How to Save Money on Your Workouts—Online & IRL

From free online classes to actually-affordable personal trainers, there are plenty ways to save money and get the best bang for your workout buck—no matter your budget or fitness experience.

In the ever-evolving landscape of fitness, maintaining a consistent regimen while managing your budget can be quite the challenge. The cost of fitness can be staggering, with boutique studios demanding a hefty fee for a single session and exclusive gyms demanding monthly dues that rival many monthly bills. Yet, with the right approach and a dash of ingenuity, achieving your fitness goals doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Here, we explore a range of strategies that cater to diverse budgets and fitness experiences.

1. Pay Nothing: Embrace Free Fitness

Before the pandemic, individuals like Elisse Battle, a New York City educator, found themselves frequently shelling out substantial sums for boutique fitness classes. Battle used to attend three to four SoulCycle sessions each week, often purchasing packages that offered minimal discounts. Her monthly expenditure on SoulCycle and the occasional “Solidcore” class reached around $500.

However, Battle has since undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, she reports being in better shape than ever while spending only a fraction of her previous fitness budget. How did she do it? Battle has turned to free workout options, thanks to Instagram fitness influencers like Erika Hammond and Do Your Rumble.

One notable platform is Fitness Blender, offering a wide array of free online workouts. These workouts can be filtered by body focus, duration, and equipment requirements, catering to various fitness preferences. Additionally, Fitness Blender provides a premium subscription for those seeking enhanced features and functionality.

2. Make an Investment: The Case for Premium Equipment

On the opposite end of the spectrum, individuals like Kait Hanson, a journalist residing in Oahu, invested in a Peloton exercise bike when access to her free military gym vanished due to the pandemic. The Peloton, priced at $3,300 with tax and shipping, may appear as a substantial financial commitment, but for Hanson and her husband, it has proven to be a cost-effective choice.

Hanson emphasizes that the Peloton investment has paid off remarkably. Both she and her husband utilize the bike almost daily and explore additional offerings available through the Peloton app, including yoga classes. By maintaining their current pace, they anticipate reducing the Peloton’s daily cost to a mere fraction in just over a year.

3. Commit to Unlimited Virtual Classes

Boutique studios that sell class packages often struggle to compete with online platforms offering unlimited classes. The savings associated with in-person classes are typically modest, amounting to a few dollars per session, at best. With an abundance of online exercise options available—ranging from boxing, barre, and cycling to dance cardio, HIIT, Pilates, yoga, and more—a virtual studio with diverse offerings can keep you motivated while preserving your finances.

Platforms like Obé Fitness, a relatively recent entrant in the virtual fitness arena, stand out. Their live and on-demand classes feature energetic instructors, vivid virtual backgrounds, and just the right amount of encouragement. At just $27 per month for unlimited classes, Obé Fitness offers a compelling value proposition, surpassing the cost-effectiveness of most in-person alternatives. Discounts are available for those who opt for an annual or quarterly subscription.

4. Opt for One Class at a Time and Supplement

For individuals seeking premium virtual experiences, Bande, known as the “World’s First Virtual Boutique Fitness Studio,” offers unlimited monthly classes at $180 per month. While this rate may not be a game-changer for most, especially if you’re not planning to work out rigorously, Bande provides a drop-in rate of $15. Founder & CEO Rebecca Balyasny underscores that this rate is significantly lower than the majority of brick-and-mortar options. By attending two or three classes monthly and supplementing with outdoor activities like running or power walks, you can maintain a budget-friendly fitness routine.

5. Join a No-Frills Gym

Virtual workouts offer unprecedented convenience and accessibility, but they may not resonate with everyone. Some individuals require a dedicated workout space and the motivation that comes with being in a physical gym environment. Fortunately, countless inexpensive gyms nationwide offer affordability and essential workout equipment. Chains like Planet Fitness, the YMCA, and Crunch frequently provide sign-up promotions that grant access for less than $100 per month. Some even offer complimentary week or month trials, allowing you to explore their offerings before committing.

While these facilities may not boast the luxuries of upscale gyms like Equinox, which dazzles with top-notch classes and pristine locker rooms, they equip you with the essentials: weights, stationary bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, and workout benches. Most also feature a roster of classes, fostering a motivating group environment conducive to meeting fitness goals.

6. Discover Affordable Personal Training

Personal trainers are often associated with high costs, but affordable options do exist. Consider Dave Rice, the owner of a CrossFit gym since 2007, who provides personal training and 24/7 access starting at $155 per month. According to Rice, the gym environment fosters clarity, focus, and commitment, aspects that may be challenging to replicate in virtual or YouTube-based workouts. While CrossFit membership exceeds basic gym costs, it remains significantly cheaper than conventional personal training sessions.

For a different approach, explore Future, a virtual workout program pairing members with highly trained coaches. Utilizing an Apple Watch to monitor progress, Future’s cost of $150 per month or $1,800 per year provides customized workouts based on your schedule and objectives. This personalized guidance, combined with fitness-tracking capabilities, offers an economical alternative to traditional personal training.

7. Leverage Accountability for Free

Accountability plays a crucial role in maintaining a consistent fitness routine. While personal trainers can provide accountability, there are no-cost alternatives. Partnering with a friend for outdoor workouts or races can be highly motivating. The prospect of participating in a race, coupled with the financial investment in registration fees, serves as a powerful incentive. Additionally, you can incentivize yourselves further with post-workout rewards, such as a brunch outing, utilizing the savings from foregoing costly exercise classes, apps, or virtual trainers.

In conclusion, the world of fitness offers a spectrum of options that cater to various budgets and preferences. Whether you opt for free online workouts, invest in premium equipment, embrace virtual classes, attend affordable gyms, discover affordable personal trainers, or create accountability with a friend, there is a cost-effective fitness solution that aligns with your goals. Balancing physical health with financial well-being is achievable, allowing you to pursue your fitness journey without breaking the bank.