Fitness can be one of the most important wellness areas of your life, but it can also be one of the most expensive areas of your budget. Here are 8 ways to save money on fitness that you can use for any type of fitness or exercise you may be into.
Keeping your body healthy is the best way to save money long term.
Maintaining your strength and endurance is the best way to ensure you stay as healthy as you can for as long as you can in this aging process. Cardiovascular health is key to keeping your heart strong and blood pressure low, both of which can cause premature aging if they are not healthy.
By maintaining your strength, you can delay some of the signs of aging, which will help you save money on health costs in the future. A little investment upfront with setting a routine for a healthy lifestyle can pay huge dividends later in life.
8 Ways to Save Money on Fitness!
Youtube
One of the best things to come out of the pandemic is the huge rise in high-quality free fitness classes that are available on Youtube. So many amazing instructors took to youtube to provide classes and training, and much of it is still out there, free, for you to use.
This is a great place to try out new workouts, exercise styles, or even things you have never done before. I love how it gives you the privacy to look stupid trying new things, in the privacy of your own home! You can pause, rewind, and take a break during the class if needed.
Here are some popular Youtube channels to get you inspired!
Look for discounts for the gym or subscription class services
Gyms and fitness subscriptions are always searching for new members. One way they like to do that is by offering discounts to customers of other companies. Many other subscription services, will have gym or fitness membership coupons in with their product.
If you have ever received a Hello Fresh or Blue Apron box, remember the stack of advertising that is included with your recipes? These are the types of cross-advertising to watch out for. Other places to look for discount codes are:
- Local advertising for each gym
- Holiday/seasonal discounts
- Subscription boxes
- An online search for “gym name and discount code”
If there is a specific gym or subscription class you want, see if they offer any discounts you qualify for, like a student membership, or family membership. If you know of a friend who goes to the gym you want to join, ask if there is any referral discount or benefit that you both get.
Try before you buy
Many gyms or subscription services will give you a free trial of their workouts or facility before you sign up. Take advantage of this time to ensure that it will fit into your daily routine. You can also try out or watch classes on Youtube to get an idea of what this workout may be like.
If the fancy gym may be on the other side of town. If it takes you an hour just to drive to the gym after work, then realistically how often will you make it there.
Keep up a spin class habit for a period of time before you invest in a Pelaton or Soul Cycle bike. Make sure that the habit is sustainable and fits your life before you drop several thousand dollars on a piece of equipment.
Look for used equipment
There are a ton of ambitious people out there who purchased fabulous workout equipment, only to use it a few times before it started collecting dust. You know to do better than this! But you can also help them out by buying their barely used equipment for a fraction of the cost of new equipment.
Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist can be great places to start looking. Be cautious of scams, if it is too good to be true, it usually is! Ask if you can try the equipment first to ensure it is working properly.
Once you have the equipment, make sure you sanitize everything you can on it before using it. Then enjoy your discount workout knowing that your budget-friendly weights are still building the same muscles as full-priced weights!
Work out with a friend who knows more than you do
Quality friend time and some free knowledge! Double bonus! This is not taking advantage of your friend for free personal training. Most people will pick up on that trick quick and then you will lose your workout buddy and possibly your friend. That is not worth it!
Instead, listen, watch, and learn what they do during their workouts. Combine it with your own studying and growth to increase your fitness knowledge. Having a buddy who is comfortable doing all of the things in the gym, can give you the confidence to try new workouts, movements, or machines that you otherwise may be too intimidated to try.
Barter
Many jobs at gyms and fitness studios offer free membership to their employees. Taking a couple of shifts at the front desk each week can earn you a little money, but more importantly, save you the cost of membership (which can add up quickly at some studios!).
If you have any unique skills, like social media, marketing, or event planning, ask the studio if they need any part-time or event-based help. You never know what opportunities this could lead to!
Maintain your equipment so you don’t have to replace it as often
This works for all types of equipment, even your workout clothing. By taking care of them, cleaning frequently, and performing needed maintenance you can ensure your equipment lasts longer and doesn’t need to be replaced as often.
Quality equipment, even small things like workout clothes and running shoes are expensive. Take care of them, so you do not need to buy replacements. Make sure things are in good working order. Broken, old, or unsuitable equipment can cause injury which can be a fitness setback and cost you money! Don’t risk it!
Look for wellness benefits through your employer or health insurance
From an insurance companies perspective, healthy or fit employees do not have as many medical costs as someone who is unfit.
To encourage lifestyle changes in employees (and get lower health insurance premiums!), many companies have implemented wellness programs where employees can earn benefits for being active or doing certain healthy things. These benefits can range from a nominal Amazon gift card to payouts of several hundred dollars a year for hitting health targets.
Each program is unique, and the benefits vary. If you are not sure about this at your company, check with Human Resources, or look on your insurance plan website. If your company doesn’t have one, then ask them to start a wellness program. It is usually a win-win for the company. Their insurance premiums drop a bit, and employees get some extra incentives to make healthy choices.
Make room in your budget for what works best for you
If you have found what schedule, class, or style of workout motivates you to consistently work out, then keep it! Most people struggle with disliking working out or not having the motivation to consistently do it. Figuring out what works best for you is like finding that magic unicorn fitness routine, so don’t sacrifice it just to save money.
Some workout classes or gyms can seem outrageously expensive. But, if you are utilizing all of their benefits, not skipping classes you paid for, and making room for it in your budget, then embrace this cost guilt-free!
Going to a Soul Cycle class for about $30 a class is not cheap. But, if that style and accountability ensures you attend class, and have a heck of a workout twice a week, then go for it. See if there are ways you can reduce the cost by signing up for a membership, discount plan, or bringing your own shoes/towel rather than renting them. Otherwise, enjoy these classes to the fullest and know you are doing something to make your body strong and healthy.
What ways have you found to save money on fitness? I would love to hear about them in the comments below! Thanks for sharing and I hope you are able to add some fitness to your week!
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Very interesting and helpful post!