The Price Tag on Fitness

I was born to flex.

Diamonds on my neck.
I like boardin' jets…
But nothing in this world that I like more than checks.

- Cardi B

Let’s talk the dollars and cents of fitness. Studies show the average American spends $155 per month on health and fitness. That’s over $1800 a year. If you are a little more “fit obsessed,” like us, that number is much higher. A breakdown of this $155 per month includes, $33 on gym memberships, $56 on health supplements, $35 on clothing and accessories, and $17 for healthy meal plans each month.

Given that we can’t remember the last time we spent less than $200/month on health and fitness, we have all the questions!! A membership to a boutique studio triples the average gym membership per month, we’re talking upwards of $150+.  Add in the cost of “looking good” while working hard, we have more fitness clothes than regular clothes in our closets , the price of gym wear can also triple the monthly amount listed above. Or, if you love to cook, but don’t have all the time in the world, meal delivery services like Blue Apron, Kettlebell Kitchen, and Hello Fresh can all take a toll on the budget.

We are constantly asking ourselves: how much are we willing to pay for convenience and an experience?   

Living a health and wellness-focused lifestyle is truly a positive, long-term investment. But, as many of us are also focused on digging out from debt, building wealth and growing our investments, the price of fitness may come to question when scrutinizing a budget. We’ve noticed many friends embarking on saving challenges, so here are some ideas for staying fit when on a budget.

Move that Body(weight).

Bodyweight training focuses on strength exercises that uses an individual’s own weight to build power, endurance, flexibility, balance and strength. There are huge benefits to focus on bodyweight training, like high output without investing a lot of time, there’s a variety of ways to move so you don’t get bored easily, and you can do it anytime and anywhere. Carve out a space at home to be your workout corner and build circuits using exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, burpees and planks.

When you get ready to take this training up a notch, purchasing equipment like dumbbells, kettlebells, jump ropes or resistance bands are still cheap, effective ways to keep your workout varied and challenging. Need a place to start check out some our favorite low-to-no equipment workouts: HIIT of the Week, Balance it Out, Oh My Core, Back 2 Da Basics, Power’d Up: Kettlebell Style

App it Out.

Our phones are typically attached to our hands anyway, so why not make it a resource for fitness training? There are a number of great apps that are free or low-cost. Some of our favorites include GrpFit, Nike Training Club and Tone it Up. Also, websites like PopSugar, Self and Strong regularly host monthly challenges or post weekly workouts via their social media profiles that are great for toning and building strength. These often come with Facebook groups you can join for support and accountability. Check out reviews of our favorite apps here: To App or Not to App

Head outside.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but heading to your local park for a workout session can offer far more benefits that just a trail run. Look around your local park and find numerous, creative ways to get moving. Turn a park bench into a step where you can work on incline push-ups, squat jumps and step-ups. Hit the monkey bars to work on hangs and pull-ups. Take along an agility ladder and work on building speed and power. Your local parks are also a great place to scope out trainers that host boot camps for as cheap as $5 per session.

Shop Around

We love a good fitness studio, and they often come with a lot of perks. Joining a fitness studio means joining a built-in community of people who share a common interest with you, meeting new people who can also become accountability partners or even lifelong friends, group challenges to keep you motivated, access to a variety of equipment and keeping up with what’s going on at the cutting edge of fitness equipment. All these benefits are why those memberships can get a little pricey.

But there are ways to “finesse” the process, when looking to save money. Many studios offer first class or first week free. If you can also find a studio that is on the cusp of opening, you can often find a host of free workouts or trial periods. Don’t underestimate the power of Groupon or services like ClassPass and MindBody that will often let you try cool classes for discounted rates.

Try a few out before making a final decision to ensure your money is going someplace you will truly use to its full benefit. Consider all factors like proximity to work and home (if you have to pass it to get to either destination, you are more likely to go), availability of childcare, policies for putting a membership on hold, etc.

Partner Up.

Training for a big event? Need an extra push? Go for a personal trainer, but think about partnering up with a friend. Personal trainers will often offer lower pricing for small, targeted group sessions (think no more than six people per session), or partnering with a friend or spouse for a 2-on-1 deal.

What other tips do you have for being fit on a budget? Comment below!