Getting Fit on a Budget

Going to the gym to get in shape is popular, but budgets are tight everywhere and the gym is just another expense. Depending on when you join, you can get really good deals between the months of May and September. This is when membership drops off and gyms are willing to haggle over fees. Get prices from other clubs before you go to have some bargaining power. Many gyms will offer to match their competitor’s prices in order to get a new member. Watch out for registration fees and ask if they can be waived. Read the fine print and make sure you are not paying for services or amenities that you will never use.

Buying your own fitness equipment for your home is one way to avoid going to the gym and paying their fees. There is a lot of equipment for sale on the Internet, but make sure to check shipping costs on large, heavy items. It may be cheaper to look in your local paper for used fitness equipment. You will find everything from weightlifting equipment to resistance bands, dumbbells and stability balls. Many times this equipment is barely used and is collecting dust in someone’s house.

Working out at home is a great way to save money and avoid the hassles of the gym. If you enjoy taking classes at the gym, consider your local YCMA or other recreational center. The cost associated with these is much less than a gym membership and many times they work with you on payment options. Look for fitness videos online for the days that you are short on time. They have many to choose from and they offer 10, 15, 20 and 30-minute workouts for those days that you have little time to spare.