From free online classes to really affordable personal trainers, there are plenty of ways to save money and get the best return on your exercise investment, no matter your budget or fitness experience.
Maintaining a consistent fitness regimen, especially in 2021, can be expensive. With boutique fitness studios charging upwards of $ 35 for a 45-minute class in some cities and smaller gyms promising an intimate workout experience that asks you to separate from $ 250 a month, it may seem like staying in shape is financially … impossible. But there are ways to save money and get the most bang for your buck, no matter your budget or fitness experience.
Pay nothing
Before the pandemic, New York City educator Elisse Battle says she had an average of three to four Soul Cycle classes per week. The 39-year-old bought packages of five or 10 classes, which resulted in a negligible discount in cost per class. She estimates spending approximately $ 500 a month on Soul Cycle alone with additional funds going toward the occasional “Solidcore” class.
Now, Battle spends a fraction of what she used to spend and reports that she feels fitter than ever. How? Most of Battle’s workouts are now free, thanks to Instagram fitness sensations Erika Hammond and Do Your Rumble.
Fitness Blender is another absolutely free online training option, with classes that you can filter by body focus (top or bottom), time frame (maybe you only have 20 minutes before the next meeting starts), and equipment (no equipment, no sweat; many kinds depending on the resistance of your own body). There is a premium offer available for those who want a slightly more enhanced experience with additional features and functionality.
Make an investment
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Kait Hanson, a journalist living on Oahu, had access to a free military gym before the pandemic, but when that option disappeared, she and her husband Dane invested in a Peloton to the tune of $ 3,300. with taxes and shipping. And yes, believe it or not, this was a money-saving measure.
Hanson says it was “a great investment,” but that, for her, it was worth it. She and her husband both ride their bikes almost every day and take advantage of the other offers on the Peloton app, including yoga classes. In short, they will reduce the Peloton to a few dollars a day in just over a year if they maintain their current pace.
Commit to unlimited…virtually
Boutique studios that offer class packages can’t really compete with online classes that offer unlimited classes, as the in-person savings typically amount to a few dollars off per class if that is so. And with the plethora of exercise options now available online (boxing, barre, cycling, sprint, cardio dance, HIIT, Pilates, yoga, sculpted cardio, strength training, whatever), if you’re someone you’re likely to quit. a workout routine out of boredom, then a virtual studio with a wide range of classes may be just what you need to keep you motivated and keep money in your wallet.
Let’s take Obé Fitness, a relatively new player to the virtual fitness game. Their live and on-demand classes are delivered by brightly dressed, energetic instructors with bold virtual backgrounds and just the right amount of encouragement to help you get through the burn. Obé’s cost is especially sweet. At just $ 27 a month for unlimited classes, it’s a clear win over virtually any in-person setting. He will save even more on the monthly cost if he does it for a year or a full quarter.
Opt for one class at a time and supplement
Bande, a more premium virtual offering dubbed “The World’s First Virtual Boutique Fitness Studio,” also offers unlimited monthly classes, but at $ 180 / mo, it’s probably not a huge money saver for most, unless you’re planning sweat. five or six days a week (and even then, you’re looking at $ 8 or $ 9 per class, cheap but not very cheap).
Fortunately, Bande’s entry fee is just $ 15, which founder and CEO Rebecca Balyasny notes are significantly lower than most traditional options. Consider two or three classes a month and supplement your workouts with runs in the park or long walks several times a week, and you will spend hardly anything on your exercise routine.
Join a no-frills gym
“With virtual, you can exercise more regularly than ever,” says Balyasny, but the question remains: will you?
The reality, of course, is that not everyone is motivated by a virtual option, especially when a class is free (no money is lost if you don’t show up!). An online yoga class might sound lovely to some, but to others, there’s something about laying the mat in your living room and trying to accommodate the breathing that just makes you want to clean the kitchen or make dinner, anything but. focus on his downward-facing dog form (just me?).
And new runners or joggers or those who are unlikely to pull their shoelaces and hit the pavement in less than ideal weather conditions may find they need a dedicated space outside the house or exercise just won’t happen. Fortunately, there are many inexpensive gyms across the country. Places like Planet Fitness, YMCA and even Crunch often offer sign-up deals that will get you in for less than $ 100 a month. Some also offer free trials for weeks or months.
These facilities may not offer the bells and whistles of Equinox, a swanky chain of gyms known for their stellar classes and impeccable locker rooms, offering a host of great amenities, but having all the essentials for training: weights, exercise bikes, treadmills. , ellipticals and exercise benches. Most of the time they also offer classes, and hey, there’s no shame in needing a roomful of people to get through those sixty-second planks.
Find an affordable personal trainer
If they exist! Dave Rice, for example, who has owned a Crossfit gym since 2007 offers personal training and 24/7 access, starting at $ 155 per month. Rice is in the gym most days, and he and his team provide instruction, guidance, and motivation – things he says often can’t be replicated in a similar offering found on YouTube or accessed on a YouTube. virtual class. “The gym immerses you in the task at hand, provides clarity, encourages concentration and commitment, and removes many of the distractions that can get in the way at home,” says Rice.
Becoming a Crossfit member is, of course, significantly more expensive than a basic gym membership, but it is still much cheaper than paying for a normal (expensive) personal trainer. If you’re someone like Battle and you have enough self-discipline to exercise regardless of life’s distractions, you probably won’t benefit much from a personal trainer and can continue to do so. However, if you’re a bit lacking in the self-discipline department and can’t get your butt to the gym or in front of your laptop screen, no matter how excited you are with your new workout gear, you might want to try another tactic.
Another option is Future, a virtual training program that pairs members with a highly trained trainer and uses an Apple Watch to track exercise and fitness goals (a watch comes with a membership if you don’t already have one). Rishi Mandal, the co-creator of Future, estimates that the average personal trainer (IRL) costs more than $ 15,000 / year, while Future costs $ 150 / month or $ 1,800 per year. With it, you are assigned a personal trainer who designs workouts based on your schedule and goals, and you also get the Fitness Tracking Apple Watch to help you monitor your steps and activities to burn calories.
Complete three or four personally designed workouts per week because someone holds you accountable instead of skipping the gym or not logging into the virtual class on demand? It is quite obvious which is the cheaper option of the two.
That said, there are also free ways to accommodate liability. You could find a running partner or arrange to meet a friend at a local park once a week to burn him off with squats, lunges, and sit-ups. They could sign up for a race with their best friend and stay on top of their mileage each week, motivated both by the cost of the race record and the sweet exhilaration of crossing the finish line. Hey, you can even make a plan to treat yourself to brunch afterward using all that money you saved on exercise classes, apps, and virtual trainers.
