Does 1-800‑GOT‑JUNK Take Treadmills and Home Gym Equipment?
Yes. 1-800‑GOT‑JUNK will pick up treadmills, ellipticals, weight benches, and other home‑gym gear as long as the items are non‑hazardous and can fit inside one of their truck‑size load categories. The price you pay depends on how much space the equipment occupies, not on the item itself, and you’ll receive a free on‑site estimate before any work begins.
How 1-800‑GOT‑JUNK Prices Your Gym Gear
Volume‑Based Pricing vs. Single‑Item Pricing
1-800‑GOT‑JUNK does not charge per piece. Instead, they measure the cubic volume your items occupy and place them into one of several load brackets:
| Load Size | Approx. Dimensions | Typical Price Range* |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum (1/8 truck) | 1.25 ft L × 5 ft H × 8 ft W | $100 – $150 |
| Small load | – | $107 – $396 |
| Medium load | – | $396 – $600 |
| Large load | – | $600 – $1,099 |
| Half truckload | 5 ft L × 5 ft H × 8 ft W | $400 – $600 |
| Full truckload | 10 ft L × 5 ft H × 8 ft W (≈ 18 cu yd) | $600 – $1,000 |
*All prices include labor, loading from anywhere on the property, hauling, disposal/recycling fees, and post‑job cleanup.
Because the pricing is volume‑based, a single treadmill often falls into the “small load” bracket, but the exact cost depends on how many other items you bundle with it.
Typical Cost for a Treadmill
A standard home treadmill measures roughly 6 ft L × 2 ft W × 3 ft H (≈ 36 cu ft). That size is well under the half‑truck dimensions, so most customers see a small‑load charge. In practice, the price you’ll be quoted usually lands between $107 and $250, with the average job across all customers being about $240.
If you add a weight bench or a few dumbbell sets, you may still stay within the small‑load range, but crossing the 5‑ft length of a half‑truck will push you into the half‑truck bracket ($400‑$600).
Worked Dollar Example
Let’s walk through a realistic scenario:
- You have a treadmill ($0 value, just junk) and a set of dumbbells that together occupy 12 cu ft.
- Your total volume = 36 cu ft (treadmill) + 12 cu ft = 48 cu ft.
- The half‑truckload capacity is 5 ft L × 5 ft H × 8 ft W = 200 cu ft, so your 48 cu ft fits comfortably inside a small load.
- The company quotes a small‑load price of $165 (mid‑range of $107‑$396).
Breakdown:
- Base small‑load minimum: $100
- Additional volume charge (approx. $1 per extra cu ft over 20 cu ft): $25
- Labor, loading, haul, disposal, cleanup: included
Total = $100 + $25 = $165
You pay $165 for the treadmill and dumbbells, and you avoid a second pickup. If you had instead scheduled two separate pickups—one for the treadmill and another for the dumbbells—the total could have risen to $300 – $350 because each job would have its own minimum load fee.
Preparing Your Treadmill for Pickup
Space and Access Requirements
- Clear a path from the treadmill to the driveway or parking area.
- Measure doorways and hallways; the crew can lift items from anywhere on the property, but the treadmill must fit through door frames.
- Remove cords, accessories, and any detachable parts (e.g., heart‑rate monitors) to make loading easier.
What the Crew Handles
- All lifting—no need to drag the treadmill to the curb.
- Loading onto the truck, even if you have a stairwell or tight corners.
- Disposal and recycling—they will sort metal components for recycling and dispose of the rest according to local regulations.
Items They Won’t Take
1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK refuses to haul items that contain hazardous materials or require special permits. That includes:
- Fuel‑filled equipment (e.g., gasoline‑powered generators, lawn mowers with fuel).
- Refrigerants (old fridge/freezer compressors).
- Asbestos‑containing parts (some older gym equipment with brake pads).
- Large structural demolition debris that needs a city permit.
If any of these apply to your home‑gym setup, the crew will point you to the appropriate local disposal facility or recycling program.
When 1-800‑GOT‑JUNK Says No
Why an Item Might Be Refused
- Fuel or refrigerant left in the machine (e.g., a treadmill with a built‑in oil‑filled motor).
- Electrical hazards such as exposed wiring that could cause a fire.
- Oversized items that exceed the maximum truck dimensions (greater than 10 ft L × 5 ft H × 8 ft W).
In these cases, the crew will refuse service for that particular item and may suggest an alternative.
Alternatives for Refused Items
| Item Type | Recommended Disposal Option |
|---|---|
| Fuel‑filled equipment | Drain fuel at a certified station, then drop off at a local hazardous‑waste facility. |
| Refrigerant‑containing appliances | Contact a certified R- recycling center; many municipalities offer free pick‑up for such appliances. |
| Oversized gym rigs | Donate to a local community center or sell on a marketplace; they often accept large items for free. |
| Hazardous electrical gear | Take to an e‑waste recycling event or a certified electronics recycler. |
These alternatives are free or low‑cost and keep you compliant with local regulations.
Real‑World Comparison with Competitors
How 1-800‑GOT‑JUNK Stacks Up
| Company | Minimum Charge | Pricing Model | Coverage | Typical Small‑Load Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-800‑GOT‑JUNK | $100‑$150 | Volume‑based | 48 states (excludes some rural areas) | $107‑$396 |
| LoadUp | $89 | Per‑item (guaranteed) | All 50 states | $89‑$150 (per treadmill) |
| Junk King | $99 | Volume‑based | 40 states (gaps) | $120‑$250 (small load) |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk | $150‑$750 | Volume‑based + $99 dispatch fee | 30 states | $150‑$300 (small load) |
All numbers are taken from verified pricing data; actual quotes may vary by market.
Where the Prices Diverge
- High‑cost metros (e.g., San Francisco, New York City) push 1-800‑GOT‑JUNK toward the upper end of each range because landfill tipping fees and labor costs are higher.
- Midwest and Southern metros (e.g., Indianapolis, Dallas) often see quotes near the lower end of the range.
LoadUp’s per‑item model can look cheaper for a single treadmill, but if you have multiple pieces (treadmill, bench, dumbbells) the total can quickly exceed the volume‑based quote from 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK. Junk King and College Hunks have higher minimums and, in the case of College Hunks, an extra $99 dispatch fee that appears after booking.
Bottom Line on Cost
If you are only getting rid of one treadmill, LoadUp may be the lowest‑priced option.
If you have a mix of gym equipment that fills a small or medium load, 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK often provides a more predictable, all‑inclusive price.
Get a Free Quote from 1-800-GOT-JUNK? →
Common Mistakes and What People Get Wrong
Assuming “per‑item” pricing is always cheaper.
- A single treadmill may be cheap with LoadUp, but adding a bench and a set of weights can push the per‑item total above a volume‑based quote.
Thinking a coupon code will automatically apply.
- Most aggregator codes like “MYJUNK30” are expired or invalid. The only reliable discount is the email‑list coupon (usually $10‑$25 off).
Not measuring the equipment before booking.
- Without knowing the cubic footage, you may be surprised by a higher load bracket. A quick tape‑measure saves time and money.
Leaving fuel or refrigerant in the machine.
- The crew will refuse the item, causing a delay and possibly an extra charge for a second visit. Drain or remove these substances beforehand.
Scheduling a pickup on a weekend without checking availability.
- Same‑day service is common, but mid‑week and off‑season dates often yield the lowest rates because crews have more flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much does a treadmill usually cost to remove?
A: Most customers fall in the small‑load bracket, paying between $107 and $250. Exact pricing is set after an on‑site estimate.
Q2: Do I have to move the treadmill to the curb?
A: No. 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK’s crew will load the treadmill from anywhere on your property, saving you the heavy lifting.
Q3: Are there any hidden fees for disposing of gym equipment?
A: All labor, hauling, disposal, recycling, and post‑job cleanup are included in the quoted price. There are no surprise surcharges.
Q4: Can I get a discount if I’m a senior or a veteran?
A: No official military, senior, student, or AAA discounts exist. The only reliable savings are the email‑list coupons ($10‑$25 off) and local franchise promotions.
Q5: What if my treadmill contains oil or refrigerant?
A: The crew will refuse to haul it. You’ll need to drain the fluid at a certified facility or take the item to a hazardous‑waste disposal site.
Q6: How does 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK compare to LoadUp for a full home‑gym clean‑out?
A: LoadUp charges per item, which can add up quickly for multiple pieces. 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK’s volume‑based pricing often caps the cost for a full‑load removal, making it more predictable for larger jobs.
Takeaway
Yes—1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK will haul treadmills and other home‑gym gear, charging you based on the volume the items occupy. Expect a small‑load price typically between $107 and $250, with the exact figure set after a free on‑site estimate. Prepare your equipment by clearing pathways, removing fuel or refrigerants, and measuring its size. If an item is refused, use local hazardous‑waste facilities or donation centers as alternatives. Compare the volume‑based model to per‑item competitors to choose the most cost‑effective solution for your specific clean‑out.