates smoothly and, most importantly, safely.
Tech support calls from customers doing their installations included issues from non-functional displays to belts that wouldn’t move and everything in between. 99% of the time, the problem was resolved as an installation issue, not a defect in the unit.
You’ll Minimize the Risk of Injury During Assembly
Treadmills can be heavy and awkward, especially during the assembly process. Lifting and positioning heavy parts can lead to injuries if not done correctly.
Professionals are trained to control heavy equipment and have the tools and experience to do so safely. Hiring them minimizes the risk of personal injury, protecting yourself and your loved ones.
More than once, I’ve seen customers drop a heavy part on themselves only to end up injured. There is no small number of people who have strained their backs doing this too. Treadmills weigh hundreds of pounds and can be unwieldy at best.
The Installation Will Look Great
Apart from the functionality and performance of your treadmill, paying for professional assembly can also ensure an aesthetically pleasing result. Treadmills are often quite sizeable and can dominate a space if not positioned correctly or if the assembly is haphazard.
Professional assemblers have an eye for detail and can ensure that your treadmill is positioned correctly, aligned with the room’s layout, and looks visually appealing. This attention to detail can significantly affect the overall aesthetics of your home gym or workout area.
Installation Can Be Tailored To Your Needs
When you hire professional assemblers, you can often choose from a range of tailored services. Some companies offer additional services such as equipment cleaning, calibration, and even demonstration of treadmill functions.
You can often have them remove an old treadmill or otherwise move things around for you. You can also combine your treadmill installation with the installation of other home gym equipment.
These added benefits ensure that your treadmill is in optimal condition and that you fully understand how to operate it. It’s a comprehensive package beyond just assembly, enhancing your experience and satisfaction with your new exercise equipment.
Customer Support and Assistance
Professional assembly services often have advantages beyond what I’ve listed. If you have problems with your treadmill after it has been assembled, you can contact the assembly company for guidance.
They can provide troubleshooting tips, answer your queries, and offer solutions to any issues you may encounter. This level of support can be invaluable, especially for beginners who use treadmills or need assistance with specific features or settings.
If you buy from a reputable store like Abt, you’ll get fantastic support even without installation, but they are the exception. For most stores, especially if ordering online, you are on your own totally if you self-install.
Confidence in a Job Well Done
By paying for professional treadmill assembly, you can be confident that the job will be done correctly. You won’t have to second-guess your decision or worry about whether you missed a step or made a mistake during the assembly process.
Professional installers have the necessary skills and knowledge to assemble your treadmill to the highest standards. They follow precise instructions and use proper techniques to ensure everything is functioning.
You can rest comfortably, knowing that your treadmill is in good hands and that you have taken the necessary steps to ensure its longevity, functionality, and safety.
The Verdict
Paying to have your treadmill assembled is a wise choice.
It protects your investment, preserves your warranty, saves you time and frustration, ensures proper functionality and safety, provides expertise, minimizes the risk of injury, offers tailored services, gives you confidence in a job well done, provides customer support, and delivers aesthetically pleasing results.
By entrusting the installation to professionals, you can enjoy your treadmill without any worries, focus on your fitness goals, and make the most of your new exercise equipment.
So, when it comes to assembling your treadmill, it’s worth every penny to leave it in the hands of experts!
FAQ
The place I bought my treadmill doesn’t offer installation. Who can I call?
We recommend a company called Jez Industries. They specialize in the nationwide installation of fitness equipment.
GymCrafter is not associated with them in any way, but I’ve received numerous positive feedback about them.
What about a rower? Should I pay to have that installed too?
Yes. Everything I pointed out in the article above applies to all cardio gear except maybe bikes, as they tend to be mostly assembled out of the box.
How much does installation cost?
Depending on where you go, costs can vary. Locally near Chicago, Abt charges $98 and gives free delivery. Independent companies typically cost 3-4 times that much as they are not profiting from the treadmill sale as well.
If possible, always get installation from the store you purchase from. It will almost always be less expensive.
Installing our treadmill ourselves ended up costing us another $400 in repair costs. I can’t believe how much harder it was than I thought it would be. And then, 5 hours after we started, the thing won’t work at all. So frustrating. Turns out we pulled a wire out of the control panel and didn’t realize it. Installation would have been only $99 through the store we bought it at.
Thanks for sharing this.
Typical lazy people today want to pay other people to do things they should be able to do themselves. You are wasting your money if you pay someone to do this. Learn to read an assembly manual.
Well that’s a bit over critical, to be honest. Time has value. If the value of your time is more than what it costs to pay someone else to do something, then the only smart decision is to pay them to do it. Glad you are able to do these things yourself, not everyone can or wants to. You do you, though.
I’m a delivery driver for a fitness company and spend my day assembling and installing cardio equipment. At least 50% of our stops are either fixing self installation problems, or coming back for a second stop after we delivered to then install and assemble the unit after the homeowner has wasted at least a day trying to do it themselves. The first 10 treads I put together took forever. It’s not easy or simple. Pay a professional!