The New Year means New Year’s resolutions. According to the 2013 Outlook Survey organized by TD Ameritrade, Inc., 42 percent of Americans are making health-related resolutions this year. That’s compared to 32 percent opting for financial-oriented goals. Kendal Perez, frugal fashionista and bargain shopper, offers hassle-free ways to save money. And for the New Year Perez offers some tips on keeping those fitness resolutions.
1. Take Advantage
Gym rats abhor the beginning of the year when well-intentioned newbies crowd their classes and struggle with the equipment. Despite the initial claustrophobia, however, the gym floor inevitably clears within a couple months as fitness goals wane. As a committed newcomer, you should take advantage of New Year’s gym deals, like reduced monthly payments and waived activation fees. Chat with salespeople at several gyms and be sure to ask for a free pass to experience the facility and classes before committing.
2. Stay Home
If dragging yourself to the gym a few times a week is enough to send you into a couch-ridden funk, skip the membership and work out at home. Rotate several DVDs to keep yourself motivated and to avoid muscle complacency. Since workout videos range anywhere from $8 to $30, download the Coupon Sherpa mobile app for in-store savings at Target, Sports Authority and more. Cable users or Netflix subscribers can also stream workout videos as part of their monthly subscription.
3. Go Online
Paying for personal training gets pricey, though good instructors are worth their, um, weight in gold for people with big fitness goals. If you’re looking for basic guidance, get it for free from websites like Fitbie or Exercise TV on Hulu, or subscribe to a health magazine. After all, you can’t beat $15 a year for weight-loss advice and at-home program recommendations.
4. Make it Public
I think it was Thomas Jefferson who said something about behaving as if everyone is watching. Apply this lesson to your fitness regimen and share your goals via Facebook or Twitter, letting your friends keep track of your status and offer support during the inevitable lulls. Better yet, create a Facebook group of like-minded friends to swap tips, recipes and encouragement.
5. Buddy Up on PT
If reading articles about getting in shape don’t do it for you, consider going halfsies on the cost of personal training. According to SmartMoney, the majority of personal trainers offer discounts for group sessions even if they represent a gym that doesn’t promote this fact. As with anything, it never hurts to ask and you may be more encouraged to attend sessions with a friend.
6. Daily Deal It
Groupon and other daily-deal sites are good for more than deeply discounted laser treatments. Health clubs compete for new business at the beginning of the year so you should have a plethora of options. Look for daily deals on discount or limited-time memberships, and feel free to play the field of gyms in your area. Doing so may give you free access to consistent workouts for a few months.
7. Buy Used
Fitness equipment can get expensive but it shouldn’t be the reason you avoid exercise. Hit up discount retailers for basic fitness accessories like dumbbells, yoga mats and medicine balls for a fraction of fitness-store prices. Thrift stores are another good outlet for discount essentials, and you can always scan Craiglist for bigger equipment. Be sure to research equipment and thoroughly test and inspect used items before purchase.
8. Mobile Motivation
The best motivator for exercise is knowing how many calories you burn while pumping iron, as well as how many you avoid by eating right. Luckily, there’s an app (or several) to track your progress on both counts.
For savings tips and more information, visit HassleFreeSavings.com.