How to Get Rid of Old Exercise Equipment? 6 Options [2026]

The easiest way depends on the equipment condition and whether you want money for it.

For working equipment in good shape, selling on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist gets you $50-300+ for treadmills, $50-200 for ellipticals, and $20-100 for weight benches. Used exercise equipment sells fast in January and after New Year resolution season.

For broken or outdated equipment, curbside junk removal is the fastest path. Dropcurb picks up exercise equipment from your curb for $79. Move the equipment to the curb (or garage/driveway), book online, and a hauler grabs it — often same day.

For bulky machines you cannot move yourself, 1-800-GOT-JUNK and LoadUp send 2-person teams into your home. Prices start at $130-200+ depending on the equipment and location.

Treadmills are the most common piece of exercise equipment people need to get rid of — and the hardest to move. A standard treadmill weighs 200-300 pounds.

If the treadmill still works, list it on Facebook Marketplace for $50-300 depending on brand and condition. NordicTrack, Peloton, and ProForm treadmills hold value best. Price it at 30-50% of what you paid. Buyer picks up, which solves your moving problem.

If the treadmill is broken or outdated, disassembly makes disposal much easier. Most treadmills separate into the deck, console, and frame with basic tools. Remove the safety key, fold the deck (if folding model), and disconnect the console. This reduces a 300-pound machine to 3-4 manageable pieces.

LoadUp charges starting at $150 for treadmill removal according to their website. 1-800-GOT-JUNK charges $150-300+ for treadmill removal with their 2-person team. Consumer Reports recommends checking local resale shops like Play It Again Sports before paying for disposal.

Several organizations accept exercise equipment donations, but availability varies by location.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts exercise equipment in working condition. Most ReStores offer free pickup for large items. Call your local ReStore or schedule at habitat.org.

The Salvation Army accepts smaller exercise equipment (dumbbells, kettlebells, yoga equipment) but may refuse large machines like treadmills or ellipticals. Call 1-800-728-7825 to check.

Play It Again Sports buys and consigns used exercise equipment. They accept treadmills, ellipticals, weight benches, free weights, and more. You get cash or store credit. Coverage: 250+ locations across the US and Canada.

Local schools, community centers, and YMCAs sometimes accept donated exercise equipment. Call directly — many have specific needs and will pick up if the equipment matches.

For all donations: equipment must be clean, working, and safe. No one accepts broken treadmills or machines with frayed cables or cracked frames.

Yes. Most exercise equipment contains significant amounts of steel, iron, and aluminum.

A treadmill frame weighs 100-150 pounds of steel after removing the belt, deck, and electronics. An elliptical machine has 80-120 pounds of metal. Weight benches are almost entirely steel.

Current scrap steel rates in 2026: $0.04-0.08 per pound. A stripped treadmill frame nets $4-12 at a scrapyard. Not much cash, but the scrapyard handles disposal at no cost to you.

Free weights (dumbbells, barbells, weight plates) have higher scrap value because cast iron is denser. A set of old iron plates might net $10-30 at a scrapyard — though selling on Marketplace almost always gets more.

Regular weekly trash service will not pick up exercise equipment. Treadmills, ellipticals, and weight benches are classified as bulky items.

Schedule bulk pickup through your city waste department (call 311). Bulk pickup is free in most cities but has wait times of 2-8 weeks. Place the equipment at the curb on your scheduled pickup day.

Some cities limit the number of bulk items per pickup (typically 3-5 items). If you are clearing out a full home gym, you may need multiple scheduled pickups or a single junk removal service visit.