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I am excited to team up with Sears & Fitstudio.com to bring you these awesome tips!  If you want 10 tips to cut gym costs, I hope that you will find these to be helpful.  You can work out anytime… even sitting down!
cut gym costs

1. Do a trial run
The gym that I belong to does a trial run.  You work out for 14 days for free before deciding if you want to join.    I love this ides because it lets you try the classes and see if you like how the instructor teaches the class before you give your money and time as part of a commitment.  Most health clubs offer a free week so take advantage of as many complimentary memberships as you can.  Buying a membership on the spur of the moment is not a good idea because if you don’t stick with it, you are really losing money.

2. Join an online fitness community.   
I think that you will love this website called FitStudio!   It lets you track your progress and it even has reviews for fitness gadgets that you will use.   It gives you exercises to do and even a video on how to do each one.  It really is the go-to resource for getting fit… Oh- and did I mention that it is completely free?   You can connect your fitness app (fitbit or whatever it is) and you can also track your progress right form their My Fitness Progress tab.

3. Punch It
Paying a flat monthly fee typically works out to less money per visit than a punch pass. However, a recent study by Berkley found members who choose a contract with a monthly fee over a 10-visit pass paid $600 more annually. So if you don’t have time to hit the gym everyday or you prefer to be active outdoors, paying per visit may offer a better value and will also save you potential early-termination fees if you want to cancel the membership before the contract is up.

4. Resist the Commitment
If you are willing to commit to a two year contract, you will often get a lower monthly rate, but if you ever decide to switch facilities, you will lose money or often have to pay a fee.  Because healthy habits take time (21 days to start a routine), you will want to be sure that you have tried it for a month or so before committing to this.  A friend of mine is signed up for a lifetime membership at her gym and has only gone one time.   Plus, you might change your mind about the gym itself and you don’t want to be stuck in a place that is no longer fitting your needs.

5. Make “Family” work to your advantage. 
Many health clubs provide family membership deals that aren’t limited to relatives. This means you can sign up with a few friends to benefit from the discounted offer.  Just set up a payment plan that works for both of you (I would suggest a one-time payment to the person paying or monthly automatic-checks sent to the payee).

6.  Sign up for an incentive program
To incentivize members to incorporate movement into their daily lives to get and stay fit, FitStudio.com offers Points for Progress, a fitness rewards program.  To participate in Points for Progress, register for FitStudio.com for free and automatically become a Shop Your Way member. Then, simply connect a fitness app or device, and track activity to earn Shop Your Way points that can be redeemed for merchandise in stores and online at Sears and Kmart.

7. Daily Deal
If you go to fitstudio.com, you can see a personalized deal of the day.   It changes daily and it is personalized for you.  Members can select the type of gear or equipment they are shopping for, and a Deal of the Day for that item will be loaded into their Shop Your Way account.   The deals can be coupled with the points earned for working out, allowing members to get the best deal possible. Members can receive one new deal a day, but the offer must be redeemed within seven days.  Sears has all of the top brands including NordicTrack (exclusively), Life Fitness, AFG, ProForm and more, with the lowest prices guaranteed.   As part of the Points for Progress initiative, members can earn $5 in Shop Your Way points (5,000 points) by burning 1,500 calories or walking or running 15 miles in 2015.  To help members #Achieve15 and meet their goals to earn $5, FitStudio.com will issue #Achieve15 tips via social media throughout the month of January. The tips include everything from inspiration to keep members on track, to ideas for reaching goals to earn rewards.

 

8. Don’t Limit Yourself
In recent years, speciality fitness studios that focus on one type of activity like Pilates, indoor cycling and yoga have popped up everywhere. While these facilities undoubtedly offer great classes, the exercise is limited. As experts explain, changing your workout every three to four weeks shocks your body and muscles to work harder. Those who stick to the same routine will see less results over time. Don’t limit your options by signing up to a speciality studio if your budget is tight. Look for a gym that offers a variety of group classes, including the workout you enjoy most, plus cardio and weight-lifting equipment.

9. Train One-on-One for Less
For newbies, personal training is a great way to get acquainted with a gym and the equipment, plus learn exercise moves based on individual goals. However, one-on-one sessions are pricey. One way to keep fees down is to split the cost of sessions with a friend at the same fitness level. Some trainers may even be willing to meet outside of the facility for a less expensive session. Otherwise, turn to your mobile device and hook up to an online dashboard to keep yourself on track.

10. Build Your Own Gym
Recent stats show that 67 percent of people who sign up for a membership don’t use it. Considering the average monthly fee is $58, you could potentially waste up to $700 a year or more! You may be better off building an at-home gym to use in the morning before work or in the evening while watching your favorite shows. Though this costs more upfront, you’ll end up saving money in the long run. Plus, you don’t have to buy everything at once. Start with dumbbells and a mat and tap into free workout videos online to get tips and ideas on new move.

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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