Buzz
Fitness can be as expensive as you want it to be. Some gyms charge as little as $10 a month, while others—often called boutique fitness studios—can set you back $50 or more per session. The same price variations exist for workout apparel, fitness apps, home exercise gear, and much more. But the good news is, you can still enjoy an effective workout without spending a fortune. It turns out, there are plenty of ways to cut costs.
How to save on workout clothing
You could invest in high-end moisture-wicking fabrics or trendy, sculpting leggings, or you could throw on a pair of worn-out sweatpants. Your body won’t notice the difference, as long as you’re getting your workout in.
Some items and features might justify spending a little extra. One such item is a sports bra: If you have breasts and plan on engaging in high-impact activities like running or jumping, a supportive bra is essential. High-quality bras in larger sizes can be expensive. However, if you're new to exercising and the thought of bra shopping is overwhelming, any comfortable, basic bra is usually sufficient for low-impact activities like cycling or weightlifting.
For shirts and shorts, budget-friendly options work just fine as long as they’re comfortable. If you dislike the feeling of sweaty cotton, consider splurging on moisture-wicking fabrics—though affordable alternatives exist. If fabric quality doesn’t bother you, you can simply use T-shirts you already own. A pro tip: Some of my favorite workout tanks are just plain black undershirts from the men's section at Target.
When it comes to leggings and compression shorts, spending more can mean better quality, but good deals are still out there. Mid-tier brands like GRRL and Senita offer durable, non-see-through options, but budget-friendly leggings on Amazon have also received rave reviews. For recommendations and sales, check out the r/xxfitness Style Saturday threads.
How to save on workout shoes
There’s a wide variety of shoes suited for different types of exercise, but you may not even need them at all depending on the activity you choose to do.
For activities like yoga, barre, Pilates, and some types of kettlebell or functional training, you don’t need shoes at all. Socks with a grippy bottom are suggested for barre, but regular socks will work just fine. Most of these exercises are done barefoot. (Check with your gym to see if they recommend or require shoes.)
For running, the most important thing is that your shoes are comfortable. Sure, running shoes can get ridiculously expensive, and they tend to wear out fast, making them almost disposable. But a basic, inexpensive pair of sneakers will work just fine to start, and some shoes will actually last much longer than you think. (In my experience, pricier shoes are often made with fancy foams that wear down quicker, so budget-friendly options can actually be a smarter choice.)
For weightlifting and general fitness activities, flat-soled shoes like Converse or Vans (or similar budget-friendly brands) are affordable and versatile. You might already have a pair in your closet.
Weightlifting shoes, which have a raised heel, are another category where the price can be surprisingly high. The good news is you don’t actually need them. You can squat using flat shoes and adding plates under your heels, and if you do decide to buy a pair, they’ll last a long time.
How to cut costs on a gym membership
Shopping for gym memberships can be incredibly frustrating. Some gyms won’t disclose their prices upfront; others will, only for you to find hidden fees or be forced to upgrade to access 'perks' that should already be included in a basic membership.
But yes, budget gyms are totally worth it. We’ve got a post here that covers the trade-offs you make when you opt for a gym with a $10 or $15 monthly membership. The main downside? You might not have access to a barbell, meaning your dreams of becoming a competitive weightlifter or powerlifter might need to be put on pause. But if your goal is just to get stronger and fitter, you can definitely achieve that with the dumbbells and machines at gyms like Planet Fitness, Crunch, or similar places.
To find more affordable options, try looking into community fitness centers. Your local town might have a gym available for free or at a low cost for residents, and the neighboring town could offer a non-resident fee that’s still a great deal.
How to cut costs on supplements
It’s simple: skip the supplements. There are only a few that actually have a measurable impact on your progress, and even then, they’re not essentials—they’re just nice additions if you feel like it.
Pre-workout is essentially just a vehicle for caffeine. If you're after a caffeine boost before your workout, a cup of coffee or even a caffeine pill will work just as well. If you’re not into caffeine, a snack before the gym will give you more energy than any 'stim-free' pre-workout ever could.
Creatine might help improve your performance in the gym, but it’s not essential. Our bodies produce creatine naturally, and we also get it from food (primarily meat). The purpose of a supplement is simply to replenish what’s stored in our muscles. Many people have achieved their fitness goals without taking it as a supplement.
Protein powder is just one option for adding protein to your diet. If you're already getting enough protein from whole foods, you can skip this entirely.
How to save money on exercise apps and gadgets
This is almost a trick question. You don’t need any of that gear. You can jog without a smartwatch. You can track your miles, weights, and any other metrics you care about in a paper notebook. And remind yourself that it doesn’t matter how many calories a fitness tracker says you’ve burned.
I’ve tried many different apps and gadgets, mostly for work purposes, and yet I still track everything in a paper notebook. A watch can be useful for running, but your body knows how hard you’ve worked, even if you don’t track it in an app.
How to work out for absolutely free
Go for a run. (This needs shoes and, for some, a sports bra, but the simple act of running is free.)
Take a walk, hike, or ruck. (Rucking involves walking while wearing a weighted vest or backpack.)
Check out a fitness trail, often found in random parks. These trails feature equipment for bodyweight exercises and a jogging path.
Try the Reddit bodyweight fitness workout. Some exercises require a bar (like pull-ups or rows), but you can find one on a fitness trail or make use of any conveniently placed railings.
Or do these bodyweight exercises that actually build muscle. Some may need minimal equipment like a chair or railing, but many require nothing at all.
Get in some cardio with YouTube videos, whether it’s K-pop choreography or retro Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons routines.
Is investing in home gym equipment worth it?
Certain home gym equipment is absolutely worth the investment. A set of appropriately heavy weights will target areas that jogging and bodyweight exercises don’t fully cover. A few dumbbells or kettlebells are a great addition. If you can spare the funds for a squat rack, barbell, and weights, you’ll be able to achieve a lot with that setup.
However, be cautious of the temptation to create a full home gym. Speaking from personal experience, before the pandemic, I had just a rusty barbell and some random weights. Now, I own a squat rack and an absurd number of kettlebells, and I can’t park my car in my garage anymore. I love all my heavy iron children, but they certainly haven’t been money savers.
A home gym can be a solid choice for someone who’s willing to work out with minimal equipment—maybe a few kettlebells—and is confident they’ll be happy with that setup long-term. If you splurge on adjustable competition kettlebells and perhaps a spin bike, you’ll be able to meet all your fitness needs for quite a while. Or at least until you start wondering if a barbell might be a nice addition, too...
